Is raw chicken good for dogs

Can Dogs Eat Chicken?

Considering how many dog foods contain chicken as an ingredient, its a safe bet that you can feed your dog chicken. In fact, its a good source of protein, and cooked chicken can even be substituted for or added to his regular meal.

Most sources recommend against raw chicken, due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections, although the movement toward raw food, including raw chicken and raw chicken bones, is growing. But if youre not sure about raw food diets, any unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken can be served on its own, mixed with your dogs regular meal, or served as a treat. You can even mix it with a healthy grain, and a vegetable such as string beans or other vegetables safe for dogs, for a special homemade dinner.

There are two things to be aware of before serving your dog chicken.

• Some dogs are allergic to chicken, and it ranks among the top 10 allergy-inducing ingredients. The most common allergens are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish.
• Be sure to take cooked chicken off the bone. Cooked chicken bones splinter easily, which can cause choking or a gastrointestinal tract puncture

If youve determined that your dog happily and healthily eats chicken, go ahead and let them enjoy it. And, just for fun, try these homemade, vet-approved chicken recipes for dogs: a yummy mini omelette or frozen chicken treat.

Learn more about human foods your dog can and cant eat.

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

My Dog Ate Raw Chicken: What Should I Do?

There you are in the kitchen, marinating the chicken you'd intended for dinner. You turn your back to reach for the fridge and next thing you know, the tray of chicken is on the floor and your dog is eating it.

You're now probably concerned about your dog after they ate raw chicken.

If you ever see this happen, restrain your dog by holding them from the collar or harness and then carefully remove any chicken from their mouth. If you find that your dog ate raw chicken, read on to learn why raw chicken isn't safe for dogs.

The Infectious Dangers of Eating Raw Chicken

Eating raw chicken can lead to infectious issues for humans, more so than other meats. And it's no different for dogs. Eating raw chicken falls squarely in the "not good for dogs" category as a result of these dangerous bacteria.

Raw chicken meat can be a source of certain kinds of bacteria that can lead to gastrointestinal salmonella infections in both humans and dogs. In fact, up to 20% of chicks may test positive for salmonella, according to researchers at the University of Georgia as noted by News21.

While dogs are more carnivorous than humans and are therefore theoretically better at battling these bacteria, the risk still exists. Moreover, a dog who has never consumed raw meat and perhaps is not even accustomed to eating chicken is much less likely to tolerate a sizable meal of the stuff.

Finally, it's important to note that dogs who consume raw meat are more likely to shed dangerous bacteria in their stool. Even the most minute amounts may end up on bedding and other areas humans come into contact. These bacteria have been shown to be a risk for human household members, especially for the very young, elderly and immunosuppressed.

Other Dangers of Eating Raw Chicken

If you find yourself on the phone with your veterinarian explaining how your dog got into some raw chicken, you'll need to be aware of other potential dangers. Salmonella aside, how bad is eating raw chicken overall?

That answer probably depends on how much your dog ate relative to their size. A few licks of raw juice, for example, is enough to pass along any unwanted bacteria, but ingesting a whole carcass is much worse for a variety of reasons, particularly because of the bones and fat.

While raw bones tend to be easier to digest than cooked bones, a small dog may nonetheless suffer mechanical trauma to their digestive tract from eating all that tough stuff, even potentially experiencing a complete bowel obstruction. Meanwhile, large amounts of fat may lead to the same issues that happen when dogs eat gobs of fatty turkey during Thanksgiving namely, the possibility of pancreatitis.

If My Dog Ate Raw Chicken, Are There Side Effects?

A few side effects associated with a dog eating raw chicken include:

• Vomiting or regurgitation: The dog's body may attempt to expel the material shortly after ingestion, especially if a large quantity was consumed. While unlikely to lead to gastrointestinal perforation, bones can traumatize the delicate lining of the stomach and esophagus.
• Diarrhea: Fluid and electrolyte loss from diarrhea is a major concern as it's the most common sign after raw chicken consumption. Soft stools are to be expected but unrelenting watery stools are a serious cause for concern.
• Dehydration: Electrolyte loss and dehydration may prove to be an issue if the vomiting is extensive or persists for a prolonged period of time, particularly for smaller dogs.
• Fever, loss of appetite and lethargy: These signs become more of an issue if salmonella or campylobacter is involved.

Most dogs who eat raw chicken recover without complications. While the rare dog may require long-term hospitalization for bacterial infections, most can avoid a hospital stay and will recover relatively quickly at home once medications and fluids are administered.

Should My Dog See a Vet?

In most small-volume ingestion situations, most vets are likely to recommend that you watch your dog carefully over the week following the ingestion for signs of vomiting or diarrhea. If these arise, or if large quantities were consumed, a vet visit is definitely in order.

If your dog is food motivated and can easily access food on a table or kitchen counter, it is a good idea to never turn your back on raw chicken ingredients when they're in the room. If you're cooking something especially yummy, like meats, consider keeping your dogs contained elsewhere. Better yet, find a no-reach spot in the kitchen for especially tantalizing ingredients so incidents like this never happen again.

Contributor Bio

Dr. Patty Khuly

Dr. Patty Khuly is an award-winning veterinarian known for her independent thinking, her spirited pet advocacy, her passion for the veterinary profession, and her famously irreverent pet health writing. She is an honors graduate of both Wellesley College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She received her MBA at The Wharton School of Business as part of the prestigious VMD/MBA dual-degree program.