Feeding your dog chicken often makes your dog happy, but with all the conflicting information about pet food.
Between diets based on raw meat (BARF), household rations, and industrial foods, all praised by experts who shoot each other in the paws, discerning fact from fiction to get the best food for our dogs has become a real headache.
Today, I, therefore, suggest that you take stock of the place of chicken in the canine diet, the interests of this food, its possible dangers, and the best way to distribute it to our four-legged friends.
The nutritional interest of chicken for dogs
Chicken is white meat, called “lean,” that is to say, rich in protein and relatively low in lipids.
It contains, like red meat, group B vitamins, minerals (phosphorus, iron, zinc, and selenium), and water.
Like all white meats, chicken is opposed to red meats by its moderate fat content and low caloric intake.
Certain parts of the chicken are, however richer in lipids than others, in particular, the skin and, to a lesser extent, the thighs.
Chicken has its place in dog food because of its high protein content, an essential element for the development and proper functioning of their body.
Low in calories, it is particularly suitable for dogs that tend to be overweight or on a diet.
Finally, chicken proteins are among the best tolerated. They are involved in about 25% of food allergies and intolerances, compared to 65% for beef proteins. (1)
Chicken for dogs: raw or cooked meat?
Discussions are often heated between fans of raw food for dogs, and those who swear by cooked food.
The studies relating to one or other of these theories are so numerous that they do not make it possible to form a definite opinion on the question for those who do not have advanced knowledge in the field of canine nutrition.
I would therefore content myself with noting the established facts concerning these two options, which both seem acceptable and are intimately a matter of the master’s choice.
Raw chicken meat for dogs: advantages and disadvantages
Raw chicken meat is more digestible, because the proteins do not clump together during cooking, become less sensitive to gastric juices.
Raw chicken meat is more likely to be colonized by bacteria, which only cooking can eliminate. However, the majority of healthy dogs are resistant to these bacteria.
Only raw, preferably meaty bones can be given to dogs, cooked bones being more fragile and prone to breaking and causing punctures.
Even though raw chicken bones are less dangerous than cooked bones, they still pose a danger of blockage, perforation or laceration of internal organs when swallowed by the dog.
Cooked chicken meat for dogs: advantages and disadvantages
Cooked chicken meat eliminates almost any risk of bacterial or parasitic contamination.
This is an advantage that may seem less, since most healthy dogs tolerate these bacteria well, but it should be noted that many of them (Salmonella, E. Coli, etc.) are transmitted to humans.
Handling raw meat to prepare your dog’s meal is therefore particularly not recommended for immunocompromised owners.
In terms of disadvantages, cooked chicken meat is a little less digestible than raw meat, and the bones of cooked chickens are particularly brittle and dangerous. (2)
Chicken bones for dogs
The question of whether or not you can give your dog bones is a tricky one, many masters being convinced that it is natural, therefore necessarily good, and others being terrified of seeing their dog choking on his drumstick.
To try to answer this question, I will start by recalling that all that is natural is not necessarily good, neither for the dog nor for the man.
Dogs have indeed eaten bones since the dawn of time, but this does not mean that the practice is without risk, and there is no shortage of testimonials from veterinarians who regularly operate on animals with perforated digestive systems.
Admittedly, it is possible to reduce these risks by distributing fleshy, raw and rigorously chosen bones, but this does not rule out all danger, especially in the case of chicken bones which are among the most at risk.
Moreover, the only nutritional value of bones is the supply of calcium and phosphorus, elements that can be offered to your pooch through other equally natural foods (eggshells, for example).
Pieces of boneless chicken supplemented with powdered eggshells will therefore offer the same nutritional intake to your dog in complete safety, and a good chew toy, such as the famous Kong, will maintain his teeth and jaw as well as bone.
In my opinion, it is therefore not wise to put your dog at risk, potentially fatal, and I cannot recommend this practice to you for the one and only reason that it has always existed.
Frequently Asked Questions
From Owners About Chicken For Dogs Can I give my dog chicken?
Yes, chicken is a food of choice for dogs, provided that it does not represent 100% of its diet, otherwise the animal would be deficient.
Can you give chicken bones to a dog?
Feeding or gnawing chicken bones to your dog involves significant risks, which can lead to serious internal injuries.
It is still possible to give chicken bones to your dog by taking great precautions, precautions that will never, however, completely eliminate the risks.
Can you give raw chicken to a dog?
Yes, you can give raw chicken to a healthy dog, as long as the meat is fresh, to limit the risk of bacterial and parasitic contamination.
Should you give cooked or raw meat to dogs?
Raw meat is more digestible than cooked meat, so it is the preferred one in dog diets.
However, it is also possible to cook the meat you give your dog to eliminate any parasites and bacteria that may be present.
Cooked or raw, chicken is a delicacy for dogs, rich in protein, vitamins and minerals and low in fat.
This food, therefore, has its place both in the context of a BARF and in your household ration recipes.
However, you should not feed your dog exclusively chicken because our domestic carnivores also need lipids, which are found more in red meat, and various other nutrients to stay healthy.
Do you have any questions or recipes for household chicken rations to share? Express yourself in the comments of this article!
How do I choose the best diet for my dog?
For me, the easiest thing is to trust recognized professionals in the sector. This assures you of giving your dog suitable products while simplifying your life.
This is a company with an excellent reputation that establishes tailor-made recipes for your dog, 100% fresh and delivered directly to your home.
Last words and important recommendations
To love and educate your dog is also to protect him against the vagaries of life. That’s why I highly dog health insurance as soon as possible. This will save you astronomical veterinary costs in an accident or illness.