NO, CHICKEN DOES NOT CAUSE ALLERGIES IN DOGS AND CATS!
Chicken is a meat commonly used in pet food because it is readily available on the market. In fact, many foods contain at least some chicken, even if it is not the only ingredient.
Food intolerances and allergies are fairly common in pets nowadays, but it is wrong to blame chicken from the outset, simply because this is an opinion with no scientific basis and stems from a common misconception.
THE BENEFITS OF CHICKEN
In fact, chicken is an excellent food, mainly because of its nutritional composition, which provides:
- High protein content. Chicken protein is a high-quality protein with an excellent amino acid profile, as it contains all the essential amino acids in adequate amounts.
- Low fat content. This characteristic can be beneficial in various physiological situations, such as in overweight dogs, or in pathological conditions such as pancreatitis, cholecystitis/gallstones, and gastrointestinal disorders.
So-called “offal” also has some positive qualities. For example, liver is rich in vitamins (especially vitamins A, B, and D) and minerals (such as zinc and selenium). Gizzards, on the other hand, have a high protein content and high biological value.
BEWARE OF LEFTOVERS AND RAW MEAT
When we give our friend commercial food, we know it is strictly controlled. But if we decide to give our furry friend chicken at home, there are some things we need to know:
- Raw chicken may carry a high microbial load, so cooking it is always recommended.
- Debone the meat, as chicken bones could be dangerous if swallowed. Splinters could cause damage all the way from the mouth and esophagus to the gastrointestinal tract.
- Unlike the meat, chicken skin is very high in fat and should therefore be avoided in some pathological conditions.
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
But what does science tell us about chicken? Various studies on food intolerances and allergies do not rank chicken among the leading causes. For example, in Mueller’s study*, chicken was implicated in only 15% of cases, after beef and dairy products, while in cats it was implicated in just 5% of cases… So, let’s listen less to rumors and more to science!
Dr. Simone Falci
Veterinarian specializing in nutrition
REFERENCES
*Mueller et al., 2016