Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken? Get the Facts

Whether you’re dipping your toes into the world of raw feeding or just wondering what you could feed your dog to give them a taste of something different, you may be wondering: Can dogs eat raw chicken? Despite much fear-mongering from kibble companies and some vets, healthy dogs are actually biologically designed to eat and process raw chicken without getting sick.

Is raw chicken good for dogs? Can dogs eat raw chicken bones? What about chicken eggs—can dogs eat raw eggs? Read on for everything you need to know about dogs eating raw chicken.

Can Dogs Have Raw Chicken?

Yes, all dogs—even small dogs—can eat raw chicken, and it can be part of a raw diet for dogs. However, raw chicken all by itself doesn’t automatically make for a complete and balanced diet. Dogs need the right amount of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone to get all the nutrients they need.

Don’t want to balance your dog’s raw diet all by yourself? We Feed Raw does it for you! Our chicken patty recipe contains approximately 80% muscle meat (and associated fat and connective tissue), 10% secreting organs, 10% finely ground bone, and an added vitamin and mineral premix for a diet that complies with AAFCO nutrition requirements for dogs of all life stages, including large breed puppies (70 pounds or more as an adult).

Chicken also happens to be our most affordable protein, making it the best raw meat for people on a tight budget.

What Happens if a Dog Eats Raw Chicken?

If a dog eats raw chicken…they enjoy their meal! If your dog has eaten kibble all their life, it is possible their first raw meals could cause loose stools, but that’s normal because their digestive system needs to adjust to something totally different from what it’s used to.

It doesn’t mean the raw chicken has made your dog sick…Quite the opposite, actually. Their body is getting rid of fillers, toxins, and other junk after years of eating species-inappropriate kibble, and your dog is on their way to smaller, firmer, less-smelly poops.

Is Raw Chicken Safe for Dogs?

Healthy dogs—with their highly acidic stomach and short digestive tract—are biologically designed to eat and process raw meat (including chicken) without getting sick. That said, We Feed Raw uses high-pressure processing (HPP) to neutralize any potential pathogens, making our raw chicken patties even safer for dogs—and the humans who feed them.

Is Raw Chicken Good for Dogs?

Yes, raw chicken is good for dogs in moderation. It can be an excellent component of a raw dog food diet, but it shouldn’t be the only protein you feed your dog, because feeding more proteins can lead to a more well-rounded diet overall—not to mention happy pups who never get tired of eating the same thing every day.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Bones?

Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken bones as long as the pieces are big enough that your dog can’t swallow a piece whole, potentially choking itself. In fact, raw chicken bones are an excellent way to exercise your dog's jaw, stimulate their gums, and relieve their primal urge to chew without turning to your furniture.

It’s a good idea to supervise your dog while they’re eating bones, especially if it’s a new food for them, to make sure they don’t try to swallow overly large pieces.

You should never give your dog cooked bones because they can splinter and cause problems in your dog’s digestive system.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Eggs?

Yes, raw chicken eggs are an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for dogs. If you buy farm-fresh eggs, you can even feed your pup the eggshell. You shouldn’t give your dog the shells of eggs you buy at the supermarket, however, because they get commercially washed in chemicals you don’t want your dog to eat.

It’s also important to note that raw egg white contains an enzyme that ties up biotin, so you want to limit how much raw egg white you give your dog each week. You can give whole eggs a few times a week, or you can give just the yolk or a soft-boiled egg to your dog daily.

FAQs

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Breast?

Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken breast as part of a raw diet. However, raw chicken breast alone is not a fully balanced raw meal for a dog.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Feet?

Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken feet, as long as they came from healthy chickens, and not those afflicted by bumble foot. Raw chicken feet make a great addition to a raw diet because dogs love the crunch. Chewing on raw chicken feet also provides an excellent scrubbing and flossing benefit that works to clean your dog’s teeth and massage their gums. However, they don’t offer enough meat all by themselves to constitute a balanced raw diet for a dog.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Livers?

Yes, dogs can—and SHOULD—eat raw chicken livers as part of a balanced raw diet. Raw liver provides essential vitamins and minerals such as copper, vitamin A, folic acid, B vitamins, and iron. Raw liver should account for 5% of a balanced raw diet for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Wings?

Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken wings. Raw bones are a critical part of a raw diet, especially if you aren’t feeding a diet that already includes finely ground bones. You should supervise your dog while eating bones to ensure they don’t try to swallow overly large pieces.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Gizzards?

Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken gizzards. Although the gizzard is technically an organ when it lives inside a chicken, it counts as lean muscle meat in a raw diet and is a great source of protein, iron, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Legs?

Yes, dogs can eat raw chicken legs. Raw meaty bones like chicken legs are an important part of a raw diet for dogs. It’s a good idea to supervise dogs eating raw bones for the first time.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Thighs?

Yes, dogs can eat chicken thighs. If you’re making your dog’s raw diet yourself, raw chicken thighs can be an important source of bone in the diet. We Feed Raw already includes finely ground raw meaty bones in our patties.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Necks?

Most dogs can safely eat raw chicken necks. These raw meaty bones can be an excellent snack to keep dogs busy, clean their teeth, and prevent boredom. Plus, they’re an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Skin?

Yes, dogs can eat small amounts of raw chicken skin as a treat. Since it’s so fatty, chicken skin shouldn’t make up a significant portion of your dog’s diet.

Is Raw Chicken Bad for Dogs?

No, raw chicken is not bad for dogs as long as it is part of a balanced raw diet that includes other proteins, organ meats, and bones to provide all the necessary nutrients.

Start Your Dog on a Fully Balanced Raw Chicken Diet Now

Ready to start your dog on a raw diet? Whether your want to give your dog chicken, beef, turkey, duck, venison, or lamb, We Feed Raw has nutritionally complete and balanced patties with finely ground bone already included in the recipe. No choking hazards here! Take the quiz now to find out how much it would cost to get started.