Why
Chicken is one of the most common ingredients in dog food, and the AKC calls it a safe bet for dogs. PetMD notes that it is a good source of protein, vitamin B6, vitamin B3 and zinc. Plain cooked chicken can be given as a treat, used as a topper on your dog's usual food, or served with rice when your vet suggests a bland diet.
Chicken causes trouble when it is raw, on the bone or dressed up for people. Raw chicken can carry Salmonella and E. coli. Cooked bones splinter easily. Fried chicken, chicken skin and dishes made with cream or oil are high in fat, which PetMD warns can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis, and garlic and onion in the seasoning are toxic to dogs.
What to watch out for
- Cooked bones, which can splinter, cause choking or tear the gut
- Raw or undercooked chicken, which can carry Salmonella and E. coli
- Fried chicken, nuggets and chicken skin, which are high in fat
- Garlic, onion and spice rubs in seasoned chicken
- Canned chicken broth that contains onion or garlic
- Itchy skin, ear infections, vomiting or diarrhea, which can point to a chicken allergy
How to serve it
- Boil, bake, grill or poach the chicken with no salt, oil, butter or seasoning, and cook it all the way through.
- Remove every bone and the skin, then cut the meat into small pieces.
- Offer it as a treat or mixed into your dog's regular food, starting with a small amount.
- If your dog eats a prescription diet, ask your vet before adding chicken.
How much?
PetMD suggests about 1 tablespoon of cooked, unseasoned chicken for a dog under 20 pounds (about 9 kg), up to 1/4 cup for a 31 to 50 pound dog, and about 1/2 cup for a dog over 90 pounds (about 41 kg).
Can dogs eat raw chicken?
Raw chicken is not recommended for dogs. PetMD advises against it because raw chicken can harbor Salmonella and E. coli, and the AKC notes that most sources recommend against raw chicken for the same reason, even though raw diets with raw chicken and raw bones have become more popular.
Raw chicken also puts the people in the house at risk. The ASPCA points out that bacteria in raw meat can be harmful to pets and humans alike, so bowls, cutting boards and hands need careful cleaning. Cooking the chicken through is the simplest way to avoid the problem.
Chicken bones and chicken feet
Chicken bones should never be given to dogs. PetMD explains that they are a choking hazard and can splinter, causing cuts, ruptures, blockages or infections in the stomach and intestines, and the AKC warns that cooked bones splinter especially easily. The ASPCA notes that bone injuries and blockages can be serious enough to need surgery.
Chicken feet are not a safe chew either. PetMD notes that raw feet carry the same bacterial risk as other raw meat, while cooked feet contain small bones that can splinter. A bone stuck in the throat is an emergency. If your dog has eaten a chicken bone, call your vet and watch for:
- Gagging, drooling, coughing or trouble breathing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Poor appetite
- Lethargy
Chicken broth, chicken allergy and upset stomachs
Chicken broth is fine for dogs only if nothing harmful has been added. PetMD notes that canned broth often contains onion and garlic, which are toxic to dogs, but plain, low-sodium or homemade broth can be added to the bowl in small amounts.
Chicken allergy is possible even though chicken is so common. The AKC lists chicken among the ingredients that most often trigger food allergies in dogs, along with beef, dairy, wheat, egg and others. PetMD lists red or itchy skin, rashes, hair loss, skin or ear infections and hot spots as possible signs, and allergies can develop at any age. If you suspect one, your vet can guide you through an elimination diet.
Plain boiled chicken with rice is often recommended for dogs with a mild upset stomach. If vomiting or diarrhea continues, or your dog seems unwell, call your vet rather than relying on home feeding.
Common questions
Is chicken good for dogs?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Chicken is one of the most common ingredients in dog food, and the AKC calls it a safe bet for dogs. PetMD notes that it is a good source of protein, vitamin B6, vitamin B3 and zinc.
Is chicken bad for dogs?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: cooked bones, which can splinter, cause choking or tear the gut.
Are dogs allowed to have chicken?
Yes. Boil, bake, grill or poach the chicken with no salt, oil, butter or seasoning, and cook it all the way through.
Sources
- PetMD. Can Dogs Eat Chicken?
- American Kennel Club (AKC). Can Dogs Eat Chicken?
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.
- American Kennel Club (AKC). “Can Dogs Eat…?” article series.
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).