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 dog ate raw chicken

dog ate raw chicken

Is Raw Chicken Safe for Dogs?

Has your dog eaten uncooked chicken? 

You probably don’t need to be concerned. Here’s the quick answer…

A healthy dog is unlikely to get ill from eating raw chicken. So, if your dog has eaten a small portion of raw chicken as a one-off, there is probably nothing to worry about.

What to Do If Your Dog Ate Raw Chicken

Can All Dogs Safely Eat Raw Chicken?

Dogs that have digestive problems or pancreatitis may be more susceptible to health problems caused by bacteria in raw chicken. The same is likely to be true for puppies and senior canines.

Also, as we mentioned earlier, dogs that aren’t used to eating raw meat may suffer from gastrointestinal issues after eating raw meat. This is normal and only indicates food poisoning if the dog has repeated diarrhea or vomiting.

Summary

The simple answer to “what should I do if my dog ate raw chicken?” is usually “nothing, but closely monitor your pet for signs of illness.” Dogs are better adapted to eating raw meat than humans, and most won’t suffer serious health problems from the occasional piece of uncooked chicken.

That doesn’t mean a raw food diet is a right choice for your pet though. In fact, this type of diet may be nutritionally unbalanced and potentially dangerous. It also doesn’t mean your dog won’t get a food-borne illness – it’s just not as likely as when humans eat raw meat.

Sources:

https://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/salmonella/

http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=1288

http://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/5-mistakes-people-make-when-feeding-pets-raw-food-diet?page=5

https://www.vetary.com/dog/condition/salmonella-infection

http://www.greyhounds4u.co.uk/diet-and-nutrition-for-greyhounds.html

https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Raw-or-Undercooked-Animal-Source-Protein-in-Cat-and-Dog-Diets.aspx

What About Salmonella?

While eating raw chicken doesn’t seem to be as dangerous for dogs as humans, it still has the potential to cause health problems in dogs – and salmonella is one of the most common concerns.

Salmonella is a group of bacteria found in foods such as eggs, chicken, cheese, and nuts. In humans, salmonella can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms that can last up to a week – so it’s no wonder most people try to avoid it at all costs.

Dogs can get a salmonella infection – and it’s often present in raw chicken. It is, however, more common in dogs that have weak immune systems (including puppies and older dogs) or those already on antibiotics (as this can reduce the number of protective bacteria in the dog’s digestive system).

If you suspect your dog has salmonella, treatment depends on how bad it is. While mild cases can usually be treated without a hospital visit, always see your vet when your pet is unwell. It’s vital to make sure your dog stays hydrated while he’s recovering. Your vet may also prescribe antibiotics.

Severe cases may require hospitalization of the dog. This is so the dog can be properly hydrated via IV fluid therapy. Most dogs recover well even with severe salmonella though.

Why Dogs Can (Usually) Eat Raw Meats Safely

There are a few reasons why dogs are less likely to suffer from health problems when eating raw chicken. Dogs evolved as carnivores without the ability to cook meat, so their digestive systems are adapted to cope with bacteria such as E.Coli and salmonella. These adaptations include:

The acid in a dog’s stomach is usually “stronger” than in a human. This helps to kill bacteria that might be present in raw chicken.

Dogs have a much shorter gastrointestinal tract compared to humans. This allows food to pass through the body quicker, providing less time for dangerous bacteria to make themselves at home.

It’s still possible for a dog to contract salmonella or other harmful bacteria (see the section below). But it’s less likely than if a human was to eat the same meat.

In fact, dogs raised for their athletic performance (such as racing greyhounds) have traditionally been fed a raw food diet by some trainers. Trainers call this a BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), as it aims to mimic the diet of a dog in the wild.

Raw food diets for pet dogs are also becoming popular. While there is fierce debate about the health of a raw food diet – many vets think it’s unbalanced and potentially dangerous in the long-term – there’s little risk of a healthy dog occasionally eating raw chicken. The more raw chicken your dog eats, however, the greater the chance of an infection. For this reason, it’s probably best to avoid feeding raw chicken on a regular basis.