Chicken is a rich source of protein, and humans love to eat it. Many dogs love the taste of chicken, and Pet owners often want to share it with their furry companion. But Can dogs be allergic to chicken? Yes, dogs can be allergic to chicken.
Dog’s Sensitivity to a particular food is not easy to be the judge. Not all dogs can tolerate the same to certain ingredients. In this article, we briefly discuss all the possible aspects of Chicken as dog food.
Can dogs be allergic to chicken?
Why is chicken allergic to dogs? Some dogs are genetically predisposed to food allergies, while others may develop them rarely and take a long time.
A pup can set a chicken allergy when the immune system becomes overly sensitive to the chicken ingredients.
As a reaction, the dog’s body system considers chicken a dangerous substance and develops an allergic reaction.
When the allergic reaction once develops, then it’s not easy to treat, and the problem gradually becomes worse.
When your dog has been eating the same food continuously, their immune system responds more vigorously, and they could suddenly develop an allergy to one or more ingredients of the chicken.
Food allergies are not to be avoided – they can create many health problems for pups both in the short and long-term.
Causes of Chicken Allergies in dogs:
The allergic reaction to a certain food develops over time. The process doesn’t happen when first time ingesting the food.
- The dog’s immune system takes time to encounter the ingredients as an enemy invader.
- When a dog eats food like chicken and other food containing proteins, it is broken down into amino acids by the digestive system, and absorbed by enterocytes. WBC.
- A protein allergic dog digestive system cannot completely break down the proteins, and his immune system will Consider the chicken protein as an invader and enemy substance.
- The dog’s immune system tries to catch the chicken protein and confirm that it is not suited for the body and develops allergic reactions.
- If you notice that your puppy is showing annoying behavior to chickens and hurting the health condition, it may be a food allergy.
What are the symptoms of chicken allergy in dogs?
Food allergy can cause extremely uncomfortable symptoms for your dog. Can puppies have food allergies? Generally, Poultry allergies in dogs do not develop in puppies.
However, in rare cases, food allergies in young pups are dangerous and can lead the dog to severe health issues.
Following are the dog food allergy symptoms of chicken/poultry in dogs.
- Itching and scratching
- Skin infection and injuries
- Ear inflammation, Skin irritation and rashes
- Shaking of the head
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Adverse licking
- Coughing and Hives
- Wheezing and Bald patches
If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your vet for medical attention.
Diagnosing of chicken/Poultry allergies in dogs:
- If you worry your pet is suffering from poultry allergies. Take your pet to the vet. They will help you to diagnose as your dog is suffering from a food chicken protein allergy.
- The vet will put your dog on a plain diet for a period that does not contain chicken and will observe that if your dogs develop the reaction to that food as well or not.
- They will then serve the chicken to your dogs to confirm the poultry reaction.
- Another option is your vet will do multiple tests, including those using skin cells to help confirm the presence of a chicken allergy.
Treatment of chicken/Poultry allergies in dogs:
A chicken/poultry reaction can only be treated to avoid the chicken and the food that contains chicken ingredients.
Before offering any new or human food to your puppy, first, confirm it with your vet. Always serve a healthy and homemade diet and avoid kibble dog food.
Safe alternative instead of chicken protein:
My dog is allergic to chicken, What can I feed him? There are several sources of proteins that you can safely use for your pets instead of poultry protein. These include.
- Broccoli
- Quinoa
- Soybeans
- lentils
- Spinach
- Buffalo
- Venison
- Rabbit
- Elk
- Fish
FAQ:
Are most dogs allergic to chicken?
Yes, almost every dog can develop a chicken allergy. However, the sensitivity, time period, and risk of developing an allergy to the poultry might differ.
Some dogs are genetically predisposed to allergies, while others may develop them rarely and take a long time.
Can Chicken upset a dog’s stomach?
Yes, Chicken can cause stomach upset and other gastrointestinal upset in your dog. The reason behind this is, chicken and other foods that contains proteins are broken down into amino acids by the digestive system.
So A protein allergic dog’s digestive system cannot completely break down the proteins and can cause stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea.
Can dogs be allergic to chicken fat?
No and Yes, Many dog food manufacturers use chicken fat as a source of fatty acids in their products.
Chicken fat does not contain protein, but it may include protein traces. So the vet’s advice is to not use the chicken fat for a dog who is suffering from chicken allergies.
If a dog is allergic to chicken, can they eat duck?
Yes, Duck is safe for dogs. Ducks are not a good source of protein as compared to chicken. The duck is a good option and a safe alternative for pets who develop poultry allergies.
But the only thing pet owner should keep in mind is the duck skin Is high in fat, so before serving it to your dog, remove the fats.
Dog allergic to chicken, is turkey ok?
Is turkey ok for dogs? Yes, plain turkey is safe for dogs. It is rich in protein, riboflavin, and phosphorous and used in many commercial dog diets.
However, improperly cooked and adding toxic ingredients like salt pepper, onions, garlic, and spices are not safe for your pup.
