Can Dogs Eat chicken bones?

Overview

Chicken bones, particularly when cooked, are generally unsafe for dogs due to their tendency to splinter and cause internal injuries. Raw chicken bones are slightly safer but still pose risks.

Chicken bones, especially when cooked, become brittle and can splinter into sharp pieces. These splinters can cause serious injuries to a dog's mouth, throat, and digestive system. Additionally, raw chicken bones, while less likely to splinter, can still present choking hazards and may harbor harmful bacteria.

Benefits

There are no known health benefits to feeding chicken bones to dogs that outweigh the risks.

Risks & Precautions

Cooked chicken bones can splinter easily, leading to choking hazards, mouth injuries, or perforations in the gastrointestinal tract. Raw chicken bones, while less likely to splinter, can still pose a choking risk and may carry bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter, which can be harmful to both dogs and humans. If feeding raw bones, ensure they are appropriately sized for the dog and supervise the dog while eating.

Serving Guidelines

Not recommended for any size of dog due to safety concerns.