Can Dogs Eat Canned Chicken?

The Short Answer is:

Dogs should eat canned food, including canned chicken, as long as they don’t have any health issues that require them to reduce sodium intake.

It is delicious to eat canned chicken but when you have a dog around you might wonder: “Can dogs eat canned chicken?”.

There are so many food options for our dogs that it can be easy to feed them something unhealthy.

In addition to dog kibble canned meats and food scraps from the table its good to read articles like these about which foods are safe for them. There is no doubt that canned dog food is a popular option among dog owners.

Besides being convenient they also add variety to your dogs diet since you only need to open a can. Canned dog food can be a welcome change for picky eaters or dogs who have grown bored with kibble or regular dog food.

Cans of chicken for dogs are available almost everywhere in supermarkets and pet stores. There is a good chance that your pet also enjoys it. Our goal today is to discover the answer to that question. 

It is okay to feed your dog canned chicken occasionally but you should not do it regularly. Canned chicken contains too much sodium which is a problem for dogs.

Run water through a strainer before feeding your dog canned chicken to reduce the sodium content.

Your four-legged friend is running around his bowl of food. As soon as dinnertime arrives he knows its time to eat. Your dogs bag of regular food is almost empty when you reach for it.

There are no stores open around you. Cans of chicken are the only thing you have in your cabinet that would suffice.

Its likely that you are hesitant to give your dog anything that isnot part of its regular diet if you’re like most dog owners.

You know that dogs have sensitive stomachs and that many foods considered “healthy” for humans are toxic for them. Chicken can be handled by dogs but what about canned chicken?

Can Dogs Eat Canned Chicken?

Most dog owners feed their pets chicken on a regular basis. Almost all dog foods including biscuits canned food kibble and treats contain chicken as a primary ingredient. It follows that canned chicken is also safe right?

Historically canned dog food has been criticized for having too much sodium and being unhealthy for dogs.

As more and more information has surfaced canned dog food has unique benefits making it preferable to kibble. Canned chicken for instance contains more protein and fewer carbohydrates than dry kibble. 

Furthermore they do not contain artificial coloring flavors or preservatives.

What Salt Does to Dogs

According to conflicting information dogs should eat canned food including canned chicken as long as they do not have any health issues that require them to reduce sodium intake.

Dogs benefit from a healthy amount of salt in many ways including fluid levels digestion blood pressure and muscle contraction.

In addition it makes the food more palatable for dogs so when they refuse to eat what we usually give them this works well. Every 100 grams of dog food should contain between 0.25 and 1.5 grams of salt for healthy functioning.

Moderation is Key

It is still important to exercise moderation in everything. It is true that too much salt can be harmful to dogs and can even result in their death.

Salt can be lethal to dogs when it exceeds 4 grams per kilo. We should still monitor their salt intake as responsible pet owners even though it isnot easy to reach that amount.

Low-sodium alternatives to canned chicken are available. Wouldnot it be nice if you could move your dog to them if they’re available? In the same way that we treat desserts for ourselves we should treat canned chicken for our dogs as a special treat every now and then.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Had Too Much Salt?

Too much salt can have serious consequences for your dog so its important to know what the symptoms are and how your dog might react. You should be concerned if your dog:

• There is an increase in water consumption and urination in your dog
• There is a swollen stomach and your dog appears lethargic
• Muscles appear stiff
• Tremors and seizures
• Diarrhea occurs
• Starts vomiting

There are several more serious symptoms associated with salt poisoning including coma confusion fever respiratory distress swollen tongue and muscle spasms.

Give your pet water if you suspect it may be suffering from it and get immediate medical attention.

What’s the Best Way To Give My Dog Canned Chicken?

Make sure your dogs canned chicken contains the least amount of sodium by transferring it into a colander and running water over it. Since rinsing the meat does not completely wash away the flavor this is a good compromise between your dogs health and what it is willing to eat.

Should I Feed My Dog Chicken Broth?

Yes absolutely. It is okay to give your dog chicken broth but you should avoid giving it soup from a can. Your dogs joints will benefit greatly from chicken broth because it contains bone-based collagen.

You should only consume a modest portion of canned chicken broth if thats all you have got. You should not give the entire can because there may be a lot of sodium in it. You should make your dogs chicken broth at home.

If you want the ultimate healthy meal you can even add chopped potatoes and carrots. Besides sodium canned chicken soups may contain harmful ingredients like onion powder and garlic powder. Never feed these ingredients to your dog if you see them on food items.

Can I feed my dog boiled chicken every day?

You can feed boiled chicken to your dog every day but you should also supplement his diet with calcium fiber carbohydrates and vitamins. A temporary diet of boiled chicken and rice may be recommended by your veterinarian if your dog is sick or recovering from surgery.

Canned Chicken for Dogs With Tummy Problems

A recipe such as this can encourage your dog to eat without making their condition worse if they refuse to eat or have an upset stomach. Make a large batch and store it in the refrigerator heat it up and serve it at mealtimes.

