If there’s anything my dog loves, it’s raw chicken feet. I don’t know if it’s the crunch or what but when I say “chicken feet” she runs to the fridge! I love giving her a natural supplement that she enjoys. Plus, they clean teeth and provide a healthy dose of glucosamine. You should definitely consider raw chicken feet for your dog.
Providing raw chicken feet in your dog’s meal or as a treat is a great way to clean teeth. The thick scaly skin, connective tissue, and soft hollow bones scrape teeth and massage gums as they gnaw and tear. The nails are still attached so if you think this will be a problem for your dog feel free to clip them. Laila has no issues chewing and digesting them, nails and all!
Aside from dogs enjoying the chewing, you have a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin. Not to mention necessary vitamins and minerals. Whole natural food sources should always be the first choice. Actual foods are more easily utilized by the body than anything in hard pill form.
Health Benefits of Chicken Feet
- Teeth Cleaning and Gum Stimulation
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Loaded with Collagen
- Calcium and Phosphorus
- Rich in Protein
- Mental Stimulation
We already covered teeth cleaning but did you know about three quarters of the US dog population is in a stage of dental disease? That’s a lot of dogs that could be silently suffering.
Laila does not want me in her mouth or brushing her teeth. I still manage but I like to utilize her natural drive to chew. She gets raw chicken feet and bully sticks regularly and it noticeably improves her breath.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are the building blocks of healthy connective tissues in the body. This is not only important in aging dogs but young developing pups as well. These natural compounds aid in joint mobility and flexibility, as well as the regeneration of cartilage.
Collagen has been all the rage in human supplements lately. Dogs can also use hair, nail, and skin support. The body naturally produces collagen but it does slow down production as we age. The same goes for our dogs.
Calcium and phosphorus. We all know these minerals are important for strong bones and teeth so why not give them a natural source they will enjoy?
Rich in protein. Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass and organ functions. It also helps build and repair other body tissues. Proteins help make antibodies that fight disease and keep cells healthy. It’s imperative that your dog gets enough protein for healthy body function.
Mental stimulation is important at all stages of life for dogs. Dogs are natural chewers and chewing helps burn energy and ease anxiety in a healthy way.
Sourcing Raw Chicken Feet for Your Dog
So where do you find chicken feet? By the way if your dog has an allergy to chicken feel free to try duck feet.
Oriental markets are a treasure trove for raw feeders. You will easily find chicken, duck, and pig’s feet. You can even find some of the less popular organs at the oriental markets. Think spleen and kidney. You usually can’t find those at the local supermarket. Get familiar with your neighborhood oriental market!
You can find my post about the importance of organ meats here.
Say you don’t want to do raw chicken feet, there are other options. I advise you stay away from any kind of cooked version. Even though the bones are small they can still splinter. Go for freeze-dried or air-dried if you don’t want raw.
In my opinion… and Laila’s informed opinion, raw is best!
Now for dosing. After all, chicken feet are a treat but an even better supplement.
Laila is a ten year old pittie mix that weighs about 55 pounds. She is still pretty active for being a senior too! I feed her two raw chicken feet with breakfast on most days. Smaller dogs can have one and larger dogs are allowed more.
Chicken feet have a higher fat content than muscle meat so don’t go overboard. And as always, reach out if you have questions about raw chicken feet for your dog.
Wag on my friends!
