As humans, we see the joy in every part of a chicken. So we may appreciate chicken getting roasted as a whole.
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But the way the wings are coated into a spicy flavor, the drumstick gushing into the breading mix, and its thighs being covered with BBQ sauce — definitely makes us humans drool!
And the list doesn’t end there. So, of course, chicken nuggets are a clear frontrunner when speaking of a delectable breakfast staple.
Whether we like it or not, this food invites us to crave more! Yet, the question is, can our dogs experience the way we taste chicken nuggets? Can dogs eat this food?
We are curious, too. That’s why we designed this to make your dog’s diet special by checking whether or not chicken nuggets as best for your dogs and formulating the best, safe ways for your dog’s table diet!
What are Chicken Nuggets?
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Chicken nuggets are pieces of processed chicken meat that are breaded or battered and then deep-fried.
These nuggets can be accompanied with a side of ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ranch dressing, or other dipping sauces to give it an extra flavor boost.
Chicken nuggets were out of cuisine invention. Instead, history explains that the idea of Chicken Nuggets was developed in 1963 by Robert C. Baker, a food science professor at Cornell University and director of the school’s famous New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Experiment Station.
Professor baker went on to form his own company called “Chicken By-Products.”
Today, renowned fast-food chain companies like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s have all acquired Chicken Nuggets in their menus.
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Food family of Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets belong to the food family of processed meat under poultry.
Poultry is the term for domesticated birds kept by humans to produce eggs and meat, typically chickens, turkeys, ducks, or geese.
As processed meat, chicken nuggets undergo several processes like mixing (to hold other ingredients together), breading (coating in flour mixture) then finally deep frying.
To elaborate further, some of the foods we take under this family food are bacon bits, smoked sausages, chicken nuggets, turkey ham, or hot dogs.
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Chicken nuggets, together with another food family, are very rich in protein and low fat.
They also contain essential nutrients such as selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium, needed for proper nervous system function and muscle growth.
It can also help control blood sugar levels by releasing insulin into the bloodstream to keep it average.
While chicken nuggets are good for our stomach, would this also be suitable for our dog’s diet?
Can dogs eat Chicken Nuggets?
The answer is YES. Dogs can eat chicken nuggets. And most likely, your dog may love eating this food in time.
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Chicken nuggets have appetitive ingredients that can be attractive to dogs. However, the way it gets processed has minimized its toughness on digestion that can benefit your pet.
However, this food is like any other processed meat that shouldn’t form part of your dog’s regular meal plan.
It can cause obesity over time if not given proper exercise and a balanced diet regimen. This will also lead to digestive problems due to the high-fat content of chicken nuggets.
If you want to give chicken nuggets as a treat, be sure that this will not take up more than 15% of your dog’s daily food intake.
It is also best if you can prepare it similarly to preparing human foods – plain and unseasoned, so you’ll know what ingredients are going inside the body of your pet.
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Do you want to learn more? Here’s how you make the best ways to feed your dogs with chicken nuggets:
Best Ways to Feed your Dogs with Chicken Nuggets
Pair chicken nuggets with vegetables
It’s ideal for pairing chicken nuggets with vegetables to make it a balanced meal. Vegetables are rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins that your pet needs for the day.
It can also be beneficial if you mix chicken nuggets with brown rice or sweet potatoes, which contain a high amount of vitamin B-complex groups like thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin, and folate.
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Serve with fresh fruits.
Fruits are good for humans due to their vitamin content, but some experts say dogs can’t digest them completely, which may cause bloating.
But if you want to give fruits as an accompaniment, make sure it is only one or two slices of apple and not more than that.
Use lean cuts of meat.
Lean cuts like chicken breast are best for dogs because they contain lower fat content – perfect for its growth stage.
Before cooking chicken nuggets for your dog, remove the skin first as it has a higher fat content.
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In this way, you can avoid unnecessary fats from being absorbed by the body of your pet.
Serve with a low sodium broth.
