Can Big Dogs Eat Chicken Bones?

My big dog seems to be able to eat anything, but I know that not all things are good for him! I want him to live the longest and healthiest life he possibly can, and I know you can say the same for your big dog! As I researched things my dog can (and cannot) eat, the subject of chicken bones came up. Let me tell you what I found out…

So, can big dogs eat chicken bones? Yes, big dogs can eat RAW chicken bones, but not without the bone being a potential hazard. Let’s take a close look at the risk chicken bones present, and discuss some safer bones to feed your big dog for a treat. That’s right, this post is all about bones and your big dog! Today you’ll discover:

Whether or Not Big Dogs can Digest Chicken Bones
The Risks Associated with Bones for Big Dogs
What to do if Your Big Dog Swallows a Chicken Bone
Whether or Not Chicken Drumsticks Should be Fed to Big Dogs
What Bones are OK for Big Dogs
Bones to AVOID
Which are Better, Bones or Chew Toys?
The Basics of Dog Bone Safety

We’ve got a lot of information to “chew on” so let’s get started!

Can Big Dogs Digest Chicken Bones?

It’s not likely a big dog will digest a chicken bone and here’s why. The material is so hard, your dog’s digestive system will just push it straight on through. This can be dangerous because the bone will be in small, sharp pieces as it passes through the dog’s stomach, intestines, and anus, with the potential to cause great damage or obstruction. Additionally, these partially digested bones can cause painful constipation for your big dog.

How Bad are Chicken Bones for Big Dogs?

Admittedly, raw chicken bones hold less potential for doing damage, but still, I wouldn’t recommend chicken bones for ANY dog, your big dog included! The choice, of course, is yours. Bones that are known to splinter (like chicken bones do) have the potential to do harm from one end of your dog’s body to the other! They can splinter into sharp pieces and cut your Big dog’s mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus.

Aside from being sharp enough to cut your dog internally, chicken bones also pose a threat of becoming lodged in the dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines. either of the two injuries (cutting or lodging) can quickly become serious, and even fatal.

What Should I Do if my Big Dog Swallowed a Chicken Bone?

If your dog gets ahold of a chicken bone by accident, don’t panic! Careful observation will direct the steps you must take (if any). There are a few ways it can go. Here is a simple guideline to follow:

If your big dog has a chicken bone (or any bone) lodged in his mouth or throat or is choking:

Examine his open mouth for the visible obstruction. If you can see the bone, grab it and, as carefully as possible, remove it.

If you can’t see the bone, employ the CANINE HEIMLICH Maneuver

Regardless of consciousness, sweep your finger through the dog’s mouth in an effort to feel or dislodge any object. Use caution to avoid being bitten.
If the object is blocking the airway, grab the tongue and pull it outward to try to dislodge the object.
If the object cannot be reached or pulled out, lift the dog and place the dog’s spine against your chest. (Lay the dog on his side if he is too heavy to lift or unconscious)
Standing behind the dog, bend over and wrap your arms around the dog under the rib cage. (or kneel with the dog’s legs pointing towards you.)
Make a fist with one hand and place the other hand over your fist. (Or, for the dog on his side: Place your palms over each other just behind the dog’s ribs)
Pulling in and up, give 5 rapid abdominal thrusts. (Or for the dog on his side: Pushing in and up, give 5 rapid abdominal thrusts)
If the object was not dislodged, hold your dog in a sitting or standing position and give 5 sharp blows with your hand to the dog’s back between the shoulder blades.
If the dog is not breathing, give 5 breaths into his mouth (plugging his nose with your hand) and then 5 abdominal thrusts again and continue this pattern until the object is dislodged.
When the object is dislodged, stop the abdominal thrusts.
Check the dog’s airway, breathing, and heartbeat.
Take the dog to your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately if he lost consciousness, stopped breathing or shows any signs of bleeding from mouth or anus. (Source)

If your dog has injured his mouth or throat with bone splinters:

There will be pain associated with mouth and throat preforations, so be aware that even your best frien can snap at you while you check over his wounds! if the wounds are minor, allow them to heal naturally without any intervention. Just know your dog may be sensitive for a couple of days. If there is a lot of bleeding, or if your dog is exhibiting signs of extreme discomfort or pain, please take him immediately to his veterinarian.

