Are you a fan of chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and delicious dipping sauces? If so, then you are likely very familiar with the popular fast food chain known as Chick-fil-A.
Chick-fil-A is famous for their collection of delectable fried goodies. In some parts of the country, Chick-fil-A is the place to go if you want to grab a quick meal that’s both delicious and satisfying.
As a big fan of Chick-fil-A’s offerings, you may be wondering if you can share them with your pet dog.
In this article, we’ll discuss if giving Chick-fil-A to your dog is a good or bad idea? We’ll touch on different menu items so you can gain a better understanding of how fast food can affect your dog’s health.
Please stick with us as we take a closer look at what could happen if you give your dog some Chick-fil-A.
Is Chick-fil-A Sauce Okay for Dogs?
Before we get to the chicken dishes on Chick-fil-A’s menu, let’s first focus on an item that is likely a source of greater confusion. That item in question is none other than the restaurant’s popular sauce.
Chick-fil-A sauce has a tangy flavor that’s complemented by a smoky finish. It’s a flavor that goes incredibly well with fried or grilled chicken. The creamy texture of the sauce is also an aspect that many fans love because it accentuates the crispy chicken so well.
So, is Chick-fil-A’s signature sauce okay for your dogs? Well, not exactly.
The aforementioned sauce contains some ingredients that can potentially be harmful to dogs. Those ingredients in question are garlic, onion, and mustard.
All three of those ingredients can upset your dog’s digestive system. Onion and garlic can even be toxic to our canine companions. Do note however that the amounts of onion and garlic in the sauce are not nearly enough to cause serious harm to your pet.
What to Do if My Dog Has Chick-fil-A Sauce?
Your dog will not die from consuming Chick-fil-A sauce. However, some of the ingredients in the aforementioned sauce can cause your dog to get sick. That is even more likely to happen if your dog consumed a significant amount of the sauce.
It’s on you to help your pet through their sauce-induced ordeal. Detailed below are the steps you must take if you want to help your dog feel better.
Withhold Food and Water for the Next Eight Hours
The Chick-fil-A sauce may be causing turmoil inside your dog’s stomach. As a result, your dog’s stomach may feel upset and unsettled for a while.
During that time, anything your dog eats may not sit well inside their stomach. That’s why you should avoid feeding them for a while.
Withhold food and water from your dog for the next eight hours. Doing so should give their digestive system enough time to rest and recuperate from the effects of the Chick-fil-A sauce.
Give Your Dog Some Food and Water
Once the eight-hour wait is over, you can start giving your dog food and water again. Try to ease them into that so their stomach doesn’t get upset again.
Offer only a small amount of water at first then gauge your dog’s reaction. If they don’t vomit and look fine, then you can give them some food.
At this point, you should only give your dog some poached chicken breast and some rice. Avoid anything too greasy because that can be bad for their stomach.
Continue with the Modified Diet for a Few Days
Stick to that new diet for a few days and see how your dog reacts. Hopefully, no vomiting will occur during that time. Revert to your dog’s normal diet if they show no ill effects from eating more chicken and drinking more water.
Take Your Dog to the Veterinarian
The Chick-fil-A sauce may impact your dog differently compared to others. If your dog still appears sick after you withheld food and water, you should take them to the veterinarian immediately.
Something more serious may be affecting your pet. Go to the veterinarian so they can examine your dog and resolve that matter.
Can a Dog Eat Chick-fil-A?
We’ve established that giving your dog Chick-fil-A sauce is not a good idea. But what about the other items on Chick-fil-A’s menu? Can you feed your dog some Chick-fil-A chicken without worrying about potential ill effects?
The fried chicken fillets from Chick-fil-A are not items you should give to your dog. Fried chicken fillets from just about every fast food restaurant tend to be greasy. That excess grease can be bad for your dog especially if they’re already overweight.
The fried chicken strips are slightly better options, but they are still far from ideal.
If you want to feed your dog something from Chick-fil-A, go with the grilled chicken. Don’t put any toppings or sauce on the grilled chicken fillet you’re feeding to your dog. It should still taste good without those additions anyway.
Because Chick-fil-A’s grilled chicken is low in calories, you don’t have to worry about your dog enjoying that.
Are Chick-fil-A Nuggets Bad for Dogs?
Compared to their fried chicken sandwiches, the portion of chicken nuggets you can buy from Chick-fil-A is the healthier option from a calorie standpoint. Their standard chicken sandwich contains 440 calories while the portion of nuggets only contains 250 calories per serving.
That said, you should still avoid giving those fried chicken nuggets to your dog. They are still greasy and they can mess with your dog’s body.
The good news is that Chick-fil-A also offers grilled chicken nuggets. Those grilled nuggets are significantly healthier compared to the standard fried options.
According to Chick-fil-A, their 8-count portion of grilled nuggets only contains 130 calories. That low calorie count makes it a fantastic choice for dogs. Just remember not to dip the nuggets in any sauce so they remain low-calorie goodies.
Can My Dog Eat Chick-fil-A Fries?
Beyond their chicken dishes, Chick-fil-A is also famous for their Waffle Potato Fries. Many Chick-fil-A fans absolutely adore those Waffle Fries. It’s not hard to understand where they’re coming from given how tasty those fries are.
Still, you should resist the urge to share those fries with your dog no matter how delicious those fried treats may be.
Fries tend to contain plenty of fat and salt. Those are ingredients you do not want to serve in ample amounts to your pet. Even the potatoes themselves can be problematic because some dogs have trouble digesting them.
Can Dogs Eat Hash Browns from Chick-fil-A?
Chick-fil-A also offers hash browns as treats alongside their main offerings. They handle hash browns a bit differently as they serve them as small medallions instead of patties.
Similar to the Waffle Fries, you shouldn’t serve Chick-fil-A’s hash browns to your dog. Those hash browns contain significant amounts of fat, salt, and carbohydrates. They belong nowhere near your dog’s food bowl.