TailVilleWhy
Cooking dries bones out, making them brittle. Sharp shards can lodge in the mouth or esophagus or puncture the stomach and intestines, and larger pieces can cause blockages. Lots of bone fragments can also lead to severe constipation. Fried chicken bones, pork knuckles, rib bones and fish bones all count, and cats are especially at risk from fish bones and small poultry bones.
How to give it / if eaten
If your pet swallowed cooked bones, call your vet or an emergency clinic and tell them what kind, how much and when. Don't induce vomiting at home without a vet's instruction, since sharp pieces can tear the esophagus on the way up. Be careful pulling a stuck bone from the mouth, as your pet may bite.
Watch for these signs
Gagging, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, a painful belly, straining without passing stool, and bloody or black stool all need prompt veterinary care.
FAQ
My dog swallowed a chicken bone. What should I do?
Small pieces sometimes pass on their own, but there's a real risk of injury. Call your vet to ask whether an X-ray is needed, and watch closely for vomiting and changes in stool for several days.
Are raw bones safe instead?
Raw bones splinter less than cooked ones, but they can still break teeth, cause blockages and carry bacteria. Talk to your vet before offering any.
General information only. Weight, age and health conditions change how a pet reacts, so ask your vet if you are worried.