If your dog ate a whole chicken breast, you may be wondering what to do. Chicken is not a dangerous food for dogs, but it can make them sick if they eat too much of it. In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms of chicken toxicity in dogs and what you can do to help your pup feel better.
What Happens if a Dog Eats a Whole Chicken Breast?
If your dog ate a whole chicken breast, the first thing you should do is monitor them for signs of illness. Here are some things you can expect after your dog eats chicken:
Nausea
Your dog may vomit or have diarrhea if they eat too much chicken. This is because chicken is high in fat and dogs can’t digest it well. Your dog may be lethargic, or you may hear its stomach growling.
It may also seem dizzy and walk around in circles. This can be because nausea can be disorienting.
Dehydration
If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, it may become dehydrated. Dehydration can also happen if the chicken it ate is particularly salty and they haven’t had any water for quite some time.
Vomiting
If your dog ate the chicken breast very quickly, it may vomit it back up. Some dogs may also vomit because they are feeling nauseous from the high-fat content in chicken.
The vomit will likely contain undigested chicken, indicating that your dog didn’t chew the meat. It may also be accompanied by a bit of bile.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is another common symptom in dogs who have eaten too much chicken. This is because chicken is high in fat and dogs can’t digest it well. Diarrhea can also be caused by an intolerance to chicken.
Loss of Appetite
If your dog has eaten too much chicken, it may lose its appetite. This is because the high-fat content in chicken can make your dog feel full, and they also ate a large serving of food all at once. Don’t expect your pup to want much of its kibble or wet food after gobbling down a chicken breast
Choking
If your dog eats a whole chicken breast, it may start to choke on the bone. This is because chicken bones can splinter and cause your dog to choke. You’ll notice your dog choking if it starts hacking or coughing. Its gums will also turn blueish colored, which is a sign that it’s not getting enough oxygen.
What to Do if My Dog Eats a Whole Chicken Breast?
Here are some things you can do if your dog ate a whole chicken breast:
Monitor Your Dog
The first thing you should do is monitor your dog for signs of illness. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.
If there is a choking risk because your dog ate bones, keep a close eye on your dog and see if it starts to cough or hack. Its gums should also be pink in color. If they turn blue, this is a sign of oxygen deprivation and you should take your dog to the vet immediately.
Give Your Dog Water
If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, it’s important to give them water to prevent dehydration. You can do this by offering them small sips of water or ice chips. You can also offer your dog a small amount of Pedialyte to help recover electrolytes, especially if there’s any vomiting or diarrhea.
Skip Dinner
If your dog ate a whole chicken breast, it’s best to skip its regular dinner. This is because the high amount of calories that your dog has eaten can make them sick. You can resume normal feeding the following day if everything goes smoothly.
Feed Them Small Meals
If your dog is still hungry after eating a whole chicken breast, you can feed them small meals throughout the day. This will help them digest the food better and prevent vomiting or diarrhea.
Use a Bland Diet
There are certain dog foods that are great for dogs with gastrointestinal issues. These food items are usually bland and easy to digest. You can ask your vet for recommendations on what to feed your dog. One popular over-the-counter food is the Purina EN Gastrointestinal canned food.
Check Your Dog’s Stool
If your dog ate chicken with bones, it’s important to check its stool for any bone fragments. This is a sign that they are passing through rather than getting stuck in the intestines. If you don’t see any bone fragments after a day or two or your dog isn’t eliminating, contact your vet immediately.
Give Your Dog Plenty of Exercise
If your dog ate a whole chicken breast and they aren’t acting sick, it’s important to give them plenty of exercise. This will help them digest the food better and prevent vomiting or diarrhea. You can take your dog for a walk or run around in the backyard.
Just make sure not to overwork your pup and make sure they get plenty of hydration as well.
Give Your Dog Pepcid AC
If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, you can give them Pepcid AC to help with the symptoms. The recommended dosage is 0.25mg/pound every 12 hours.
Call the Vet
If your dog is showing any signs of illness, it’s important to call the vet. They will be able to help you determine if your dog needs to be seen in person.
Is Chicken Breast Good or Bad for My Dog?
While chicken is a relatively lean protein that can be good for your dog, it’s important to feed them the right amount. Too much chicken can lead to health problems, such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and choking.
Furthermore, if the chicken is heavily seasoned, it could even be toxic for your dog. Some common seasonings that dogs shouldn’t eat include onions, garlic, excessive salt, and excessive sugar. So it’s important to check the ingredients list before feeding your dog chicken.
Make sure there aren’t any bones in the chicken breast, as these can splinter and cause your dog to choke. You should also avoid giving your dog chicken skin, as this is high in fat and can lead to pancreatitis.
Finally, make sure to avoid giving your dog raw chicken. This is because raw chicken can contain bacteria that can make your dog sick. Even if dogs were used to eating raw meat hundreds or thousands of years ago, these days it’s best to cook the chicken before feeding it to your dog.