So, you were busy preparing dinner, and your precious pooch counter-surfed… and ate a raw chicken leg! And now you’re worried about his health. You don’t know if raw chicken is harmful to dogs. Can dogs eat raw chicken? This is a common concern among pet owners.
Or maybe you are considering changing your dog’s diet to raw food. And you want to know, can dogs eat raw chicken? This question is crucial for ensuring your pet’s health and well-being.
Dogs, like humans, are unique. Your dog may even be allergic to raw chicken. Therefore, it’s best to discuss your dog’s diet with your vet before feeding him raw chicken.
Can Dogs Have Raw Chicken?
There isn’t a definite answer to this question. Just like human beings and their bodies differ, dogs differ too. Some dogs may be allergic to chicken or may not be able to digest it properly. The quality of the meat can also vary.
Most vets and seasoned dog owners are against feeding raw chicken because it can cause Salmonella or other bacterial infections. When the chicken is cooked, these bacteria are killed, making it safe for dogs to consume.
But it’s been proven that feeding your dog raw chicken in small amounts does not harm. In fact, it can prove beneficial for your dog’s digestive health. Because dogs have evolved from wolves, they are carnivores whose stomachs have enough acidic content to digest raw chicken easily.
As a veterinarian, I know that raw chicken for dogs has several benefits. These include:
Healthy Skin and Coat
According to research conducted at The University of California, feeding dogs raw meat promotes the development of their coats and skins, making them softer, shinier, and smoother.
Improved Joint and Bone Health
Chicken meat and cartilage contain glucosamine and chondroitin. Both these enzymes support joint health. Raw chicken also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for joint health and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Better Digestion
People who feed their dogs a raw diet claim that raw meat is easier for their dogs to digest. This is because raw meat lacks processed ingredients that can cause stomach issues.
Fewer Allergies and Food Sensitivities
Many dog owners with dogs that had severe allergies have also reported that when they switched to a raw diet, their dogs’ allergies were alleviated. Because a raw diet does not contain processed foods or preservatives, dogs that were sensitive to packaged dog foods were able to digest them better.
Is Raw Chicken Good for Dogs?
Dogs are carnivorous animals. Mother nature made them meat-eating animals. As a matter of fact, their stomachs with a high acid content and short digestive tract are made to process and digest raw meats, especially chicken!
If you have been feeding your dog kibble from the get-go, switching to raw chicken may likely give it a few loose stools, but this is not because raw chicken is bad for your dog! Quite the opposite, in fact. Your dog’s digestive system is getting rid of all the preservatives and fillers in dog food or kibble and getting used to the all-natural, pure meat you gave it!
But chicken alone cannot fulfill your dog’s daily protein requirement. You may have to combine a few other types of meat into its diet to get the required daily protein.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones?
Absolutely! Dogs can eat raw chicken bones. Just make sure the pieces are big enough so that your dog can’t swallow a piece whole, which can make it a choking hazard.
The benefits of raw chicken bones are many, including:
- Raw chicken bones are an excellent source of exercise for your dog’s jaw.
- They stimulate their gums.
- They also relieve the urge to chew…saving your shoes and furniture!
Cooked chicken bones can cause more harm to your dog’s digestive tract than raw ones. Cooked chicken bones can break down quickly, making them a choking hazard.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Liver?
Another yes! Chicken liver is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, vitamins A and B, copper, and iron.
As part of a raw food diet, chicken liver is irreplaceable! 5% of your dog’s diet should be chicken liver combined with other parts of the chicken or other meat types.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Feet?
If you know you bought healthy chicken and not one affected by bumblefoot- an infection that develops due to an injury to the feet- then your dog will thank you for the treat of chicken feet!
Although chicken feet don’t have enough meat to offer much nutritional value, dogs love their crunchy texture. They also help clean dogs’ teeth and improve their oral health. Adding a couple of chicken feet to your dog’s regular meal will prove beneficial, and your dog will love the taste!
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Eggs?
Definitely! Raw eggs contain vital protein, vitamins, and other essential nutrients that help your dog’s overall health. If you buy organic or farm-fresh eggs, you can even give your dog the eggshell, which contains a high amount of calcium, which is crucial for bone health. But don’t give your dog eggshells if you buy eggs at the supermarket because they are commercially washed with chemicals that are not good for their health.
Conclusion
In recent years, there has been a growing interest among dog owners in the raw food diet, and rightly so. Many long-time dog owners have converted their dogs to raw food because of its numerous benefits.
If you are considering making the switch, consult your vet first. Gradually introduce raw food into your pup’s diet so that its digestive system has time to adjust. The most important thing is to buy raw meat from a reliable and trustworthy vendor so your pup gets safe and healthy meat to avoid diseases like Salmonella.
After exploring the benefits of raw chicken for dogs, you might wonder about other aspects of their diet. For instance, you might ask, ‘Can I Walk My Dog 30 Minutes After Eating?’ It’s essential to understand the balance between exercise and digestion, which we cover in detail in our guide.
FAQs
Is it Better to Feed My Dog Raw Liver or Cooked Liver?
You can feed the liver both ways. Cut it into small pieces and feed it raw. Or simmer it in a pan for just a few minutes, and that’s fine, too.
What Type of Raw Meat Can I Give My Dog?
Dogs should eat muscle meat, such as chicken or turkey, and healthy organ meats, like heart, liver, and kidneys. You can also feed your dog whole fish and raw meaty bones.
Outbound Link Recommendations
Here are some outbound link recommendations:
American Veterinary Medical Association: For guidelines on pet nutrition, including raw diets, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dogs Naturally Magazine – Benefits of Raw Feeding: Explore the benefits of raw feeding and how it can improve your dog’s health, as detailed by Dogs Naturally Magazine.
The Raw Feeding Community – Guide to Raw Feeding: This comprehensive guide from The Raw Feeding Community provides detailed information on how to start a raw diet for your dog.”
