Can I Feed My Dog Canned Chicken Breast? Is It Safe?
Chicken is an excellent source of easy-to-digest protein for canines. But can I feed my dog canned chicken breast to save time and money?
However, it’s different if we’re going to talk about canned chicken. There are a few aspects to consider here, especially if your dog has a history of digestive sensitivities.
Below, I discuss my insights based on conversations with other pet owners and my dog’s veterinarian.
Is canned chicken breast safe for dogs?
Chicken is a staple in many dog food products. It’s a healthy source of protein and quite cheaper, too, compared to beef, lamb, venison, and novel options.
Also, chicken breast, in particular, is the leanest cut. This means it has the most protein compared to fattier cuts like wings, thighs, and drumsticks.
However, it’s important to consider the type of chicken. Fresh cuts that are cooked without spices are the best for canines.
How about canned chicken breast? This canned good is very popular since it’s more convenient than cooking chicken on your own.
Aside from that, canned chicken has a longer shelf-life than its raw counterpart. This translates to lower costs and less wastage.
Overall, a piece of canned chicken isn’t bad for dogs. Repetitive feeding is the one that can be an issue.
Here’s why I have reservations about feeding canned chicken breast to dogs:
1. Canned chicken can have too much sodium.
My main concern over the canned chicken breast is its sodium content. Excessive consumption of salt can be toxic to canines, so you should always be careful about sharing this human food item.
Overall, salt isn’t really bad for dogs since it’s necessary for their diet, but it must be in controlled amounts.
According to the National Research Council (NRC), the recommended allowance (RA) for sodium in adult dogs is 200 mg for every 1,000 kilocalories.
In comparison, a 127-gram can of Mario’s Chunk Chicken Breast has 80 calories and 340 mg of sodium. If we are to use the RA from NRC, this proportion is just too much for a canine.
To be fair, there are chicken breasts ‘in water’, which are low in sodium. These options are safer for dogs, but should only be given on limited occasions.
2. Canned chicken has additives.
Even if you’re buying low-sodium canned chicken breast, it won’t erase the fact that this product has additives. Such additives are intended to stretch the chicken’s shelf-life.
Most canned chicken has a slew of additives in it. You’ll usually see stabilizers and binders on the label, with some even using artificial colors.
These ingredients won’t do your dog any good. If you give your pet canned chicken breast every day, the artificial additives will soon take their toll.
Other canned chicken products also contain grains and soy, which can be a problem for dogs with allergies to such ingredients.
So if your dog loves chicken and wants to eat it every day, the safest choice is to cook fresh cuts from the market.
3. Canned chicken shouldn’t be a daily meal for dogs.
While it’s true that dogs need their daily protein, you shouldn’t consider canned chicken as its main source. Besides, can you imagine yourself eating canned chicken breast almost every day?
On the positive side, it’s safe to feed your dog with low-sodium canned chicken once in a while. Just make sure that you cook it and only give a small portion.
Overall, the canned chicken breast shouldn’t become a major part of your dog’s diet.
4. Canned chicken can trigger allergies.
Lastly, there are allergy concerns over canned chicken.
To be fair, dogs can develop allergies to just about anything. This is why some dogs can eat canned chicken with no problems while others will experience adverse reactions.
First, dogs can have allergic reactions to chicken, canned or not. If your dog has this problem, you should stop feeding it any chicken food items.
Chicken allergy is becoming more and more common in dogs since this meat has been a major ingredient in many pet food products. This is why dog owners are exploring novel protein sources to protect their pets.
Alternatives to canned chicken
Does your dog have a chicken allergy or you’re worried it will develop the condition? If so, here are the novel alternatives you can consider:
1. Duck meat
Duck meat is another poultry protein source that you can swap for chicken. It’s high in protein, low in fat, and less likely to trigger allergic reactions to pets.
Moreover, duck meat is also rich in Vitamins A and B3, which help reduce a dog’s risk of cancer. As for digestibility, duck meat is easy on a canine’s tummy, not to mention that it’s more flavorful than chicken.
2. Kangaroo meat
Kangaroo meat is a novel protein source for dogs since it’s not widely used as an ingredient for pet food products. It has an excellent red meat ratio and is perfect for canines with allergies and pancreatitis.
Aside from the meat, kangaroo bone broth is also a good source of nutrition for your dog. It has high levels of chondroitin and glucosamine, which boost the joint health of canines.
Moreover, kangaroo bone broth is also a source of hyaluronic acid and collagen that aids in a canine’s coat health.
3. Venison
Venison is meat from any kind of deer. It’s packed with B vitamins and a good alternative to both beef and chicken which dogs are often allergic to.
Moreover, venison has very little fat and low cholesterol. And since it’s a free-range form of protein, it’s tastier, healthier, and more humane.
Your dog will also get vital minerals from venison like iron, zinc, and phosphorus.
4. Rabbit meat
Rabbit meat is becoming more popular these days, both for human and pet consumption. It has lower cholesterol and higher protein despite the fact that it’s white meat just like chicken.
Overall, rabbit meat has higher protein content than chicken, lamb, duck, veal, turkey, and even beef. It’s the reason why rabbit meat-based dog food products are now widely available.
5. Lamb
While the lamb isn’t really new, it’s still a novel protein source for canines. It’s rich in Vitamin B Complex, zinc, selenium, iron, and phosphorus.
Moreover, a 100-gram serving of lamb has 25.6 grams of protein and 258 calories. This meat is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that help keep a dog’s coat healthy and shiny.
Can I feed my dog chicken daily?
It’s safe to feed your dog chicken every day as long as it’s cooked properly. Also, it should be fresh cuts and not canned versions.
You should also remove all the bones as chicken bones can splinter and injure your pet’s mouth and throat. Aside from that, chicken bones can cause intestinal blockage when ingested.
If you’re feeding kibble to your dog, try to choose one with real chicken meat as the main ingredient. Avoid those with too many poultry by-products.
Is it okay to mix chicken with dog food?
It’s a good idea to mix your dog’s kibble or wet food with boiled chicken. This will add more protein to the canine’s meal and make it more palatable as well.
You have the option to chop the chicken into cubes or pull it to shreds before sprinkling it on top of your dog’s food. Just remember that you should never add any spices or seasoning to your dog’s chicken. Please read here: Is It Ok To Mix Two Different Brands Of Dog Food Together
How long can I feed my dog rice and chicken?
If your dog suffered from diarrhea or gastrointestinal distress, you can feed it with boiled rice and chicken for 2 to 3 days. This should ‘reset’ your dog’s tummy while providing it with much-needed protein and carbohydrates.
Moreover, you should consult your dog’s vet to know when it’s the best time to transition your pet to its regular diet. Even then, you must perform the switch gradually to allow the canine’s stomach to adjust.
You can do this by mixing a small amount of your dog’s regular food with rice and chicken. Slowly, you can replace a bigger portion over the next few days.
Can chicken give dogs diarrhea?
Chicken can give dog diarrhea if it’s not cooked properly. Raw chicken is prone to contamination and can be containing salmonella, bacteria that triggers severe diarrhea.
Aside from that, canines with a chicken allergy can suffer from diarrhea and vomiting even if the chicken is clean and cooked. In this case, the only solution is to switch your dog to a different protein source.
Conclusion
Can I feed my dog canned chicken breast? Overall, it’s not ideal to make canned chicken a regular part of your pet’s diet.
Like Spam, these canned goods have additives, artificial preservatives, and excessive sodium that can be harmful to your dog. Instead, you should stick to home-cooked chicken made of fresh cuts you brought from the market.
