Why
Unseasoned roasted, poached or grilled chicken is a safe protein. Cooked chicken bones splinter easily and can choke a dog or puncture the gut.
How to serve chicken
- Cook plain, remove skin and every bone, then shred or dice.
Watch out for
- Raw chicken carries a risk of Salmonella.
- Chicken is one of the more common food allergens for dogs.
How much chicken can a dog eat?
Treats of every kind should stay under 10% of a dog's daily calories, says the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Here is that daily treat budget by size, and how much chicken it buys if chicken is the only treat that day. Chicken has about 165 kcal per 100 g; 1 cup, chopped or diced (140 g) is about 231 kcal.
| Dog size | Daily treat budget | Max chicken a day |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10 lb) | 26 kcal | 16 g (an eighth of cup, chopped or diced) |
| Medium (30 lb) | 59 kcal | 36 g (a quarter of cup, chopped or diced) |
| Large (60 lb) | 100 kcal | 61 g (half of cup, chopped or diced) |
| Giant (90 lb) | 136 kcal | 82 g (half of cup, chopped or diced) |
Less is better for small, overweight or diabetic dogs. Work out your own dog's numbers with the dog food calculator. Calories: USDA FoodData Central, Chicken, broilers or fryers, breast, meat only, cooked, roasted.
Other meat, fish and eggs: quick answers
| Food | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken bones | Avoid | No. Cooked chicken bones splinter and can choke a dog or tear the gut. |
| Ham | Small amounts | A small piece is fine now and then, but ham is salty and fatty. |
| Pork | Small amounts | Yes, plain, fully cooked pork with the fat trimmed. |
| Shrimp | Small amounts | Yes, a few fully cooked shrimp with the shell, tail and legs removed. |
| Tuna | Small amounts | Small amounts only. Tuna contains mercury. |
| Eggs | Safe | Yes, fully cooked. Cooked eggs are a good protein source; raw eggs are not. |
| Fish | Safe | Yes, fully cooked and deboned, up to twice a week. |
| Salmon | Safe | Yes, fully cooked and boneless. Never raw. |
Rules for any new food
- Plain is the rule: no salt, butter, oil, onion, garlic, sugar or sweeteners. Most of the danger in human food comes from what is added to it.
- Keep all treats under 10% of your dog's daily calories (WSAVA). The rest should come from a complete dog food.
- Check labels for xylitol, raisins, chocolate and macadamia nuts, which turn up in baked goods, snacks and spreads.
- If your dog has a health condition, such as diabetes, pancreatitis or kidney disease, ask your vet before adding any new food.
Frequently asked questions
Is chicken safe for dogs?
Yes. Plain cooked chicken is a good protein source. Never cooked bones.
How much chicken can a dog eat?
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of a dog's daily calories (WSAVA). For a 30 lb dog that is about 59 kcal a day, or roughly 36 g of chicken if it is the only treat that day.
Sources
- American Kennel Club, "Can Dogs Eat Chicken?" (updated Feb 23, 2026)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets"
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, "Feeding treats to your dog"
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018 release)
Checked October 17, 2026. We are a reference, not a vet: if in doubt, call yours. How we check.