Chicken Breast
鶏むね肉・ささみ (torimune niku, sasami)
Definition
A lean, high protein cut of poultry used widely in pet bowls and as a treat, whose effect on the gut depends largely on how much is fed and how well it is digested.
Key points
- Chicken breast is lean and high in protein, which is why it appears so often in home prepared bowls
- Protein that is not digested in the small intestine reaches the large intestine, where it becomes material for putrefactive fermentation
- Cooking it through, cutting it small and keeping the portion sensible are the practical points
- Chicken is also one of the more common food allergens reported in dogs
What is chicken breast in pet feeding?
Chicken breast, and the tender strip alongside it, is probably the single most common animal protein in home prepared pet food. It is lean, inexpensive, and easy to cook plainly, which is exactly what a pet bowl asks for.
Where it fits in gut care
Protein is digested and absorbed mainly in the small intestine. What is not broken down there continues into the large intestine, and resident bacteria work on it through a process usually described as putrefactive fermentation, which produces compounds quite different from the ones that come out of fiber fermentation. This is the reason a very high protein bowl with little fiber alongside it is sometimes linked with strong smelling stools.
That is not an argument against chicken. It is an argument for balance, which in practice means pairing protein with sources of dietary fiber and keeping the portion appropriate for the animal's size, rather than pushing protein as high as possible.
How to serve it
Cook it through, leave out salt, sauces, onion and garlic, remove the bones, and cut it into pieces the animal can manage. Cooked bones in particular are brittle and are not fed. Chicken also sits near the top of the list of proteins reported in food reactions in dogs, so an animal with recurring itching or digestive upset on a chicken based diet is a reasonable case to raise with a veterinarian.
This entry shares general knowledge and is not veterinary advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any condition. If you have concerns about your dog or cat, please consult your veterinarian.
FAQFrequently asked questions
Can dogs eat chicken breast?
Plain cooked chicken breast, without bones, skin or seasoning, is one of the most widely used foods for dogs. It is generally considered acceptable, with the usual caveats about portion size and about animals who react to poultry.
Is boiled chicken good for a dog with diarrhea?
Plain boiled chicken is the standard example of a bland food, and many veterinarians suggest something along those lines for a short period. It is a short term measure rather than a treatment, and diarrhea that lasts, or comes with low energy, needs a veterinary opinion rather than a change of menu.
Can cats eat chicken breast?
Cats are obligate carnivores and plain cooked chicken suits them well. As with dogs, it means no bones, no skin and no seasoning.
Can dogs eat raw chicken?
Raw feeding is a subject with strong opinions on both sides, and the point of disagreement is the handling risk from bacteria such as salmonella for both the animal and the household. Anyone considering it is usually advised to discuss it with their veterinarian first.