Low-sodium chicken or beef broth is a good alternative if you don’t want to use water in preparing your meal.
You can then add vegetables into the mix and cook until tender to avoid losing nutrients during cooking.
By keeping a chicken broth, you can make your pet’s meal tasty and healthy at the same time.
Reasons Why Dogs Can Eat Chicken Nuggets
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Chicken nuggets may be small, but this food has more extensive health benefits your dog may acquire after appropriate eating.
If you don’t have any idea, we list them down below:
Chicken nuggets can reduce allergies symptoms.
Foods with low-fat content like chicken nuggets may help relieve allergy symptoms like skin irritation, hives, and itching.
This is because low-fat diets can reduce serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) production, which is responsible for triggering allergic reactions on pets with food sensitivities or allergies.
Chicken nuggets have high protein and energy content.
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Protein is a building block that helps repair cells that are worn down due to everyday activities. This food also aids in building muscles, bones, and cartilage that is necessary for your pet’s body.
Additionally, chicken nuggets are a good source of complex carbohydrates, the primary energy source for dogs.
Chicken nuggets can help improve coat and skin.
Foods like chicken nuggets may help enhance the shine of your dog’s coat while making its skin glow because it contains omega fatty acids that serve as a body moisturizer to protect the cell membrane from drying out.
This then keeps the skin’s moisture intact and promotes a healthy coat.
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Chicken nuggets can reduce doggie odor.
Dog breeds tend to produce an unpleasant smell, especially when it comes from their mouth or feet due to bacteria growth.
Foods with high protein content like chicken nuggets help reduce this problem because proteins stimulate saliva production, which balances out the mouth’s pH, which helps reduce bacterial growth.
Possible Concerns When Eating Chicken Nuggets
Aside from health benefits, you have to be aware of the possible concerns your dog may suffer from eating chicken nuggets.
Here are health hazards to watch out for:
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Salmonella and E. coli infections
These food types contain high fat and protein contents, potentially increasing the risk of developing digestive problems like diarrhea and vomiting if your pet’s immune system is weak or immature, especially when fighting off bacteria that cause Salmonella infection.
Proteins also produce ammonia in large amounts on poorly managed commercial chicken farms that can worsen respiratory conditions.
Chicken nuggets are low in fiber.
High-fiber contents help dogs feel fuller longer which can prevent them from overeating and developing obesity problems.
So, if you want to give this food type as a meal, make sure that it is combined with vegetables or other fiber-rich foods to help your pet feel satisfied.
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Chicken nuggets can create allergies.
Dogs prone to food allergies need special treatment when given any chicken because this food contains protein that may trigger allergic reactions like itching and skin irritations.
The best solution is to consult the vet first, then give your pet a small number of chicken nuggets mixed with other types of food.
Chicken nuggets are high in cholesterol.
This can trigger cardiovascular diseases caused by the accumulation of LDL or the wrong type of cholesterol, increasing the chances of heart failure and weakening blood vessels for dogs with health problems.
Consult your vet first before feeding them this kind of food.
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Signs your dog is sick from eating Chicken Nuggets
When your dog excites before eating chicken nuggets and ends in acting unusually, that inclination of energy could lead to abrupt illness.
Whether you like it or not, your dog may manifest these signs of sickness:
Weakness in the muscles
Due to a lack of nutrients from chicken nuggets, your dog may show signs of weakness in its muscles.
This is because it does not have sufficient energy to function appropriately and cannot also deliver oxygen throughout the body which can cause cramps or seizures that would lead to sudden collapse or coma if not immediately treated by a vet.
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Vomiting and diarrhea
These two are the most common signs of sickness from eating chicken nuggets.
In addition, when your dog overheats, it may react to high-protein contents, which can cause abdominal discomfort and vomiting as a way for the body to get rid of harmful toxins or chemicals that a proper digestion process cannot break down.
In case if you notice that your dog is vomiting non-stop without the presence of having a full stomach, get help from a vet immediately.
Dry skin
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Changes in appearance or texture on parts of the skin may indicate some health problems. For example, suppose your dog’s coat looks dry and rough.
