Key Takeaways:
- Despite the advice we live by, dogs can eat Raw Chicken. But this comes with some exceptions.
- Raw Chicken has a long list of benefits when added to your dog’s everyday diet, including skin & coat and joint & mobility support. The safest way to feed your Raw Chicken is through pre-made Raw dog food from a trusted, reliable source. We’d never recommend feeding your dog supermarket or butcher Raw Chicken that’s sold for human consumption, as it’s not prepped with raw-fed pets in mind.
- Raw Chicken can come with risks of harmful bacteria like Salmonella, but trusted providers of Raw Chicken dog food perform the necessary checks to make sure it's safe for your dog to eat. But safety and good hygiene in its prep and storage are also crucial in keeping you and your dog safe.
Yes, dogs can eat Raw Chicken! But it’s not as simple as that.
We’d never recommend feeding your dog a bit of Raw Chicken from your chopping board. But when Raw Chicken comes from a trusted Raw dog food provider, has gone through the necessary safety steps, AND is part of an overall complete diet, it can be a great source of high-quality protein.
The fact is, when it comes to dogs eating Raw Chicken, safety and quality are key. Read on to explore the ins and outs of feeding your dog Raw Chicken.
Is Raw Chicken good for dogs?
Yes, Raw Chicken can be great for dogs! We already know cooked Chicken can be amazing for dogs. And in its most natural form, Raw Chicken is rich in Zinc, Vitamin B, and natural levels of Glucosamine, which help support skin & coat, joint health, digestion, muscle growth, and metabolic health (crucial for converting food into energy).
Of course, a diet of JUST Raw Chicken won’t give everything a dog needs, but as part of a wider, complete and balanced diet, it makes a great, lean protein source.
Why can dogs eat Raw Chicken?
You may be recalling what happened the last time you accidentally ate some Raw Chicken and thinking - why isn’t it the same for dogs?
Raw Chicken can sometimes harbour harmful bacteria like Salmonella. This is often killed off by thorough cooking, but if Chicken isn’t cooked all the way through, or to the right temperature, Salmonella can survive. When eaten, this can cause major digestive upset, including vomiting and diarrhoea.
But there are a couple of reasons why dogs can digest Raw Chicken and can often go unscathed when eating it.
Their body. Dogs have evolved to have a shorter digestive tract and stronger stomach acid than us. So, if there’s any harmful bacteria present in the Raw Chicken, it usually doesn’t have time to multiply and cause havoc.
Their genetics. We often talk about Raw feeding as throwing it back to how their ancestors used to eat - because it’s true! Before dogs came into our homes, they were wild - hunting their food as predators and eating whatever meat they could find.
And for that reason, dogs have naturally evolved strong stomachs and the ability to digest raw meat. Of course, over time, some dogs have become better at this than others, making choosing a Raw diet dependent on what best suits your dog's needs.
Can dogs get Salmonella from Raw Chicken?
This isn’t to say dogs can’t get ill from eating Raw Chicken. In instances where they’ve accidentally eaten Raw Chicken that hasn’t been deemed safe for them to eat (like out of a bin or off the counter), there can definitely be a risk.
Bacteria like Salmonella can certainly slip through the cracks and infect your dog. This can cause similar symptoms to humans, like vomiting and diarrhoea.
Some dogs are more vulnerable to getting ill than others - including puppies, dogs with weakened immune systems, and senior dogs.
But it’s also important to note that dogs can be infected with Salmonella and show no symptoms at all. It’s able to survive in their body, be present in their poop and saliva, and then become a risk to you.
So, as hard as it may be to resist, it’s probably best to lay off the kisses if your dog’s recently been eating something they shouldn’t.
Can you feed dogs shop-bought Raw Chicken?
No, we’d never recommend feeding your dog a diet of shop-bought Raw Chicken from a supermarket or a butcher. Mainly because it hasn’t been prepared with raw-fed pets in mind.
Chicken from the supermarket or butcher may have been tested for human consumption, but there’s no way to say that it’s safe for your dog!
Plus, just Raw Chicken from the supermarket or butcher isn’t enough to sustain a complete and balanced everyday diet for your dog. Raw Chicken dog food, on the other hand, is made up of high-quality Raw Chicken, AND plenty of other nutritious vegetables, vitamins, minerals to provide a complete and balanced diet.
