Can a dog eat just chicken? Here’s What to Do Next

Chicken is also a very lean meat. For example, the average 8 oz of ground beef has between 600 and 700 calories, while the same amount of chicken has around 400 calories. If your dog needs to lose weight, this means that they can fill their belly without gaining excess pounds.

Chicken is considered a complete protein. A complete protein contains all essential amino acids that promote good development in dogs.

As long as it’s cooked, the answer is yes. Because chicken is a safe, healthy and easily digestible form of protein, it is often the main source of protein in high quality dog food.

After chicken is broken down in a dog’s digestive system, it is broken down into amino acids and is then absorbed by the intestines. The intestines then distribute these amino acid chains to help repair muscle and build bone, as well as support the major organs.

While these are all are essential to your dog’s health, it is important to note that naturally occurring nutrients in chicken may be more bioavailable than dried supplements alone[*]. In conclusion, chicken has many essential and beneficial nutrients that are present in its natural form.

Is It Safe to Cook a Homemade Diet for My Dog?

For owners who wish to home prepare their pet’s food, it is important to know that most of the diets found online or in books are not complete and balanced. A study of 200 published home-prepared recipes for adult maintenance in dogs written by veterinarians and non-veterinarians revealed multiple nutrient deficiencies in the majority of homemade diets. A consultation with a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® is recommended for pet owners wishing to home prepare their pet’s food. You should also consult with your dog’s veterinarian prior to starting your dog on a home-prepared diet.

Some Healthy Dogs May Be Fine With Just Chicken Short Term

Opinions vary, but some experts don’t see a problem with a dog eating just chicken, as long as they are getting all of the nutrients they need.

If you have eliminated any health or psychological issues, you can get away with a chicken diet in some circumstances. In this case, your dog may just start eating other things after a period of time.

Chicken is a wonderful source of protein for dogs, but there are some considerations if it’s the only thing your dog will eat.

Raw chicken is often considered to be unsafe for dogs due to the bacteria it contains. Cooked, unseasoned chicken is safe and tasty. Poach, grilled, or baked is fine.

Remove all bones to avoid choking. Be thorough and make sure you get all of them.

Some dogs are allergic to chicken, so you should determine it’s safe for your pooch.

Chicken may not be as filling as other ‘padded out’ dog foods, so be wary you don’t feed your dog too much and cause weight problems because you give them more to fill them up.

Feeding Your Pets Too Much Chicken?

Dogs sometimes get picky and only eat chicken. Short term, a chicken-only diet may be okay. Long term, your dog will miss out on vital nutrients.

There may be underlying health problems that make a dog only eat chicken, so get them checked by a vet to be sure. Then, start introducing other foods.

When it comes to diet, dogs are just like us. They have their favorite foods, and the foods they just don’t like the taste of. It doesn’t take long for most dog owners to figure out what their pooch won’t eat, and what they crave.

A lot of dogs are quite happy to eat their preferred food all the time, but they do need variety to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

If your dog only eats chicken and won’t eat anything else, you may need to seek advice from a vet just to make sure everything is okay. This dietary imbalance caused by eating only one type of food, maybe because there are underlying health problems.