Can you feed dogs raw chicken? You can, but not all the time. While dogs might have hardier stomachs than humans, they still need proper care and preparation when it comes to their food – especially if it’s raw. Here’s everything you need to know about raw chicken for dogs.
Can a Dog Get Sick From Eating Raw Chicken?
Thankfully, illness caused by raw chicken bacteria is uncommon in our canine friends. Studies have shown that dogs will often remain in good clinical health even when these bugs are present in their intestines. Still, because getting sick is not impossible, it’s a good idea to monitor your dog more closely over the 48 hours following raw chicken ingestion. Look out for signs of gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in appetite. If you see these or notice any other sudden changes in behavior, it’s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a check-up.
My Dog Ate Raw Chicken; What Do I Do?
If you notice your dog salivating excessively or coughing repeatedly right after eating a bony chicken part, it is likely that it got stuck somewhere in the mouth or esophagus (the gullet). This is an emergency and you should see your veterinarian immediately! They will be able to determine the best way to proceed to remove any obstruction.
Even if no immediate trips to the vet are required, continue to monitor for signs of blockages lower down in the gastrointestinal tract. This can manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, or abdominal pain. If you find that your dog is defecating normally at 48 hours after a bone-nabbing incident, the bone has probably been able to pass safely with no sudden veterinary trips necessary.
Is Raw Chicken Dangerous For Dogs?
Though we discussed above how dogs can technically digest raw chicken, it is still considered dangerous for them to consume.
Raw chicken contains an array of bacteria that can cause our dogs harm, with Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli being the most threatening.
Dogs may have more defenses against these organisms than we do, but they can still cause serious GI upset in some furry friends.
The pH in a dog’s stomach will vary based on how much food is currently in their stomach. This means their stomach acid may not always be the strong defense we think it is, and some harmful bacteria may still survive the environment.
Not only can bacteria survive certain conditions, but it can multiply rapidly in dogs with compromised immune systems.
Ranging from dogs with chronic illness to senior pups, many dogs can be at higher risk of complications than others.
With these factors combined, the benefit of feeding raw chicken just does not outweigh the potential risks. It is one thing for a dog to accidentally eat a small amount of raw chicken, but deliberate raw feeding can be dangerous.