Raw chicken bones provide dogs with a tasty way to satisfy their natural urge to chew, while cooked bones may splinter and cause damage to esophagus, intestines and even throat/digestive tract linings. As with anything consumed regularly by humans or other mammals, moderation should always be observed with regard to consumption of cooked bones as they could potentially splinter and lodge themselves inside one’s system causing potentially serious harm or sickness.
Close supervision is required to prevent your dog from choking on or ingesting small pieces, like bones. They should be large enough for him not to swallow in one gulp.
Contents
They’re a great source of calcium
Raw chicken bones provide dogs with plenty of calcium, making them an excellent supplement to their soft canned food diets. Furthermore, raw bones also promote good dental health. However, it should be noted that the ideal source of calcium for dogs comes from food rather than bones; ingestion of cooked bones could pose a danger to their safety; therefore it’s wise not to give your pup cooked bones even when begging you while you eat!
If your dog is choking on a raw chicken bone, don’t rush in to grab it immediately – this could only worsen his or her condition and could lead to internal injuries. Instead, try distracting them with something else while getting hold of the bone; if any signs of discomfort arise within 24 hours (such as whining or lethargy) contact an emergency vet immediately.
They’re a great dental chew
Raw chicken bones make for an excellent dental chew for dogs and are especially helpful at preventing plaque build-up in canine diets with mostly canned food diets. Furthermore, raw chicken bones help keep digestive tract health by cleaning teeth and clearing away debris build up from chewing activities.
Raw chicken bones provide mental stimulation while physically engaging your pup, which in turn helps reduce boredom while also helping prevent tartar buildup, gum disease and strengthening jawbones. You should brush their teeth at least twice per day.
But it is crucial that you closely observe how your dog reacts to bones, and make sure they do not end up swallowing any. If a bone punctures the esophagus and enters their bloodstream, bacteria could enter their system and lead to serious illness or even death if swallowed by mistake. Watch for difficulty breathing, gagging, vomiting or lethargy as this indicates serious health concerns that should be taken seriously; call your emergency veterinarian immediately if this occurs.
They’re a great source of protein
Raw chicken bones offer an excellent source of protein and other vital nutrients often neglected by commercial diets, while stimulating your dog’s mind and improving his digestive tract health. Furthermore, bones help encourage regular potty schedules by cleaning out digestive tracts of debris while encouraging regular potty breaks. It is best not to feed cooked or smoked bones to your pet as these may splinter into sharp pieces that may pose a choking hazard and even puncture wounds or intestinal blockage issues.
Although your dog should likely experience no serious consequences from eating chicken bones, you should still monitor them over the following hours for signs of distress such as coughing, vomiting up blood or excessive drooling. Be wary of uneaten bones which could present a choking hazard if swallowed whole and in any case consult your veterinarian immediately to assess its severity and provide advice as necessary.
They’re a great source of fat
Raw bones offer your dog essential fatty acids, but should not be used alone to meet his or her dietary needs. Dogs require a balanced diet including meat, organs, glands, bones vegetables and fruits in order to meet species-specific nutrient requirements.
Cooked chicken bones can be extremely sharp, irritating your dog’s gums, palate and throat. Furthermore, they may splinter and cause internal injuries as well as becoming lodged within their digestive tract causing blockages of esophagus, stomach and intestines.
Raw poultry bones can be given to your dog without worry, provided that they are of appropriate size for him or her. If in doubt about a particular bone being safe for your pup, consult your vet. They will be able to recommend which bone would best fit his or her needs, as well as provide guidance on the safest method to prepare them and feed them to them; including making sure that the surface area remains free from bacteria prior to feeding your dog the bone(s).