Call your vet today
Most dogs that swallow a cooked chicken bone pass it without problems, but cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, mouth injuries, a blockage or, rarely, a tear in the gut. Call your vet for advice, do not make your dog vomit, and watch closely for 72 hours.
What to do right now
- Stay calm and take away any remaining bones.
- Check your dog is breathing normally. If your dog is choking, pawing at the mouth or gagging repeatedly, go to an emergency vet.
- Call your vet. Tell them the size of your dog, how many bones and which type (cooked or raw, wing or leg).
- Do not induce vomiting: sharp fragments can injure the esophagus on the way back up.
- Your vet may suggest feeding a soft, bulky meal to help cushion fragments. Only do this on their advice.
- Watch your dog and check stools for 72 hours.
Why chicken bone can be dangerous for dogs
Cooking makes bones brittle, so they break into sharp shards instead of crushing. Small, sharp pieces can lodge in the throat or esophagus, scrape the stomach, or pierce the intestine. Larger pieces, especially from wings and thighs in small dogs, can cause an obstruction.
Symptoms to watch for
- Gagging, retching or drooling
- Vomiting (especially repeated)
- Not eating or lethargy
- Straining to poop, or no stool
- Bloody or black, tarry stool
- Swollen or painful belly, or hunched posture
What not to do
- Do not make your dog vomit.
- Do not give laxatives or oil unless your vet says so.
- Do not wait out vomiting, a painful belly or blood in the stool.
What the vet will do
Your vet may take x-rays to locate fragments. Bones stuck in the esophagus or stomach can often be removed with an endoscope; an intestinal blockage or perforation needs surgery.
Related guides
Dog ate chicken bone: FAQ
How long does it take a dog to pass a chicken bone?
Usually 24-72 hours. Check stools during this time and call your vet if you see vomiting, straining or blood.
Are raw chicken bones safer than cooked?
Raw bones are softer and less likely to splinter, but they can still cause choking or blockages and carry Salmonella. Most vets advise against feeding bones.
Should I feed my dog bread after eating a chicken bone?
Some vets suggest a soft, bulky meal such as bread or pumpkin to cushion fragments, but ask your vet first; it is not right for every dog.
Other "my dog ate…" guides
- GumEmergency
- Grapes or RaisinsEmergency
- Corn CobCall your vet
- BeeWatch closely
- Silica Gel PacketWatch closely
- Rat PoisonEmergency
- IbuprofenEmergency
- TylenolCall your vet
- SockCall your vet
- Cat PoopWatch closely
- Raw ChickenWatch closely
- WeedCall your vet
Sources
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every pet is different: when in doubt, call your vet or an animal poison control line.