Mix eight ounces of white chicken meat with three cups of cooked white rice. A cup of water is given to small dogs a cup to medium dogs and a cup to large dogs. Give them another serving if they can keep the food down and want more.

It should take your dog one to two days to feel better. Your dog may need a visit to the veterinarian if they still refuse to eat.

If Canned Chicken Isn’t The Best Choice – What Are Other Options?

You have plenty of other options if you cannot find dog food and do not want to feed canned chicken to your dog.

These are some dog-friendly food options that you can commonly find in your pantry.

It is important to note that the foods listed below should not be given to your dog every day or as a complete replacement for their regular food.

Plain White Rice

For many households rice is a pantry staple and it makes for an easy and quick meal for your dog.

Your dog can also benefit from this if he or she has an upset stomach. Plain rice should be used when preparing rice. There is no need to add any seasonings.

It is highly recommended that you feed your dog plain white long-grained rice instead of brown rice. The reason for this is that plain long-grained white rice is easier to digest than short-grained rice.

We suggest reading the ingredients if you have microwaveable rice to make sure it does not contain harmful ingredients. The ingredients in some microwavable rice products are not healthy for your dogs such as garlic and onion powder.

Peanut Butter

Many households keep peanut butter in their pantry. There are many dog treats and biscuits that contain this dog-friendly ingredient.

Your dog can be given this in moderation to curtail its hunger. Make sure your dogs peanut butter does not contain xylitol before giving it. It is harmful to dogs to consume this ingredient.

You should also consider the salt content of peanut butter when giving your dog a treat. If you can find organic and unsalted peanut butter you are better off feeding it to your dog.

Canned Fish

The tuna salad you planned to make the other day will be a hit with your dog if you use canned fish instead of chicken.

In addition to being packed with nutrients fish contains omega-3 fatty acids and plenty of lean protein. The combination of all these things makes for a healthy dog treat if you’re out of dog food.

Make sure the fish is not preserved in oil before feeding it to your dog. Make sure the canned fish is soaked in water instead.

The fish should also be rinsed before feeding to your dog if you are concerned about the salt content.

Canned Pumpkin

There are so many nutrients and vitamins in pumpkin that your dog will benefit from. Fiber makes it great for your dogs digestive system since it contains a high amount of fiber.

It is recommended that you feed your dog organic plain canned pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling or sweetened canned potatoes should not be given to your dog.

There can be a severe upset stomach or digestive problems as a result. This is a very healthy snack for your four-legged friend since you do not have dog food on hand.

Baby Food

You can also feed your dog baby food as a healthy alternative. It is possible to satisfy your dogs hunger with canned baby foods such as sweet potatoes apples carrots and other dog-friendly foods.

Many homemade dog treats contain baby food but we suggest checking the ingredients list of everything you feed your pet.

Make sure these foods are not excessively high in sodium (most baby foods are not) sugar or any other harmful ingredients including garlic and onions.

Dog Food Alternatives for Canned Chicken

If you want to give your dog other options besides low-sodium canned chicken follow these steps. To spice things up and make things interesting for your dog again try adding a bit of the following.

1. White Rice: Rice is a staple among many households so it’s an easy and fast meal for your dog. To keep it healthy serve it plain without seasoning or flavoring. Your dogs digestive system can process white rice better than brown rice so try to use white rice whenever possible. Check the label of microwavable rice before feeding it to your dog because some contain toxic ingredients. Give your dog something else if you see onion or garlic powder on the ingredient list.
2. Lamb: A better option than canned chicken is lamb. A high-quality and digestible source of protein this is another excellent choice. Aside from myoglobin and vitamin B12 lamb also contains amino acids that promote a healthy immune system and growth in your dog. Additionally lamb contains carnitine which is a good supplement for your dogs heart and helps him metabolize fat.
3. Canned Fish: Another great alternative to canned chicken is canned fish or tuna. There is a generous amount of lean protein in fish as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure your dog gets canned fish in water not oil. Fish can be rinsed first to remove excess sodium before serving just like canned chicken.
4. Canned Pumpkin: Pumpkin is rich in much-needed nutrients that are good for your dog. As a result of its high fiber content it is beneficial to the digestive system of your dog. The healthiest option is plain organic and canned pumpkin puree. Sweet canned potatoes and pumpkin pie should be avoided. However bland and simple foods are best. Baby food such as mashed carrots apples and sweet potatoes is another alternative you can consider. While your dog may not like them as much as chicken they can temporarily curb their hunger.
5. Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a dog-friendly flavorful and convenient snack since almost all pantries have a jar somewhere. The main purpose of these ingredients is to add flavor to dog biscuits and treats. Its important to make sure the peanut butter you have does not contain xylitol an artificial sweetener that dogs are allergic to. It would be even better if you had organic and unsalted peanut butter.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.