# Dog swallowed boiled chicken thigh, what now/next? NEED Answer/Talking Down FAST! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 10, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080 "2018-09-10T01:43:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/21 "2018-09-10T09:58:47Z")
We’ve been spending the last 24 hours trying to get a horse through a bought of colic. I’d happily trade for a dog swallowing a cooked chicken thigh bone. Monitor for vomiting/diarrhea. Your vet might advise several small, high fiber meals. L’chaim! ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/22 "2018-09-10T11:22:29Z")
I have owned dogs in multiples for forty years. What they have eaten without any apparent effects would fill a book (a pretty boring book). I once had a dog eat a couple quarts of boiled chicken bones and vegetables (we’d just made a lot of broth), INCLUDING the plastic bag. She pooped out the bag eventually. I had a 30 lb dog who ate five pounds of flour. Pooped white for awhile. The most consequential ingestion was a corgi who got an acorn stuck in his intestines and started projectile vomiting. $4000 to get it out. We referred to that acorn as “Our European Vacation”. Boiled chicken bones are unlikely to splinter and perforate the digestive tract, which is the worry with bones. They are soft. Happy New Year! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/23 "2018-09-10T12:34:05Z")
The dog may just digest the bone - a chicken thigh bone is pretty soft and porous, and dogs have powerful stomach acids - don’t be too surprised if it doesn’t ‘pass’ in any sort of recognisable, bone-shaped form at all. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/24 "2018-09-10T12:34:08Z")
How’s the puppeleh this morning, Leo? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/25 "2018-09-10T13:29:44Z")
I would feed my dogs raw chicken bones and all on a regular basis. Good sized to medium sized dogs it is no problem. They digest the majority of the bone. Some can be seen in the poop but it is harmless to a dog. ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/26 "2018-09-10T14:24:13Z")
The previous posts have pretty much summed up the extent of the risks. Don’t panic, there is only a tiny chance of injury. I just want to add that dogs have been eating bones since the dawn of canid time, and dog owners with disposable income is the only reason we now think they shouldn’t eat them. Up until the late 1960s(give or take) it was still common to feed dogs all table scraps, including bones, either as a supplement to or instead of, store-bought dog food. In Ambivalid’s defense, I just googled “New Year Starting This Week” and the Jewish New Year was first mentioned in hit #6. Four and five were about planning New Year’s parties, and the first three were, yup, about Ethiopia:) ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/27 "2018-09-10T15:34:05Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I would feed my dogs raw chicken bones and all on a regular basis. Good sized to medium sized dogs it is no problem. They digest the majority of the bone. Some can be seen in the poop but it is harmless to a dog. Raw bones are considered safer than cooked bones for consumption. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/28 "2018-09-10T15:59:29Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Raw bones are considered safer than cooked bones for consumption. _But_ [bird bones are largely hollow and thin-walled](http://fsc.fernbank.edu/Birding/skeleton.htm) (saves on weight for flight) so are ideally avoided. I feed my dogs canned “wing-a-ling” by Merrick, a canned food that contains chicken wings that are pressure-cooker cooked. I still am a little uncomfortable watching them eat these soft bones. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/29 "2018-09-10T17:09:06Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Raw bones are considered safer than cooked bones for consumption. I thought it was the other way around. Cooked bones are softer. Hmmm? This why people freak out about things. Info is hard to get straight. Has Leo posted about the doggy today? ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/30 "2018-09-10T20:35:25Z")
Cooked as in roasted / grilled bird bones are considered unsafe as they get quite splintery, hard, and sharp. Boiled or are often considered safe, as are raw bones. FWIW when we get a turkey or a duck, the dog gets the neck, which involves much gleeful chowing, horking, rechowing and Labrador happiness. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/31 "2018-09-10T21:10:24Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Regardless if your ignorance of what New Year he was referring to, responding to a clearly upset poster like this is a shitty thing to do. Especially as the very first response. > > No warning issued, because I’m giving you a shred of benefit of the doubt that you were trying to be light-hearted. However, think twice before using someone else’s worry as your joke fodder. > > And yes, it’s Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year (one of the high holy days). Geez, thanks for the “shred” of a benefit. I posted what i did only because I had no clue what New Year he could possibly mean. I certainly had zero intention of being shitty. At most, in hindsight I can see I was being a little insensitive or tone-deaf. I apologize to Leo for that. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/32 "2018-09-10T22:16:23Z")
I would also recommend discouraging lots of running and jumping and generally being a golden. You don’t want his stomach to flip around. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/33 "2018-09-10T22:25:15Z")
Happy new year, Leo! And remember what the wise man said: גם זה יעבור. This, too, shall pass. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/34 "2018-09-10T23:15:00Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Geez, thanks for the “shred” of a benefit. I posted what i did only because I had no clue what New Year he could possibly mean. I certainly had zero intention of being shitty. At most, in hindsight I can see I was being a little insensitive or tone-deaf. I apologize to Leo for that. Wait, so you can see that it was being a little shitty, but somehow my giving you some benefit of the doubt was a bad thing? And for the record, I was not mod-noting you for not know about a holiday. I was modding you for making a joke to someone who was obviously in distress. Your confusion doesn’t ok you turning his plea for help into a chance to make your tone deaf joke. Any further discussion should be by PM start a ATMB thread. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/35 "2018-09-11T00:49:47Z")
An ex-GF’s dog once got into an aluminum takeout container in the trash which contained the detritus from an order of a dozen buffalo wings - the bones, the excess hot sauce, etc. - it was completely shiny and spotless, the dog ate/licked every last bit (she was fine.) ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/36 "2018-09-11T01:02:33Z")
Applicable Far Side Cartoon [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDvtzEOV0AArDye.jpg:large](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDvtzEOV0AArDye.jpg:large) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/37 "2018-09-11T04:20:32Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Raw bones are considered safer than cooked bones for consumption. And raw bones are part of their natural diet (cats too). COOKED bones are not. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/38 "2018-09-11T04:51:56Z")
> [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > Boiled or are often considered safe, as are raw bones. Ive always been told boiled is bad. > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > And raw bones are part of their natural diet (cats too). COOKED bones are not. So what? What’s so good about “natural”? Natural =/ healthy. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/39 "2018-09-11T11:38:31Z")
The bad thing about raw beef bones (besides bacterial concerns) is that they are so hard they can fracture teeth, especially the premolars. There are plenty of safe chew items for dogs. IMHO bones are best skipped. Last night I roasted a chicken for our dinner. I cooked the heart, gizzard, liver, and neck for the dogs. I actually disarticulated the neck and picked off the majority of the meat. Overkill, but hey. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080/40 "2018-09-11T11:53:05Z")
In a traditionally dressed chicken the thigh contains only the femur, no? That’s a pretty straight bone with smooth ends, and as Leo’s dog swallowed it whole wouldn’t it pass out of one orifice or the other fairly easily? I guess a drumstick would have been more worrisome with its nasty, pointy fibula. Anyway, hope your dog got through this OK, Leo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-swallowed-boiled-chicken-thigh-what-now-next-need-answer-talking-down-fast/821080.md?page=3)