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Food & Diet

Can Dogs Eat Chicken?

At A Glance

Is your dog tiring of its regular food? Do you need to play switch-er-roo for a little while? Unsure of whether chicken makes the cut? Don’t exhaust yourself with worry.

Chicken is perfectly safe for your dog!

Last Updated on: Mar 03, 2022




Can dogs eat chicken? Is it safe to slice off a little chicken breast and feed it to your dog? Perhaps it’s the leftover chicken bones that you want to plop into your pet’s food bowl. Are you wondering whether dogs can eat chicken and, if so, which parts are the safest?

Chicken is popular comfort food the world over, for humans and pets for good reason. Keep reading to learn why and how you can add chicken to your puppy’s meals.

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Dog sitting on the dining table

Can My Dog Eat Chicken?

Like humans, dogs can have allergies to certain foods as well. While milk, peanuts, and eggs top the list of allergy-inducing foods in humans, protein sources often cause allergy-like symptoms in dogs.

So, can your dog eat chicken? Perhaps.

Factors determining whether your dog is allergic to chicken include parental medical history and breed.

Most dogs relish chicken without any reactions to this protein source.

Before you decide to feed your dog chicken, do a simple allergy test. Signs of an allergic reaction may include an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, or changes in behavior.

Dogs that aren’t allergic can be served chicken as long as it is cooked the right way. The most crucial thing to remember is to remove the bones before serving to prevent choking.

Why Is Chicken Meat Good?

Chicken meat is fantastic for your dog for several reasons. Here’s what the experts say:

  • Amino acids in chicken help your dog’s body to synthesize protein and hormones.
  • Glucosamine, found in chicken, is another building block that helps your dog’s body repair and builds cartilage, tendons, and fluids to protect against joint damage.
  • Chicken also contains omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential during the growth and reproduction stages. These fatty acids are also known to improve immune health by helping cell development, thereby giving your dog a better coat texture.
  • Chicken is a good remedy for when your dog is suffering from diarrhea.

 

Did You Know: Chickens descended from dinosaurs. They are the closest living relative of the T-Rex.

raw chicken

Can My Dog Eat Raw Chicken?

No. Never. Not even by accident.

Eating raw or half-cooked meat opens you and your pet to risk of bacterial infections, especially Salmonella. And while your dog does have a stronger stomach than you, keep the diseases at bay by cooking chicken thoroughly.

dog and the chicken

Can My Dog Eat Cooked Chicken?

Dogs can eat cooked chicken.

A big no, however, is the bones. Bones become brittle during the cooking process as they lose collagen. And brittle bones are never recommended for pets as they can cause oral and gastrointestinal injuries.

Best Chicken Recipes for My Dog

You can roast, grill, or bake chicken before feeding it to your dog. Only keep the seasoning off the chicken, and your dog will be fine.

Here’s how you can make chicken delicious for your pet:

  • Make your dog a healthy and tasty homemade meal using chicken, oatmeal, rice, and vegetables.
  • If you want to make something simple for those cold winter days, then this boiled chicken and rice meal is very easy to prepare.
  • You can also try making jerky to store and give to your dog as snacks or treats. You can make it with this recipe.
  • This chicken salad recipe can be made for your dog (unseasoned) and you (seasoned).

 

 

chicken served in a plate

Chicken Nutrition Information

Wondering what the nutritional value of chicken is? Look no further. We’ve covered everything you need to know.

 

Chicken Breast: Boneless, Skinless, and Cooked (172 g)

  • Calories: 128
  • Fat: 2.7 g
  • Carbs: 0 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Sugars: 0 g

 

Chicken Thigh Cooked (52 g)

  • Calories: 90
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Polyunsaturated fat: 1 g
  • Monounsaturated fat: 2 g
  • Saturated fat: 1 g
  • Sodium: 233 mg
  • Carbohydrates: 0 g
  • Protein: 13 g

 

Chicken Drumstick Boneless (44 g)

  • Calories: 66
  • Fat: 2 g
  • Polyunsaturated fat: 1 g
  • Monounsaturated fat: 1 g
  • Saturated fat: 1 g
  • Sodium: 206 mg
  • Carbohydrates: 0 g
  • Protein: 11 g

 

Chicken Wing Boneless (21 g)

  • Calories: 42
  • Fat: 2 g
  • Polyunsaturated fat: 0 g
  • Monounsaturated fat: 1 g
  • Saturated fat: 0 g
  • Sodium: 87 mg
  • Carbohydrates: 0 g
  • Protein: 6 g

chicken in serving plate

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions that you would want to know before you start feeding chicken to your dog.

How Much Chicken Can My Dog Eat Daily?

Your active adult dog can eat protein amounting to 2-3% of its body weight.

While this is generic advice, we recommend that you check with your veterinarian since several factors determine how much energy your dog needs per day.

Which Part of the Chicken Can My Dog Eat?

Your dog can eat all parts of the chicken (except bones) as long as they are cooked well.

If you’re looking for health minus the calories, then stick to chicken breast since it is low in fat.

Can I Feed My Dog Chicken Daily?

You can, but you shouldn’t. Chicken is a healthy meal for your dog, but it isn’t nutritionally adequate.

Your pet needs a variety of nutrients that chicken can’t provide. Vitamins and minerals, for instance. You can use chicken to tempt your dog into eating vegetables, though.

dog eating

Go ahead and enjoy that steaming plate of chicken with your pet. It is safe and healthy as long as you stick to the basics—no seasonings, including salt, and no bones.

And if you’re comfortable with experimenting in the kitchen, try looking up more recipes to make chicken fun for you and your dog.

 

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Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.


Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.