If you have a canine companion in your life, you know they will eat just about anything.
Your pup may salivate at the sight of raw chicken in your kitchen, leading you to wonder if this is a safe snack option for your furry friend.
In this article we will answer the question of whether or not dogs should eat raw chicken, and help you better understand the potential dangers of raw feeding in dogs.
Our canine friends seem to have an easier time digesting raw chicken than we do. Though they can still become ill from bacteria present in raw meat, their anatomy may decrease this risk.
The occurrence of GI upset may be minimized in some cases due to these canine traits, taking a bit of the worry off the table if your pup gets a small bite of raw chicken.
For example, dogs have a much shorter digestive tract than humans. Part of why raw meat makes humans so sick is due to how much time the bacteria has to replicate while traveling through the intestines, leading to a bacterial take over.
Another reason dogs may have an easier time digesting raw chicken is due to the lower pH of the acid in their stomach. This could mean that their stomach acid is more effective at killing some bacteria, though this can vary from dog to dog.
These unique canine traits might take some of the risk off the table when they get their paws on raw chicken, but certainly not all of it.
This simply means dogs are less likely to become sick from eating raw meat, but it does not mean it’s impossible.
The Bottom Line: Will Raw Chicken Make My Dog Sick?
In short, most dogs can digest raw chicken without suffering any negative symptoms. So, you probably won’t have to worry very much about your dog’s most recent dietary indiscretion.
In all likelihood, she’ll act perfectly fine and show no signs of being sick at all. Nevertheless, you’ll want to be sure to monitor her closely and watch for any troubling symptoms.
Some dogs may experience minor intestinal disturbances (including vomiting or diarrhea) in the hours or days following a raw-chicken incident. But, as long as these symptoms resolve within a day or two and your dog appears fine in all other respects, veterinary attention is probably unnecessary (although you should always trust your instincts and err on the side of caution).
However, this all assumes that the raw chicken your dog ate was of the boneless variety. If your dog manages to swallow any bones, you’ll need to ensure she isn’t choking and keep your fingers crossed that the bones won’t cause an obstruction.
If you notice your dog experiencing any abdominal pain, if she seems unable to go to the bathroom, or if she appears to be panicking, you’ll want to head over to the vet to make sure none of the bones are blocking up her plumbing. Intestinal obstructions are a veterinary emergency, and they may necessitate surgery.
At the end of the day, the bones are probably a bigger threat to your dog than the raw chicken is.
Find food that fits your pet’s needs
There you are in the kitchen, marinating the chicken youd intended for dinner. You turn your back to reach for the fridge and next thing you know, the tray of chicken is on the floor and your dog is eating it.
Youre now probably concerned about your dog after they ate raw chicken.
If you ever see this happen, restrain your dog by holding them from the collar or harness and then carefully remove any chicken from their mouth. If you find that your dog ate raw chicken, read on to learn why raw chicken isnt safe for dogs.
Other Dangers of Eating Raw Chicken
If you find yourself on the phone with your veterinarian explaining how your dog got into some raw chicken, youll need to be aware of other potential dangers. Salmonella aside, how bad is eating raw chicken overall?
That answer probably depends on how much your dog ate relative to their size. A few licks of raw juice, for example, is enough to pass along any unwanted bacteria, but ingesting a whole carcass is much worse for a variety of reasons, particularly because of the bones and fat.
While raw bones tend to be easier to digest than cooked bones, a small dog may nonetheless suffer mechanical trauma to their digestive tract from eating all that tough stuff, even potentially experiencing a complete bowel obstruction. Meanwhile, large amounts of fat may lead to the same issues that happen when dogs eat gobs of fatty turkey during Thanksgiving — namely, the possibility of pancreatitis.
FAQ
Can a dog get salmonella from eating raw chicken?
What will happen if a dog eats raw meat?