Chicken is a delicacy that every family enjoys. Besides being tasty, chicken is an excellent protein source. It is also packed with healthy nutrients that support our overall well-being.
Frenchies are part of our families. But can they also enjoy this delicacy? Read on for all the information about chickens and French Bulldogs.
Can Frenchies Eat Chicken?
Yes. Frenchies can safely eat chicken. It is a good protein source for muscle power. However, proper preparation is key. Moderation is also important, especially when introducing chicken to your Frenchie.
Benefits of Chicken for Frenchies
Chicken is a healthy nutrient source that ensures proper growth and development. Here are the key benefits of chicken for Frenchies:
High protein source
Most homemade and commercial dog recipes include chicken meat, a good protein source. It is a powerhouse of essential amino acids for dogs. Chicken is highly digestible, thus lowering the chances of stomach problems.
Home-cooked chicken is an excellent way of satisfying your dog’s protein needs while maintaining its body’s functioning. Malnourished and underweight Frenchies benefit from chicken’s muscle-building properties.
Vitamins and minerals
Chicken meat is rich in nutrients like phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins B3 and B6. Vitamin B3 reduces cholesterol levels, boosts brain wellness, and eases arthritis. Vitamin B6 is responsible for the synthesis of proteins.
Phosphorus and selenium support bone, muscle, and immune functions. Selenium’s antioxidant properties also boost coat and skin wellness.
Omega fatty acids
Chicken is packed with omegas that ensure your Frenchie’s coat is shiny and its skin is smooth. Additionally, Omega fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that lower the chances of arthritis.
Chondroitin and glucosamine
French Bulldogs are susceptible to joint issues, so consuming a chondroitin and glucosamine-rich meal is key. These healthy supplements support joint and hip wellness by reducing the risk of joint inflammation.
Risks of Feeding Chicken to French Bulldogs
While chicken is unquestionably a rich source of animal protein and other essential elements for your French Bulldog’s health, there are also hazards associated with feeding Frenchies a diet centered mostly on chicken.
Salmonella infection
Raw chicken has Salmonella sp. Consuming raw chicken, therefore, exposes your Frenchie to salmonella infection. Common signs to watch out for include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and a lack of appetite. Antibiotics and IV fluid therapy are the main treatment options. Frenchies with low immunity are at a higher risk, and untreated salmonella infections can be fatal in such dogs.
Choking and blockages
Chicken has bones, which can negatively affect your Frenchie. Bones can penetrate a dog’s internal organs, clog the stomach or digestive tract, lodge in the throat or mouth, and damage teeth.
Raw chicken bones might be difficult for certain dogs, but cooked bones pose an even bigger problem. These bones are brittle and can easily splinter. Removing bones before giving chicken to your Frenchie is important.
Malnutrition
Though healthy, chicken is not a balanced diet. Relying on chicken alone for your Frenchie’s nutritional needs may lead to malnutrition in the long run. Ensure your dog consumes chicken and other foods for a healthy body and a reduced risk of malnutrition.
Which Chicken Recipes and Parts Can Be Eaten Safely by Frenchies?
Chicken Bones
Dogs love bones. Raw chicken bones reduce the chances of tartar and plaque buildup. This is because the bones require chewing for longer. Cooked chicken bones are dangerous as they are soft and easy to splinter.
So, can Frenchies eat chicken bones? Yes. Frenchies can eat raw chicken bones with your supervision. Giving them raw chicken bones will help to clean their teeth, strengthen their dentition, and enhance their oral health. The chondroitin and glucosamine in these bones will also help dogs’ joints.
Chicken bones are also rich in calcium and phosphorus for strong and healthy bones. Additionally, giving your dog chicken bones to gnaw on can help keep him mentally active. Avoid cooked chicken bones.
Chicken Nugget
Sodium, carbs, and fat are the main components of chicken nuggets. They are tasty and go well with fries. But these ingredients can be the source of health issues for humans and dogs.
So, can Frenchie eat chicken nuggets? Yes, but in moderation. It’s unlikely your dog would become ill if it ate a small piece of chicken nugget, but feeding your Frenchie these as a frequent treat is not advisable. Dogs shouldn’t eat chicken nuggets, especially if they are fried.
Chicken Feet
Bone and joint health are critical for your dog. Chicken feet are rich in chondroitin and glucosamine, supplements that support joint wellness. Additionally, chicken feet are crunchy, thus preventing tartar and plaque build-up. Chicken feet are important for senior dogs since they are prone to joint issues.
