Chicken for Dogs: A Complete Guide
The true explosion of chicken in dog food occurred in the mid-20th century due to major shifts in human agriculture and food processing. Today, chicken is formulated into everything from standard kibble and wet canned food to freeze-dried raw diets and veterinary prescription formulas. Because it has been fed so ubiquitously over the last several decades, it has also ironically become one of the most common food allergens diagnosed in modern domestic dogs.
Can dogs eat chicken?
Yes, dogs can eat chicken, says our in-house dog nutritionist. Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein and is a common ingredient in many commercial dog foods.
Health benefits of chicken for dogs
Chicken is a highly nutritious, protein-dense ingredient that offers a wide range of essential nutrients to support your dog’s overall health. It provides critical building blocks for energy, tissue repair and immune function.
Key health benefits of chicken for dogs include:
- Builds lean muscle mass: chicken is a complete protein powerhouse containing all the essential amino acids your dog needs. These building blocks sustain structural body repair, support tissue growth and maintain strong muscles as your dog ages.
- Provides energy & weight management: as a naturally lean meat, skinless chicken delivers concentrated energy without excessive calories or unhealthy fats. This makes it an excellent dietary staple for dogs that need to maintain a healthy weight or those requiring a low-fat diet due to sensitive stomachs.
- Promotes a shiny coat and healthy skin: chicken is rich in omega-6 fatty acids (specifically linoleic acid) which nourish the skin barrier. Regular intake helps reduce skin dryness and flakiness while promoting a soft, lustrous coat.
- Boosts metabolism and immunity: chicken is loaded with essential micronutrients including B vitamins (B3 and B6) for energy production and nervous system health, as well as zinc and iron to strengthen the immune system and support healthy red blood cells.
- Supports joint health: chicken contains natural traces of glucosamine within its connective tissues, which offers a small bonus toward maintaining cartilage elasticity and joint mobility.
How much chicken can dogs eat?
Animal proteins such as chicken should make up between 50% and 70% of your dog’s overall, homemade diet.
Importantly, bear in mind that chicken cannot be your dog’s only source of protein. Ideally, any dog should have between 3 and 4 different proteins on a regular basis.
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How to feed a dog chicken
1. How to prepare your dog’s chicken
- Cook the chicken in water or a little oil without any oil.
- Never feed your dog cooked chicken bones. Cooking makes bones brittle, meaning they can easily splinter and puncture your dog’s stomach or intestines.
- Chicken skin is heavily laden with fat. Always remove the skin before feeding your dog chicken.
2. Cooking methods
- Boiling or poaching: this is the easiest and safest method. Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in a pot of water, bring to a boil and cook until the meat is completely white throughout with no pink remaining.
- Baking or grilling: you can bake or grill the chicken with a little olive oil if you prefer.
If you wish to feed your dog raw chicken, that is completely safe for a dog. A dog’s digestive system is perfectly capable of handling raw meat!
3. Serving & portion control
- Shred or dice it: let the chicken cool to room temperature. Cut it into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your dog’s size and combine it with the other ingredients that are going to make up its meal.
- The bland diet for upset stomachs: if your dog has a mild stomach bug, dog nutritionists frequently recommend a 2:1 mix of cooked quinoa or butternut squash and boiled chicken to help soothe the digestive system.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can dogs eat chicken every day?
A. Theoretically, yes, but only as part of a nutritionally varied diet. Chicken alone does not contain the complete vitamins, minerals and calcium your dog needs to survive. In order to complete your dog’s amino acid requirements and to avoid the possibility of a food intolerance, chicken should be just one of a number of protein sources regularly fed to your dog.
Q. Why do vets recommend chicken and rice for sick dogs?
A. Boiled chicken mixed with white rice is the universal bland diet for dogs recovering from vomiting or diarrhoea. It gives the gastrointestinal tract a break because it is highly digestible and low in fat, allowing the stomach to rest and recover.
Q. Can dogs be allergic to chicken?
A. Yes, although allergies in dogs are rare, chicken is one of the top food allergens for dogs. If your dog is allergic, you might notice chronic symptoms like intensely itchy skin, obsessive paw licking, recurrent ear infections or chronic diarrhoea. If your dog is suffering from these symptoms though, it is more likely to be the result of a food intolerance than an allergy, and something a dog nutritionist is specifically qualified to treat.
Q. Can I feed my dog raw chicken?
A. Yes, you can. Dogs have safely been eating raw chicken for thousands of years!
Q. Can dogs eat chicken organs, like the liver?
A. Yes, they can. Chicken liver is incredibly nutrient-dense, packed with iron and vitamin A. However, because vitamin A is fat-soluble, it builds up in the body over time. Too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity, so keep it limited to no more than 5% of your dog’s overall diet.
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