Many times, after eating the flesh of our chicken, we tend to offer the bones to our dogs to chew on. But if you are a German Shepherd owner and love your dog, you might be skeptical about feeding it with chicken bones, whether it is a good idea.
Over the years, bones have been thought to be every dog’s favorite food because they are carnivorous, and bones also provide certain trace nutrients. But here’s where the question arises: Can German Shepherds eat chicken bones?
Can German Shepherds Eat Chicken Bones?
No, German Shepherds cannot eat chicken bones. Therefore, you should rethink if you plan to serve your German Shepherd cooked or uncooked chicken bones.
Chicken bones are soft bones that can easily be broken into big pieces or splinters. This makes them easier to swallow and causes injuries to the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Chicken bones may cause internal injuries such as obstructions, perforations, lacerations, and choking risks.
Raw bones usually said to be the better option, can also harbor bacteria such as Salmonella and cause sickness to the dog and its owner.
What Happens if My German Shepherd Eats Chicken Bones?
If your German Shepherd eats chicken bones, it can either be perfectly fine or in distress.
Cooked chicken bones can easily crack and splinter. This can cause extreme pain to your German Shepherd because it can get caught in its throat and puncture the gastrointestinal system and finally lead to death if not treated. The other dangerous side effects of eating chicken bones are as follows;
- Gastrointestinal Tract Blockage
- Clogging of the digestive tract
- Injuries to rectum
- Bacterial contamination:
- Tearing of the gastrointestinal tract:
- Tears in mouth and throat
- Vomiting
- Septicemia
- Diarrhea
- Death
Want to know if you should let your German Shepherd eat Potato? Here is a detailed answer on the question.
Will My German Shepherd Be Ok if It Ate Chicken Bones?
Well, although chicken bones can splinter and spike internal organs, your German Shepherd might be ok if it ate chicken bones. Since it’s not every time that chicken bones will affect your dog, the bones can get chewed up and swallowed, then dissolve in the stomach without any issues.
But here’s the problem, what if the bones get swallowed in big chunks without being properly chewed by the dog and cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract? Well, that will be a big deal, and you start wondering if giving your dog the chicken bones was really worth the risk.
Feeding your dog with chicken bones is, therefore, something to avoid. But unfortunately, dogs can be mischievous and steal chicken bones when you are not watching.
In a case like this, you only need to monitor the dog closely to see if it is normal or showing signs of distress after ingesting the bones. If it is its regular self after this, fine; if not, take it to the vet immediately.
Can German Shepherds Eat Cooked Chicken Bones?
No, cooked chicken bones are usually very soft and easy to break. Any bone that breaks easily into big chunks is not ideal for feeding German Shepherds because it can cause injury to the whole digestive system.
However, there are widespread claims that it is better and safer to feed your German Shepherds with raw bones as they are harder and contain more nutrients like phosphorus and calcium than cooked bones. Also, raw bones are said to be good for your dog’s gums and teeth.
Conclusion
If you are wondering why chicken bones are bad for your German Shepherd, we have provided you with some real facts about why feeding your German Shepherd with chicken bones can be so dangerous.
Not only do they tend to clog and puncture the digestive tract, but they can also lead to the final death of the dog.
However, if after knowing all the dangers that chicken bones can cause to your German Shepherd, you still want to include it in its diet, you can go for the ground bones alternative which is safer.
