Not everything in our diet is OK for dogs to eat (looking at you, chocolate and grapes).
When it comes to meats, the general guideline for humans is that it has to be cooked through – especially white meats like chicken.
But do dogs have to follow the same cooking rule of thumb as we do?
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9Honey Pets spoke to Dr Suff Suharju, Veterinary Director at Greencross Vets Kangaroo Flat for everything you need to know about feeding your dog raw chicken, from whether it is actually safe to the one part of the meat your pup should not be eating.
Is it OK to feed dogs raw chicken?
When cooked, chicken can be a good source of protein for pups.
Dr Suharju points out some pet owners might want to feed their dog raw chicken as an affordable option they consider as close to a “wild” diet.
However, the vet does not recommend it.
Eating the meat raw can pose “significant health risks”.
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“Not just to animals, but also to people in the household,” the vet explains.
The vet also debunks beliefs that raw chicken can improve things like energy, dental health and coat shine, noting this is “not backed by robust scientific evidence”.
Can dogs get Salmonella from eating raw chicken?
Now, we know humans can’t eat raw chicken due to the risk of harmful bacteria like Salmonella, which can give us food poisoning.
Along with Salmonella, raw chicken can carry Campylobacter and E. coli bacteria.
According to the vet, all these bacteria can make both dogs and humans seriously ill.
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“Even if your pet doesn’t show signs of illness, they can still shed these bacteria in their saliva and faeces, putting family members at risk,” Dr Suharju says.
Speaking to the serious health risks, Dr Suharju cites a study from The University of Melbourne conducted in 2018 that linked raw chicken to a higher risk of developing a condition called Acute Polyradiculoneuritis, which can lead to paralysis.
The vet says the suspected trigger is a bacteria found in raw chicken: Campylobacter.
Is it better to give dogs raw or cooked chicken?
So, now we’ve covered the potential health risks, how should your dog eat chicken?
Much like for humans, cooking chicken gets rid of any harmful bacteria for your dog.
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The “safer” way for pups to consume the meat in their diet, according to Dr Suharju, is using cooked, plain and boneless chicken.
“Raw diets that rely heavily on chicken – especially if they’re homemade – often lack key nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and potassium, and may have excessive levels of vitamin D,” the vet explains, noting this can lead to deficiencies and long-term health problems.
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Are there any parts of the chicken dogs can’t eat?
While the meat is generally fine, there’s one part of the chicken your dog should have.
Eating raw bones can cause several issues for dogs.
According to the vet, bones can be a particular choking hazard for smaller dogs.
The bones can also fracture teeth and lead to intestinal blockages or perforations, so best to steer clear.
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