Chicken Allergies in Dogs

Did you know that the most common allergy for pets is chicken?

We’ve all met someone that has a dog who can’t eat chicken. So how do you know if chicken is right for your dog?

Chicken tends to be a common food allergy or intolerance in dogs. Some dogs can have small amounts of chicken, but should avoid it as part of their main diet. Others have to steer clear completely. Some signs of your dog having a chicken allergy are: vomiting, diarrhea, itchiness, ear infections, foot infections, obsessive licking, and other skin issues.

If your dog is showing any of these signs, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian.

Common Myths about feeding dogs Chicken:

1. “How could my dog be allergic to Chicken? I’ve fed them chicken their entire life.” Unfortunately, feeding the same protein over and over is exactly what can build up an intolerance or allergy in your dog's system. For this reason, we recommend rotating proteins throughout your dog's life. This can easily be accomplished by choosing a different protein for your dogs food each time you are ready to buy a new bag, or every month or two. Sticking with the same brand can be helpful to keep nutrients consistent and to reduce chances of stomach upset due to a change in food. We always recommend transitioning over a 1-2 week period when trying a new food by mixing the new food gradually into the old. 

Thankfully, this isn’t true for most dogs! Eggs are a separate allergen than chicken, so most dogs who are allergic to chicken can enjoy eggs without issue. As for chicken fat, most chicken allergies are to the protein of chicken, not the fat. Chicken fat is a very common ingredient in dog food and most dogs who are allergic to chicken can include it in their diet.