Can Cavachons Eat Chicken? (Benefits & Dangers)


Can cavachons eat chicken?

Chicken is a common ingredient consumed by people regularly. It’s high in protein and low in fat, making it an ideal component of any healthy diet. With that in mind, you might wonder if your Cavachon can eat chicken right alongside you.

Some hounds are allergic to poultry, but the Cavachon is not. It is perfectly safe for a Cavachon to consume chicken. It’s best to serve the chicken cooked and unseasoned. There is a growing movement for offering raw chicken (complete with the bones), but this puts your Cavachon at risk of salmonella.

Chicken is found in many dog foods, so it’s safe to say that it’s safe for dogs – including Cavachons – to consume. However, there’s a right and wrong way to go about it. This article shares the benefits of feeding your Cavachon chicken, how to do it successfully, and other pertinent information.

Can Cavachons Eat Chicken?

Much like 90% of the rest of the dog population, Cavachons can safely consume chicken. In fact, it can be an excellent addition to their diet. Just look at your dog’s current food package, and you will likely see “chicken” listed as one of the ingredients.

However, just because it’s safe for your furry pal to consume doesn’t mean you don’t need to be careful. Proper chicken preparation is key to avoiding stomach upset and digestive issues.

How to Serve Your Cavachon Chicken

Are you thinking about serving your Cavachon some chicken? You can offer chicken as a snack or an addition to their meal. It can be added right on top of their dog food. Or, you can serve it wholly all-natural with dog-friendly vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, green beans, and carrots. 

When you decide to serve your Cavachon chicken, it’s best to opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts because it’s light meat. Dark meat should be avoided for hounds. While dark meat tends to be more popular among humans, excessive fat can cause stomach issues for your pup.

Finally, serve the chicken 100% unseasoned. This might seem like an abomination, but it’s the only truly safe way to feed chicken to your Cavachon. Seasonings – especially onion and garlic – can be detrimental to your Cavachon’s digestive system. 

With that in mind, simply toss the chicken into a pot of boiling water until cooked. Remove any bones, if applicable. Then, serve it to your Cavachon. 

Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken?

Nowadays, there is a lot of back and forth about whether a dog can consume raw chicken. While dogs’ stomachs are more resilient than human stomachs, they still should not consume raw chicken – especially on a regular basis.

The issue is that store-bought chicken breasts can contain Salmonella and Campylobacter. These bacteria can wreak havoc on your Cavachon’s intestinal tract, causing severe vomiting and dehydration that can eventually lead to serious dehydration that requires a hospital stay to counteract.

That said, while some dog owners feel safe serving their Cavachon raw chicken – bones and all – it’s not recommended. It’s a much better option to boil the chicken until it’s cooked through and serve it that way.

If you’re unsure whether to serve your Cavachon raw chicken or not, ask yourself this simple question – “Why risk it?” While the risk of contracting Salmonella or Campylobacter may be low, it’s still a possibility that can be avoided by simply cooking the chicken through.

How Much Chicken Can I Give My Dog?

As a general rule of thumb, you should feed your dog ¼ cup of boiled chicken per 20 pounds of body weight. So, considering that Cavachons can weigh anywhere from 15 to 35 pounds, you will serve your pup anywhere from ¼ cup to ½ cup of boiled chicken.

Can I Give My Dog Chicken Every Day?

If you have a chicken-loving Cavachon, you will be happy to know that you can give your dog boiled chicken daily. 

However, it’s important to note that chicken shouldn’t be the only food item in your Cavachon diet. While it provides many vitamins, minerals, and lean protein, Cavachons require a well-balanced diet. So, don’t forget to serve your hound fruits and vegetables with their meal.

Benefits of Feeding Chicken to Your Cavachon

Sure, the chicken breast recipe for your pooch won’t win an episode of Chopped, but it is highly beneficial for your Cavachon. Here are some of the top reasons you should feed your hound boiled chicken breasts.

