Can Dogs Eat Chicken Feet?

Chicken feet are a safe and nutritious food source for dogs, as they do not contain any compounds that are toxic to them. In fact, they provide several benefits that can help maintain your dog's overall health, with a particular emphasis on joint health. In the following sections, we will explain in more detail the benefits of chicken feet for dogs.

Are you looking for a natural and organic option for your dog's diet? We have an article that might interest you. Our tips on a natural diet for dogs can be a great help, especially for those with allergies or puppies.

​Chicken feet are packed with beneficial ingredients that promote joint and dental health.

Connective tissues such as skin, cartilage, tendons, and bones make up the majority of chicken feet. They contain valuable nutrients such as collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate that support joint health by reducing inflammation and promoting cartilage repair. In fact, these nutrients are especially important for older dogs or those with joint problems like arthritis.

Let us take a closer look at some of these nutrients:

• Glucosamine: an amino sugar produced by the body, aids in the formation and reconstruction of articular cartilage.
  
  
• Chondroitin: chondroitin sulfate, a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan, prevents the breakdown of joint cartilage components.
  
  
• Collagen: makes up nearly 70% of the protein content in chicken feet, is a vital component of joints. It provides support, elasticity, and flexibility to ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Furthermore, it supports gut health by reducing inflammation and aiding digestion.

The combination of these ingredients makes chicken feet an excellent food for maintaining joint health in dogs. They can help prevent and treat chronic and degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. Offering your furry friend chicken feet can help keep them healthy and happy.

Continue reading in this other article, where we look at the causes of arthritis and stiffness in dogs.

Having discussed the benefits of chicken feet for dogs, let us now examine how best to feed chicken feet to our canine companions. Should we offer it raw, frozen, cooked or dehydrated? Let us take a closer look.

Raw

Many people believe that raw chicken feet are the best option, as they offer additional benefits for dogs. Raw chicken feet are rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which can promote joint health, clean teeth and prevent periodontal disease. However, feeding raw chicken feet carries a significant risk. Chicken meat can harbor disease-causing microorganisms such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can lead to food poisoning.

Frozen

Frozen chicken feet are also an option, and some dog owners prefer to freeze them to preserve them. Frozen chicken feet can provide some benefits of raw chicken feet, but it is important that they are completely thawed before you offer them to your dog.

Cooked

Cooking chicken feet can break down the nutrients, making them less effective for health. However, some dogs prefer cooked chicken feet to raw. If you choose to cook chicken feet, it's best to boil them and offer them in moderation as a treat rather than adding them to your dog's diet on a regular basis.

It is crucial to take into account that the bones contained in chicken feet can easily splinter during cooking and cause significant damage, such as ulcers in the oral cavity, lesions in the digestive tract, choking and more. Instead of offering whole cooked feet, you can chop them up and make them into homemade treats for your dog. By doing this, you reduce the risk of choking and other dangers associated with eating entire chicken feet.

Dehydrated

Finally, let us talk about dehydrated chicken feet. These are chicken feet that have been subjected to heat treatment at a low temperature for a long period of time. This heat treatment is sufficient to eliminate the microbiological hazards mentioned above. Since it is carried out at low temperature, the nutritional value of the chicken feet does not change either. Moreover, their crispy and slightly hard texture favors the cleaning of the teeth, which helps to prevent the occurrence of periodontal diseases.

Whether you offer raw, cooked or frozen chicken feet to your dog, it is important to supervise them while they eat them to avoid ingestion or other potential hazards. Also remember that chicken feet should be offered in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian about your dog's special dietary needs.

As mentioned earlier, feeding raw chicken feet to dogs can be potentially harmful. Therefore, it is advisable to consider alternative, safer options. In this section, we explore different ways you can offer chicken feet to your dog:

How to make chicken feet broth for dogs:

1. Rinse the chicken feet with water to ensure they are clean.
   
   
2. Place the chicken feet in a pot and add enough water to cover them completely. Do not add salt to the water.
   
   
3. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Let the chicken feet simmer for about 40-45 minutes until they are very tender.
   
   
4. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly.
   
   
5. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any small bones or impurities.
   
   
6. Store the broth in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to use it.
   
   

How to prepare homemade treats based on chicken feet broth:

1. Pour the chicken feet broth into a blender and add any desired additional ingredients such as vegetables or herbs.
   
   
2. Puree the mixture until it is smooth.
   
   
3. Pour the mixture into small ramekins or ice cube trays.
   
   
4. Allow the ramekins to cool in the refrigerator until the mixture solidifies.
   
   
5. Serve the treats to your dog as desired.

How to dehydrate chicken feet:

It's important to note that when dehydrating chicken feet, it's essential to handle them with care and follow proper food safety guidelines. Before dehydrating, make sure the chicken feet are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to prevent any contamination. Dehydrating chicken feet can result in a shelf-stable product that can be stored for an extended period without refrigeration. This is a process that can be done in two ways:

• Firstly, you can use an electric dehydrator, which is a specially designed appliance for dehydrating food.
  
  
• Alternatively, you can use an oven set to 70ºC and dehydrate the chicken feet for 8 hours.

These treats are suitable for dogs of all ages, but are especially helpful for puppies who are still developing their last teeth. Whole chicken feet can be challenging for puppies to chew, so these treats offer a safer alternative. They are also useful for small dogs or dogs with dental issues that make it difficult for them to chew larger treats.

Do not miss this other article where we explain how to prepare a soft diet for dogs with constipation.

The amount and frequency of chicken feet you can give your dog will depend on the size, age, and overall health of your dog. As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to give your dog one chicken foot per day, especially as a treat or snack.

However, it is important to monitor your dog's reaction to chicken feet and adjust the amount accordingly. If your dog has never eaten chicken feet before, start with a small amount and increase the serving size over time.

It is also essential to note that chicken feet should not be your dog's main food source. They should be given as a supplement to a balanced diet that meets your dog's nutritional needs. Also, be sure to always supervise your dog when eating chicken feet and discard any small pieces or bones to avoid the risk of ingestion or gastrointestinal problems.

If you want to read similar articles to Can Dogs Eat Chicken Feet?, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.