Can Dogs Eat Chicken? Threat Or Treat For Dogs

From my childhood, I associate feeling sick with chicken soup.

Why?

Always when I was having flu I was getting chicken soup from my mother or grandmother.

Dogs get sick too, unfortunately.

NOTE: If your dog is sick, consult first with a vet, then think of natural remedies.

So, I was curious if can dogs eat chicken no matter if they are ill or healthy.

I asked the vet of my dog for that and found out that rice and chicken are a very good combination for sick dogs.

Rice helps to ease the tummy and is rich in vitamins, but more information about rice you can find in our article.

Now let’s see if the chicken is safe for dogs, how often can be given, and if are there any beneficial nutrients.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken? Is It Safe For Dogs?

Many dogs’ food and treats such as Lick You Silly and Jerky Sticks contain chicken meat as the main ingredient.

So what does this mean?

This means that chicken is safe for dogs. Chicken like every other treat is good in moderation.

But there are a few things you need to know before giving chicken to your dog.

Chicken meat is safe for dogs when it’s cooked by boiling or baking but without any species or herbs that can hurt a dog’s stomach. Don’t add any onion or garlic when cooking it.

Chicken bones aren’t safe for dogs. Raw bones are generally better for dogs than cooked ones. But chicken bones are generally softer and should therefore be avoided.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken Meat When It’s Cooked? Is It Safe?

Chicken meat is absolutely safe for dogs if it’s cooked.

Yes, they can have cooked chicken meat but you need to make sure it’s not seasoned or fried.

Dogs must NOT eat fried food.

Chicken is the main source of protein in many dogs’ foods.

And from there comes the next question.

How Much Chicken I Can Give To My Dog?

As with every other human food, it shouldn’t be more than 10% of the calorie intake for the day.

Some vets advise that it shouldn’t be more than 1/4 or 1/3 cup of boiled chicken for 20 lbs dog.

Chicken can be served on its own or with the main dogs’ food or as a small treat.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken Meat Raw? Is It Dangerous For Dogs?

Dogs shouldn’t be fed raw chicken meat.

Why?

Well, raw chicken meat isn’t recommended for dogs and other animals because of the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections.

Things To Consider Before Giving Chicken To Your Dog

Firstly, you should be aware that 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.

Dogs can experience a variety of symptoms when they develop a food allergy. Some of these symptoms include:

• Weakness;
• Lethargy;
• Various gastrointestinal issues.

Secondly, make sure to take the cooked chicken off the bone. Cooked chicken bones splinter easily, which can cause choking, rectal bleeding, and damage to the esophagus and to the intestinal walls.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken: Benefits And Nutrients

If there is enough daily intake of chicken and I don’t mean only by giving it as a treat but also in the main dog’s food, it can increase muscle repair and help promote bone health.

Chicken is high in lean protein, B3 and B6 vitamins, phosphorous, and selenium.

Vitamin B3 lowers cholesterol, boosts cognitive function, and eases arthritis. Dogs suffering from Vitamin B3 deficiency may exhibit diminished appetite, bloody diarrhea, or inflamed gums.

Vitamin B6 helps the body to produce insulin, hemoglobin, and red blood cells. Vitamin B6 deficiencies could lead to anemia or the development of skin lesions on the dog’s body.

Phosphorus is essential to help support healthy kidney function. It is also needed for healthy teeth and bones.

Selenium is important for its antioxidant function, and its role in thyroid metabolism, synthesis of DNA, or reproduction.

Both phosphorus and selenium are needed for a healthy metabolism.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken: Chicken Recipes

1. Chicken Broth Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1.5kg of chicken bones or 1 whole chicken;
• 5.5l of water;
• 60ml of apple cider vinegar;
• Carrots (Optional);
• Turmeric (Optional).

Instructions:

1. Take the chicken bones or whole chicken and place them in a slow cooker or large stovetop pot. If you’re using carrots and turmeric, you can cut them into smaller pieces and add them to the pot too!
2. Add enough water to cover the bones. 
3. Add the apple cider vinegar.
4. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat and allow the mixture to cook on low for 12 – 24 hours*.
5. Once the broth is ready, strain the mixture and remove the bones. If you’ve used a whole chicken, remove the entire carcass.
6. Cool in the refrigerator and remove fat from the broth.

Note(*): Leave the broth to cook for 12 hours if you’re cooking the broth on a stove, 24 hours if you’re using a slow cooker.

2. Chicken and Rice Recipe

Ingredients:

1. 2 chicken breasts skinless & boneless;
2. 1 cup dry white rice;
3. 2 medium carrots;
4. 1 medium zucchini;
5. 1 tablespoon coconut oil.

Steps:

1. Place the chicken breasts and rice in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
2. Simmer with the pan lid on for 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked thoroughly and the rice is fluffy and cooked.
3. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Using a couple of forks, shred the cooked chicken.
4. While the chicken and rice are cooking, peel the carrots. Grate the carrots and zucchini.
5. Heat the coconut oil in a skillet on medium heat and lightly saute the shredded carrot and zucchini for 5 minutes until soft.
6. Mix the vegetables into the chicken and rice mixture and serve once the food is cooled.

3. Easy Chicken Patties

Ingredients:

• 230g minced chicken;
• 100g pumpkin;
• 1 large stalk of kale (or any other dark, leafy greens such as spinach);
• 50g tofu;
• 1 tablespoon cheese.

You can find the steps for chicken patties in the video below.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken: Interesting Facts

1.  It is estimated that there are more than 33 billion chickens worldwide! Outnumbering the human population, chickens are one of the most common farm animals.
2. Chickens are the closest living descendants of dinosaurs.
3. Chickens can dream. They experience REM (rapid eye movement) while sleeping, meaning they can dream just like us.
4. Chickens bathe by covering themselves in the dirt.
5. Chickens have great memories. They are able to recognize over 100 different faces.

FAQs

Can dogs eat chicken liver?

Yes, dogs can eat cooked chicken livers as they are a healthy source of vitamins and minerals.

It is high in vitamin A, vitamin B, iron, zinc, and copper. 

Can dogs eat chicken skin?

Chicken skin isn’t good for dogs. It doesn’t contain any vitamins or minerals. The skin of the chicken is high in fats and sodium.

Can dogs eat chicken gizzards?

Yes, dogs can. Chicken gizzards are rich in cartilage. They are sometimes sold with hearts and are an important component of a healthy pet diet.

Chicken gizzards should be cooked.

Can dogs eat chicken hearts?

Yes, dogs can eat cooked chicken hearts.

Can dogs eat chicken nuggets?

Dogs can have a chicken nugget once in a while, but it’s not a food that you can give a few times a week. Chicken nuggets contain too many bad ingredients and mainly the chicken meat isn’t of good quality.

Can dogs eat chicken feet?

Chicken feet are safe for dogs and the best option for them is dehydrated. If they are cooked by boiling or baking the high temperature will make them hard and can make them easier to splinter when eaten.

Can dogs eat chicken breasts?

Chicken breast may not be the juiciest part of a chicken for dogs but definitely the healthiest. It is a rich source of lean protein and contains only a little amount of fat and sodium, it’s a tried-and-true home remedy for GI discomfort and diarrhea.