As a pet owner, you might have noticed your Bichon Frise sneaking a bite of chicken from your plate.
You’re not alone. Chicken is one of the most popular foods for both humans and Bichon Frises. It’s rich in nutrients like protein, B vitamins, and essential amino acids. It’s also low in fat and high in water content, which makes it a great food for pets and people.
But can you feed chicken to your Bichon Frises? The short answer is “yes”. You can feed chicken to your Bichon Frises. But there are lots of nuances to consider with serving them this tasty meat. We’ll answer all the questions you may have about feeding chicken to your pets below. Let’s start with the most basic question:
Is chicken safe for Bichon Frises?
The short answer to this question is yes, any unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken is safe for Bichon Frises to eat. Chicken is a great source of protein and healthy fats, but it’s best if you feed your Bichon Frise cooked chicken. That’s because raw meat could put your Bichon Frise at risk for bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli.
If you wish to feed your Bichon Frise cooked chicken, ensure it’s boneless—bones can splinter and cause blockages in the digestive tract. It is best not to feed your Bichon Frise too much chicken at once, as it could upset their stomach and cause diarrhea and vomiting.
If you are feeding your Bichon Frise chicken for the first time, watch for any abnormal signs of food intolerance or allergic reaction (this is rare but happens). Symptoms include: diarrhea and/or vomiting, difficulty breathing, itchiness, excessive scratching/licking, weakness, lethargy, sneezing and/or coughing, runny nose/eyes, facial swelling or hives anywhere on the body. If you observe any of these symptoms after feeding your Bichon Frise chicken for the first time then we advise you to contact your vet immediately.
Benefits of chicken in Bichon Frises
Protein: Chicken is an excellent source of protein, with almost 80 percent of its calories coming from protein.
Omega-6 fatty acids: This chicken contains lots of Omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for the health of your Bichon Frise’s skin and coat.
Vitamins: Chicken is full of vitamins A and B6, which help to keep your Bichon Frise’s coat shiny and healthy.
Minerals: With a healthy dose of phosphorus and selenium, chicken helps to keep your Bichon Frise’s bones strong.
Glucosamine: As your Bichon Frise gets older, their bones may feel stiff or painful—chicken is full of glucosamine, which can help reduce this pain and stiffness.
Do all Bichon Frises like chicken?
Unfortunately, not all Bichon Frises like chicken. In fact, some Bichon Frises have no interest in chicken at all. Your Bichon Frises may not like chicken because they are allergic to it, or because they prefer other flavors.
Bichon Frises have food preferences just like people do. Some Bichon Frises may also be allergic to chicken, so be sure to check with your veterinarian before introducing a new protein source into your Bichon Frise’s diet. If you find out that your Bichon Frise is allergic to chicken, don’t force them to eat it by mixing it in with other foods. Instead, try another protein source with similar nutritional benefits, like beef, lamb or turkey.
Ask your vet if they can recommend a high-quality food brand that includes healthy Bichon Frise-friendly protein sources and ingredients that are safe for your pet.
Can my Bichon Frises have chicken every day?
Chicken is a great source of protein for Bichon Frises. It’s also lean and easy to digest, which makes it a good option for Bichon Frises with sensitive stomachs.
There’s no set rule about how often Bichon Frises can eat chicken, though it should be only one source of protein in their diet. Remember that your Bichon Frise should eat a balanced, varied diet. If you’re feeding your Bichon Frise a commercial food or meal plan, follow the label recommendations or ask your vet for guidance.
Can Bichon Frise puppies eat chicken?
Yes, puppies can eat chicken. However, the best time to introduce chickens to their diet is after they’ve had at least two months to adjust to a specialized puppy diet.
Start with just a small bite of cooked chicken in order to make sure your puppy doesn’t have an adverse reaction. Puppies have delicate digestive systems, and you don’t want them upset. In fact, it’s a good idea to consult with your vet before introducing any new food into your puppy’s diet.
How much chicken can Bichon Frises eat?
Bichon Frises can eat chicken safely, as long as it’s cooked and without the bones. In fact, chicken is a great source of protein and omega-6 fatty acids for Bichon Frises.
One of the most common questions about feeding your Bichon Frise chicken is how much you should give them. The answer will depend on the age, size, and activity level of your Bichon Frise, as well as whether they are getting any other meat protein in their diet (or if they are on commercial Bichon Frise food).
Generally speaking, if your pup is on a raw meat homemade diet and is active, they will need about ⅛ to ⅙ cup of meat protein per 10lbs of body weight per day.
As always, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian first before serving any type of new food.
How to serve chicken to your Bichon Frises?
First, you’ll want to check with your vet before including chicken in your Bichon Frise’s diet. Once they give you the all-clear, it’s time to get cooking!
The quickest way to serve chicken to your Bichon Frise is along with a smaller serving of their usual food. If they already eat kibble, just mix in some diced chicken and see how they react.
Another option is to serve it on its own as a treat or dehydrate it as a chewy treat.
For something a little more indulgent: make meatballs out of ground chicken and combine them with a healthy grain like rice, or vegetables like sweet potatoes or carrots.
When is chicken bad for Bichon Frises?
Chicken is bad for Bichon Frises when your Bichon Frise has underlying health issues like allergy. If your Bichon Frise gives you signs of an allergic reaction, like sneezing, itching and redness of the skin after eating chicken, it’s time to take him to the vet and cut chicken out of his diet.
Overindulgence: If you’re giving your Bichon Frise too much chicken, even if he doesn’t have an allergy, it can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. The rule of thumb here is that you should only feed your Bichon Frise 10% of their body weight in treats daily—so if your Bichon Frise weighs 50 pounds, limit them to 5 ounces of chicken per day.
Chicken containing bones: Chicken bones are extremely dangerous for Bichon Frises because they can splinter and cause extreme damage to your Bichon Frise’s throat or intestines.
Chicken skin: Chicken skin contains excessive amounts of fat that leads to obesity and pancreatitis in Bichon Frises. Since it’s unnecessary fat, skip it!
Raw chicken: Raw chicken carries bacteria that can be harmful to both humans and Bichon Frises. Human food-borne illnesses like salmonella can be passed from Bichon Frises back to their owners, so it’s important that any meat a Bichon Frise consumes is thoroughly cooked.
Other human foods Bichon Frises can eat
What other human foods can Bichon Frises eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Bichon Frises can eat.
So, can Bichon Frises eat chicken?
The short answer is yes, Bichon Frises can eat chicken. It’s a great source of lean, easily digestible protein. That’s why we use it as the first ingredient in all of our Bichon Frise food recipes (followed by turkey and lamb).
But as with any food, there are some things you should know to make sure that your Bichon Frise stays safe while they’re enjoying their meal. For example, some Bichon Frises may be allergic to chicken, in which case they should not eat it. Also, for the best possible benefits that chicken offers, feed your Bichon Frise breast meat that’s been thoroughly cooked with no salt added or harmful additives. And remember to remove any bones before serving the chicken to your Bichon Frise.