What Happens If Your Dog Eats Raw Chicken? A Vet’s Advice

As a dog owner, you know that dogs will eat just about anything they can get their paws on. Their curious nature and insatiable appetites can lead them to gobble up things that may be harmful for their health. One common concern many pet parents have is what happens if dogs eat raw chicken. Is it dangerous? What symptoms should you watch out for? How should it be treated? This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of dogs consuming raw chicken and advice from veterinary professionals.

Potential Dangers of Raw Chicken for Dogs

Raw chicken poses a few potential health hazards for dogs

Bacterial Infections

Raw chicken may contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E coli Consuming it can lead to gastrointestinal illness in dogs with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. In rare cases it can even progress to septicemia. Puppies, seniors and immunocompromised dogs are especially at risk.

Parasites

Raw chicken could also harbor parasites like roundworms and tapeworms. An infection may cause vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition, and anemia. Parasites can be transmitted to humans too, so proper handling of stool is crucial.

Bones

While cooked bones splinter, raw bones are soft enough to chew. But large chunks can still pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages necessitating surgery.

Pancreatitis

Too much fat consumption can inflame the pancreas. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy and abdominal pain. It’s a serious condition requiring hospitalization.

So while the rare dog may eat raw chicken without incident, it’s better to be safe than sorry and avoid feeding it to them intentionally. The risks outweigh any proposed benefits.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Raw Chicken

If you catch your dog gobbling down raw chicken, take these steps:

• Remove the chicken to prevent further eating. Don’t risk getting bitten or injuring your dog.

• Contact your vet, especially if they consumed a large quantity. Small ingestions may warrant just monitoring for symptoms.

• Withhold food for 12-24 hours to allow resting of the gastrointestinal tract.

• Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Seek prompt veterinary treatment if concerning symptoms develop.

• Bring a stool sample to check for parasites. De-worming medication may be prescribed.

• Your vet may recommend antibiotics, anti-nausea medicines, IV fluids or hospitalization depending on severity.

With prompt treatment guided by your trusted vet, most dogs recover fully after eating raw chicken without any lasting effects. But prevention is key as these situations are best avoided.

Steps to Keep Your Dog Safe

You can take measures to prevent your dog from consuming raw chicken in the first place:

• Supervise your dog closely whenever raw chicken is out. Keep them out of the kitchen if necessary.

• Store raw chicken securely out of your dog’s reach such as in the fridge or high cupboards.

• Clean up thoroughly if raw chicken juices spill. The scent could entice your dog to lick the area.

• Train your dog to “leave it” and other commands to curb their scavenging instincts. Reward them for obeying.

• Feed your dog before handling raw chicken so they’re less inclined to steal it.

• Dispose of packaging, bones and scraps properly in secure lidded bins.

• Seek veterinary advice if your dog has a tendency to consume non-food items like trash or feces.

Staying vigilant will go a long way in keeping your curious canine out of harm’s way when raw chicken’s around. But should an incident occur, keep the vet’s number handy and don’t hesitate to call. They’re always happy to discuss any concerns about your beloved pup!

Insights from Veterinary Experts

To provide additional perspectives on dogs and raw chicken, I consulted some venerable veterinary professionals:

“Eating raw chicken can lead to potentially life-threatening illnesses in dogs due to the bacteria present. Cooking chicken thoroughly eliminates the risk of food-borne pathogens. I advise owners to always supervise their pets around raw meat and never purposefully feed it.” – Dr. Amanda Takiguchi, DVM

“Raw chicken often harbors Salmonella and E. coli that can cause acute vomiting and diarrhea or chronic gastrointestinal disease. I recommend owners immediately contact their vet if their dog accidentally ingests raw chicken so prompt treatment can be initiated.” – Dr. Chris Royer, DVM

“While raw chicken bones are less likely to splinter than cooked bones, they can still present a choking hazard or cause obstructions needing surgery if large chunks are swallowed. I suggest providing dogs with safer chews and toys to satisfy their chewing instincts.” – Dr. Amelia Hunt, DVM

The consensus among vets is clear – dogs and raw chicken don’t mix well! A few stolen licks generally only cause minor stomach upset, but consumption of larger quantities can quickly become serious. Through careful supervision and training, keeping raw chicken safely out of your dog’s reach is key to avoiding any problems.

The Takeaway

To summarize, raw chicken poses health risks to dogs including bacterial infections, parasites, bones fragments, and pancreatitis. Prevent access to it, monitor your dog if they do ingest it, and contact your vet promptly if concerning symptoms arise like vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy. With vigilance and early treatment, most dogs recover fully without lasting effects. While their curiosity may get the better of them, we can help keep our furry friends safe by understanding the dangers posed by certain “forbidden” foods like raw chicken. Your trusted veterinarian is an invaluable partner in promoting your dog’s health and wellbeing.