If your dog ate the bone with no visible problems:

If your dog chewed up the chicken bone and ate it, you’ll want to monitor his bowel movements for the next 48 hours. Seeing pieces of the bone in your dog’s stool isn’t uncommon, but it’s not that you’ll be watching for. You’ll want to watch for constipation, mucus in the stool, or for any signs of anal bleeding (or blood in the stool). If you see anything that concerns you, please schedule an appointment for your dog with his veterinarian.

Can Big Dogs Eat Chicken Drumsticks?

What Bones are OK for big dogs?

NEVER FEED ANY DOG COOKED BONES! When it comes to big dogs, the bigger the bone, the better! Check in with your local butcher for some ideal bones for your big dog to nosh. As long as they’re fed to your dog RAW, the following bones are excellent alternatives to sharper chicken bones.

Beef Bones (especially the Bone “knuckles”)
Lamb Bones
Venison Bones
Goat Bones
Moose Bones
Bear Bones

Bones Big Dogs Should NOT EAT

Pork ~Raw pork bones carry bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhea, salmonella or even death!
Fish Bones ~These bones are sharp and dangerous! Fish Bones pose a high risk of choking or perforation.
Store-bought/packaged bones or bone treats ~The treats may be dried through baking or smoking and may contain preservatives and added flavoring. Additionally, they can also break up into hard pieces that may be sharp or pose a risk of becomming lodged in the dog’s throat or intestines.

Should Big Dogs Eat Rawhide Bones?

Being a responsible pet owner, I know you only want what is best for your big dog! I do, too! I do NOT feed my big dog rawhide bones because they tend to splinter off into sharp pieces, and my dog has a tendancy to swallow quickly, before he’s thoroughly chewed his treat. The choice is yours, though, and so I will give you the pros and cons of rawhide bones and you can make the best decision possible for your big dog.

Pros of Rawhide Bones:

Most dogs like the flavor
Prevents boredom in high-energy animals
Satisfies chewing urge
Convenient
No salmonella risk

Cons of Rawhide Bones:

Choking or blockage risk
Pieces of Rawhide can break off, obstructing the intestine
May cause digestive irritation

Again, observing your dog while he gnaws at any bone will give you some insight on what you will want to give him in the future, and what bones (or chews) you’ll want to avoid.

Are Bones Better than Chew Toys for Big Dogs?

Bones and chew toys designed for aggressive chewers are equally beneficial to your big dog. Both can be helpful in keeping your dog’s teeth clean, both satisfy your dog’s natural instinct for chewing, and both can provide hours of entertainment, helping to stave off bordom. The choice is yours!

The obvious differences are that the bone will be tastier for your big dog and the chew toy will last longer. I’ve done the research on safe chew toys for aggressive chewers and gathered some choice together for you right on Amazon!

Toys for Aggressive Chewers on Amazon

Big Dog Bone Safety

Here are some other things to keep safety at the top of your list when feeding your big dog bones:

Only use RAW bones.
Stick with big bones for big dogs. Smaller bones will be swallowed whole or without having been properly chewed, posing a choking/obstruction risk.
Use only FRESH or REFRIGERATED bones. Dogs have the same risk factor for contracting salmolnilla as humans.
Be sure the bone is being evenly chewed, and not breaking off into sharp and potentially harmful shards.

I hope today’s article has helped you decide which kinds of bones are safer for your big dog to have, and which kinds of bones should be avoided. I want you and your big dog to have a long, happy and HEALTHY life together! For more information about feeding your big dog bones, you’ll want to read this article, right here at the Big Dog Den. It’s written with Rotteilers in mind, but certainly applies to any big dog!

*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.

Can Big Dogs Digest Chicken Bones?

How Bad are Chicken Bones for Big Dogs?

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