You can give raw chicken to dogs, but not always. Although dogs’ stomachs may be tougher than humans’, they still need to have their food properly prepared, especially if it’s raw. What you should know about feeding raw chicken to dogs is provided below.
Is Raw Chicken Safe for Dogs?
Because dogs are descended from wolves and raw chicken is 100% natural, unprocessed meat, some people believe giving raw chicken to them is healthier than giving them cooked chicken. Unfortunately, both you and your dog could be seriously hurt by eating raw chicken. Although it’s not always a problem, it’s not accurate to say that raw chicken is always safe. Given the risks involved, most pet owners opt to avoid feeding their animals raw chicken.
Risks of Feeding Raw Chicken to Dogs
Although some individuals only concentrate on the advantages of raw chicken, the risks can be fatal and should not be disregarded. There are two main risks associated with feeding raw chicken to dogs as part of their diet. There is a third significant concern if it is the only thing you feed your dog or if it comprises the majority of its diet.
Salmonella sp. is the most frequent source of food poisoning, and it can be found on a variety of raw or undercooked foods, including chicken. Animal intestines or feces may contain the bacteria, which is unsafe to consume. The likelihood that this bacteria will get onto a pet owner’s hands, countertops, dishes, utensils, dog bowls, and your dog increases when they handle raw chicken. An infection and Salmonellosis symptoms may appear if this bacteria then enters a person’s or a dog’s mouth at high enough levels.
The main signs that your dog may have Salmonella infection include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, and fever. In addition to IV fluid therapy, treatment calls for the use of antibiotics and other medications. If your dog has a weak immune system or severe gut dysbiosis, ignoring the infection could be fatal. There is no way for you to know if the raw chicken you are feeding your dog is contaminated with salmonella without using a microscope. Salmonella contamination causes frequent food recalls, but this is sometimes not discovered until someone becomes ill. The main danger and worry when giving your dog raw chicken is salmonellosis.
Chickens have bones, so if you feed raw chicken to your dog, there is a greater likelihood that there will be a bone there. Bones can get stuck in the mouth or throat, cause obstructions in the digestive or gastrointestinal tract, puncture a dog’s internal organs, and break teeth. Raw chicken bones can be problematic for some dogs, but cooked chicken bones can be an even bigger problem. Your dog won’t be exposed to this risk if you remove the bones from raw chicken.
Serious malnutrition will occur if you feed your dog a diet consisting solely of raw chicken or if that is what you feed them the majority of the time. Any dog cannot eat chicken as a complete and balanced meal. A dog will experience a number of problems, such as broken bones and organ problems, if it does not get all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Chicken is not all that dogs require to stay healthy and strong. The risk of malnutrition is almost completely eliminated if you feed a complete and balanced diet along with some raw chicken.
APN, also known as polyradiculoneuritis, has been linked to feeding dogs raw chicken meat, according to recent research from the University of Melbourne. It resembles human Guillain Barre Syndrome, which is frequently brought on by the bacteria campylobacter, which can occasionally be found in raw or undercooked chicken. A rare but severe nerve condition called polyradiculoneuritis manifests initially as weakness in the back legs. It might eventually spread to the head, chest, and front legs. Recovery can take a long time, even months, and require a lot of nursing care. Some dogs may die if their chest is paralysed.
Due to this knowledge, we are advising all of our clients to refrain from feeding any kind of raw chicken, particularly raw chicken necks. Cooked boneless chicken is okay.
We are aware that a sizable portion of pet owners favor feeding a raw diet and frequently use chicken. Although changing for some of our patients who only consume chicken would be challenging, it is crucial to be aware of the risks. There is always a chance of the bacteria being present if you feed raw chicken. The risk of your dog developing APN is increased if.
When patients experience digestive upsets, we have in the past recommended raw chicken as part of a bland diet, and raw chicken necks for small dogs to prevent dental disease. From now on, we will only advise cooked chicken meat, cubed raw beef, and raw lamb or beef bones for dental health. Don’t feed cooked chicken bones or any other type of cooked bones.
Call us at 3284 5133 if you have any questions about what to feed your dog.
FAQ
Is it OK to feed my dog raw chicken?
Due to these harmful bacteria, eating raw chicken falls firmly into the “not good for dogs” category. Certain types of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal salmonella infections in both humans and dogs can be found in raw chicken meat.
Is it better to give dogs raw or cooked meat?
Fresh food that has been gently cooked is just as nutrient-dense for your dog and drastically reduces pathogen risks. If you decide to feed your dog raw meat, make sure to serve it fresh but thoroughly thawed. Just like you, dogs don’t want to find their dinner frozen in the middle.