Chicken is a very popular food among humans, and it’s easy to see why: it’s nutrient-rich, delicious, and low in cost.
That’s why many Great Dane owners are tempted to share the chicken they may have leftover from a meal or just give some of the chicken they were going to use in their own dinner to their Great Danes. In fact, there are many human foods that are safe for Great Danes!
But can you feed chicken to your Great Danes? The short answer is “Yes,” but there are lots of important details about feeding chicken to your Great Danes that need to be considered. We’ll answer every question you might have about feeding chicken to your Great Danes, so let’s start with the most basic question:
Is chicken safe for Great Danes?
Yes, chicken is safe for Great Danes, and it is a great source of protein. However, be sure to cook the chicken thoroughly before feeding it to your Great Dane. Unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken is best. Raw chicken can be very dangerous to your Great Dane’s health.
Cooked chicken is a better option than raw because it’s less likely to contain bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter. It is also easier for your Great Dane to digest. If you are feeding your Great Dane cooked chicken, ensure that it’s boneless. Chicken bones can splinter or break while your Great Dane is eating them and cause damage to their throat or digestive system.
It is best not to feed your Great Dane too much chicken at once as it can upset their stomach and lead to diarrhea or vomiting. If you are feeding your Great Dane chicken for the first time, watch for any abnormal signs that may show a food intolerance or allergic reaction. If you observe any abnormal symptoms such as swelling of the tongue or face, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or diarrhea after giving your Great Dane chicken, contact a veterinarian immediately as these can be life-threatening conditions.
Benefits of chicken in Great Danes
Protein: Amino acids found in chicken (and other meats) are the building blocks of muscle tissue. This can help your Great Dane maintain lean muscle mass throughout its lifespan.
Omega-6 fatty acids: These fatty acids help with skin and coat health, as well as the proper function of the immune system, reproductive system, and nervous system!
Vitamins: Vitamin A helps maintain healthy vision and good eye health. Vitamin B is used to convert food into energy in the body. Vitamin D helps with bone formation and calcium absorption. Chicken is also a source of vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.
Minerals: Calcium is important for bone growth in young Great Danes and for maintaining bone density in older Great Danes. It also plays an important role in nerve signal transmission and muscle contraction. Phosphorus is needed for strong teeth and bones, as well as enzyme activation.
Glucosamine: This amino sugar occurs naturally in the cartilage surrounding joints, where it promotes healthy joint function by helping lubricate joints and absorb shock during movement.
Do all Great Danes like chicken?
Unfortunately, no, not all Great Danes like chicken. Great Dane’s have food preferences like we do and some Great Danes can be allergic to chicken.
Your Great Dane may not like chicken for several reasons. Don’t force it if your Great Dane doesn’t like the taste of chicken. Instead, try other high protein sources like beef, turkey, or lamb. Also, be sure to consult with your vet before introducing a new food to your Great Dane.
Can my Great Danes have chicken every day?
There’s no hard and fast rule about how often you should feed your Great Dane chicken.
First, be sure that your Great Danes aren’t allergic to chicken. While it’s not impossible to find out, it’s difficult to tell if your Great Dane has an allergy to meat. Some Great Danes can be prone to allergies, so if you’re considering switching up their diet or adding more chicken, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet first.
Second, be sure that your vet approves of giving your Great Danes poultry every day. As long as they’re getting the nutrients and vitamins they need from other sources in their food and treats, there’s nothing inherently wrong with feeding them just one type of meat as long as it’s not causing any allergies or digestive issues for them.
Third, you need to make sure that they still balance their meals with all the nutrients they need.
Can Great Dane puppies eat chicken?
Yes, Great Dane puppies can eat chicken. However, we recommend waiting until your puppy is at least two months old to introduce any new food, including chicken. Puppies have a delicate digestive system and should be on a specialized puppy diet for the first few months of their life.
When introducing chicken to your puppy’s diet, start with just a small bite or two of cooked chicken. As always, consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new food to your puppy’s diet.
How much chicken can Great Danes eat?
The amount of chicken you should feed your Great Dane will depend on their age, size, and activity level. You can typically feed Great Danes about ¼ to ⅓ cup of meat protein per 20lbs of body weight per day. However, as always, if you have a question about the feeding guidelines for your Great Dane, it’s best to consult with your vet first.
If your Great Dane is suffering from diarrhea, you can follow the 2:1 ration rule with rice: 2 parts meat to 1 part rice. For example, if your Great Dane is eating one cup of food per day, you can give them ⅓ cup chicken and ⅔ cup rice. This may help ease some of the side effects associated with a change in diet or new food.
For serving size Great Danes, portion control is important for their diet just like it is for humans. Start small and if there are no adverse reactions from your Great Dane (such as diarrhea), then you can offer more.
How to serve chicken to your Great Danes?
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your Great Dane’s diet, or if you just want to give him a tasty treat, chicken is an excellent option.
Here are some ways you can serve chicken to your Great Danes.
-Along with a smaller serving of your Great Dane’s usual food: You can simply mix in some chicken with a smaller serving of your Great Dane’s regular food a few times per week.
-On its own as a treat: If you want to use chicken as more of an occasional treat, you can serve it on its own, without mixing it in with the rest of the Great Dane’s food.
-Dehydrated as a chewy treat: Another option is to dehydrate chicken and serve it as a chewy treat. Dehydrating chicken removes most of the moisture, leaving behind something similar to jerky, which makes for a good Great Dane snack!
-Tasty meatballs: You can also make chicken meatballs (cooking them first). This is especially useful if you need to hide medicine inside the meatball!
-Mixed with healthy grains and vegetables: Finally, you can mix cooked chicken with rice and veggies like carrots or peas.
When is chicken bad for Great Danes?
Chicken is a great source of protein for Great Danes, but sometimes it can be bad for your Great Dane.
If your Great Dane has underlying health issues like an allergy, chicken might not be good for him. If your Great Dane has an allergy to chicken, he may have symptoms such as: rashes, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing and wheezing. If he has any of these symptoms after eating chicken, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Overindulgence is another side effect of too much chicken. Great Danes overeat when they’re given human food—especially if it’s a favorite treat. It’s important to limit how much chicken you offer your Great Dane as too much can be harmful to his health.
Chicken containing bones can pose a threat to your Great Dane’s health. Raw or cooked bones can splinter and become lodged in the stomach or intestines. Bones are also difficult for Great Danes to digest and can cause constipation. If you feed your Great Dane chicken with bones, make sure they’re cooked thoroughly so they don’t splinter easily.
Chicken skin is another health concern for Great Danes that can lead to pancreatitis or even obesity. Chicken skin is high in fat and should only be offered in moderation—if at all—to pets with weight management issues.
Other human foods Great Danes can eat
What other human foods can Great Danes eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Great Dane can eat.
So, can Great Danes eat chicken?
Yes, and it’s a good source of protein. However, some Great Danes may be allergic to chicken, so keep an eye out for any signs of allergies, such as itching or excessive scratching. For the best possible benefits, feed chicken breast meat. Cook it thoroughly with no harmful additives, such as onion or garlic, and take cooked chicken off the bone.