There are certain foods that can pose a serious health risk to your dog, and raw chicken is one of them.
If you noticed your dog eat any of this food, you’ll want to know what to do next. The action you take could determine whether or not your dog lives.
Is Raw Chicken Dangerous for Dogs?
Unlike cats, dogs are capable of eating raw meat without getting sick, but not always. There are always exceptions to this that you must consider. These animals typically do not get sick from the bacteria that are found in raw chicken and other meats. It is always much better to keep a proper diet with dog food.
The acid that is found in a dog’s stomach is very powerful, which is why they can usually eat raw meat without any issues. Their stomach acid is a lot stronger than a human’s.
It can, however, be dangerous for dogs that do not have a very strong immune system. Raw chicken can also be harmful to your dog if they consume a very large quantity of it at once.
In these cases, bacteria like salmonella can be potentially life-threatening for your pet to ingest. Dogs that are currently on an antibiotic medication are also more vulnerable to these bacteria.
Health Complications
There are a number of health complications that can arise from giving your dog raw chicken, even just once. It is important that you are aware of these risks before making a decision either way.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in raw meat, eggs, cheese, and other foods. It can cause serious illness in humans and other animals if it is ingested. It is possible for a dog to get sick from salmonella, but it’s not quite as easy as it is for humans.
E Coli
Escherichia coli or E. Coli is another type of bacteria that could cause your dog to become very sick. This type of bacteria is sometimes present in raw meats, and there are a variety of strains. If your dog ingests E. Coli, it could develop a condition known as colibacillosis. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition include vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and muscle weakness.
Campylobacter
Campylobacter bacteria are potentially lethal to humans, but it usually doesn’t make dogs sick. There is still a possibility that your dog could become ill from ingesting it. This type of infection can be cleared up with a basic course of antibiotics.
Parasites
It is also possible that your dog will contract a parasitic infection from the raw chicken it ate. This is yet another reason why you need to keep a close eye on them if they eat any of this food. There are lots of different types of parasites that can exist in raw meat, and many of them are dangerous to canines. If a parasite manages to get into your dog’s intestines, it can cause a lot of damage in a very short amount of time.
Raw Meat Diets
While some people choose to give their dogs only raw meat on a daily basis, doing so is very risky, to say the least. The fact is that while dogs are capable of digesting this food, it is only a matter of time before it makes them sick. It can be nearly impossible to keep your dog on a raw food diet over the long term while avoiding illness altogether.
If you decide to give your dog raw chicken and other meats each day, you will need to make sure they are fresh. Even dogs with their strong stomachs cannot tolerate spoiled meat. It is absolutely imperative that you get rid of any meat in your refrigerator or freezer if it is passed the expiration date.
It is also a good idea to keep any meat that you aren’t going to feed your dog for at least 2-3 days in the freezer. This will keep the meat from spoiling, but it won’t keep it fresh forever. You need to keep track of how long you have had the meet in your fridge or freezer so you’ll know if it is still safe to give your dog.
Make sure that you never give your dog any bones with their chicken, as they pose a serious choking hazard. These bones can splinter in your dog’s mouth, cutting it up and causing a variety of infections. You always want to give your dog boneless meat, as it is much safer overall.
Symptoms to Look for
If your dog recently ate raw chicken, you will need to keep a close eye on them for the next 24 hours or so.
There are certain symptoms that you’ll want to look out for, including:
- Diarrhea
- Disorientation (results from fever)
- Lack of appetite
- Swollen belly
- Pacing back and forth
- Persistent vomiting
If you notice your dog displaying any of these symptoms, you’ll want to get them to a veterinarian right away. These symptoms are indicative of serious illness, which could be fatal without proper treatment.
Conclusion
- Raw chicken can pose a serious health risk to your dog if it is ingested due to all of the bacteria.
- While dogs are capable of digesting raw meat without any issues, those with a compromised immune system are particularly at risk.
- The more raw meat your dog consumes, the greater the risk of illness due to bacterial infection.
- Salmonella and E. Coli are just two types of bacteria that are often found in raw meat, and they can be very harmful to dogs.
- Your dog could also get a parasitic infection from eating raw chicken, which can be very serious.
- A raw meat diet is not recommended for most dogs, as there is a significant chance of illness at some point.
- If you notice your dog eat any raw chicken, monitor their condition closely.
- If your dog exhibits any symptoms like persistent vomiting or diarrhea, get them to the vet right away.
