Is it ok to give raw chicken to dogs

It’s very common to find dog food with chicken as a main source of protein. This protein helps give pups energy and build lean muscle. As chicken is a commonly used protein in many households, you may wonder about providing raw chicken for dogs.

This begs the question, can dogs eat raw chicken? No, dogs should not eat raw chicken. The only exception to this rule would be raw chicken contained in a high-quality raw dog food that follows AAFCO standards and has gone through a pathogen reduction treatment. Never feed your pet raw chicken from the grocery store. The bacteria associated with eating raw chicken can be harmful to both humans and dogs. While canine stomachs are typically more resistant to harmful bacteria than human digestive systems, raw poultry can be too much for them to handle nonetheless. If you’ve found that your pet has consumed raw chicken and has an adverse effect, call your veterinarian immediately.

Although there are trends that support giving dogs raw foods, the risks of providing raw chicken for dogs are too dangerous. Additionally, frozen raw dog food or dry dog food that lists raw chicken in the ingredients is typically freeze-dried or uses proprietary processes to remove bacteria from the chicken Even human-grade dog food containing chicken does not contain raw chicken.

Two of the most dangerous bacteria found in raw chicken from a grocery store are Salmonella and Campylobacter. These two bacteria—also common in undercooked chicken—can cause vicious gastrointestinal problems in both canines and humans, including fever and severe diarrhea that can last for weeks. These bacterial infections can also be passed to humans through your dog’s feces. If your pet does have one of these infections, wash your hand thoroughly after picking up their waste or touching bedding and blankets they might sit or scoot on.

Another important consideration about dogs eating raw chicken is that it can lead to malnutrition. Raw chicken isn’t significantly more nutritious than broiled, roasted or boiled chicken for dogs. Chicken used in dog food is formulated for optimal nutrition and sometimes supplemented further. Commercial dog food diets are balanced to provide all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients required for your dog’s health. Even when feeding your dog plainly cooked chicken, it’s still recommended only to serve it as an occasional treat. 90% of their daily caloric intake should come from their high-quality dog food.

What happens if dogs eat raw chicken?

While there is a chance nothing will happen if your dog eats a small amount of raw chicken, Salmonella and Campylobacter infections are the biggest concerns. They can both cause severe diarrhea and vomiting so intense that canines can become extremely dehydrated and may need to be hospitalized for fluid therapy and prescribed medications. Diarrhea from these infections can be even worse for puppies who eat raw chicken. Infections from either of these bacteria can be life-threatening.

Another potentially dangerous concern is that raw chicken from the grocery store often contains bones. Raw chicken bones can pose a choking hazard or cause gastrointestinal distress if swallowed. Fish and chicken bones pose a greater risk to dogs than bones from other types of meat because they are smaller and can be more easily swallowed. Consider dog bones made from highly digestible rawhide and rawhide-free bones that can provide the same natural flavors and help support dental hygiene with less risk of swallowing or splintering.

What to do if your dog ate raw chicken

Monitor your pet’s condition, as it can initially be hard to tell if they’re suffering from a foodborne illness. You may not even realize that your dog has been eating raw chicken until you notice vomiting, diarrhea (with or without blood or mucus), lethargy, increased temperature or other abnormal behaviors.

Consult your veterinarian immediately if you notice excessive diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy or fever. Depending on the severity of diarrhea, your vet may prescribe fluids to rehydrate them as well as other medications to help avoid further health issues. Antibiotics may not be used by your veterinarian to treat foodborne illnesses like these—unless cases are severe. Your vet may recommend other health and wellness solutions, such as probiotics, which may help your canine’s stomach return to normal more quickly.

How can you prevent your dog from eating raw chicken?

Preventing your pet from eating raw chicken is just as important as keeping your dog from eating toxic human foods. First, make sure that raw chicken is properly stored in your refrigerator in a sealed bag or leak-proof container. This helps ensure that your dog can’t get to it and also helps prevent raw chicken liquid from contaminating any other foods in the fridge.

When preparing to cook raw chicken for dogs, make sure that it’s placed out of their reach. Have family members or housemates keep an eye on your pup if they’re eagerly licking their chops in anticipation of stealing a bite. Keep in mind that humans and canines can become infected with Campylobacter or Salmonella from ingesting just a single drop of raw chicken liquid. Be sure to take the extra step of disinfecting any surface that might’ve come in contact with drippings from raw chicken to help prevent your dog from licking it up later.

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Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Petco’s ACE team is a passionate group of experienced pet care experts dedicated to supporting the overall health & wellness of pets. The ACE team works to develop animal care operations and standards across the organization and promote proper animal care and education for Pet Care Center partners and pet parents, while also ensuring regulatory compliance.