What to Do If My Puppy Swallows a Large Piece of Bone?

Puppies chew to sharpen and clean their teeth, which is why many of them will go nuts over a bone or piece of rawhide. Although these treats are generally considered safe, you should always supervise your puppy when they are gnawing on a bone. As they chew, pieces of the bone will come off and safely pass through their digestive tract. However, an extra large piece could present trouble.

  1. Check for Breathing

    • When your puppy swallows a large piece of bone, the most immediate danger is that it will become lodged in its throat and cause it to choke. Check to make sure that your puppy's breathing is not abnormal or labored before doing anything else. If it is struggling to breath, pawing at its mouth or seems frantic, hold open its mouth and look for the bone. If it is visible, reach in and gently remove it. If it is not visible, perform five abdominal thrusts. Do this by wrapping your arms around the rib cage, locking your hands and firmly pushing them into your puppy's chest. Check your puppy's mouth again to see if the object can be removed or has been swallowed.

    Call the Vet

    • If your puppy is choking and you are unable to dislodge the bone, call the vet immediately. If it don't seem to be choking, you should still call the vet. Explain what happened and ask if you need to bring your puppy in. The vet will probably ask you the approximate size of the bone it swallowed and whether it was sharp. A large object can obstruct the bowels, while a sharp object can perforate them. Both of these are life-threatening conditions. The vet may tell you to come in, or may simply ask you to monitor your puppy carefully for the next several days and call if you notice anything troubling.

    Monitor Bowel Movements

    • Pay extra special attention to your puppy's bathroom habits for the next two to three days. If it stops having bowel movements, struggle to evacuate its bowels, or you notice that its urine or feces contains blood or is much darker than normal, take it to the vet as soon as possible.

    Monitor Behavior

    • Even if your puppy is still using the bathroom normally, it is important to watch for any changes in behavior. If your puppy seems to be in pain, refuses food, becomes listless or starts throwing up, take it to the vet as soon as possible.

    Palpitate the Abdomen

    • If you suspect that your puppy may have an obstruction or perforation, firmly but gently palpitate its stomach. If it feels hard or you notice any unusual bulges, take it to the vet as soon as possible.