Chicken bones for dogs?

Question

I know most people would never give chicken bones to their dogs, but mine eat them regularly and have never come to any harm yet. Mostly the bones are from boiled chicken that's been cooked for the doggies, but sometimes they'll get roast bones from a chicken that's been cooked for a meal. Boiled bones are softer of course and will be easier to eat and digest. It seems that chicken bones are supposedly undigestible but my dogs have no problem with them. I never give them small sharp bones such as ribs or spine, it's usually just the leg bones.
Would you give chicken bones to your pooch?

Why should I be concerned about what a vet says? Some vets say tinned dog food is very bad for dogs, others say it's the best thing to feed them. Who's right??? Some vets say dogs need to be vaccinated every year, some say one vaccine should last a lifetime. Who's right?????

I'm not having doubts about feeding chicken bones to my doggies, I just wondered if I was the only person who did it. I've had some brilliant answers though and some have persuaded me to try raw chicken bones for my dogs. I've thought about it in the past but have worried about giving them food poisoning from the uncooked chicken.

Answer 1

I am sure these peeps are right about chicken bones, but here in Thailand the poor starving
'Soi Dogs' (strays) live on them. Perhaps they die sometimes but I haven't heard of it?
Trouble is my dogs find them when we go out, and have you ever tried catching a Dog whose found a lovely Chicken Bone?

Answer 2

It's my belief that if we had been feeding our dogs properly all along, they would have never become gulpers. They would have never lost that knack for CHEWING their food. Instead, we've been sold a bill of goods (crap) about processed kibble loaded with grains and a ton of artificial ingredients and undigestible fillers. In the process of buying into the hype that science had outsmarted Mother Nature, we've encouraged our dogs, actually they had no choice, into woofing, practically inhaling kibble without chewing it properly. MANY more dogs have died from aspirating their kibble than have died from eating bones. It's true that a much greater risk is imposed when feeding cooked bones. Raw meaty bones do NOT splinter like cooked bones do. The difference is substantial and knowing the difference is critical!! Do your own experiments with a hammer; raw bones vs. cooked bones. See if you notice a difference in how they break apart. Face it. We live in a day where we have prescription drugs shoved in our face EVERY SINGLE DAY on television, gloating as though they've once again outsmarted Mother Nature. Of course, we humans are too stupid to figure out that NATURAL would ALWAYs be better for us and our pets. No NO. There's a drug for this and a drug for that. If anyone chooses to buy into that BUNK then they can also choose to deal with the consequences, every crippling step of the way.

Answer 3

Oh dear my mum would say the opposite, dont give the leg bones as they are harder to grind down than the wing and ribs but on the whole dogs should not eat bones. In the wild they only save the bones, bury them to soften them and only eat them when other food runs out. You should limit the bones, I know they love it but more digestable foods like rice and bread is better for them. Try carrots. My dogs love them, they crunch but dont give too many, just as a treat.
No we do not give them bones only now and then very softened as a treat but not part of a stable diet. Just imagine what it would be like if you ate bones. Think of what you can consume and generally dogs are the same
Large bones that are harder to break and splinter that they grind away slowly would be better as something for them to do but never as part of their diet, you know the kind you get at the pet shop that look a bit burnt but even then we only give them these bones two three times a year for a treatful game.
I hope this has made it clearer for you.

Answer 4

My breeder feeds her dogs a raw chicken wing and a hand full of complete food every day, as she says that chicken wings contain all the nutrients in them that the dogs need. (small dogs - Shiba Inu)
I have heard and been told at training groups and vets etc that cooked chicken bones and in fact any cooked bones are bad for dogs as they tend to splinter and damage the dogs insides.
At the end of the day it is your choice and you are going to be the one facing large vets bills if anything does happen. I would take the advice you are given and make a decision based on that as you must be having doubts as you asked the question.

Answer 5

Fact is the bones really ever digest and bird bones like chicken and turkey when chewed splinter and the real threat isn't choking it is when the bone slivers get to the stomach and intestine there is a possibillity of a puncture and if not treated quickly is fatal.
I know your dog's like them but the best assurance is to NOT let them have chicken bones.

Answer 6

Bones from poultry bones are not a good thing to be feeding your dog. The bones are hollow and when chewed shatter into small pieces with sharp edges. These pieces can lodge in the jaw, esophagus, or intestinal tract -leading to big problems.

Think of it this way, you say your dogs have no problem with chicken bones but is it worth the risk? If you dog needs to go to the vet and runs up a $500 bill was it worth it? Go buy some rawhides to give your dog.

Answer 7

NEVER give chicken bones or any other bones to dogs or cats,the bones splinter very easily and can get lodged in the roof of their mouth and throat.They can also give your pet very bad constipation.If you want to give them a nice treat,you can get special brand name bones that are safe to eat from pet shops.If you keep feeding your dogs bones,expect a large vet bill soon!

Answer 8

Im not a dr but....If you have heard chx bones are dangerous for your dog WHY RISK IT? Do you want to take the chance? From what I understand chicken bones sliver and it can damage your doggies esophagus and stomach and what ever is connected...I wouldn't give my dog chicken bones but if you want to give him a treat pick the meat off the bone:o)

darn it, now Im hungry for chicken......ugh

Answer 9

The bones are brittle and the dog has a higher chance of choking...or cutting his intestine/bowels with it. So basically everytime you give him chicken bones is a gamble. Up to u to take such a thoughtless chance. Oh and dark chocolate is also a NO

Answer 10

yes all the time my dogs best meal is chicken and pasta, they mostly only get boiled bones unless like you if my partner cooks a roast chicken (im veggie), just the same as you they dont get the ribs or spine or those long thin bone in the leg you know that small pointy one, they have never had any problems and they will continue to get them as well because fresh chicken is far better than dry or tinned cra p dog food,