A dog diet is the most important topic for all dog owners. There are a lot of things you need to know and even more, you need to learn as long as you have a dog. Can dogs eat raw chicken? Chicken bones? Is feeding my dog chicken everyday a fine or bad thing? All of these questions are also common and they are something you need to get an answer to as soon as possible. Below, we are going to present you with a complete guide and reveal all the facts all dog owners need to know.
Can dogs eat raw chicken meat and bones?
Can dogs eat raw chicken? Chicken bones? Is feeding my dog chicken everyday a bad thing? The things are very simple and easy here. First of all, yes, you can feed raw chicken to a dog. There are no side effects or any negative issues. Keep in mind that dogs came from wolves so they originally ate raw meat only and they are still enjoying it.
The things are the same when it comes to raw chicken meat. We like white meat only and we will usually avoid any other part especially chicken organs. Dogs do need these. They need liver especially and they can get all kinds of perks from giblets. You need to know that 5% of the dog’s raw meat diet should come from organs. Raw chicken organs are the best option. Dogs love these as well so we can add that this is a win-win situation. Organ meat is loaded with amino acids, which will help your pet repair damaged tissue and also promote organ function. In simple terms, your pet will benefit from organ meat more than you can imagine.
We would like to add that raw chicken feet are an ideal addition to your dog’s diet. Many of you will avoid these. They don’t look nice and they even look dangerous. In reality, these are loaded with glucosamine which will promote the joint health of your pet. Chicken feet will also help your dog clean the teeth and gums. These are ideal for older dogs due to the fact they can prevent deterioration of the teeth and also fight arthritis. Now you know why at some pet stores you can buy chicken feet on a daily basis. They are simply important and extremely beneficial.
What about chicken bones? You probably have heard that chicken bones are bad for dogs. This is partially true. Raw chicken bones are safe for dogs and they can consume them on a daily basis. These bones are soft and flexible. They can help your pet clean the teeth and gums within minutes. As such, dogs can and should eat raw chicken bones. The situation is different with cooked chicken bones. A dog must not eat these. When the bones are cooked they will become brittle and sharp. They can damage the mouth and even the intestine of a dog.
Feeding a dog with chicken every single day
Due to all of the facts, we have mentioned above many of you will want to feed your dogs chicken every single day. Should you do it? Yes and no. Theoretically, you can feed a dog the same type of food every day. But, you shouldn’t do it. All dogs want and need a versatile diet that consists of different ingredients. By using this he will get all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Think of your diet. You wouldn’t like eating chicken only.
There is one exception. If your dog is ill or he is recovering from some surgery a vet will advise you to feed him with boiled chicken for a couple of days. This is so his stomach gets easy food to digest and to make the recovery faster and easier. Of course, this is a temporary diet and not something you can use for months.
The ideal amount of chicken to feed your dog with is 1/3 of a cup per 20 pounds of weight. This is the same rule for protein hence you can use different sources of it. Many dog owners base the diet around chicken meat but add other options as well. This is one of the best and the most appealing diets all dogs love.
Important precautions you need to know about
Just feeding raw chicken and bones to your dog is not very smart. You need to know about precautions that are mandatory in this case scenario. First of all, you will have to keep the raw chicken in the refrigerator. Once you pull it out, rinse it with cold water and feed your pet. Do not freeze it back. All the leftovers must be thrown away. This is done due to bacteria. Salmonella is common meat. When the meat heats up to room temperature, bacteria will start to grow and you don’t want this inside your pet. There is some risk present if you feed your dog without using these precautions.
When it comes to chicken bones, never boil them before giving them to a dog. They will become brittle and too dangerous as we have mentioned at the beginning. You can give 1-2 bones per week and make sure that there is a few days difference. Also, make sure that the bones you are giving to your dog are not too small that your pet can swallow them in one try. If your pet ate a lot of chicken bones he may end up constipated. You will have to contact your vet and see what to do. It is also possible to contact your vet right now and see how many bones you can feed to your pet.
Keep in mind that you should supervise your dog while he is eating bones. Some of them will become too happy so they can swallow a big piece or they can start running around with a bone in their mouth. Others will become extremely protective about the bones so they may be aggressive. You should make sure children or other animals don’t come near a dog of this kind. Some dogs are too strong for a dog such as knucklebones. They can break a tooth of your dog and this requires it to be removed surgically. It is an expensive and annoying process. Other than that, there are no important things you need to know and worry about.
The ideal combination
There are two main types of dog owners in this case scenario. The first type are the ones who will want to feed their dogs with raw meat only. This is called a raw diet and it is very popular at the moment. As a matter of fact, it is becoming more and more popular as we speak. These people believe that a raw diet is the best. After all, wild dogs and wolves enjoy a raw diet only. They do not get commercial food. Well, this is not completely true. These animals are wild and they know when they need additional minerals, vitamins, or something similar. As such they will find those nutrients. Domesticated dogs don’t have this option. The bottom line is that if you choose a raw diet only, your dog may end up with the need for additional nutrients.
Other dog owners claim that commercial food is the best kind out there. Yes, it was properly researched and there are a lot of things the companies did right. In general, these foods are very common, safe and they will provide all needed nutrients. But, as we have stated above, eating the same type of food every single day is far from great.
The best option you can use is to mix these two. Use commercial food most of the time. After all, it is carefully designed for your dog and it will provide all the needed nutrients. Most dogs love it as well, which is a nice thing. But, add raw food occasionally. It will spice things up and it will make the entire diet more appealing and more desirable. This is a nice thing you can do and something your pet will appreciate.
Don’t forget about the fruit and treats. These are also a part of the diet and they have a huge role. Always feed these in moderation and make sure that the treats you use are safe for dogs when consumed a bit more. This is something you need to know if you are training your pet or you want to teach him some tricks.
The final word
Can dogs eat raw chicken? Chicken bones? Feed my dog chicken everyday fine? Now you know all the answers and you can go out there and make the best possible diet for your pet. Your dog will be happy, healthy and he will enjoy eating the food. Try to make it versatile and include as many different ingredients as possible.
Also, you can read What human food is good for dogs?
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