Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?
Dogs have been eating raw meat ever since their furry paws started walking this Earth. Before we domesticated our four-legged friends, they were wolves on the hunt for wild prey!. Then again, we have to remember that a long time has passed since dogs were wolves, and with their physical evolution came other changes as well. In this case: their diet.
So can dogs eat raw chicken? The shortest answer is yes — but should they?
Should I Feed My Dog Raw Chicken?
Dogs can eat raw chicken, but it might not be the best idea. Veterinarians say that feeding your furry friend a diet composed mainly of raw meat may not provide them with the complete and balanced nutrition they need. This is especially true for young, developing puppies and older dogs with complex dietary needs.
Plus, puppy and senior dogs may have more sensitive digestive systems and even weaker immune systems. This can lead to trouble processing raw meat.
What Happens if My Dog Ate Raw Chicken?
If your dog manages to snag a piece of raw chicken from the counter while you cook, there’s no need to panic! Dogs have sturdier stomachs than humans, and they can ingest small amounts of raw meat with little to no issue. If anything, your dog may experience vomiting or diarrhea for a day or two if they eat something their system is unfamiliar with.
If your dog gets sick from eating raw chicken, give your veterinarian a call right away so they can help you get your furry friend back to their fun-loving, healthy self.
Transitioning to a Diet With Raw Chicken
So you want to start regularly feeding your dog raw chicken. It is not a process that happens overnight, and it takes some time to make the switch. When making any changes to your dog’s diet, it’s best to gradually introduce new food to them. Suddenly switching up all your dog’s meals will often result in tummy troubles, and that could lead to some nasty accidents on your carpet.
If you want to add raw chicken to your dog’s diet, make sure it only makes up a small portion of their meal. Or, make the chicken a substitute for something that you previously put in their dish. Either way, most of your pup’s meal should stay the same as it was before. You can also mix the raw meat with healthy grains and vegetables like carrots, string beans, asparagus, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin.
How to Serve Raw Chicken Meat to My Dog
Before serving raw chicken to your dog, you want to make sure you get your meat from clean, organic farms. Purchasing clean meat lowers the chance of your dog getting ill from bacteria like salmonella.
Related Article: Organic Food for Dogs
How Much Raw Chicken Can I Feed My Dog?
When feeding your dog raw meat, stick to serving them no more than 3% of their weight. This is the overall suggested amount of raw poultry that they can eat in a day. Always start off with small amounts of chicken at first and watch your dog’s reaction to the meat. If they become ill, do not feed them anymore.
Ingesting Raw Chicken Bones
The jury is still out on whether you can feed your dog raw chicken with the bones still attached. To be on the safer side, you can remove the bones from the meat and serve the thawed meat by itself. When it comes to chicken bones, it’s actually better to feed them to your dog raw instead of cooked.
Cooked chicken bones are more brittle and can cause injury to your pup’s digestive tract. If your dog ingested chicken bones, there is no need to panic. Just keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t choke and digest the bones well.
Positives of Chicken in Your Dog’s Diet
Chicken is a terrific source of protein for dogs! Canines require protein in their diet as their main source of energy. Plus, chicken also provides dogs with Omega-6 fatty acids that are good for their skin, coat, bones, and metabolism. Omega-6 also helps the body repair itself.
Negatives of Feeding Raw Chicken
The most common bacteria that can be found in raw meat are Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which could potentially be bad for your dog if they consume too much. But a dog’s stomach is much more acidic than ours, making it more immune to bacteria. To avoid bacterial infection, ensure that you know where your poultry comes from.
Keep an eye out on the purchase date and make sure that the chicken is clean, organic, and fresh. Don’t feed your pup any chicken you wouldn’t eat yourself!
Healthier Ways to Serve Chicken to Your Dog
If you are still hesitant to serve your dog raw chicken; we totally get it. Don’t worry! There are several other ways to serve chicken to your four-legged friend:
- Boil it.
- Bake it.
- Serve boneless. To be on the safer side and prevent the possibility of your dog choking on chicken bones altogether, you can give it to them boneless instead.
- Serve skinless. Chicken skin is high in fat and calories that may not sit well with your dog’s stomach. It is best to remove the skin and feed them the meat only.
When it comes to boiling and baking chicken, you can cook it unseasoned until the meat is well-cooked and tender. Dogs love the taste of plain chicken and would not mind one bit if it is devoid of spices. As a matter of fact, it is healthier for them that way. Additives like garlic, onion, and salt can irritate your dog’s stomach or add extra calories
Good Raw Chicken Meat Substitutes
If you are looking for raw chicken meat alternatives in your dog’s diet, there are other kinds of meats you can feed them that are equally (or even more) beneficial. You can feed your dog other sources of protein like turkey, salmon, beef, pork, tuna, and duck.
Every Dog Is Unique in Its Needs
When you plan to make changes to your dog’s diet, be sure to check with your vet first to ensure that what you plan on feeding them is good for their body and fits their current lifestyle. Always have healthy treats and food choices in mind when making decisions about your pet's diet.