Meat · updated 2026-09-12
Can dogs eat chicken?
Yes — cooked, plain and boneless.
Why
Lean chicken is a staple protein in most dog foods and the go-to bland diet with rice. Cooked chicken bones splinter and can pierce the gut; skin and fatty pan drippings can trigger pancreatitis; raw chicken carries salmonella and campylobacter.
How to serve it
Boil or bake without seasoning, remove skin and every bone, shred or dice.
If they eat too much
Cooked bones: gagging, vomiting, blood in stools, pain — vet urgently. Fat: vomiting, hunched posture.
How much chicken for my dog?
A daily maximum for a healthy adult dog, kept inside the 10% treat rule. Enter body weight.
Up to 60 g a day — about half a cup · cooked, boneless, skinless.
Treats of all kinds should stay under about 10% of daily calories. Puppies, kittens, seniors and pets with a medical condition: ask your vet first.
And for cats?
Safe. Yes — cooked, plain and boneless. Cats love it. Can cats eat chicken? →
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This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs, based on published veterinary guidance (ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, AKC, VCA). It is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your dog's weight, age and medical history. If you are unsure, ask them before sharing any human food.