It may not come as a surprise that dogs can eat chicken. Plenty of dog food brands contain chicken or chicken flavor to their food. However, if you were to serve chicken to your dog, how would you safely do it? This article informs you of just that. In addition to this, learn about the benefits of feeding chicken to your dog as well as what you need to be careful about.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken?
Generally, yes. Most dogs can eat chicken, but this depends on two major factors:
- Your dog is not allergic. Indeed, some dogs may exhibit signs of allergic reaction towards chicken and thus, they might not be able to eat it after all. In fact, chicken is among the most common allergens next to beef, dairy, wheat, and egg.
- You are feeding them chicken the right way. If you aren’t careful with feeding them chicken, you might induce choking in your dog and other health hazards. Read further about how you can safely serve chicken to your furry pal.
Signs of Chicken Allergy in Dogs
Monitor your dog and look for any of the following signs that may indicate that they have a chicken allergy:
- diarrhea & vomiting
- ear infection
- itchiness
- foot infections
- obsessive licking
- skin issues
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Benefits of Chicken in Dogs
Chicken is rich in protein with essential amino acids that help support your dog’s healthy muscles over time. Moreover, it contains Omega 6 fatty acids which are thought to be generally healthy in multiple areas of the body. They may help in absorbing important nutrients and vitamins, managing inflammation, and maintaining healthy skin and fur.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?
Giving raw chicken to your dog increases the risk of salmonella or other bacterial infections. The same applies to cats. Adopting the raw food diet for your dog is something that requires adequate research and consultation from your vet. If you aren’t sure about raw chicken, resort to unseasoned chicken that can be either served roasted, poached, grilled or baked.
Can Dogs Eat Smoked Chicken?
Smoked chicken is not recommended. Since smoked meats generally consist of fatty cuts of meat, your dog may run the risk of developing pancreatitis.
Some symptoms of acute pancreatitis are:
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- tender abdomen
- lose bowel movements
Should you feed your dog smoked chicken, make sure you trim away any visible fat and avoid adding any salt or spices.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Chicken?
Yes. Dogs can freely eat canned chicken, as long as you don’t make it a habit for them. While chicken may be great for dogs, canned chicken contains excessive amounts of sodium. Before serving, make sure you pour the canned chicken in a strainer and run water through it in order to reduce sodium.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Bones?
Chicken bones are extremely dangerous to dogs due to how brittle they are, especially when cooked. They can easily splinter in your dog’s mouth and jaws, injure their throat, pierce their gullet, damage gums or even their stomach and intestines. Do not give any bones to your dog. They may be a tasty snack, but it is not worth the risk. If your dog accidentally ate a bone, call your vet and seek advice.
How to Safely Feed Chicken to your Dog
First and foremost, make sure to take the cooked chicken off the bone. Keep in mind that cooked chicken bones may splinter easily. As a result, they can cause choking or gastrointestinal tract puncture. If you want to avoid such risks altogether, cook a chicken breast for your dog since they don’t contain any bones.
Secondly, do not overfeed them chicken! For a medium-sized dog, between 1/4 and 1/3 cup of boiled chicken is more than enough. Your dog’s normal diet must comprise the appropriate amount of minerals and vitamins. Keep in mind the 10% rule: all snacks and human food (including chicken) should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. The majority of their diet should be a high-quality, completely balanced, commercial dog food.
Thirdly, you may serve it on its own or combined with their dog food. Do not season the chicken! Keep it plain, skinless, boneless, unsalted, and thus healthy to consume.
Explore more human foods that your dog can eat!
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