When I first got my Basset hound about 10 years ago, I wanted to learn which foods are safe for Basset hound. The first thing that I tried to research is Can Basset Hounds eat chicken. I love eating chicken and I wanted to know if it’s safe for my Basset hound. Here is what I found out.
Basset hounds as a general group can eat chicken, but your Basset hound as an individual might not like eating chicken. Some Basset hounds are allergic to chicken and in that case, you shouldn’t feed them. Be very careful about the bones from the chicken and never give your Basset hound cooked bones.
Many dog foods contain chicken and you as a Basset hound owner might automatically assume that chicken is okay for your pooch. Reputable dog food brands are almost always good picks, but you have to be in tune with your Basset hound’s needs and see what works best for them. If your Basset hound is showing allergy-like symptoms after consuming chicken, you need to consult with your veterinarian.
Feeding Your Basset Hound With Raw Chicken
Veterinarians do not recommend that you feed your Basset hound with raw chicken because uncooked chicken can contain salmonella and other dangerous bacteria such as Campylobacter bacteria and Clostridium perfingens bacteria.
For us humans, raw chicken is out of the question. If you eat raw chicken, you could be facing food poisoning and sickness. But, you might think that your Basset hound has a stronger stomach than you and he could eat raw chicken. You will be only right about the stronger stomach part.
Basset hounds have stomachs with higher levels of acidity than humans which makes them more protected from all kinds of bacteria. We as humans can’t eat raw chicken because our stomach acidity level is way too low to kill all the potential bacteria.
When it comes to raw chicken, salmonella is often seen as the main thing that will make your Basset hound sick. In most cases that is true. Apart from salmonella, raw chicken can contain Campylobacter bacteria and Clostridium perfingens bacteria. Both of them are very dangerous.
Many vets recommend that you shouldn’t feed your Basset hound with raw chicken as a precaution that guarantees your dog’s health.
Some people still choose to feed their Basset hounds with raw chicken. If you are one of them, make sure that the chicken is as fresh as possible. Make sure to store the chicken in the freezer if you are not going to feed your Basset the very same day.
Another important thing to watch for is bones. If you are getting a whole chicken, it will contain bones. Usually, dog owners are more concerned about cooked bones, but raw bones also pose a threat. Chickens have small bones and when you feed them to a full-grown Basset hound, it can be a choking hazard.
Feeding Your Basset Hound With Cooked Chicken
Unseasoned cooked chicken without bones can introduce protein into your Basset hounds diet. If this is the first time that you are feeding your Basset with cooked chicken, make sure to start with small amounts so your dog can get used to this new food.
When I first introduced chicken into my Basset hounds diet, I started off by adding small pieces of boneless cooked chicken into his regular meals. I could tell at first that he loved it, but I still had to add only small amounts because I didn’t know if my Basset is allergic to chicken. Also, chicken can only provide so much. If you are planning on feeding your Basset hound with natural foods, you have to add vegetables.
Make sure to avoid feeding your Basset hound with cooked chicken bones. Chicken bones are already a choking hazard because they are small and can get stuck in your Basset’s throat. Cooked chicken bones are even more dangerous because they tend to splinter into even smaller pieces. Always remove the bones from the chicken and avoid seasoning. Spices like onion and garlic are toxic for dogs.
Basset Hound Chicken Allergies
The chicken allergies in Basset hounds are usually caused by over-processed chicken with chemical additives. If your Basset hound has a sudden skin rash after he eats chicken, he could be experiencing chicken allergy or intolerance.
A lot of dog foods contain chicken. So, even if you are not feeding your Basset hound baked chicken, he is still eating chicken from the dog food.
Most Common Basset Chicken Allergy Symptoms Include:
- Hair loss or thinning fur
- Dry, itchy skin and rash
- Ear inflammations
- Chewing on self
- Dulling of the coat
- Upset stomach (diarrhea)
- Eye discharge
- Coughing
- Wheezing noises
Top Basset Hound Food Allergies Are:
- Dairy Products
- Chicken
- Beef
- Some fish
- Wheat
- Lamb
- Corn
- Soy
- Chicken eggs
- Grains
If your Basset hound is allergic to one food, there is a high chance that he is allergic to multiple food items.
If you notice that your Basset hound is experiencing food allergies, consult with the veterinarian. He can either suggest putting your Basset hound on a hypoallergenic diet or testing food elimination.
I will always go with the elimination diet because hypoallergenic dog diets are often pricey and you are paying for something that you don’t really need. Once you have the list of foods that your Basset is allergic to, avoid them at all costs.
Every time you are introducing a new type of food to your Basset hound wait for 7-10 days and see how your dog will react to that food. If everything goes as planned, introduce another food and again wait for 7-10 days. Do not feed your Basset hound with two or more foods that he never had before.
Sometimes food allergies can take a few days to manifest or they can show up immediately. That’s why it’s important to introduce one new food at a time and wait 7-10 days.
Related Food Allergy Questions:
Do all dogs have food allergies? Less than one percent of all dog breeds have food allergies due to poor breeding practices. Environmental allergies are more common and 3.4% of dogs suffer from them.
Can a dog with a chicken allergy eat other meat? If your dog is allergic to chicken it doesn’t necessarily mean that he will be allergic to different types of meat. You can introduce other meats like turkey, beef, or duck and wait 7 to 10 days for possible allergy symptoms.
