Also known as chicken fingers and chicken filets, chicken tenders have become a favorite among homes worldwide. Chicken tenders can be used in a wide variety of recipes and are known for being tender, moist, juicy, and satisfying.
And when you’re a pet owner, dogs pawing at you whenever you’re eating chicken tenders might be a common scenario. The smell and crunchiness of chicken tenders are hard to resist, even your four-legged friend will ask for some from you. But should you give in?
Fortunately, your dogs can eat chicken tenders. As long as they’re thoroughly cooked and given in small quantities only, your dogs can get the following health benefits from chicken tenders:
High in Protein
Chicken tenders are packed with protein, which is essential to your dogs’ diets. Protein provides your dogs with greater bone and body mass, supports stronger muscles, helps in the creation of cells, and improves nerve function. Protein also boosts the skin and coat health of your dogs.
Contains Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 fatty acids are necessary for canines because they’re involved in cell function and cell membrane structure and are required for normal immune function, growth, and reproduction. Omega-6 fatty acids also play an important role in maintaining the skin and coat health of your fur babies.
Has Amino Acids
Chicken tenders are an excellent source of amino acids that supports bone repair and function as a lubricant for your dogs’ joints. This can reduce your dogs’ risks of developing hip and elbow dysplasia, especially during their senior years. Amino acids create a healthier and stronger skeletal system among canines, so they can stay active throughout their lives.
Are There Any Risks of Feeding Chicken Tenders to Your Dogs?
Yes, there are. Giving your dogs chicken tenders in large quantities too often can lead to:
Obesity
Because they’re fried, chicken tenders contain high levels of fat. Consuming too much fat can cause your dogs to gain a lot of weight, resulting in obesity. Obese dogs have a poor quality of life and are at higher risk of developing hypertension, cancer, and heart disease.
May Cause Pancreatitis
Chicken may also contain copper sulfate that may trigger pancreatitis among canines. Copper sulfate is widely used in poultry because it positively impacts the tissue growth, energy metabolism, and red blood cell formation of chickens.
Some of the most common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and trouble breathing. When not treated promptly, pancreatitis can progress to the hemorrhagic form and may cause sudden death.
May Cause Allergies
Chicken is one of the most popular food allergens among canines. If your dogs are allergic to chicken, feeding them chicken tenders can cause different symptoms, including itchy or red skin (especially on the face, ears, groin, abdomen, and paw), hives, rashes, and fur loss. Ear and skin infections are also common symptoms of chicken allergies.
How Many Chicken Tenders Can a Dog Eat?
Although chicken tenders offer health benefits, it’s crucial to control the amount you give to your dogs and how often you give it to them. Ideally, chicken tenders should only compose 10% of your dogs’ overall diets. It’s also best to give them chicken tenders no more than twice a week.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken Tenders?
No, you should never give your dogs raw chicken tenders. Raw meat contains foodborne bacteria, which can irritate your dogs’ digestive tracts. Feeding your dogs raw chicken tenders can also expose them to salmonella — a bacteria that can cause bloody stool, lethargy, dehydration, and loss of appetite.
How Should You Prepare Chicken Tenders for Dogs?
Instead of buying chicken tenders from the store, consider making some at home. This is a healthier alternative as you can serve chicken tenders to your dogs that are free from any forms of additives, preservatives, and seasonings.
You can prepare chicken tenders for your dogs by dehydrating the meat or cooking the meat in a pressure cooker or microwave. You can also steam, boil, or poach the meat. As long as the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 160 F, you can feed it to your dogs.
Can Puppies Eat Chicken Tenders?
No, you should never feed your puppies with chicken tenders. The bodies of your puppies are still developing and their stomachs can’t tolerate fried food. Giving them chicken tenders will only trigger digestive upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Talk to Your Vet
Feeding your dogs with chicken tenders comes with pros and cons, so make sure to consult your vet. Your vet knows your dogs well and can give tips on what you should and shouldn’t do when feeding chicken tenders to your dogs. Their help will go a long way in making sure that your dogs are safe from the risks associated with feeding your dogs with chicken tenders.