Chicken, it’s a popular food among humans and Shiba Inus alike, nutrient rich, lean and low cost. That is why many Shiba Inu owners are inclined to feed chicken to their Shiba Inus.
But can you feed chicken to your Shiba Inus? The short answer is “Yes”. You can feed chicken to your Shiba Inus but there are lots of precautions that need to be taken before starting a chicken diet for your Shiba Inu. In this blog post I will answer every question regarding feeding chicken to your Shiba Inu and we’ll start with the first question:
Is chicken safe for Shiba Inus?
Yes, any unseasoned roasted, poached, grilled, or baked chicken is safe for Shiba Inus to eat. However, it is always better to introduce new foods slowly and in small amounts at first. This will allow you to watch for any abnormal signs that may show a food intolerance or allergic reaction. If you notice any of these symptoms in your Shiba Inu, discontinue feeding and consult your veterinarian.
You can feed your Shiba Inu boneless cooked chicken, avoiding the skin and bones–but only if they are prepared without seasonings or sauces. Your Shiba Inu’s digestion can be sensitive to spices and sauces as well as too much fat. It is best not to feed your Shiba Inu too much chicken at once as it could cause digestive upset or an imbalance of nutrients in the diet.
Benefits of chicken in Shiba Inus
Protein: Chicken is an excellent source of protein, and protein helps your Shiba Inu grow and repair muscle tissue. It also helps them build healthy bones, cartilage, skin, and blood.
Omega-6 fatty acids: Chicken is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are a type of fat that’s essential for your Shiba Inu’s growth and development. These fats also help keep your Shiba Inu’s skin and hair shiny and healthy.
Vitamins: Chicken is packed with vitamins B6, B12, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, and biotin. These vitamins have tons of benefits for your Shiba Inu—from helping them to metabolize nutrients to keeping their nervous system functioning properly to helping them maintain healthy vision.
Minerals: Chicken is a great source of lots of different minerals that are vital for your Shiba Inu’s overall health. These include iron (which produces hemoglobin and myoglobin), zinc (which supports immune function), selenium (which helps protect the body from free radicals), phosphorus (which helps build strong bones and teeth), magnesium (which promotes normal muscle contraction), potassium (which assists nerve function)
Glucosamine: It helps maintain your Shiba Inu’s joints.
Do all Shiba Inus like chicken?
Unfortunately, not all Shiba Inus like chicken. And if your Shiba Inu is one of the picky ones, accept that trying to feed them chicken will be an uphill battle.
Just like humans, Shiba Inus have their own food preferences. Some Shiba Inus don’t like the taste and texture of chicken, and others might be allergic to it. If you’ve tried a few times and your Shiba Inu has expressed signs of being allergic (such as itching or vomiting), then it’s time to consult with your vet before introducing a new food source into their diet.
If you do find out that you can give your Shiba Inu chicken, start slowly—just a small amount at first. If they don’t show any signs of an adverse reaction, then gradually add more into their diet. Of course, make sure that you cooked the chicken properly before serving it to your pooch.
If your Shiba Inu doesn’t like chicken, don’t worry—there are plenty of other delicious protein sources you can introduce them to instead: beef, turkey, salmon, lamb… the possibilities are endless.
Can my Shiba Inus have chicken every day?
The good news is, there is no rule that says you can’t feed your Shiba Inu chicken every day—but it depends on what kind of chicken you’re feeding him and how much. If he’s allergic to chicken or if your vet has told you not to feed him chicken, then obviously the answer is no.
But if it’s okay with your vet and part of a balanced diet, then yes, you can feed him chicken every day. If you are unsure about how much chicken to give him, ask your vet for advice. Start with small amounts and work up from there—chicken, like any food, can cause digestive problems in some Shiba Inus.
If you want to start slowly, try mixing the chicken with his regular food and see how it goes from there. And don’t forget that even though Shiba Inus love meat, a well-balanced diet includes protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Give your Shiba Inu lots of variety—he’ll thank you.
