Can dogs eat chicken?
Plain cooked chicken is one of the most common proteins in dog food and a great treat. The danger is the bones: cooked chicken bones splinter and can cause choking or injury.
How to give chicken safely
- Cook it thoroughly — boiled, baked, poached or grilled.
- No seasoning, garlic, onion, butter or oil.
- Remove all bones and the skin (fatty).
- Cut into bite-sized pieces.
Why cooked bones are dangerous
Cooked bones are brittle and splinter into sharp shards. They can cause choking, damage the mouth, throat or gut, and lead to blockages or tears. The AKC’s chief vet advises never giving dogs cooked bones of any kind.
My dog ate a chicken bone — what now?
- Don’t panic, and don’t make your dog vomit — a bone coming back up can injure the esophagus.
- Call your vet for advice.
- Watch for the next 24 hours for: vomiting or regurgitation, drooling, trouble swallowing, choking sounds, stretching the neck, loss of appetite.
- Any of these signs mean a vet visit.
Raw chicken?
Most vets and veterinary organisations advise against raw chicken because of salmonella and other bacteria, which can affect both dogs and people.
Chicken allergies
Chicken is among the more common food allergens in dogs. If your dog gets itchy skin or ear problems, talk to your vet.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat chicken skin?
It’s very fatty and can upset the stomach or contribute to pancreatitis. Best avoided.
Can dogs eat rotisserie chicken?
A little plain meat stripped from the bone is usually fine, but skin and seasoning should go, and never the bones.
Will a chicken bone dissolve in my dog’s stomach?
Stomach acid often breaks bones down within hours, but they can still cause injury before that. Call your vet and watch for warning signs.
Sources
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Every pet is different — for questions about your own pet’s health, talk to your veterinarian.
