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My dog ate a cooked bone and has bloody diarrhea. Is it an emergency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | 5 years and 6 months old | 80 lbs

Our chocolate lab got in the garbage and ate a pork chop bone whole. He now has soft stools with bloody mucous throughout.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Published on May 31st, 2018

Cooked bones can cause a problem for dogs in a number of ways. If Chip broke the bone while eating it, it could splinter and cause problems in the GI tract. Bones can also get stuck in the GI tract. The fat can also cause vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea that continues for more than a few days, or is associated with blood in the stool, vomiting, lethargy or a poor appetite is a reason for a visit to your veterinarian. Since Chip has blood throughout his stool, I would recommend a visit to the vet. In the meantime, if he is eating and drinking normally, we will often recommend a bland easily digested diet consisting of ½ cooked white rice and ½ cooked white meat chicken (boiled without any skin or bones). If he does well with a bland diet and his diarrhea resolves, then you can slowly transition back to his normal diet over a few days. I have attached a couple of articles below that might be helpful for you. Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/most-common-causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs/ Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-can-do-at-home-if-your-pet-has-diarrhea/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that he feels better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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