If your dog is a finicky eater and turns his nose up at boring ol’ dried kibble, you might want to think of a way to spice up his meals and coax him to eat. While lean chicken is a healthy, low-fat source of quality protein, canned chicken usually contains several additives in addition to high amounts of sodium.
Excessive amounts of sodium are not just unhealthy for humans, but it is also bad for dogs.
In this blog post, we’ll look at whether you can feed your dog canned chicken, how to do it safely, and some alternatives to canned chicken.
How Can Canned Chicken Be Bad For Your Dog
The primary reason why canned chicken shouldn’t be fed to your dog is because of its high amounts of sodium. While all animals need some sodium in their diet, dogs require relatively small amounts. In fact, too much sodium can be harmful to your dog’s health.
Sodium helps to regulate fluid levels in the body and is essential for nerve and muscle function. However, most dogs get plenty of sodium from their commercial kibble, and adding extra salt to their diet is unnecessary. In fact, too much sodium can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Canned chicken is processed in a way that ensures it is free of bacteria, and this process often results in some degree of flavor loss. Salt is a cheap way of adding taste to the chicken, but it isn’t the healthiest way.
When dogs eat too much salt, they can suffer from sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, excessive thirst and urination, distended abdomen, stiffness, and seizures.
In severe cases, it can be fatal. Even if your dog doesn’t consume enough salt to cause poisoning, eating too much can still lead to health problems.
Excess salt can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, and it can also put a strain on the kidneys. Dogs only need small amounts of salt for their bodies to function, and the recommended amount is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight, which makes it about 100 mg for an average 40-lb dog.
In stark contrast, canned chicken contains about 200 to 450 mg of sodium per can, depending on the brand.
Check out this interesting article: What Is A Dog’s Ideal Diet
How To Feed Canned Chicken To Your Dog
One way to remove some of the salt is to strain the canned chicken before serving it to your dog to remove the majority of the sodium. You can also rinse the chicken out to remove some of the salt in the flesh.
Alternatively, if you can find a brand with no added sodium, now you can safely feed chicken to your dog! Chicken is a popular choice of meat for dogs, and for good reason. It is a lean protein source that is packed with nutrients, making it an excellent addition to any dog’s diet.
Chicken also contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin and coat. Dogs, like humans, need omega-3 fatty acids for several reasons. These essential nutrients play a role in everything from brain function to heart health.
Feeding your dog a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can help to improve their skin and coat health, reduce inflammation, and support cognitive function. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to promote heart health by helping to reduce triglyceride levels and blood pressure.
In addition, chicken is easily digestible and can be a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Chicken Allergy In Dogs
Chicken is a common ingredient in many dog foods, but some dogs may be allergic to it. A chicken allergy is a hypersensitivity to proteins found in chicken meat, eggs, or feathers. Symptoms can range from mild (itching and hives) to severe (anaphylaxis and difficulty breathing).
Chicken allergies are relatively rare, but if you think your dog may have a chicken allergy, talk to your veterinarian about the best way to manage the condition. You can switch their protein sources to other foods like lamb or beef. With proper management, most dogs can live happy and healthy lives despite their allergies.
Alternatives To Canned Chicken
If you have a dog that is a picky eater, you might need to sweeten the deal a little to coax him to eat. While sodium-free canned chicken is a good way to spice up your dog’s meals, other alternatives can be equally palatable, so try a few and see what your dog feels like.
Lean Chicken Breast
Pure chicken flesh can be a low-fat appetite inducer. You can boil up some lean chicken breast, cut it into chunks, and mix it in with your dog’s kibble. Save the water from boiling! You can use it for broth in the same meal, or store it for the next day’s use with the kibble.
Chicken is low in calories and fat, while rich in vitamins and minerals, including niacin, selenium, and phosphorus. These nutrients are essential for supporting immune function, reducing inflammation, and keeping bones strong.
Lean Turkey
Sodium-free turkey is another alternative that dogs seem to enjoy. Turkey is a popular meat for humans, and it turns out that it can also be good for dogs. Turkey is an excellent source of protein, and it also contains essential minerals such as phosphorus and potassium.
In addition, turkey is a lean source of meat, making it a good option for dogs who are overweight or have a tendency towards obesity. As with all meats, however, it’s important to feed turkey to your dog in moderation.
Too much turkey can cause gastrointestinal upset, so start by offering only small amounts of the meat and monitoring your dog’s reaction carefully. When fed in moderation as part of a healthy diet, turkey can be a delicious and nutritious treat for your four-legged friend.
Final Thoughts
While regular canned chicken breast is not healthy for dogs because of its high sodium levels, sodium-free chicken is safe for dogs to eat. Be sure to buy only reputable brands with organic, natural ingredients!