Can Dogs Eat Breaded Chicken?

Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, who doesn’t love this deliciously addictive treat?

Contents show

Like humans, dogs too can’t resist breaded chicken, but is it safe for canine consumption?

Can dogs eat breaded chicken?

No, dogs should not be fed breaded chicken as it’s too fatty for them making it toxic for your dog.

If your dog eats large amounts of fried chicken regularly, it can cause inflammation of the pancreas also known as pancreatitis.

This article will help you understand the dangers of feeding your dog breaded chicken and the signs you should look out for.

It will also talk about what to do if your dog eats breaded chicken and healthier options you should feed him instead.

Dangers of feeding your dog fried chicken

While chicken is a healthy source of protein for your dog, when it’s dipped in batter and seasonings like garlic, onions, and other spices, it becomes toxic to dogs.

The frying process in plenty of oil also poses a great health risk to your dog such as pancreatitis.

Obesity – Battered chicken involves deep-fat frying which may cause your dog to vomit or have diarrhea and further lead to rapid weight gain. This may also increase the chances of obesity, heart disease, and gastrointestinal issues
Allergies – If your dog eats breaded chicken and is allergic to the chicken protein, it may trigger the allergies leading to symptoms like skin and fur conditions, swelling, and itching because of gastrointestinal sensitivity
Garlic and onion – Garlic and onion are often included in the batter to enhance its taste which is highly toxic for dogs even in small quantities. They contain chemical compounds that damage the red blood cells which cause anemia that may further lead to death
Choking – Deep fried chicken causes the bones to become brittle which makes them break quickly and can lead to choking as they may become lodged in your dog’s throat. Chicken bones can also be deadly to dogs as they splinter and may puncture their intestinal tract
Excess fat – The copious amount of grease used when frying breaded chicken may cause indigestion in your dog or even pancreatitis. Some of the signs to look out for include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive thirst, loss of appetite, and weakness
High salt content – Breaded chicken contains too much salt both on the chicken itself and the coating which can be dangerous to dogs. Salt has a high sodium content that can lead to dehydration or high blood pressure in the long term. Your dog may also develop a condition called sodium ion poisoning
Preservatives and other additives – Breaded chicken contains additives like sugars and other preservatives to enhance its taste. This may spike their blood sugar levels leading to insulin resistance and as a result, the pancreas will be forced to produce more insulin to keep blood sugar levels stable
Upset stomach – If your dog eats breaded chicken, he’s more likely to experience digestive tract issues which show symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and upset stomach. This is because dogs have a sensitive stomach which can be triggered by fatty foods like breaded chicken
Seasonings – The breading may contain seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper that are toxic for dogs
High in calories – Breaded chicken is a calorie-dense food, especially the coating which can lead to weight gain or obesity. If your dog suffers a condition like diabetes, fried chicken can be even worse as it may worsen the problem further
Yeast – The bread crumbs used in the final coating of breaded chicken contains yeast that makes them swell in your dog’s intestines leading to gastrointestinal irritation. This may further pose a threat of blockage while also causing bloating for your dog

What should I do if my dog ate breaded chicken?

If your dog accidentally took a bite of fried chicken, he should be fine.

Monitor him closely but he may show symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting which should disappear in a day or so.

You can also withhold the next meal for 12 hours until his system adjusts.

If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, contact your vet.

If your dog overeats breaded chicken, rush him to the vet immediately for proper treatment and care as he may experience severe stomach upset.

If he chewed the bones as well, monitor his breathing and swallowing as a precaution.

You can also feed him bread or a bland meal and wait to see if the symptoms will clear.

For a dog with preexisting conditions like diabetes or kidney disease, take him to the vet as it may worsen their condition.

Is breaded chicken safe for dogs?

No, breaded chicken is not safe for dogs as it’s fatty and salty.

The crunchy coating also contains toxic ingredients like black pepper, garlic, and onions, while cooked bones tend to be soft and brittle which may be hazardous to your dog.

You can offer an alternative treat like ground, boiled, or raw chicken meat instead of breaded chicken as it lacks the essential nutrients needed for your dog’s normal growth.

If you can’t resist the urge of eating fried chicken as your pup is watching, the best way to feed them a bite of breaded chicken is by first removing the crunchy coating and taking the chicken meat off the bone.

That way, the chicken may be much safer for your dog.

Is homemade breaded chicken good for dogs?

Making breaded chicken from scratch allows you to control what ingredients go into the crunchy coating making it a tad bit better for your dog to take a small bite without any cause for alarm.
However, the frying process will still not be good for your dog as the grease from the fried chicken could cause problems like GI distress or pancreatitis.
You can let your dog nibble on a tiny bite but you should expect symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea which is fine.
If the symptoms persist, call your vet for further instructions while monitoring any behavior change.

In Conclusion

Avoid feeding your dog breaded chicken as the potential risks are far too many.

Before allowing your dog to take a bite of human foods, consult your vet on the possible dangers.

Your vet will take you through healthier alternatives you can introduce to maintain good health.

Author
Recent Posts

Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.