This was an important topic to tackle because over the years we were constantly hearing people say "my dog can't have chicken, they are allergic." We wanted to dive a little deeper into what the allergy could actually be stemming from and how important sourcing chicken is.

FC: Oodles.of.coodles

It’s tempting to slip scraps of human food under the table when your dog gives you puppy eyes. However, some food that we easily digest could be toxic to dogs. Chicken, for example, can be tricky. It is a common ingredient in kibble and generally regarded as a safe option. But it is also the third most common cause of allergies in dogs. 

Still, many pet parents mistakenly think their dog is allergic to chicken when they experience bad reactions from eating it...when the real culprit is the chicken’s diet. That’s because chickens are fed the waste from starch-based processed foods. That old saying “you are what you eat” couldn’t be truer. 


What in the World Do Chickens Eat?

The most common ingredients in commercial chicken feed are ground corn and de-hulled soybean meal. Other ingredients include wheat middlings (the product of the wheat milling process that is not flour), dried bakery product, and whole-pressed safflower meal. These ingredients are basically the leftovers from plant products that humans have already processed, along with waste from manufactured products like bread, cookies, crackers, and cake. Chickens are not meant to eat human leftovers (and neither are dogs, for that matter).


What Happens When Dogs Eat Chicken?

Dogs need a balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. The first produces hormones that increase inflammation, which is necessary for the dog’s immune response, and the latter produces anti-inflammatory hormones. The corn and soy that chickens are fed include much more Omega-6 which can lead to disease. 

For a quick reference, see the charts below via Dogs Naturally Magazine illustrating the imbalance between the two by animal type. As you can see, chicken is a 21:1 ratio of Omega 6 vs. Omega 3. Again, too much Omega-6 leads to chronic inflammation which leads to most diseases. You are better off feeding your dog chicken sparingly, even if it’s organic. 

Here are some things you can do to make your dog’s diet more healthy. 

Use Free Range Chicken and Remove Fat.

Free-range, organic chickens are fed a proper balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 and therefore, a better option for your dog. If you make your own dog food, any process of cooking (roasting, baking, grilling, poaching, etc.) ensures the chicken is safe for dogs to eat. Chicken can promote the overall health of your dog and includes some benefits such as:

● Omega-6 fatty acids - good for the skin and coat.
● Protein - good for energy.
● Glucosamine - good for strong bones.

For the healthiest option, feed your dog lean breast meat and remove excess fat. The fat contains the highest amount of Omega-6. We love Sally Snacks and they have a chicken treat formulated with the correct omega balance.      


What About Raw Chicken?

Avoid feeding your dog raw chicken from the grocery store. Vets caution against it because of the risk of salmonella or bacterial contamination. However, the risk does not run as high for dogs as it does for humans. This is because a dog's digestive system is shorter and more acidic than a human’s. 
 
The important thing to look for when choosing raw chicken is that it’s organic and free-range. Free-range chickens are fed on a fatty acid-rich diet which has significantly more nutritional value than that of most commercial brand chicken. Also, remember when feeding raw or homemade meals you must make sure you are adding different sources of proteins and supplements so your dog is getting a complete and balanced meal.

Primal Pooch created a list of US-based raw dog food suppliers. In any case, make sure to remove all bones. When cooked, they can splinter and cause damage to your pet’s organs. Raw bones can cause vomiting and diarrhea, aside from the potential hazard of choking.

One raw feeding brand that goes above and beyond to ensure quality since day one is Answers Pet Food.