But can Frenchies eat chicken bones? Yes, Frenchies can safely eat chicken feet. Consuming chicken feet strengthens your Frenchie’s bones and teeth. Raw chicken feet are, however, harmful as they have bacteria and parasites.
Chicken Broth
This is handy when you or your dog are under the weather. Chicken broth hydrates the body. Picky dog breeds like Dachshunds and French Bulldogs can benefit from chicken broth since it is an appetite enhancer.
So, can Frenchies eat chicken broth? Yes. Frenchies are picky, and consuming chicken broth forces them to eat more. Chicken broth also ensures your French Bulldog does not get dehydrated.
Raw Chicken
Although a raw meal is good for your dog’s health, it requires proper advice from the vet. Raw chicken has parasites like salmonella, which cause infections in humans, dogs, and cats.
So, can French Bulldogs eat raw chicken? No. Raw chicken is harmful as it has bacteria and parasites that cause health problems. Go for unseasoned, grilled, or roasted chicken. Cooking destroys bacteria and parasites.
Fried Chicken
Frying leads to the absorption of oil or fat in food, and chicken is no exception. A fatty meal is a recipe for obesity and other health issues like arthritis and pancreatitis. Pugs and Basset Hounds are susceptible to obesity, and consuming fried chicken exposes them to many health problems.
So, can Frenchies eat fried chicken? Fried chicken has lots of fat, which raises the risk of pancreatitis and cardiac problems in Frenchies.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Homemade chicken noodle soup is great for your dog. Preparing chicken noodle soup at home enhances safety since you choose the ingredients to add. Chicken noodle soup, like chicken broth, keeps dogs hydrated.
But can Frenchies eat chicken noodle soup? Yes. Chicken noodle soup is safe for your French Bulldog. It is, however, critical to ensure the soup is free from harmful ingredients like garlic, preservatives, and onions.
Chicken Liver
Vitamins and minerals are crucial for your dog’s overall wellness. Chicken liver is packed with vitamins A and B. It is also rich in minerals like iron, copper, and zinc. These work together to ensure healthy growth and development.
So, can Frenchies eat chicken liver? Yes. Frenchies can safely consume chicken liver. Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ that boosts your Frenchie’s overall well-being.
Chicken Gizzards
These are the muscles that allow chickens to grind food for digestion. They are rich in protein for muscle strength. Chicken gizzards have a low-fat content, making them healthy treats. Some minerals in chicken gizzards, like selenium, promote immunity, while others, like phosphorus, boost bone and muscle strength.
So, can Frenchies eat chicken gizzards? Yes. Chicken gizzards are safe and nutritious for your French Bulldog. Serve them sparingly and ensure they are properly cooked.
Chicken Wings
Thinking of serving chicken wings to your dog? Are they safe? Chicken wings are a powerhouse of protein, calcium, chondroitin, and glucosamine, which support muscle, bone, and joint functions.
But can Frenchies eat chicken wings? Yes. French Bulldogs can eat chicken wings under your supervision. The wings should be raw, as cooked chicken wings have brittle bones, which can cause choking or blockages.
Best Ways To Prepare Chicken For Your Frenchie
Cooking chicken at home for your dog is the best way to ensure it gets the nutrients required for growth. Additionally, homemade food only uses healthy ingredients. Here are two recipes to try at home:
Crock-pot recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of minced chicken
- 2 ½ cups of shredded or sliced carrots
- 1 cup of pumpkin
- 4 cups of rice (white)
- 6 ½ cups of water
Procedure
- Put all the ingredients in a crock-pot
- Cook for 4-6 hours
- Cool and serve
Chicken and veggies
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of minced chicken
- 2 ½ cups of mixed veggies (carrots, green beans, and peas)
- 4 cups of rice
- 6 ½ cups of water
Procedure
- Place the chicken, veggies, and rice in a large saucepan
- Add water and bring to boil
- Stir periodically
- Cook in low heat for 25-30 minutes
- Cool and serve
Which Dog Food Brands Use Chicken in Their Foods?
Chicken is a common ingredient in most commercial dog foods. Here are the leading brands that use chicken in their foods:
- The Honest Kitchen: Their chicken formula The Honest Kitchen Chicken Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food starts with free-range chicken and includes apples and green beans. Gentle dehydration ensures maximum nutrient absorption and flavor, enticing your picky Frenchie while boosting its general wellness.
