Chicken is a staple food in many diets around the world and many breeds of dogs can eat chicken without any problems. However, some foods should not be fed to your German Shepherd for health reasons.
This includes foods high in fat, such as fried chicken or dark meat, and also bones from cooked chicken which can splinter and cause internal damage. The following provides more information on whether you should feed your German Shepherds chicken or not:
1) Chicken bones: Dark meat and bones from cooked chicken may lead to intestinal obstructions and other digestive issues, so it’s best if your dog doesn’t eat these parts of the bird.
2) Fat content: Feeding too much fat to your dog will put it at risk of pancreatitis, which is an extremely painful condition. Women who are pregnant should avoid feeding their dogs fatty foods for this reason (and because it can cause them to give birth to overweight puppies).
3) Salmonella: Chicken may contain salmonella bacteria which can make you and your dog sick if they ingest it. This is why raw chicken is not recommended for dogs.
4) Allergies: Some German Shepherds develop allergies to chicken or other poultry, so make sure your dog doesn’t have any issues with these types of meats before you feed them chicken regularly.
5) Excessive protein: A meat-based diet that contains excess protein could upset the balance between nutrients in your German Shepherd’s diet. This is especially true if your dog eats a lot of meat products, as this can cause it to develop kidney disease.
6) Feeding puppies: German Shepherd puppies should only be fed a complete and balanced diet for their first 12 months that has been approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Owners whose dogs have special dietary requirements should consult with a veterinarian before deciding on how to feed their dogs.
7) Obesity: Chicken is high in protein and low in fat, so it’s a good choice if you want to help your German Shepherd lose weight or maintain its shape. However, because chicken itself contains fat, too much chicken could lead to obesity – which makes it more difficult for dogs to get around and for you to keep your pet healthy.
8) Allergy-free chicken: If your German Shepherd has certain food allergies, you may need to find an alternative source of protein. Feeding it specially prepared allergy-free foods can prevent uncomfortable reactions in some dogs.
9) Cooked bones: Cooked bones are very brittle and easily splintered into sharp pieces that could cause internal damage or perforate the stomach or intestines. This is why it’s best if dog owners avoid feeding their pets cooked bones altogether.
10) Risks associated with raw diets: Raw diets can contain harmful bacteria including salmonella which can make people sick when the meat isn’t properly handled. This is why cooking chicken before giving it to your dog is recommended over feeding raw chicken.
11) Kidney problems: German Shepherds are prone to kidney disease, so owners should keep an eye on their pets’ dietary needs and make sure not to feed them too many high-protein foods or supplements.
12) Obesity: Chicken has a lot of protein in it, but it doesn’t have any carbohydrates – unlike other meats like beef, which balance out this issue by providing dogs with energy (in the form of carbs). This makes cooked chicken good for overweight German Shepherd because it’s low in fats, but can also cause obesity if you don’t monitor your pet’s weight.
13) Soft bones: Cooked chicken bones are very soft and easy for dogs to chew and swallow, which means they could cause the development of sharp pieces as your German Shepherd chews. While this is unlikely to happen, you should still consider how your dog will eat its chicken before giving it a bone or piece of meat that’s been cooked with bones inside.
14) Feeding puppies: Small breeds of dogs like German Shepherds may grow at different rates than larger breeds because of their size and weight. This means that feeding puppies too much protein can increase their growth rate and make them adults who are overweight or obese – which is very bad for pets. If your puppy doesn’t seem to be putting on enough muscle mass as it grows up, you might want to adjust its diet by adding more carbohydrates instead.
15) Nerve damage: German Shepherds are prone to conditions that affect their nerve endings, which means they could end up with problems in their hind legs. This is why it’s important not to let your pets eat chicken bones or other pieces of meat that contain sharp edges – because these foods can pierce the stomach and intestines during digestion, causing bleeding.
16) Allergies: Chicken allergies are more common among dogs than some people realize. If you notice your German Shepherd getting diarrhea after eating, has a lack of energy, or develops skin problems like rashes or dry patches, consider switching to a dog food diet without any poultry before consulting a veterinarian for advice and treatment options.
17) Food safety: There is no doubt that you should always handle food safely. It’s important to take precautions when handling raw chicken, especially if your German Shepherd has a history of getting sick or is very young. This includes washing your hands thoroughly after touching the meat and never feeding your pets cooked bones because these can splinter.
18) Bloat: While it’s not common for dogs to get bloat, GSDs are at risk because they typically eat their meals fast without chewing – which can cause gas bubbles in the stomach during digestion. If your dog does experience this condition, it may need emergency medical care; but giving them one half of its meal before bedtime might help prevent bloating.
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