Can Shiba Inu puppies eat chicken?
Yes. But you should wait until the Shiba Inu puppy is at least two months old before you feed them any chicken. During the first two months of a puppy’s life, they did not yet develop their digestive systems enough to handle all the different foods that we eat as humans. Their bodies need food that is specially planned for puppies in order to get everything they need to grow up healthy and strong.
Once your puppy is over two months, though, it’s totally fine to give them a small bit of chicken, as long as it has been properly cooked. Raw chicken can contain bacteria that could make your puppy sick, so you want to make sure it’s cooked through. You can start with just one small bite at first, to make sure they don’t have any negative reactions to it—some puppies have more sensitive digestive systems than others! If your puppy seems fine after eating the chicken, you can slowly introduce larger and larger bits of it into their diet, but be careful not to give them too much too quickly.
If you’re ever unsure about whether something is safe for your pup to eat, you can always ask your vet for advice.
How much chicken can Shiba Inus eat?
The amount of chicken your Shiba Inu can eat depends on its age, size and activity levels. As a general rule of thumb, for every 20 pounds of body weight per day, Shiba Inus on a raw diet should have about ¼ to ⅓ cup of meat protein. But you should always consult with your vet first, who will recommend the best serving size for your Shiba Inu based on its unique characteristics.
If your Shiba Inu suffers from diarrhea, follow a 2:1 ration with rice—for example, ⅓ cup chicken to ⅔ cup rice if your Shiba Inu is eating one cup of food per day.
As with any new food, portion control is important for your Shiba Inu’s diet; start small and if there are no gastrointestinal issues, you can offer more.
How to serve chicken to your Shiba Inus?
You can serve cooked chicken to your Shiba Inu in several ways, either as part of your Shiba Inu’s regular meal or as an occasional treat.
Along with a smaller serving of your Shiba Inu’s usual food: You can add cooked chicken to your Shiba Inu’s regular food, but remember to give them less kibble than usual to compensate for the extra calories.
On its own as a treat: If you just want to give your Shiba Inu a little treat, they’ll love some plain shredded chicken breast, especially if it’s still warm.
Dehydrated as a chewy treat: If you’re up for it, you can dehydrate the chicken yourself by putting it in an oven on the lowest setting until it gets crispy, or you can buy pre-dehydrated chicken strips from the pet store.
Tasty meatballs: Mix some cooked chicken with some whole-grain rice and vegetables like carrots and peas. Roll into meatball shapes, let cool, and serve!
When is chicken bad for Shiba Inus?
Chicken is a staple in many Shiba Inu foods, and Shiba Inus can digest it easily. However, there are a few situations in which chicken may not be safe for your Shiba Inu. If your Shiba Inu has underlying health issues like allergies, consult with your vet about the best diet for them.
Also, if you have been overfeeding your Shiba Inu, cut back and ensure that their food intake is appropriate for their age and size. Giving them chicken can exacerbate this problem and cause further issues.
If the chicken you give to your Shiba Inu contains bones, it could cause serious problems—so never feed your Shiba Inu bones or other pieces of meat with bones still in them. The same is true of chicken skin: it’s harder to digest than plain chicken meat and should not be fed to Shiba Inus.
Finally, avoid feeding your Shiba Inu raw chicken—it could contain bacteria that is dangerous to both you and your pet.
Other human foods Shiba Inus can eat
What other human foods can Shiba Inus eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Shiba Inu can eat.
So, can Shiba Inus eat chicken?
Yes, Shiba Inus can eat chicken! Loads of Shiba Inu food brands use chicken as one of their main ingredients. Chicken is a good source of protein and amino acids. Some Shiba Inus may be allergic to chicken though, so please check with your vet if you notice your Shiba Inu has an adverse reaction after eating it.
For the best possible benefits, feed your Shiba Inu chicken breast meat and cook it thoroughly with no harmful additives. Take cooked chicken off the bone and serve in small portions. The bone can splinter when chewed and cause choking or damage to the stomach lining.