The smell of chicken roasting in the oven drives most dogs wild, and they aren’t picky when it comes to eating any part of the chicken, which means the skin. Can dogs eat chicken skin? It’s not toxic, so it’s safe in that regard, but it’s not exactly healthy either.
Chicken skin is full of fat that can cause tummy upset, digestive issues, pancreatic inflammation, and pancreatitis. Dogs experiencing symptoms such as watery stools, tummy pain, and frequent stools need veterinarian care immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken Skin?
What Happens When Dogs Eat Chicken Skin
Can dogs eat chicken skin? Your dog is happy to eat tasty and delicious-smelling chicken skin, but it’s not good for them, whether cooked, fried, or roasted. It’s especially dangerous if your dog eats raw chicken skin.
If your dog ate chicken skin, monitor your dog to see if any symptoms arise. Some dogs will digest a small amount of chicken skin just fine, but it’s best to keep an eye on them for about 24 hours afterward, just in case they need medical or emergency care.
Can Dogs Eat Chicken?
Now that you know the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat chicken?” it’s time to think about an alternative such as chicken meat.
The good news is chicken meat is an excellent source of protein, is safe for dogs to eat, and is a valuable part of a complete and balanced diet. Always make sure you remove the skin from the chicken before cooking and serving it to your dog.
Also, remember to avoid putting salt or seasonings on the piece to prevent your dog from getting dehydrated or coming into contact with toxic seasonings to dogs.
Benefits of Chicken for Dogs
Chicken is lean meat that provides a variety of benefits for dogs, such as the ones listed below:
- Boosts energy levels
- Produces shiny coats
- It helps maintain healthy skin
- Promotes bone health
How to Serve Your Dog Chicken without the Skin
You can purchase skinless chicken from almost any grocery store and online food market that deliver to your home.
If you already have chicken with skin and need to cook it for your dog, carefully use a sharp nice to cut the chicken skin off the meat before cooking and make sure there are no bones in it.
You can add cooked chicken to your dog’s diet by trying the tips below:
- Cut the chicken into cubes and add it as a tasty topping to dry kibble.
- Blend chicken in a food processor and mix it together with wet dog food.
- Cube chicken and place it in a plastic container with a lid and keep it in the refrigerator for treats or snack time.
Chicken skin isn’t healthy or recommended for dogs, but chicken meat is safe and healthy. Most dogs enjoy chicken, but some might have an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction in dogs are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Hyperactivity
- Digestive disturbances
- Lack of energy
- Weight loss
- Excessive licking and scratching
Bottom Line
As a pet parent, you worry about what your dog eats. If your dog has already eaten chicken skin and you are panicking right now, try to relax because chicken skin isn’t toxic, but it might cause discomfort or illness depending on how much your dog ate.
Most dogs can tolerate small amounts of chicken skin without getting sick but if your dog shows symptoms of distress, contact a veterinarian for further assistance.
While your dog shouldn’t eat chicken skin, it can eat chicken meat. Implementing some freshly cooked chicken into your dog’s diet provides added protein and vitamins to their already healthy diet.
Shellie
A pet parent herself, Shellie knows the ins and outs of caring for a furry bundle of joy. She has been researching, reviewing and sharing her findings for the best dog products available for a number of years. A valued team member, Shellie's first-hand experience is invaluable.