- Wellness: Their recipe, Wellness Complete Chicken and Oatmeal Adult Dry Food, starts with deboned chicken and features oatmeal. The formula contains omegas, taurine, antioxidants, glucosamine, and probiotics to boost coat, skin, cardiac, immune, joint, and digestive wellness.
How Much Chicken Should You Feed Your Dog?
Like any other new food, moderation is essential with chicken. Start with small amounts and increase them gradually. Here’s a guide on the amount of chicken to serve your Frenchie:
| Weight in pounds | Amount of cooked, unseasoned chicken |
| 2-20 | 1 tablespoon |
| 21-30 | 2 tablespoons |
| 31-50 | ¼ cup |
| 51-90 | ⅓ cup |
| 91 and above | ½ cup |
What To Do if Your Frenchie Eats a Chicken Bone
Frenchies are cunning and can sneak a chicken bone without you noticing. So, what can you do when such a thing happens? Here are some of the things to do:
- Try removing the bone before your Frenchie swallows it. Be careful to avoid pushing the bone further or your dog biting you. You can entice your dog with another healthy treat so that it drops the bone.
- If your Frenchie swallows the bone, watch out for signs of blockage. Such signs include drooling, lethargy, gagging, diarrhea, vomiting, and trouble breathing. This calls for an immediate visit to the vet.
Can Frenchies be allergic to chicken?
Yes. Consuming chicken over a long period exposes Frenchies to chicken allergies.
Signs of chicken allergy in dogs
Some of the signs to watch out for include:
- Hair loss
- Rashes
- Itchy or red skin
- Hair loss
- Ear or skin infection.
Is chicken good for Frenchies every day?
Although chicken is an excellent protein source, it should not be an everyday meal for your Frenchie. Your dog needs a variety of foods for balanced nutrition.
How to cook chicken for Frenchies
Cooking chicken at home is easy.
- Place deboned chickens in boiling water.
- Cover the pot
- Boil for 12 minutes
What can I add to boiled chicken for my dog?
You can add plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, cooked veggies, dog food, and vitamin supplements to your dog’s chicken. Adding these ingredients enhances flavor and nutrition.
Can I mix boiled chicken with dog food?
Yes. You can mix boiled chicken with dry or wet dog food. Mixing chicken with dog food enhances flavor and results in a tasty treat for your picky Frenchie.
Is boiling chicken healthy for Frenchies?
Yes. Boiling chicken is healthy for Frenchies. Boiling destroys parasites and bacteria in raw chicken. Salmonella and other pathogens cause diseases.
Can I feed my dog chicken and rice every day?
Chicken and rice are an excellent combination for strong bones and proper digestion. However, this combination should not be a daily meal for your dog. Adding vegetables and other protein sources ensures balanced nutrition.
Do you have to boil chicken for dogs?
Ye. Boiling chicken for dogs destroys harmful pathogens. You should, however, ensure your chicken is boneless, as cooked bones are brittle and easily splinter.
Can dogs drink boiled chicken water?
Yes. Dogs can safely drink boiled chicken water. Besides hydrating your dog, boiled chicken water enhances appetite, making it a great selection for selective dogs.
How should I serve chicken to my dog?
You can serve cooked, boiled, or dehydrated chicken to your dog. You can also add chicken to your dog’s food to add flavor. Adding vitamin supplements, veggies, and plain yogurt are other ways of serving chicken.
Can puppies eat cooked chicken breast?
Yes. Puppies from 8-12 weeks can safely eat cooked chicken breast. This is a stage when they have teeth to chew the chicken. Ensure there are no bones or seasonings.
At what age can puppies eat cooked chicken?
Puppies can start eating cooked chicken from 8-12 weeks. This is when they have teeth and can chew food properly. Proper chewing ensures easier digestion and absorption.
Final Thoughts
So, can French Bulldogs eat chicken?
Chicken is a healthy protein source. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals essential for your Frenchie’s overall well-being. It is also rich in healthy supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine.
Caution is important as chicken bones and raw chicken are harmful to Frenchies. Raw chicken exposes Frenchies to parasites and bacteria, while chicken bones can cause choking and blockages.
Therefore, the best chicken to serve your dog should be unseasoned, cooked, and boneless. Serve it sparingly, as too much can lead to allergies. Always consult the vet before introducing chicken to your Frenchie’s diet.
