As a dog owner, it's worthwhile that you invest your time and money in a love language that both you and your pet understand:
Food!
Providing one’s dog with a healthy, nutritious diet is the primary concern of all dog owners. After all, a well-supplemented diet can help improve your dog’s health and longevity, and promise you a long life with their unconditional love and companionship!
A crucial part of a good diet, then, is having the right ingredients.
Chicken for dogs, in particular, is one such ingredient with some excellent benefits to its name!
Benefits of Chicken for Dogs
1. A Source of High-Quality Protein
A dog’s diet needs protein to support muscle function, growth, and healing.
Chicken provides high-quality protein with all the essential amino acids that dogs need for optimal health.
A formulated diet with chicken for dogs helps to ensure they receive the necessary protein intake to maintain strong muscles and a healthy immune system!
2. Easily Digestible
One of the reasons chicken is a popular choice for dog food is its high digestibility.
Dogs need a diet that is easy to digest because they have shorter digestive tracts than humans. Apart from being gentle on the stomach, chicken is also a protein and health-giving source for sick dogs and sensitive stomachs!
3. Nutrient-Rich
Chicken for dogs provides a range of essential nutrients beneficial to their health. With important vitamins like B6, B3, and B12, it promotes energy production and a healthy metabolism.
Additionally, chicken is a good source of minerals like iron, zinc, and selenium, which are vital in the development of strong bones, immunity, and a healthy coat.
4. Weight Management
Chicken is a lean protein, meaning that it delivers essential nutrients without excessive calories or unhealthy fats. Thus, it can help your dog maintain a healthy weight and avoid health issues like heart and respiratory problems, diabetes, etc., that come with obesity.
5. Supports Joint Health
Chicken contains glucosamine, which is a compound known for its joint-supporting properties. Ageing and adult dogs are especially vulnerable to joint problems or arthritis, and so, including chicken in their diet can support healthy joint function and reduce inflammation!
6. Skin and Coat Health
Omega-6 acids are necessary to improve dogs’ skin and coat health. Fortunately, chicken is a natural source of these fatty acids and proves helpful in giving your pet a shiny and lustrous coat! Additional benefits of chicken for dogs in this regard include reducing itching, flakiness, and dryness of the skin.
7. Versatile and Tasty
When you rely on chicken to fulfil your dog’s nutritional needs, you get the advantage of being able to provide it in a variety of ways! You can choose to prepare homemade meals or opt for commercial dog food, which offers numerous chicken-based options — you don’t have to compromise your dog’s preferences in favour of health!
Cooked Chicken vs. Chicken in Dog Food
It’s important to note that home-prepared chicken and chicken in dog food differ in some ways. Chicken can be cooked at home in various ways, such as boiling, grilling, or baking. But great care must be taken to avoid using onions, garlic, or excessive salt, which can be harmful.
Additionally, cooked chicken for dogs may lack certain essential nutrients that are specifically formulated in commercial dog food (and puppy food).
The chicken in commercial food is formulated to meet their nutritional needs with the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that dogs need.
If you’re considering cooked chicken for dogs, it should be done in moderation and as a supplement to a balanced commercial dog food diet. Consult with your veterinarian for safety.
Beware of Allergies
Like humans, dogs can be allergic to foods — including chicken. When a dog is allergic to chicken, their immune system doesn’t like proteins in chicken meat. If this is the case, your dog may experience symptoms like skin problems, itching, stomach issues (like throwing up or diarrhoea), etc.
Other dogs may simply have a sensitivity or intolerance to chicken proteins, which is less severe.
If your dog is allergic to chicken, you can try other protein sources, like turkey, duck, beef, lamb, or fish.
Otherwise, with a balanced and nutritious diet that includes chicken, your dog is on the way to a long, healthy, and happy life!
At Fidele+, our dog food and puppy food diet formula is conceptualised with chicken as the 1st ingredient. We aspire to bring delicious and protein-rich food to your dog's bowl. Explore our collection here to give your dog the best possible care!
