are chicken wings bad for dogs

Are Chicken Wings Bad For Dogs? The Truth Explained

A lot of people like to snack on chicken wings. But are they safe for dogs to eat? I’m sure many dog owners have wondered this after their furry friend begged to try some buffalo wings.

The answer isn’t black and white. Raw, uncooked chicken wings are usually fine for dogs. However, there are some risks and precautions to be aware of. Keep reading to learn the details on whether chicken wings are bad for dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken Wings?

Let’s start with the basics – can dogs eat chicken wings at all? The answer is yes, dogs can eat raw, uncooked chicken wings in moderation.

Chicken is a lean protein that contains essential nutrients for dogs like vitamin B, amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron. It can make a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.

However, there are a few critical things to know before feeding Fido any chicken wings:

• Only feed dogs raw, uncooked chicken wings. Cooked chicken bones become brittle and can splinter. Sharp bone fragments can hurt your dog’s mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines.

• Remove the bones before feeding cooked chicken meat to avoid any chance of cooked bone splinters.

• Don’t give your dog the entire chicken wing. Cut off the tip and discard it to reduce choking hazards.

• Supervise your dog anytime they are eating bone-in chicken. Monitor them to make sure they are chewing thoroughly and not just swallowing large chunks whole.

Risks of Chicken Wings for Dogs

While raw chicken wings are often safe for dogs, there are still some risks to be aware of. Here are a few things that could go wrong:

Choking Hazard
Dogs that gulp down food too quickly without chewing could potentially choke on chicken bones. This is especially risky for aggressive chewers and large breed dogs.

In order to avoid this, cut the chicken into smaller pieces and take off the tips of the wings before feeding. Closely supervise your dog anytime they are eating bones.

Intestinal Blockage or Damage
While rare, dogs can sometimes swallow larger pieces of bone that could get stuck in their throat or digestive tract. This can cause gagging, vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.

Sharp pieces of bone could also cut or puncture the mouth, throat, or intestines if they were swallowed.

These situations are medical emergencies requiring immediate veterinary care. To avoid issues, be sure to cut up chicken wings and monitor your dog closely while they are eating.

Salmonella Risk
Raw chicken can contain Salmonella bacteria, which could make your dog sick if ingested. Dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other signs of food poisoning or infection.

To reduce risk, rinse raw chicken thoroughly before feeding and don’t allow contact between your dog’s food and other household surfaces. Supervise your dog closely when eating to prevent resource guarding over high-value chicken wings.

Pancreatitis
The high fat content of chicken wings could trigger a pancreatic issue called pancreatitis in some dogs. This causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and other issues.

Dogs prone to pancreatitis should avoid chicken wings and other high-fat foods. Talk to your vet about appropriate diet recommendations if your dog has had pancreatitis before.

As you can see, there are some risks to be aware of when feeding Fido chicken wings. However, these issues are relatively uncommon and can be prevented with proper precautions.

Signs of Problems After Eating Chicken Wings

If your dog shows any of the following signs after eating chicken wings, stop feeding them immediately and contact your vet:

• Repeated gagging or retching
• Signs of blockage like loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Weakness, lethargy, collapse
• Diarrhea, especially with blood or mucus
• Shock, pale gums, rapid heart rate
• Discolored or bloody stools
• Swollen abdomen or intense abdominal pain

Hopefully your dog will digest the chicken bones without issue. But if you notice any of these symptoms, call your vet right away as they could indicate a potentially life-threatening blockage, laceration or perforation that requires emergency surgery.

Better Safe Than Sorry

Chicken bones can cause severe damage in a dog’s digestive system. So if in doubt, call your veterinarian or visit the emergency vet.

It’s better to be safe than sorry if your dog ate chicken bones, even if they seem fine initially. Some issues like perforations might not show symptoms right away, but could become deadly if untreated.

Don’t wait to see if your dog improves. Get prompt veterinary advice anytime you suspect your dog swallowed bones. The sooner blockages and lacerations can be diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome typically is.

Are Chicken Bones Cooked or Raw?

This is one of the most important factors when deciding if chicken wings are safe for your dog.

Raw chicken wings are typically fine for dogs to eat in moderation. The bones are soft, pliable, and easily chewed.

Cooked chicken bones become dry, brittle and prone to splintering. They can then lodge in your dog’s throat or puncture their digestive tract. Never feed your dog cooked chicken bones of any kind.

So raw chicken wings are usually safe as an occasional treat. But cooked chicken bones are extremely dangerous and should always be avoided.

What About Seasonings, Sauces or Flavorings?

Plain chicken wings have minimal risks for dogs. However, seasonings and sauces create some additional concerns:

Onion/Garlic Powder
Onions and garlic contain toxic compounds that can damage your dog’s red blood cells and cause anemia at high doses. Avoid chicken wings seasoned with onion or garlic powder.

Spicy Sauces
Spicy buffalo, barbecue, or chili sauce flavors may irritate your dog’s stomach. This could cause digestive upset. Rinse off sauces before feeding chicken wings when possible.

