Can dogs eat chicken cartilage?
This dog blog will answer the major question, “Can dogs eat chicken cartilage?” we will also discuss the benefits of consuming chicken cartilage, the risks associated with consuming too much chicken cartilage, and how you can serve chicken cartilage to your dog.
Can dogs eat chicken cartilage?
Yes, dogs can eat chicken cartilage. Chicken cartilage is healthy for the teeth and the gums of your dog. It helps to improve joint health and also serves other functions. There are also several risks associated with consuming chicken cartilage like choking and stomach upset. You should serve your dog chicken cartilage the right way.
What are the good effects of consuming chicken cartilage for your dog?
Following are the good effects of consuming chicken cartilage for your dog:
Glucosamine
Chicken cartilage has glucosamine which is a healthy protein for your dog. It prevents many joint-related issues such as osteoarthritis in your dog. You should add chicken cartilage to your dog’s diet. Glucosamine is also essential for the health of bones and muscles. Protein adds to building strong and healthy muscles.
Strong and healthy muscles serve your dog very well as they are needed for playing and running in the park. Dogs are playful animals.
Chondroitin
The next element is chondroitin which is also essential in maintaining the health of the joints and the bones. Joints are sensitive and if the diet of your dog is not balanced it can lead to joint inflammation and other problems.
Joints are in continuous motion so they need the right amount of nutrients to function properly. You should be well aware of the age of your dog because with the passage of time the joint cartilage starts degenerating so it will be healthy to include chondroitin in the diet of senior dogs.
Clean teeth
Cartilage helps your dog to keep its teeth clean. Dogs chew on cartilage which removes any dental tartar on teeth.
Dental tartar is the biggest culprit behind dental problems in your dog. Giving bone and cartilage is very healthy to keep the gums and the teeth clean.
Another problem with dental tartar is the smell of the mouth. It is not good for you and for your family members.
Chewing
Chewing is a natural habit of your dog. Chewing on cartilage is healthy for your dog because it will satisfy the needs of your dog.
Chewing helps prevent boredom in your dog. Boredom is a form of stress which can cause abnormal behavior in your dog. Chewing also improves the health of the teeth and makes them stronger and healthier.
What are the unhealthy effects of consuming too much cartilage for your dog?
Following are the unhealthy effects of consuming too much cartilage:
Choking
The first problem is choking. Consuming too much cartilage can lead to choking which can be very painful. It can also cause respiratory distress in your dog as the trachea lies near the esophagus of your dog.
Following are the major clinical signs of choking in your dog:
- Head towards the ground
- Unable to vomit
- Unable to swallow
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
Stomach upset
The next problem is stomach upset in your dog. Stomach upset is due to the indigestion of the cartilage in the stomach of your dog.
Following are the major clinical signs of stomach upset in your dog:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
Intestinal obstruction
Consuming too much cartilage can also cause intestinal obstruction in your dog. Intestinal obstruction is life-threatening for your dog. Following are the major clinical signs of intestinal obstruction in your dog:
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Little to no feces
- Distended abdomen
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Painful abdomen on palpation
Bacterial infection
If you serve raw cartilage to your dog it will have numerous bacteria. These bacteria can cause stomach upset and other problems in your dog. Your dog’s stomach cannot bear the high bacterial load. The most common bacteria that reside in the raw cartilage are Salmonella and E.coli. Both are deadly and can cause fatal diarrhea in your dog.
How can you serve cartilage to your dog?
You can serve cartilage to your dog by boiling it in broth and offering it to the dog. It is very important that you keep the amount below 25% of the daily calorie allowances of your dog.
You can also serve it as a dog treat because dogs love to remove the chicken from the cartilage. It is a fun activity for your dog.
Conclusion
In this dog blog, we answered the main question, “Can dogs eat chicken cartilage?” we also discussed the benefits of consuming chicken cartilage, the risks associated with consuming too much chicken cartilage, and how you can serve chicken cartilage to your dog.
References
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tracheal-collapse-in-dogs
