Chicken feet might not be the prettiest dog treat, but they are worth a second look, as they offer valuable health benefits for our canines. Chicken feet are naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which are both known to support the joint health and mobility of dogs and cats. In addition, chicken feet can act as edible and fully digestible toothbrushes, supporting gum and dental health.
Aren't Chicken Bones Dangerous for Dogs?
Most of us have at least once received the well-intended advice to never give chicken bones to a dog. No matter how often repeated, this advice is only partially correct. It is true that the bones of cooked, boiled or fried chicken should not be given to a dog. The high cooking temperatures turn chicken bones into hard, glass like structures, which breaks into sharp and pointy splinters if dogs chew on them. These splinters can cause serious injuries.
Raw or dehydrated (dried) chicken bones, are both considered safe. In contrast to cooked chicken bones, their texture is rather soft and brittle. When chewed, they will crush, but not break into pointy objects. They are fully digestible for dogs.
Besides some tiny bones, chicken feet mostly consist of skin, connective tissue and cartilage. This is what makes them easily digestible. This also includes their nails. If you feel uncomfortable about them, just clip them off.
Benefits of Chicken Feet for Dogs
Chicken feet are naturally rich in protein, glucosamine and chondroitin. While protein is an important source of energy that should, according to the National Research Council, account for 10% of the diet by weight of an adult dog,¹ the most interesting nutrients of chicken feet are glucosamine and chondroitin. Both natural compounds are building blocks of cartilage and connective tissue.
Arthritis, Joint Health and Mobility of Dogs
Countless studies over the last few decades have shown the powerful positive effects of the oral supplementation of glucosamine and chondroitin on joint health, arthritis and consequently the overall mobility of dogs and cats.² ³ In fact, if your dog is suffering from arthritis, there is a high likelihood that your veterinarian will recommend glucosamine and chondroitin to treat your pet.
If you prefer to give your dog natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin rather than in pill form, you may want to consider chicken feet. Based on studies, each chicken foot has about 450 mg of glucosamine. This makes them one of the cheapest sources of arthritis treatment for dogs.
Dental Health of Dogs
Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs, affecting 76% of all canines in the United States. Since 2006, there has been a 23.3% increase in the prevalence of dental disease in dogs, with steady growth each year.⁴
Dental care is important for dogs. Otherwise, it can lead to bad breath and if left untreated can be a source of infection for illness affecting the heart, liver, and kidney. One way to ensure the dental health of our canines is the regular brushing of their teeth. This should ideally be done daily, using special toothpaste for dogs.
If brushing your dog’s teeth is not your thing, or your dog will not tolerate it, then try giving them chicken feet instead. When dogs chew on them, this process will naturally remove plaque and tartar build-up on their teeth.
Chicken feet are not only good for joint pain, but also improve your dog's teeth and gum health.
Where to buy Chicken Feet for Dogs?
Raw chicken feet are often available in farmers markets, butcher shops, and sometimes in the meat department of grocery stores. If you are not into raw feeding, go for dehydrated chicken feet instead. The advantage of dried chicken feet over fresh feet is that they are easier to handle and store. The crunchy texture of dehydrated chicken feet also offers more powerful cleaning effects for the teeth.
When buying dehydrated chicken feet, we strongly advise against chicken feet imported from China. While they may be a few cents cheaper than local chicken feet, various pet food recalls over the last few years, especially of chicken products from China, indicate that no effective quality control measures have been implemented yet.
All-Natural Dehydrated Chicken Feet
Rich in glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility
A fully digestible dental chew, which helps to remove plaque and tartar
Without nails, for the safety of your pets
No antibiotics, hormones, steroids, additives or preservatives
Depending on the diet and the size of your dog, we recommend giving them between one to three feet per day. Please always observe your dog when feeding any chews. Also ensure that your canine has access to plenty of fresh water.
Finally, please always seek the advice of a holistic veterinarian on how to best supplement your dog's diet with new ingredients and treats. We also always recommend practicing variation, moderation and balance when introducing new foods or treats to your canines.
We’d love to hear from you! Have you ever given chicken feet to your dog? What are your experiences?
Raw dog treats include raw (uncooked), dehydrated and freeze-dried treats. While all three types have their specific benefits, dehydrated and freeze-dried treats are the go-to rewards for most situations of your canine companion’s life. Especially single ingredient treats made of premium quality meat, poultry or fish are highly enticing and may offer additional benefits, like the support of the dental health of your dog. We’ll explain the pros and cons of all three categories, and provide you with a list of the top recommended made-in-the-USA raw dog treats in 2020.
Finding the best low-fat treats for your dog can seem like a daunting and overwhelming task. Fortunately, it is less complicated than it may appear at first sight. This guide will help you make the right choices.
Organ meats are more densely packed with vital nutrients than lean muscle meat. In addition to high quality protein and fat, entrails are rich sources of the vitamins A, B, D, E and important minerals like iron, phosphorous, selenium and zinc.
Chicken feet might not be the prettiest dog treat, but they are worth a second look, as they offer valuable health benefits for our canines. Chicken feet are naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin, which are both known to support the joint health and mobility of dogs and cats. In addition, chicken feet can act as edible and fully digestible toothbrushes, supporting gum and dental health.
