Raw feeding has grown in popularity, and many dog owners believe raw meat, like chicken, offers more natural nutrition. But is feeding raw chicken really safe for your canine companion?
This guide dives into the facts about raw chicken, the potential risks, what UK vets recommend, and how to make informed decisions for your four-legged friend. Whether you’re considering switching to a raw diet, already feeding chicken (including raw chicken meat such as raw chicken thighs, raw chicken wings, raw chicken breast, raw chicken legs, raw chicken necks, raw chicken feet, raw chicken gizzards, raw chicken livers, and raw chicken skin), or just curious about what’s safe for dogs—this article will help you learn about health benefits, and good handling practices for raw food in the UK.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?
Raw chicken meat may contain Salmonella, Campylobacter, or E. coli, which are common causes of foodborne illnesses and food poisoning in humans and pets. For that reason, dogs eat raw chicken at a risk—especially when it’s supermarket chicken intended for cooking. Most dogs may eat raw without immediate symptoms, but bacterial contamination can still pose problems later, and it can spread around your kitchen and home.
The British Veterinary Association advises against feeding raw chicken to dogs unless the food comes from reputable pet manufacturers and is labelled as a complete meal. Standard raw chicken to dogs often lacks all the nutrients your dog’s diet needs, and there’s a higher chance of harmful bacteria passing to people via bowls, surfaces, and hands.
If you’re deciding between raw or cooked chicken, remember that cooked chicken (plain, boneless, no seasoning or marinades) is generally advisable and easier to digest for healthy dogs. It can be an excellent source of protein and fat in small amounts as part of a balanced diet.
Is Raw Chicken Good for Dogs?
There’s a belief that feeding your dog raw chicken is a more natural or healthier choice, but when you look closely at the evidence—it’s more complicated.
Yes, chicken is a source of high-quality protein, and it’s commonly used in many commercial dog food formulas. But when served raw, the benefits don’t outweigh the risks for most dogs. That’s because raw chicken meat may be lacking in key nutrients, and without the right balance, dogs can suffer from long-term health problems.
UK vet groups, including the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and BVA, highlight that raw diets—especially home-prepared ones—often fall short on essential nutrients like calcium, zinc, and vitamin D. Feeding raw chicken breast alone won’t provide a balanced diet, no matter how fresh it looks.
There’s also no proven benefit of raw chicken over cooked chicken in terms of digestion, coat health, or energy levels—despite what some raw food advocates claim. In fact, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association states that raw diets have no scientific advantages, but do carry increased health risks.
Preparing and Serving Raw Chicken Safely
If you still want to feed raw chicken, safe handling is critical—for your dog’s health and your family’s well-being.
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Don’t wash raw chicken (it increases contamination and cross-spreads bacteria across surfaces).
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Use separate cutting boards and utensils for meat and other food.
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Store raw in sealed containers on the bottom shelf of the fridge; keep the fridge at or below 5 °C and use the freezer for longer storage.
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Clean hands, bowls, and worktops with hot soapy water after preparing raw.
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Keep raw packs away from cats and children; supervise feeding and watch for signs of trouble.
When feeding your dog chicken, choose commercial raw products formulated as complete diets. These are recommended because they’re made for pets and may be treated to lower bacterial load, unlike supermarket chicken meant for cooking. Avoid raw chicken skin (often fatty and a trigger for digestive issues) and never give poultry bones like raw chicken bones from wings or thighs—they can splinter and cause internal injuries.
In homes with toddlers, puppies, smaller dogs, seniors, or anyone with a compromised immune system, take extra precautions. Daily clean-ups around feeding areas reduce risk to humans and pets.
Why Raw Chicken Is Risky
Raw diets, including dog raw chicken and dog raw meat, carry multiple risks—for dogs and people.
1. Bacterial Infections
Raw meat including chicken often carries Salmonella, E. coli (coli), and Campylobacter. These can pass through drool, stools, mouth contact with bowls, and unwashed hands, causing vomiting, diarrhoea (diarrhea), fever, and other symptoms of illness.
2. Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Research shows raw-fed dogs may shed antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. That’s a public-health issue because pathogens can pass between pets and humans.
3. Nutritional Gaps
Raw chicken alone isn’t complete. Without bones properly balanced in a diet and careful recipe design, calcium/phosphorus ratios go off, which is risky for puppies and young dogs. Even “good source of protein” doesn’t mean all the nutrients are present.
4. Physical Hazards
Chicken bones—especially cooked bones/cooked chicken bones/dog cooked chicken bones—become brittle and may splinter, causing choking or gut injury. Even raw bones like chicken necks, carcass, or raw chicken wings can break teeth, injure gums, or create a blockage. Avoid feeding them.
Some certain dogs—those with allergies, digestive issues, or a short digestive tract—struggle more with rich fat or connective tissue. If your dog seems sick after feeding raw, consult with your veterinarian.
What to Do if Dog Ate Raw Chicken
If your dog consumes raw chicken, don’t panic. Healthy dogs often cope, but watch closely:
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Watch for symptoms – Vomiting, diarrhoea/diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, or not wanting to eat may signal bacterial infections like Salmonella or Campylobacter.
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Clean the area – Disinfect surfaces and bowls to reduce contamination risks to humans and other pets.
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Hydration – Offer water; keep an eye on the stomach.
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Call your vet – Contact your veterinarian by phone if your pet is a puppy, senior, on medications, has a compromised immune system, or if signs last beyond 24 hours.
How to Prepare Raw Chicken For Your Dog?
If you’re committed to raw feeding, follow strict rules to safely feed dogs raw meat:
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Use commercial complete diets – Choose certified brands that meet UK guidelines so your dog’s diet includes all the nutrients (protein, fats, vitamins, minerals like iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids such as taurine).
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Never rely on supermarket raw alone – Eat raw chicken breast, eat raw chicken wings, eat raw chicken feet, or eat raw chicken gizzards as one-offs won’t make a balanced meal.
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Avoid bones – Even dog raw chicken bones and eat raw chicken bones are risky. Smaller dogs face greater choking danger.
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Handle with care – Separate raw from other food, wash hands, and sanitise boards, knives, and counters after preparing. Keep food ready in the fridge or freezer and defrost in the fridge only.
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Portion control – Serve small amounts; supervise while they chew; adjust based on size, activity, and overall diet (kibble, cooked meals, etc.).
Remember: the bigger risk isn’t only the meat—it’s poor storage, sloppy handling, and lack of supervision.
What Type Breed Should Avoid Raw Completely
Some dogs eat chicken or even dogs eat raw without issues, but certain dogs should avoid raw altogether: puppies, smaller dogs with dental problems, seniors, pregnant dogs, or pets with a compromised immune system. Also be cautious with dogs that gulp and swallow large pieces.
Contact your vet if your dog ate raw by accident and you notice signs like vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, pain, or if they swallowed poultry bones. Consult your vet for safer options such as cooked chicken or complete diets that still provide an important part of a balanced diet.
Should My Dog See a Vet?
Call your vet right away if your dog shows severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, fever, extreme lethargy, or belly pain—especially in a puppy, small dog, or dogs prone to illness. Dogs with ongoing symptoms beyond 24–48 hours should also be seen. These red-flags match NHS guidance for food poisoning in humans and reflect the same warning signs in pets.
FAQs
Is it okay for dogs to eat raw chicken?
It depends. Some dogs can eat raw chicken without getting sick, but it’s still risky, especially if the chicken isn’t specially made for pets. Supermarket chicken can carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella or Campylobacter, which may cause food poisoning in both pets and humans. Always talk to your vet before feeding your dog raw meat. For safer alternatives, go with cooked chicken or certified raw dog food.
Conclusion
If you want chicken to your dog the safe way, cooked chicken in moderation can be a good source of protein within a balanced diet. If you still prefer raw, stick to certified products made for pets, keep good hygiene, and know when to call your vet. That way, your canines—from small to large—can enjoy meal times while you lower risk to your family.
