Hello there! You brought your pets some raw chicken the day before yesterday. What’s her take on it? Cooked meat is, for one reason, easier for a dog to digest than raw meat. Cooked or processed meats are free of microorganisms that could make your dog sick, and they’re high in protein and low in unhealthy fats.
Veterinarians also warn people against feeding raw chicken to their pets because it may contain bacteria that could be harmful to them. However, dogs have more acidic stomachs than humans, which is why they are better at fighting off pathogens.
So, can dogs eat raw chicken? Yes, but only if you provide it to your pup in moderation and never on a daily basis.
Let’s move on to a more detailed answer, shall we?
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?
Basically, raw chicken is not the healthiest thing you can feed your dog. It is typically lower in protein and has a higher percentage of fat, which isn’t very good or healthy for your pet.
Feeding your dog raw chicken is okay as long as they can eat uncooked meat. But, puppies, dogs with weak immune systems, and older/senior dogs might have a more difficult time if they eat raw chicken. This is because they have sensitive digestive systems.
If you are still curious about feeding your dog raw chicken, here are some things you should know:
Dogs and Raw Food
Raw food for canines isn’t necessarily bad. Dogs evolved as carnivores intended to gnaw on carcasses. They were primarily meat-eaters long before they were domesticated.
A raw food diet generally contains bones, muscle meat intact with bones, organ meats like kidneys and livers, uncooked eggs, vegetables like spinach and broccoli, and apples. In fact, providing this kind of diet to dogs comes with potential benefits such as:
- Shinier coats
- Improved dental health
- Better skin
- Improved stamina with high energy levels
- Smaller poop
Besides, some trainers often feed their dogs with BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) for improved athletic performance.
What Are Salmonella And E. Coli? How Do They Affect My Dog?
The biggest risk with raw chicken is bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. They can cause serious illnesses in dogs, including diarrhea that may lead to lethargy and weakness, or even death.
Salmonella is a bacterium that affects the intestinal tract of most animals. It is found in foods like eggs, chicken, and cheese. When dogs eat raw chicken, they can get infected with Salmonella. Such infected dogs show some forms of intestinal distress such as vomiting, nausea, and a loss of appetite.
E. coli. (Escherichia coli) is a kind of bacterium mostly found in the intestinal tract of mammals. It occurs in various strains. While some strains are healthy and harmless, others can cause diseases. The latter strains, mainly E. coli 0157 H7, can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. These kinds of pathogens usually affect puppies and senior dogs.
What Happens if My Dog Eats Raw Chicken?
How your dog reacts to raw chicken depends on whether they’ve been fed raw food before. In most cases, nothing harmful can happen. As mentioned before, dogs have a more acidic stomach and shorter digestive tract than ours.
So, bacteria like salmonella have a hard time settling in and causing any harm. However, we recommend that you avoid feeding raw chicken to your pooch on the daily basis.
It is also essential to know that not all dogs are the same. Some might be allergic to poultry. Therefore, such allergic dogs can be sick due to the introduction of uncooked meat in their diet.
Troubling symptoms that require a vet’s attention are:
- Rigid stomach
- Severe abdominal pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Fever
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Choking
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Regularly?
No, dogs cannot eat raw chicken regularly. Many vets and organizations warn against such a diet. For instance, the AVMA highly discourages the feeding of any animal-source protein that has not been cooked to eliminate harmful microbes.
We recommend that you provide raw chicken only once in a while to your four-legged companion. You might also want to avoid any risks of infection, by checking if your dog can adhere to such a diet.
Help! My Dog Ate A Piece of Raw Chicken. What Do I Do?
First off, don’t panic. Most dogs can digest raw chicken without needing any immediate action. However, if you see your puppy munching on some bones, check whether they have gulped down anything that could be a choking hazard.
And then, carefully examine their poop to see whether there is internal bleeding. Also, look out for any distress or symptoms that require a vet’s immediate attention.
How Can I Safely Feed Raw Chicken to My Dog?
When it comes to feeding raw chicken, make sure that you are providing it safely to your dog. Here are a few ways that you can safely feed raw chicken to them.
- Serve smaller chomps of raw chicken along with other food.
- You can also mix them with healthy vegetables.
- Make sure that the chicken is always properly stored or refrigerated.
- Use a clean and sanitized bowl.
- If you can, try to stick with organic chicken than inorganic ones.
- Closely monitor your dog for any distressful signs after feeding them raw chicken.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones?
Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken bones, which are known to be better than cooked ones. Uncooked and chewy bones, especially ones that are rich in meaty parts like chicken wings, promote your pooch’s dental health. They also clean your dog’s digestive tract.
You can also check out our article ‘Can dogs digest bones?’ for more information.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Liver?
Chicken liver is a good source of several vitamins and minerals for your dog. It contains more nutrients than muscle meat. Therefore, a few raw chicken livers each week can be good for your dog. But make sure such feeding doesn’t account for too much liver, which can cause your pup to release loose stools.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat raw chicken? Yes, but make sure you closely monitor for any signs of illness. If your dog has diarrhea or vomit after eating raw chicken, call your vet immediately. Feeding raw chicken also largely depends on whether your canine companion is raw diet-friendly. Raw chicken diets aren’t recommended for older dogs or puppies because their digestive systems are more sensitive.
Thank you for reading the article.
Have you ever tried feeding raw chicken to your dog? What was their reaction like? We would love to know. Please share with us your experience by leaving a comment below!