Fats and Skin
The skin, fats, and oils used for frying or cooking can cause pancreatitis in dogs prone to this condition. Remove skin and cook fats before feeding.

Xylitol
Some wing sauces contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener extremely toxic to dogs. Be sure to check ingredients and never feed flavored chicken wings with xylitol.

Salt
Heavy salt use can cause excessive thirst and urination along with sodium ion poisoning at high doses. Avoid highly salted chicken wings.

So beware of flavored or seasoned chicken wings, which could pose additional risks to dogs beyond just the bones themselves. When in doubt, stick to plain chicken with no added sauces or spices.

Raw Chicken Precautions

Salmonella or other foodborne bacteria are a low risk with raw chicken, but some safety steps can further reduce any concerns:

• Rinse raw chicken wings under cold water before feeding to remove bacteria from the surface.

• Refrigerate promptly after purchase and discard chicken within 2 days of bringing it home. Don’t take risks with possible spoiled meat.

• Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces that touched the raw chicken to prevent any spread of bacteria.

• Don’t allow young children, pregnant women, or people with compromised immune systems to handle the raw chicken or pet food dishes.

Following basic food safety practices greatly minimizes risks associated with handling and feeding any raw meat or poultry.

Benefits of Chicken Wings for Dogs

Despite some small risks, chicken wings can provide valuable nutrition for dogs:

Lean Protein
Chicken is loaded with high quality protein needed for muscle maintenance, tissue repair, hormones, enzymes, etc. The amino acids in poultry help support a healthy coat and skin too.

Bone Health
The calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in chicken bones helps strengthen bones and teeth. Chewing meaty bones also cleans plaque off teeth.

Energy Boost
Chicken is a great source of niacin, selenium, vitamin B6 and other nutrients that support your dog’s energy levels. The natural fats provide concentrated calories for an active lifestyle.

Skin/Coat Health
Linoleic fatty acids in chicken fat improve your dog’s dull, dry skin and brittle coat from the inside out. Chicken wings provide great skin and coat nutrition.

Immune Support
Zinc, iron, copper, and other minerals in chicken flesh and bones help maintain a healthy immune system to fight off illness and infection.

Clearly the benefits of chicken wings go far beyond just being a tasty treat! In moderation, they can provide some very important nutrients and health advantages for dogs.

Homemade Dog Food With Chicken Wings

Want to create a nutritious meal for your pup? Try this easy homemade dog food recipe using chicken wings:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken wings, skin removed
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 cups mixed vegetables – carrots, peas, green beans, etc.
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp bone meal powder

Instructions:

1. Simmer chicken wings in a large pot of water for 20 minutes until cooked through. Remove wings and set aside to cool. Discard water.
2. Once wings are cool enough to handle, remove all meat from the bones. Dice or shred chicken meat into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a large skillet, sauté vegetables in olive oil for 5-7 minutes until soft.
4. Add shredded chicken meat and bone meal powder. Stir well and cook 2-3 more minutes.
5. Mix in cooked rice until fully incorporated.
6. Let cool and portion into single serving sizes. Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

This simple recipe provides a balanced meal full of protein, healthy carbs, essential fatty acids, and key vitamins and minerals. The bone meal powder replaces the nutrition of raw bones.

Best Dog Breeds For Chicken Wings

Certain breeds are better suited to eating chicken wings safely due to their size and tendency to chew thoroughly:

• Labrador Retrievers
• Golden Retrievers
• Poodles
• Boxers
• Siberian Huskies

Avoid giving chicken wings to dogs prone to gulping food like:

• Chihuahuas
• Yorkshire Terriers
• Pomeranians

Miniature breeds are also at higher risk for bone fragments getting stuck in their smaller throats or intestines.

Caution is recommended when feeding chicken wings to elderly dogs or pets with dental disease, as they may not be able to chew properly.

Talk to your veterinarian about which foods and treats are appropriate for your unique dog based on their breed, size, age and medical conditions.

The Verdict on Chicken Wings for Dogs

To wrap up, most healthy adult dogs can enjoy an occasional raw, plain chicken wing as a treat. Chicken provides protein, vitamins and minerals dogs need.

However, cooked bones should always be avoided due to splintering risk. It’s also best to remove the skin and avoid heavily seasoned wings. Monitor your dog closely while eating bones and take size-appropriate portions.

Talk to your vet before introducing chicken wings or other new foods. They can help assess any breed-specific risks for your dog.

With proper precautions, chicken wings are usually fine for dogs to have sometimes. Just be sure to put safety first and get prompt veterinary care if you ever suspect an issue. With a few simple steps, chicken wings can be a nutritious treat both you and your dog will love!

If your dog eats chicken wings, especially cooked ones, it’s crucial to monitor them for signs of choking, internal injuries, or digestive issues. Cooked chicken bones can splinter and cause punctures or blockages in the gastrointestinal tract.