Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones?

No. Chicken bones are not safe for dogs. Cooked bones are more likely to splinter, and raw bones can still cause choking or a blockage. Many dogs pass a bone with no trouble, but some get badly hurt. Chicken meat is fine, but the bones should stay out of reach.

Why are chicken bones bad for dogs?

The AKC says no chicken bone is completely safe. Dr. Carly Fox, an emergency vet quoted by the AKC, says every swallowed chicken bone is a concern.

Cooked bones are the bigger worry. They break into sharp pieces and take longer to dissolve. Raw bones are not safe either. They can still cause choking, an upset gut, or a blockage.

The AKC lists these possible problems:

• Mild: an upset stomach with vomiting and diarrhea.
• Serious: pancreatitis (a painful swelling of the pancreas), an inflamed esophagus, or a blocked or torn esophagus.
• Rare: a blockage in the small intestine.

The AKC also notes some experts disagree about bones. Some vets support raw meaty bones. Others point out that raw bones can carry germs like salmonella. Ask your vet before you try them.

What about cooked chicken necks, wings, and drumsticks?

The AKC’s chicken guide says cooked bones can splinter and hurt the mouth or gut. It advises serving cooked chicken off the bone. It does not name necks, wings, or drumsticks. But the same advice applies to any bone-in piece.

Pick off all the bones before you share. Plain chicken with no seasoning is the best choice. The AKC suggests plain roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken.

What to do if your dog ate a chicken bone

Here are the steps the AKC gives:

1. Stay calm and don’t grab the bone. Chasing your dog can make it gulp the bone whole. Some dogs bite when they guard food. Offer a tasty trade, or say “leave it” or “drop it.”
2. Call your vet. If your dog seems normal, watch closely for signs of trouble.
3. Don’t feed bread or other food. Strong stomach acid can dissolve most bones in a couple of hours. Food makes the stomach less acidic for a while, which slows this down.
4. Don’t make your dog throw up. Dr. Fox says this can cause a blocked esophagus, lung infection from breathing in vomit, and an inflamed esophagus.

Signs to watch for

Take your dog to a vet if you see any of these:

• Vomiting or spitting up food
• Drooling a lot
• Trouble swallowing
• Choking or gagging sounds
• Stretching the neck out
• Not wanting to eat
• Diarrhea

Diarrhea alone is less worrying. The AKC says it often goes away by itself. The other signs need a vet.

If your dog acts normal and eats well for 12 to 24 hours, there is usually little to worry about, according to the AKC.

Signs of a bone stuck in the throat are an emergency. The AKC says to go to an emergency clinic that can use an endoscope (a thin camera tube). The vet removes the bone while your dog is asleep. Waiting raises the risk of a tear or scarring.

What will the vet do?

The AKC says a vet will usually take chest X-rays. These show whether the bone is stuck in the esophagus or has reached the stomach. A bone in the stomach usually needs no more treatment, because that is the best place for it to dissolve. The vet may give medicine to stop vomiting. The vet should not give antacids, since stomach acid helps break the bone down.

How to keep chicken bones away from your dog

• Use a trash can with a tight lid. The AKC warns that dogs can tear open a tied bag.
• Throw away bones and carcasses right after a meal.
• Ask guests not to leave food within reach.
• Teach “leave it” and “drop it,” and practice trading for treats.

Safer things to chew

The AKC suggests chew toys and fake bones made for dogs, in a size that fits your dog. Watch your dog while it chews. For a treat, offer a little plain cooked chicken with no bones. Treats should be no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

Want more detail on other bones? Read about cooked bones and the ham bone. You can also see our guide to plain chicken for dogs.