In that case, it may be caused by a low water intake, which can cause dehydration and eventually lead to various health problems like kidney failure or even coma if not immediately treated on time.
Bad odor
Some dogs have body odor that makes them smell bad, especially when they get old, but the glandular problem often causes this.
If your dog smells differently from average, it’s best to consult a vet for medical assistance before the condition gets worse.
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What to do if your dog is sick from eating Chicken Nuggets?
Of course, you can’t stand still and look at your dog suffering from sickness. So, you have to bring your dog to the nearest vet as soon as possible.
But, if you don’t have enough time to get your dog or if it has conditions that can worsen its state of health, then call 911 right away and ask for help from professionals who would attend to the situation immediately.
Vets usually provide soluble drugs through injections in some cases like these, which helps dogs recover faster because most body organs are still functioning correctly.
But, in case if your dog is already starting to show signs of severe sickness like internal bleeding or muscle damages that cannot be treated with injections, then you have no choice but to let the vet put it down, which can reduce further pain suffered from starvation.
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Avoid similar foods from this family.
Smoked sausages
Smoked sausages contain a lot of chemicals that can trigger a reaction from your dog’s body. It may not be as harmful as chicken nuggets, but it is best to avoid giving these kinds of food because high sodium and fat contents are considered unhealthy for dogs.
Hot Dogs
It has been said before how bad processed meat like hot dogs is for human health, and the same goes for your dog because it contains a high amount of chemicals that can cause severe damage to its internal organs.
Raw fish
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It is a common misconception that raw meat or fish is a good source of protein and healthy nutrients, but in fact, this kind of food carries certain parasites which may lead to illnesses depending on how sensitive your dog is against harmful germs.
How to Make Chicken Nuggets Safe To Eat
Wow! You’ve made it here. And this part is the most essential of this article since we’re looking after the safety and convenience of chicken nuggets for our dogs.
That’s why, before you leave, here are some tips in making chicken nuggets safe for feeding:
Monitor your dog’s reaction
The best way to know if your dog is reacting well to chicken nuggets or not is by monitoring his body condition.
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You should be able to look at the shape of his ribs which shouldn’t appear too prominent. In addition, you can also check out his eyes, teeth, and gums to know if he is too weak or strong.
Avoid overfeeding
Make sure that you know the right amount of food to give your dog. If it is too much, then there’s a possibility for your dog not to take all the nutrients and minerals properly, which can lead to illness or even worse.
You should also make sure that your dog’s eating habits are fine with other dogs in the house because if he gets quickly sick, there’s something wrong with his diet.
Preventing choking hazard
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Chicken nuggets are suitable for dogs with no teeth, but they can also cause digestive problems if you feed them too much because of their fat and high salt content, making food harder to digest.
And this is why never provide him with chicken nuggets daily since it may lead to choking.
Key Takeaways
We may see chicken as regular food, but it is a different story to tell for our dogs. Every part of a chicken brings so much happiness.
From drumstick, wings, thigh, breast, or pieces of chicken nuggets, you can enjoy eating it, even with your dogs!
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Getting back to our question, yes, we affirm that dogs can eat chicken nuggets since this food comes with appetitive ingredients fit for your dog’s diet.
Being part of the processed meat under poultry products, chicken nuggets are rich in protein and low in fat.
This food also helps shape your dog’s diet, such as selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium, needed for the proper nervous system and muscle growth.
But chicken nuggets may also pose a threat to your dog’s health. When you overlook its signs of sickness like vomiting, dry skin, and foul odor, your dog may develop high cholesterol, allergies, or suffer from salmonella and e.coli infections.
Most essentially, it’s best when we act towards our dog’s safety. So, you may safely feed chicken nuggets by monitoring your dog’s reaction after eating, avoiding overfeeding, and preventing a choking hazard.
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Remember to take care of your dog’s health. Because at the end of the day, it’s a different joy you bring as you care for your dog — your everyday happiness!