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Considering how many dog foods contain chicken as an ingredient, it’s a safe bet that you can feed your dog chicken. In fact, it’s a good source of protein, and cooked chicken can even be substituted for or added to his regular meal.
Most sources recommend against raw chicken, due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections, although the movement toward raw food, including raw chicken and raw chicken bones, is growing. But if you’re not sure about raw food diets, any unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken can be served on its own, mixed with your dog’s regular meal, or served as a treat. You can even mix it with a healthy grain, and a vegetable such as string beans or other vegetables safe for dogs, for a special homemade dinner.
There are two things to be aware of before serving your dog chicken.
- 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.
- Be sure to take cooked chicken off the bone. Cooked chicken bones splinter easily, which can cause choking or a gastrointestinal tract puncture
If you’ve determined that your dog happily and healthily eats chicken, go ahead and let them enjoy it. And, just for fun, try these homemade, vet-approved chicken recipes for dogs: a yummy mini omelette or frozen chicken treat.
Learn more about human foods your dog can and can’t eat.