Can cooked chicken breast be used in a dog’s diet? What are the benefits for the dog to eat cooked chicken breast? To answer these questions, we will talk about the use of chicken in the diet of dogs, in addition we will also talk about commercial and homemade diets that can be made for dogs.
Boiled chicken breast for dog
The use of boiled chicken breast in the diet of dogs can bring several benefits. Because chicken is rich in proteins that help in the tissues formation and in the maintenance of the organs’ structure. The vitamins present in the boiled chicken meat can strengthen the dog’s immune system.
When offering chicken every day to the dog without veterinary indication, it can cause an imbalance in the dogs’ diet. This imbalance in the diet can damage the dog’s health. In addition, some dogs may have food allergies or kidney disease. For these dogs the consumption of chicken meat should be avoided.
Boiled chicken breast can be an excellent way to supplement protein for dogs, but the amount and frequency with which this food should be given to the dog should be prescribed by a veterinary nutritionist.
The cooked chicken breast
Chicken breast is the least fatty part of the animal, and its use is indicated for some animals.Chicken is a type of natural food rich in proteins and vitamins. Compared with red meat, chicken tends to have less saturated fat, reducing the chances of circulatory problems.
The composition of chicken breast includes:
- Vitamin A and E: Important for fur, skin and eyes;
- B vitamins: Important for metabolism and the nervous system;
- Selenium: It has antioxidant function and acts in the metabolism regulation;
- Rich in iron: participates in oxygen transport, blood formation and energy production.
Chicken is a very common food used for the human diet, always roasted, boiled, or fried. For dogs, however, it is ideal that the chicken is offered cooked in steam to prevent it from losing its properties.
In addition, chicken should be offered to the dog without any seasoning such as salt, garlic, and onion. These seasons can be toxic to dogs. In case of poisoning, the dogs must be taken to the veterinary hospital.
Chicken bones must be removed, because when chewing them, dogs can end up hurting themselves and even swallowing pieces of sharp bones that can injure and even become a gastrointestinal foreign body.
How to add chicken to the dog’s diet?
To add chicken to the diet of dogs, a veterinary nutritionist should be consulted. So the dog will not have the risks of a poorly balanced diet.
In general, chicken can be added to the diet of dogs as snacks, in the case of industrial diets or as a source of protein and vitamins in natural homemade diets.
Dogs can feed on processed foods that are manufactured to meet all dog’s dietary needs when provided in adequate amounts. Therefore, cooked chicken breast should be offered to the animal sporadically.
Along with industrial food, snacks can be offered, and foods such as fruits, vegetables and even boiled chicken breast. However, there is no need to add these types of foods. That’s why they should be done periodically to avoid the dog’s diet being unbalanced.
Another way to feed the dog is through natural diets, diets that the tutor can cook at home and provide for his pet. To have a dog balanced diet, you should look for a veterinary nutritionist.
Homemade diets can include grains, vegetables, and meats. In addition, to supply all nutrients to dogs, supplementation with commercial vitamins may be necessary.
Food must be prepared according to the veterinarian’s instructions. The quantities of each food must be respected as prescribed. Avoiding the loss of nutrients and making it as tasty as possible for the dogs.
What happens when a dog has an unbalanced diet?
The excess of nutrients and the lack of them can lead to serious problems in dogs. The main symptoms to watch out for are:
- Weakness;
- Fur loss;
- Locomotion difficulty;
- Pain in limbs;
- Neurological signs.
Animals with excess nutrients can present an imbalance in the homeostasis of the dog’s physiology. Depending on the nutrient, the dog can have skin diseases, kidney disease, heart disease and even neurological signs.
Already the absence of some nutrients can lead to weakness, weight loss and even difficulties in bone fractures, resulting in pain, litter, and a lot of discomfort for dogs to get around.
When the dog’s diet is unbalanced, a veterinarian should be urgently sought for dietary corrections, avoiding damage to the animal’s health. That is why you should not feed an animal with homemade diets without first consulting a veterinarian.
Conclusion
Cooked chicken breast can be used in the dog’s diet. Dogs usually love the taste of cooked chicken. The use of chicken breast as food for dogs can bring several benefits to the animal’s health. However, the excess of cooked chicken in the dog’s diet can lead to nutritional imbalance, which can result in some diseases. Therefore, before giving the chicken breast to the animal, consultation with a veterinary nutritionist is indicated, avoiding the imbalance of the dog’s diet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Boiled chicken breast for dog
What spices can I use in dog food?
To make food for dogs a veterinary nutritionist should be consulted. But some spices can be used such as:
- Oregano;
- Basil;
- Thyme;
- Parsley;
- Mint;
- Rosemary;
- Cilantro.
Can you put salt in dog food?
Yes, but salt should be offered to dogs in small amounts. The sodium present in salt is a very important mineral for the proper functioning of the dog’s organism. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian.
What foods are toxic to dogs?
The most toxic foods for dogs and should not be fed to animals are:
- Chocolate;
- Coffee;
- Garlic;
- Onion;
- Star fruit;
- Others.
References
Carciofi, A. C., Takakura, F. S., De‐Oliveira, L. D., Teshima, E., Jeremias, J. T., Brunetto, M. A., & Prada, F. (2008). Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post‐prandial glucose and insulin response. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 92(3), 326-336.
Truett, A. A., Borne, A. T., Monteiro, M. P., & West, D. B. (1998). Composition of dietary fat affects blood pressure and insulin responses to dietary obesity in the dog. Obesity research, 6(2), 137-146.
Picture from flickr.com