1. Builds Lean Muscle Mass

Due to the high protein content and essential amino acids, chicken can help your Cavachon build and maintain lean muscle mass. This will be especially important in your Cavachon’s later years when muscle mass tends to deteriorate rapidly.

2. Builds Strong Bones

Lean muscle mass isn’t the only important thing to consider when it comes to your Cavachon; you must also consider their bones. Well, you will be happy to know that chicken contains glucosamine, which helps to build strong bones and fend off potential health issues like arthritis.

3. Encourages Healthy Skin and Coats

Cavachons are known for their adorable wavy coats that don’t shed. To ensure their coat looks its best, you should serve chicken to your Cavachon. That’s because the Omega-6 fatty acids in chicken encourage healthy skin and shiny and beautiful coats, too.

4. Supplies Energy

The Omega-6 fatty acids do more than encourage a beautiful appearance; they also help to supply energy to your Cavachon. Sure, your Cavachon only needs about a good 30 minutes of daily activity, but there’s nothing wrong with giving your Cavachon a helping hand.

5. Improves Vitamin and Nutrient Absorption

Lastly, the Omega-6 fatty acids improve the absorption of vitamins and minerals. In turn, your Cavachon will maintain better health and potentially extend its lifespan. 

6. Easily Digested

Another pro of serving chicken to your Cavachon is that it is easily digested. Your dog will have next to zero problems consuming it – as long as it’s cooked properly and bones are removed.

Since chicken is so easy to digest, it’s even safe for sick dogs to consume. So, if your Cavachon is struggling with an upset stomach (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), you can safely feed it chicken (with rice) to help soothe the stomach. 

Hazards of Feeding Chicken to Your Dog

Chicken is generally a safe food item for your dog to consume. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few hazards to consider before serving it. Before placing the chicken on your Cavachon’s plate, here are the top things to consider.

1. Some Dogs Are Allergic

Did you know that some dogs are allergic to chicken? In fact, it’s the third most common allergy among hounds. The good news is that your Cavachon likely will not have an allergy to chicken, as it’s more common in Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds.

It’s still important to know the signs and symptoms of a chicken allergy, just in case. That said, a chicken allergy will show up in these ways:

  • Red and itchy skin, especially on the paws, belly, and face
  • Rashes
  • Fur loss
  • Hives
  • Skin and ear infections
  • Wounds from excessive licking and chewing
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Anaphylactic reactions (swelling, difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse)

If you think your hound – Cavachon or otherwise – is having an allergic reaction, it’s best to contact their veterinarian and avoid serving chicken until a diagnosis has been made. If your Cavachon has an anaphylactic response, get them to the vet ASAP, as this type of reaction, although rare, can cause death.

2. Bones Can Cause Punctures and Choking

When you serve chicken to your Cavachon, it is imperative to remove the bones. Chicken bones can be detrimental to your hound in two significant ways:

  • Punctures – After your dog feasts on the chicken bones, they can splinter, causing a hole inside of the digestive tract. Needless to say, this can cause severe issues that will need to be treated by a professional ASAP.

  • Choking – Chicken bones of all shapes and sizes can become lodged in your Cavachon’s throat, causing choking that may need immediate medical attention.

3. Excessive Fat Consumption Can Lead to Pancreatitis

When serving chicken to your Cavachon, it’s important not to do dark meat or drumsticks. These types of chicken meat contain far too much fat, which can be detrimental to your Cavachon’s health.

Over time, the consumption of fat can lead to pancreatitis. This condition occurs when the dog’s pancreas swells and becomes inflamed. It’s a serious issue that will require medical treatment. 

Final Thoughts – Cavachons Can Safely Eat Chicken

Chicken can be an excellent addition to your Cavachon’s diet as long as it’s boiled with the bones removed. Chicken has many benefits, from building lean muscle mass and bones to encouraging a gorgeous coat. 

You can serve your Cavachon around ¼ to ½ cup of chicken per day, either as a meal or as a special treat. You can even serve it when they’re struggling with an upset stomach.

Do you serve your Cavachon chicken?

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