When it comes to feeding your dog any raw meat, we’d always recommend doing so with the help of a trusted and reliable provider that specialises in canine nutrition, for optimal safety.
Can dogs eat Raw Chicken breast?
Yes, dogs can eat Raw Chicken breast, and it’s commonly used in dog food due to it having high protein and very little fat.
But of course, we’d always advise not to use shop-bought Raw Chicken breasts for your dog, especially as a sole diet. Using a ready-to-feed Raw Chicken dog food helps ensure safety, quality, and a tasty, complete meal.
Can dogs eat Raw Chicken thighs?
Yes, dogs can eat Raw Chicken thighs. They’re a great protein source, but are a little on the fattier side when compared to Raw Chicken breast.
However, we would never recommend giving your dog Raw Chicken thighs from the supermarket or butcher, or as their entire meal. Not only is there the risk of harmful bacteria, but bones present in Chicken thighs can become a choking hazard.
What’s the safest way to feed a dog Raw Chicken?
If you think your dog would love Raw Chicken in their diet, the safest and most recommended way to feed them is with ready-to-feed Raw Chicken dog food. This way, you can help ensure their safety, and have peace of mind that it's been developed with solely your pooch in mind.
How to safely serve Raw Chicken dog food
Many Raw dog foods will be delivered frozen - all ready to be stored in your freezer.
Before it reaches your dog’s bowl, your Raw Chicken dog food should be fully thawed. And the best and safest place to do this is in the fridge, in its own container, overnight.
We’d never recommend thawing Raw dog food on the counter or in the microwave. There’s just no way to control the temperature, and uneven heating can open up the door to unwanted bacteria.
Once fully defrosted, the right portion for your dog (according to the feeding guidelines) can be dished up. And voila! Dinner is served.
One thing to note: we’d never recommend leaving unfinished Raw dog food out. Leaving it out at differing room temperatures can also encourage bacterial growth. So, if they’re leaving some food in the bowl, we’d suggest taking it up immediately and double-checking the feeding guidelines to make sure they’re getting the right amount for their weight. It could be they’re being served too much and getting full! For most Raw dog foods, your thawed, opened Raw Chicken food can be kept sealed in the fridge for up to 2 days (away from any human food). Any leftovers after those 2 days should always be discarded.
After prepping your pooch’s dinner and washing up all the utensils, be sure to give your hands a good scrub using soapy, hot water. Practising good hygiene is key when it comes to serving any Raw dog food, to keep you and your pooch safe.
FAQs
What raw meat can’t dogs eat?
We’d always recommend avoiding any highly processed Raw meat, like Bacon or Sausages. Even cooked, these tempting treats are tasty for us, but don’t settle well in your dog's tummy. This is because they often contain high levels of fat and sodium, and commonly contain additional ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like Onion and Garlic.
Is it better for dogs to have raw or cooked Chicken?
Both can be a great source of protein for your dog. One isn’t necessarily better than the other; it all comes down to what your dog needs and what kind of Raw Chicken you’re feeding them. Plain, unseasoned, cooked Chicken can make for a high-protein treat every now and then, and cooked Chicken like that in Fresh or Wet dog food can make for a lean, low-fat protein that’s gentle on sensitive tums. Raw Chicken can bring the same benefits, but we’d always recommend using high-quality Raw Chicken that comes from a trusted, reliable source and is deemed safe for dogs to eat.
What’s the difference between Raw dog food and other dog food?
The main differences between Raw dog food and other types of dog food are the way it’s prepped and stored. Unlike Fresh, Wet, and Dry dog food, there’s no cooking involved in Raw dog food whatsoever. Everything in a Raw dog food recipe is exactly that - raw! It’s then frozen for freshness and should be stored in your freezer until it's ready to defrost and serve.
Can you cook Raw Chicken dog food?
No, we’d never recommend cooking your Raw Chicken dog food. It simply isn't worth the risk. Raw Chicken dog food from trusted, reliable sources has been through the necessary checks to be frozen, defrosted, and safely fed to your dog. If you're looking for cooked food for your dog, be sure to check out other feeding alternatives like our wide range of Wet Food, which comes to you cooked, ready-to-be-served, and stored in the cupboard.
