Can dogs eat raw food everyday
Can Dogs Eat Chicken?
NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.
Chicken is a nutritious protein source for humans and dogs alike. Its a popular ingredient in dog food, and there are plenty of chicken-flavored dog treats and toys to choose from.
But while dogs can eat chicken, youll want to be careful about how much you give themand how its prepared. As with any new food that finds its way into your dogs bowl, moderation is key. Heres what to know.
Is Chicken Good for Dogs?
Chicken can be a healthy food for dogs if prepared correctly. Its an excellent source of protein and contains several nutrients that can help maintain your dog's overall health, including vitamin B6, vitamin B3, and zinc.
Just be sure any chicken fed to your dog is cooked thoroughly to avoid the risk of salmonella and other foodborne illnesses. Watch out for extra ingredients that might make them sick, like garlic and onions, and remove any bones because they can cause choking or digestive issues.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?
Do not feed your dog raw chicken. Raw chicken is known to harbor unsafe bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, which can make your dog very sick. Ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked before sharing it with your dog.
What Chicken Products Can Dogs Eat?
There are several ways to prepare chicken, and not all of them are a good choice for our four-legged friends. Plain, boiled chicken is generally considered safe. But fried chicken and chicken thats been prepared with seasonings such as garlic, onions, or high-fat ingredients like cream or oil should be avoided.
Boiled Chicken
Boiled chicken is a good option to feed your dog. In fact, boiled chicken and rice is a common remedy for dogs with digestive issues, and your vet might recommend feeding this if your pup is vomiting or has diarrhea.
Fried Chicken
A tiny piece of fried chicken probably wont make your dog sick, but its certainly not a healthy option for your pup. Fried chicken made with oil can cause digestive upset, and eating high-fat food can cause a painful condition called pancreatitis. Fried chicken can also contain seasonings that are toxic to dogs, including onion and garlic.
Chicken Nuggets
Your pooch probably wont get sick if he snags one of your kiddos chicken nuggets from the floor, but its not a good idea to give your dog these as a regular treat. Chicken nuggetsespecially if theyre friedare not a healthy snack for dogs.
Chicken Feet
Unfortunately, your dog should also steer clear of chicken feet, as both the raw and cooked kinds can cause digestive issues. Just like any other type of raw meat, uncooked chicken feet carry the risk of harmful bacteria like salmonella that can make your dog very sick.
Cooked chicken feet dont have the same risk of bacteria, but the bones can splinter and cause tears or obstructions in your dogs digestive system.
Chicken Broth
Dogs can have chicken broth as long as it doesnt contain any harmful added ingredients. But onion and garlic are both common additives found in canned chicken broth andagainthese are toxic to dogs. But plain, low-sodium chicken broth (or homemade broth!) can make a nice addition in their dog food bowl when given in small amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones?
Do not let your dog eat chicken bones, as they can cause serious internal problems. Though theyre small, chicken bones can be serious choking hazards for dogs who ingest them.
Even if your dog doesnt choke, the bone can easily splinter and, as they move through your dogs digestive system, those tiny sharp-edged pieces can cut your dogs stomach and intestines. This can potentially cause ruptures, blockages, and infections that all require serious medical attention.
If your dog likes having something to gnaw on, skip the chicken bones and opt for a safer alternative, like a chicken-flavored chew bone or another chew toy.
What To Do if Your Dog Eats a Chicken Bone
If your dog eats a chicken bone, try to get it out of their mouth (as long as you can do it without distressing them further or getting bitten). Try offering another treat to get them to drop the bone.
If your pup ends up swallowing it, watch them carefully. If the bone appears to be stuck in their throat, this is an emergency and should be addressed ASAP. Take your dog to the vet immediately.
If you suspect your pooch has eaten a chicken bone, watch for signs of distress. If they display any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet as quickly as possible:
If your dog is acting normal, its OK to keep monitoring them closely from home. Always call your vet if you have concerns about your pets health.
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Chicken?
Protein sources such as chicken (or beef, dairy, egg, lamb, and fish) are some of the most common causes of allergies in dogs.
Most of the time, dog food allergies affect the skin and coat, though they can also cause vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms that may indicate your dog has a chicken allergy include:
Its possible for dogs to develop a food allergy at any point in their lifeso if Fido is suddenly scratching after he eats his regular chicken and rice kibble, you may want to try an elimination diet to see if something in his food is causing it.
How Much Chicken Should You Feed Your Dog?
Chicken is a common ingredient in commercial dog food and treats, so its safe to feed your pup chicken as a treat or occasional food topper. Just be sure its thoroughly cooked and unseasoned.
As with any new ingredient, moderation is key! Once your pup gets used to eating fresh chicken in small amounts, you can use the following as a guide to feeding your dog chicken. Generally speaking, your dog should have about 1/41/3 cup of meat protein per 20 pounds of body weight each day.
