Is Chicken Good for Dogs? Getting to the Meat of the Matter.

It’s no secret that dogs love meat. As a pet owner, you may see many different types of dog food made with different proteins. If you’ve ever wondered why this is, you are not alone. Some dogs have food allergies and sensitivities just like humans. Some dogs do better with salmon, lamb and/or bison as their protein sources, while others enjoy white meat like chicken or turkey and finally, there are some pups who stick to fish since they don’t do well with a lot of meat.

There is a right protein (or proteins) for every pup, and sometimes it takes a few tries to find what works best. As a new pet parent, you might start with a chicken-based dog food. Learn more about how this lean protein fits into your pup’s diet.

3 Reasons why chicken is good for dogs

1. Source of lean protein

Chicken is a great source of lean protein. Even if you don’t feed your dog a chicken based food, you can still serve chicken to your pup. Dogs can enjoy roasted (skin removed, no bones), grilled (no seasonings) or boiled chicken in small portions. If you’re having chicken for dinner, your dog can share some as long as you keep theirs plain. Refrain from feeding your dog chicken on the bone as these bones can splinter causing GI blockages or punctures. If your dog does eat a bone contact your vet ASAP so they can get it removed safely. If your dog is acting funny after eating chicken and you’re not sure if they ate a bone, you can still contact your vet. Better to be safe than sorry!

2. Soothes upset stomach

If your dog has been vomiting or is sick and has no appetite, chicken might help soothe their tummy troubles. Many vets recommend boiled chicken as part of a bland diet. You can also add steamed white rice to the mix. If you share homemade chicken bone broth with your pup, you can make them a little soup with boiled chicken, bone broth and some white rice. As your pup feels better you can even offer some of the carrots from the soup if your pup enjoys that. If the bland diet doesn’t have your pup feeling better in a day or two, follow up with your vet to ensure that your pup doesn’t need additional medical attention or some medication.

3. Lower in calories

If your pup is trying to lose a few pounds, chicken might be the right protein. White meat chicken is a great choice. Avoid fattier cuts of meat like beef or lamb. In addition to weight gain, too much fat can also lead to pancreatitis. You can offer chicken as a training treat in place of other treats made with higher calorie ingredients like cheese or peanut butter. Another thing you can try is mixing a tiny amount of bacon or grilled lean beef with your chicken treats for a flavor boost with fewer calories. Your pup won’t feel deprived one bit.

If you’re looking for a fresh way to feed your pup chicken, Ollie’s got you covered! Ollie’s protein-packed Chicken recipe is a healthful twist on the classic chicken and rice combo many pup parents are acustom to whipping up at home. This fresh take is vet-formulated and nutritionally balanced to give your dog the daily vitamins and minerals they need to succeed. Try this recipe and more today!

A note on allergies

While there are many great reasons to share chicken with your pup, or feed a chicken-based dog food it is important to consider that your dog could be allergic. According to the American Kennel Club, chicken falls in the top 10 allergy-inducing ingredients. The most common allergens are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. Many dogs are allergic to chicken. Some dogs have mild allergies and get a little itchy when eating chicken and other dogs can actually go into anaphylactic shock. If you suspect your dog is allergic to chicken consult your vet. They may suggest eliminating chicken from your dog’s diet completely to see if their symptoms improve. If you need to do this remember to check everything your dog is eating, including their treats for chicken or chicken meal in the ingredients.

If your pup turns out to be allergic, always make sure you have chicken free treats on hand whenever you’re out. This way if someone asks if your pup can have a treat and you want to allow them to share a treat with your pup, you can ask them to feed your dog one of your treats that is chicken free. If you don’t want someone to share a treat with your pup, make sure to communicate your dog’s allergy so they don’t accidentally get offered a chicken treat. If your dog takes training classes or attends doggie daycare make sure all of the trainers and daycare staff know about your pup’s allergy.

Chicken isn’t the only human food that your pup can enjoy

No matter what your pup’s tastes are there are plenty of foods you can share. Cheese, peanut butter, fruits vegetables and other meats are all fair game when prepared correctly.

Some pet parents love cooking for their pups. For other busy pet parents, we at Ollie created our Chicken recipe. This delicious fresh food combines human-grade ingredients like chicken, carrots, spinach, and rice with all the vitamins and minerals your pup needs.

While our foods are delicious, they are nutritious and designed to keep your pup energized and healthy.

Your pup’s diet is an important part of their overall health. Food provides the fuel to power your pup through a long walk, a romp at daycare or even a healthy agility competition. It also keeps your pup at a healthy weight to mitigate risks of obesity, diabetes or even some cancers. Finally, diet contributes to keeping your pups organs, muscles and bones healthy.

So, while chicken might make your dog happy, it also can contribute to their health! We hope you and your pup enjoy eating chicken together for many, many years.

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.