Dog lovers often treat their pets as family members – but is it okay to feed canned chicken to your dogs?
We sometimes forget or tend to forget that they have a different diet from us. Be honest and admit that you would sometimes throw some scraps to your dog under the table.
You want them to eat the food that you consume because they are your precious babies. But is it really okay to do that?
Can Dogs Eat Canned Chicken?
It is safe to let your dogs eat canned chicken – but you must prepare it first, and be aware of possible salmonella contamination.
It is also important to make sure that your pet has no allergies to chicken.
Keep in mind that not all dogs like chicken meat.
Many food items that are healthy for human consumption may be toxic for dogs that have sensitive stomachs. Chicken has always been an essential part of many pantries around the world. It is also one of the first things that come to mind as a substitute for dog food.
Chicken is rich in protein, which your dog needs to remain healthy all the time.
Most commercial dog foods have chicken meat as one of their main ingredients. However, there are brands of dog food that do not contain poultry products at all.
So dogs are okay with chicken, but can they handle canned chicken?
Is it Healthy or Unhealthy for your Dog?
Although you can give canned poultry meat made for humans to your dog, make sure not to give it regularly or not to turn it into a daily habit. Canned meat contains a huge amount of sodium, which can be harmful to your furry friend.
You should not give it to him straight from the can – see below for how to prepare it for him.
Canned chicken is good during emergencies when you forgot to buy some dog food, and your pet can no longer wait to be fed.
However, if you are like most dog owners, you probably prefer not to give your pets anything that is not included in their usual diet.
Be aware it may cause illness to your dog if he has an allergy.
There is also a high possibility that salmonella may develop in canned chicken that has been kept for a long time. It may cause an intestinal problem for your dog once he eats it.
Most foods in a can, including chicken, contain sodium that dogs’ stomachs cannot handle well. However, they are fine with a small amount.
Yes, canned chicken, once prepared, is considered healthy for your dog since it provides the protein that your pet needs – but it can also be fatal if you give it to them every single day.
What Happens If Your Dog Eats Too Much Canned Chicken?
As mentioned before, most canned foods usually contain a huge amount of sodium.
Too much sodium can make your dog feel thirsty. Excessive sodium intake in dogs can lead to vomiting or diarrhoea.
If your dog consumes sodium continuously, the digestive system of your dog will suffer later. It may also lead to sodium ion poisoning.
Foods in a can should not replace your dog’s regular food unless the veterinarian gives you a go signal or recommends it.
You may be tempted to prepare quick and easy meals for your pets using canned goods because it is convenient. Before you prepare the meals packed in a can for your pets, think about the possible illnesses that they may contract when they consume too much sodium.
Your dog may also develop kidney, liver, and heart problems when he consumes sodium in large amounts every day.
As much as possible, avoid giving any food products that contain sodium to your pets.
Take note that sudden changes in the diet of your dog can lead to an upset stomach or diarrhoea. This is especially true when your pet already has digestive issues from the beginning.
How to Prepare Canned Chicken For Your Dog
Giving them food straight from the can is not a healthy option for your pet.
Before you give any canned meat to your dog, you need to rinse out the salt using a strainer or colander. After rinsing, you can now give it to your pet.
Take note that just because you have rinsed the meat does not mean that there are no traces of sodium left in the meat. Rinsing the canned meat can only significantly reduce the amount of sodium and not get rid of it completely.
If you think that the canned poultry is bland and needs some more flavoring, resist the temptation to add salt and spices. You will only cause harm to your dog when you do that.
It is best to stick to rinsing the meat in a can and giving it to your dog.
You can mix the rinsed canned meat with vegetables, fish, or cooked rice.
- Adult and large dogs can get 1 cup serving of the mixture.
- A medium-sized dog can have half a cup of the mixture.
- A small dog can have 1/4 cup of the mixture.
Don’t force your dog to eat poultry if he doesn’t want it. Remember that not all dogs are fond of eating poultry, and your dog could be one of them.
What Other Common “Human” Foods Can Dogs Eat?
If no dog food is available, there are other human foods that are safe to give to your pet:
- Fresh chicken is a good substitute, but you need to cook the chicken first before you give it to your dog. Your pet may contract salmonella infection from eating raw or uncooked chicken meat. Boiled chicken is a good way to go.
- Homemade broth, made with chicken bones as a base, is another good option. Be careful with canned chicken broth as this could also contain sodium, along with other ingredients he should not be eating.
- Rinsed and drained peas, beans, and carrots.
- Cooked rice and pasta.
- Canned fish in water, which is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Don’t choose the packed-in oil variety. You still need to rinse it to get rid of most of the sodium.
- Scrambled or boiled eggs. If your pet has kidney problems, you should only give the white part of the egg.
- Fruits like apples and bananas are great treats for your dog. You can also give potatoes as an alternative to poultry meat.
- Peanut butter is a dog-friendly pantry staple that can also be found in many dog biscuits and treats. It is safe for your dog to eat peanut butter in moderation as long as it doesn’t contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can be life threatening for dogs.
- You can also use canned pumpkin, which has many vitamins and nourishing nutrients that are beneficial to your dog. Due to the pumpkin’s high fiber content, it is great for the digestive system of your dog. Never give sweetened pie or potatoes in a can to your dog.
- If you have no other choice and there’s a baby in the house who has a lot of baby food supplies, you can also give some baby food to your dog. Just make sure that there’s no onion, garlic, or any other ingredients in the baby food that may harm your pet.
Final Thoughts
Feeding dogs canned chicken is fine if you have no other choice, but it is not something they should be eating regularly.
Because canned chicken contains sodium, you should be sure to prepare it first to remove as much as you can.
If something you gave to your dog makes him sick, stop feeding it to him and see if he starts to feel better. If not, you should take him to the vet. Only your veterinarian can make the right diagnosis, and you should not take chances.
Don’t make your dog feel agitated and unhappy. Whatever it is that makes him unwell will only worsen if you keep giving him foods that are causing the discomfort.
I always buy more food for my dog long before it runs low to avoid having to give him something that may cause problems.
It is important to take your dog to the vet regularly to make sure he has no brewing illness that may turn into something big later. They can also advise you what his regular diet should consist of.
References
- Preliminary assessment of the risk of Salmonella infection in dogs fed raw chicken diets – Daniel J. Joffe and Daniel P. Schlesinger
Feature image by Karsten Winegeart (altered)