Extra-small dog (220 pounds) = About 1 tablespoon cooked, unseasoned chicken
Small dog (2130 pounds) = 2 tablespoons cooked, unseasoned chicken
Medium dog (3150 pounds) = Up to 1/4 cup cooked, unseasoned chicken
Large dog (5190 pounds) = About 1/3 cup cooked, unseasoned chicken
Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = About 1/2 cup cooked, unseasoned chicken
Examples:Newfoundlands,Bernese Mountain Dogs,SaintBernards,Great Pyrenees
If your dog experiences digestive upset or other discomfort after chowing down on chicken, stop feeding it to them and call your vet.
Featured Image: Adobe/bit24
WRITTEN BY
April Saylor
Freelance Writer
Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?
NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one
Potatoes are a staple food in kitchens all over the world. Hungry humans have been incorporating taters into meals for centuries, and there are countless ways to enjoy themchopped, sliced, diced, boiled, mashed, fried, baked ... the list is endless. Such a popular food makes it easy to wonder if dogs can eat potatoes, too.
Good news: Its safe for dogs to eat potatoes; theyre actually a popular ingredient in commercial dog food and treats. But even though potatoes are considered a safe human food for dogs to enjoy, there are a few things to keep in mind about how to safely share this starch with your pooch.
Are Potatoes Good for Dogs?
Dogs have specific nutritional needs that must be met through their diet, and that includes carbohydrates. Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and some vitamins and minerals. They are safe for dogs to eat when prepared correctly and fed in moderation.
What Potatoes Can Dogs Eat?
How you prepare potatoes makes a big difference on whether they're OK for dogs to eat. Generally speaking, cooked plain potatoes are fine for dogs. But potatoes that are fried or prepared with other ingredients like butter and cheese are not a good option.
Mashed Potatoes
When prepared without harmful ingredients such as garlic or butter, mashed potatoes are safe for dogs to eat. You can add a small serving of plain mashed potatoes to their regular kibble as a food topper the next time you make a batch for yourself. Just set aside some of the plain mashed taters before you add butter, salt, or cream to your own serving.
Baked Potatoes
Like mashed potatoes, baked potatoes are safe for dogs to eat if they're plain and have not been topped with any harmful ingredients (hold the cheese and sour cream!). Potato skins can upset your dogs stomach, so its best to peel them off before sharing.
Raw Potatoes
Dont let your dog have raw potatoes. Raw potatoes contain solanine, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large amounts. If your pooch tries to dig them out of the garden, consider adding a fence to keep your pup awayor else theyll likely end up with an upset stomach or diarrhea.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is safe for dogs to eat and is a great source of nutrition for your furry friend. Sweet potato is rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. This tasty root vegetable can help regulate digestion and promote a healthy immune system. Boiled, mashed, or baked sweet potato in small amounts is a healthy treat for dogs, but steer clear of giving your dog sweet potato fries.
Fries
Fries arent good for dogs, since the salt and oil theyre prepared with can make your dog sick. If he sneaks one or two off the floor, your pooch will probably be fine. But too many fries could lead to pancreatitis or other long-term health issues, so be careful.
Potato Skins
Potato skins are difficult for dogs to digest, so remove the skin from any potato you share with your dog. If he gets into any peels from the trash or compost pile, call your vet, as the solanine in the skins can be toxic in large quantities.
Potato Chips
Potato chips are not good for dogs. Theyre high in salt, fat, and other harmful ingredients that can make your pooch sick if he eats too many. That said, if your dog sneaks one or two chips from your plate, hell probably be fine. Just don't give him chips as a regular treatespecially if your dog has any health issues.
How to Safely Prepare Potatoes for Dogs
If you want to share a few spuds with your dog, keep these tips in mind to ensure the potato is safe for him to eat:
Never feed your dog raw potato, potato skins, or any green or uncooked parts.
Always wash and peel the potatoes before cooking.
Avoid adding harmful ingredients like garlic, onion, butter, or salt.
Mashed, baked, or boiled potatoes are fine. Fried potatoes are not.
Only feed your dog potatoes as a treat or food topper, not as a main component of their diet. Dogs have specific nutritional needs that must be met, and potatoes alone dont cut it.
How Many Potatoes Can Dogs Eat?
Potatoes are a common ingredient in dog food and treats, so its OK to offer your dog cooked, plain taters as a treat or occasional food topper. As with any new ingredient, start slow. See how your hound reacts before giving him a full serving size.
Extra-small dog (220 pounds) = 1 teaspoon of cooked, plain potato
Small dog (2130 pounds) = 12 teaspoons of cooked, plain potato
Medium dog (3150 pounds) = 23 teaspoons of cooked, plain potato
Large dog (5190 pounds) = 12 tablespoons of cooked, plain potato
Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = 34 tablespoons of cooked, plain potato
Remember: These are just general guidelines for how much potato is safe for dogs to eat. Always check with your vet before making changes to your dogs diet.
What Other Foods Can Dogs Eat?
Cooked, plain potatoes can be a tasty addition to a dog's diet in small amounts. Some other common human foods that are considered safe for dogs to eat include:
WRITTEN BY
April Saylor
Freelance Writer
