You may have heard that you can give chicken feet to dogs, but is this true? To come up with a safe answer, it's important to consider several aspects - including the nutritional characteristics of the food, the dangers of raw meat and bone for dogs, and much more. Read on to understand better!

Learn about the benefits of crow's feet for dogs

Giving chicken feet to dogs has become a common practice among some guardians because, in fact, the food is rich in vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, selenium, calcium and phosphorus. Chicken feet are also a great source of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and collagen, which are directly linked to the proper functioning of the animal's joints and cartilage.

When raw, chicken feet bones still contribute to the oral health of dogs, as they help clean the dog's teeth and fight canine tartar. However, many argue that you cannot give raw chicken feet to dogs.

Can you give raw chicken feet to a dog? Know the risks

Both the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the American Veterinary Medical Association contraindicate the introduction of raw meats in dog food. Following this recommendation is important to avoid contamination that threatens not only the health of the animals, but that of the guardian and the whole family as well.

Raw chicken meat, in particular, can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter, which are responsible for causing serious food poisoning. Therefore, there is no way to give raw chicken feet to dogs in a 100% safe way.

Some people say that freezing chicken feet for dogs is enough to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms, but unfortunately, this is not true. The only proven effective way to kill these bacteria in chicken meat is to subject the food to temperatures above 65-70 ° C. However, offering cooked chicken feet to dogs also presents some risks.

Cooking chicken feet for dogs: why is it not recommended?

By cooking chicken feet for dogs, you eliminate the threats associated with bacterial contamination. However, another problem arises: when cooked, the bones of chicken feet become brittle and fragile - meaning they could easily break apart and cause injury or blockages in the dog's digestive system.

With this in mind, the best way to give chicken feet to dogs is through snacks, grinding the cooked food in a blender. If in doubt, talk to your vet. The professional can give you useful tips on how to make chicken feet for dogs and even suggest unusual recipes (such as making collagen with chicken feet for dogs, for example). It is worth getting informed!

Industrial treats can be an alternative to chicken feet for dogs

Commercial snacks can - and should - be considered when diversifying a dog's diet. For those who want to enjoy the benefits of chicken, there are several chicken-flavored treats on the market, suitable for animals of all ages and sizes.

One of them that is very popular is the snack to clean dog teeth, which has no artificial colors and flavors and has the ideal amount of calories for daily use. In addition, it still helps to keep pets' oral health up to date!

There are also dog cookies in the same flavour, which are low in calories, delicious and very crunchy. They also contain calcium and several other important nutrients, such as omega 3 and 6, amino acids and a mix of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. But remember: always look for dog treats from trusted brands and preferably without artificial colors.