Yes, raw chicken is safe for dogs to eat. However, there are things to keep in mind, for example, the risk of salmonella. Read on for all the info. All pet owners want the best for their pets. The best toys, bed, treats, and most importantly, the best diet. Choosing the right food for your dog is tricky.
Should you feed your dog wet or dry food? Should you feed them store-bought food or homemade? Should the food be cooked or raw? Can dogs eat raw chicken? All these questions are valid concerns when it comes to feeding your dog.
Feeding your pup raw food is a new trend among some pet owners. Raw meat, in particular raw chicken, is a popular choice for many pet owners. Dogs are descended from wolves, so it makes sense that feeding them a diet of raw food—like wolves in the wild—would be more natural and healthier for your dog.
Additionally, many dog owners have expressed concern about the nutritional value of store-bought dog food after numerous dog food recalls in recent years. This distrust of major dog food brands has led many dog owners to search for alternatives such as raw chicken.
So, can you feed your dog raw chicken? Yes, but the real question is, should dogs eat raw chicken? Depending on the source, feeding raw chicken to your dog can be either beneficial or disastrous. Read on to learn about this controversial dog meal.
Why is raw chicken good for dogs?
Chicken is an excellent food source for your dog, having 80% protein, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B12, in addition to other nutrients that are necessary for your dog’s health and development. Additionally, chicken doesn’t contain any sugars or carbohydrates, and it’s inexpensive, so it’s a great way to feed your dog something healthy and prevent obesity.
Furthermore, raw chicken has a high amount of omega-6 fatty acids, even more than beef or salmon. Omega-6 fatty acids are a crucial part of your dog’s growth, skin and coat health, and immune system function.
Do you Know?
We have more great content about what dogs can eat, check out this article: Can Dogs Eat Hot Dogs?
Are there risks with feeding my dog raw chicken?
While the benefits of feeding your dog raw chicken are clear, there are several risks associated with raw chicken consumption. First is the risk of salmonella or salmonellosis, an infection caused by the salmonella bacteria. The most common cause of food poisoning, salmonella, is found on both uncooked and undercooked foods. The bacteria originate in both humans and animals’ intestines and fecal matter and can spread through contaminated foods.
Symptoms of Salmonellosis
Symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a lack of appetite. Symptoms begin between 12-36 hours after exposure and last from two to seven days. Although usually a mild illness, extreme cases of salmonellosis can lead to dehydration and possible death. Treating your dog for salmonellosis requires antibiotics, medication, or IV fluid therapy. It’s important to get treatment for your dog immediately, as salmonellosis left untreated will cause death.
Risk of Malnutrition
In addition to salmonella, dog owners should also be aware of the risk of malnutrition. Experts agree that feeding your dog an exclusive raw chicken diet is unhealthy. Raw chicken is not a complete and balanced meal and lacks many of the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals your dog needs. Malnutrition leads to a variety of health issues for your dog in the future, including broken bones and organ failure.
Be Careful With Chicken Bones
Another risk for dogs are chicken bones. Raw chicken bones can cause obstructions in the stomach and intestinal tract. They can also splinter and puncture a dog’s internal organs, break teeth, or become lodged in your dog’s throat whether cooked or raw, be sure to remove all chicken bones before feeding them to your dog.
So, can dogs eat raw chicken?
Again, the answer is yes, but many experts recommend against it. Dog owners need to be aware of the risks associated with raw chicken and use proper caution. By preparing and storing raw chicken correctly, you can reduce the chances your dog will contract salmonellosis. Also, be sure to vary your dog’s diet instead of feeding them raw chicken exclusively. Dog owners must make sure their dog is getting all the vitamins and nutrients it needs.
Equally important is your dog’s age. Raw food diets are not right for puppies, as they may lack the micro and macronutrients that your puppy needs for growth and development.
reference:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/healthy-foods-checklist-chicken-dogs
