Its Finger Lickin’ Good! It sure does. Football matches, Superbowl, movie nights, dates and don’t know how many other occasions have been made better with Chicken Nuggets! This tasty food has been on the top hog list of humans for years. But that is for the taste and there is no denying that they taste delicious. 10/10 there. But in terms of health the rating would be on the lower side. Well, this is because Nuggets are fried in hydrogenated oil and contain high amounts of sugar, fat, and preservatives. Nothing in this list is healthy for humans. Nonetheless, we humans have little bit of tolerance in general for such foods and it may not harm us so much if eaten occasionally. But is it also Paw Lickin’ Good?
Do dogs like Chicken Nuggets?
These oily finger foods may not be the best option for us to hog on but we definitely do so a lot of times because it’s difficult to resist the temptation. The same is for dogs. These little human-friends are exactly the same when it comes to spicy-oily foods like Chicken Nuggets. The have taste buds which are equipped to love fatty, carbohydrate heavy foods. So once they start eating, there is a high change that they’ll gulp down an entire packet. Also read, Can Dogs Eat Junk Food? Is It Safe?
Are Chicken Nuggets good for dogs?
Not all good things are bad for the gut. But unfortunately, it is the case with Chicken Nuggets for both dogs and humans. Very first thing is that it is fried and that is a big NO for dogs. Most of the dogs are prone to obesity and something which is deep fried in any kind of oil doesn’t help. You may think that Chicken is rich in protein and it might be good for dogs as they get their most of the protein requirement for meat itself. And that is correct but the problem with Chicken Nuggets is that it is very less Chicken and more batter. You should also try, Can Dogs Eat Seafood?
Health benefits of Chicken Nuggets
Are Chicken Nuggets absolutely useless for dogs? The answer is No. are not nutritional as such for your pups. The chicken provides some B-vitamins and protein. And both these nutrients are essential for dogs.
Proteins – It is important for dogs to repair their muscles as well in case of any injury or for gaining strength. Beans contain proteins which can help repairing muscles and other body tissues. In addition to proteins, they are also rich in potassium which can help improve your dog’s nerves and muscles.
Vitamins – are good for eyesight, especially when your dog is matured, as they help prevent cataracts and helps with night blindness and even dry eyes. They are essential fat-soluble vitamin that has functions supporting bone growth, reproduction, cellular differentiation and immune response in dogs. They also boost energy metabolism and assists skin tissue maintenance. For the young ones, they support their overall growth.
This may sound very attractive to you and you may start feeding Chicken Nuggets to your dog but DON’T. These are just notional benefits which the underlying ingredient Chicken has. The overall dish in itself is very unhealthy.
What can you feed your dog instead of Chicken Nuggets?
Don’t get disheartened by the fact that Chicken Nuggets are a No-No for your dog. There are quite some options that can give a similar satisfaction to him/her. These include –
Lean Chicken Meat – The processed meats often contain harmful chemicals which may be very bad for your dog. A better alternative is lean chicken meat. Not only will it be a good treat but it will provide the dog some very essential nutrients like proteins and vitamins.
Fat – Not all fat is bad. It is an important nutrient for both humans and dogs. There are some good options to extract fat like animal fats and oils made from flaxseeds and hempseeds.
Vegetables – Our moms have been telling us since childhood that eat your veggies. The pup should do it too. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and pumpkin can be used in a wide variety of ways as a healthy snack for your dog.
Homemade chicken nuggets – And if you don’t want to settle for anything else but Chicken Nuggets then put in some effort and make it at home so you get to decide what is inside. Preservative and other chemical free, the homemade one would definitely make you feel good, for which you can celebrate by eating the same.
Be ready to enjoy a ton of love in the form of licks after you add a few home-made Chicken nuggets in your dog’s bowl.
But make sure don’t you fall for the licks and end up feeding it more of it. Stick to the recommended quantities., which is 1-2 small bites. More Chicken Nuggets ≠ More Love. More Chicken Nuggets = More Fat = More Problems
What can happen if your dog eats an unusual amount of Chicken Nuggets?
If your dog ate a lot of Chicken Nuggets while you were looking for a movie to watch on Netflix at night or helping your little brother with homework, keep an eye out for the following symptoms of an upset stomach. You should contact your vet right away if you see –
And if your dog is indulged in regular ingestion of these delicacies, it could lead to –
Obesity
Heart Problems
Weak immune system
Which dogs should not eat Chicken Nuggets?
None of the dogs should eat Chicken Nuggets for a healthy lifestyle. But there are some dogs for whom even very small quantities can be very harmful. For them, Chicken Nuggets should altogether be eliminated and other sources of treats should be looked at. The list includes –
Dogs with Diabetes – If your dog has already been diagnosed with Diabetes or any of its symptoms then it is strictly recommended that you avoid these fried finger foods
Specific diets – If your vet has recommended a specific diet for your pet for its training or growth purposes or just for basic health purposes then avoid it as it is very high in fats
Dogs with a higher weight – If your dog is susceptible to obesity or has already been gaining more than usual weight then you might want to avoid even the homemade ones to avoid the risk of obesity
Conclusion
We usually do all the things which we are told not to in specific. Dogs happen to be the same as they will keep asking for Chicken Nuggets again and again once
introduced. And they won’t stop at just 1 small bite. Best is to avoid the introduction but in case an occasional treat is to be given then go for the homemade variant. Remember, a moment on the tongue tip but forever on the hip.
Happy Mood and Health to your Doggo and lots of Love and Licks to you!
