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Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?

Updated on July 18, 2024
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
raw chicken legs

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.

Can dogs eat raw chicken?

No, dogs should not eat raw chicken.

Salmonella and Campylobacter—two of the most dangerous foodborne bacteria—are often found in raw chicken and can cause food poisoning in both dogs and humans. If your dog gets sick from eating raw chicken, they can suffer severe diarrhea and vomiting that may even require hospitalization for fluid therapy or prescribed medications.

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.

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.

Can dogs eat raw chicken bones?

No. While raw chicken bones are less dangerous than cooked bones because they are more flexible, raw chicken bones for dogs are still dangerous. They can contain bacteria and can be consumed too quickly by a hungry pup. Swallowing bones can cause food poisoning, choking and gastrointestinal blockage or obstruction.

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.

What to do if your dog ate raw chicken

If you notice your dog ate raw chicken, consult your veterinarian immediately and monitor your dog’s condition. Look for signs of foodborne illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, increased temperature or abnormal behaviors. Depending on the severity of your pet’s symptoms, your vet may prescribe fluids to rehydrate or antibiotics in extreme cases.

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.

Featured Dog Food with Chicken 

FAQs about raw chicken for dogs

No. Raw chicken from the grocery store contains bacteria and presents a high risk of food poisoning. While raw chicken may have potential health benefits, these risks far outweigh the benefits. If you are interested in feeding your dog a raw diet, it’s recommended to have their primary menu be high-quality, store-bought dog food.

These foods go through a pathogen-reduction treatment and are specially formulated with all the vitamins and nutrients your dog needs. If your pup craves poultry, you can also consider dry dog food with chicken, turkey or wildfowl that can provide the appropriate nutrition.

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.

Yes, dogs can get food poisoning from raw chicken. The most common types of bacteria in raw chicken that lead to food poisoning are Salmonella and Campylobacter, but it can also come from Clostridium perfringens. Consult your veterinarian immediately if you believe your dog has consumed raw chicken.

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