So you bought a huge batch of chicken near past due and forgot to make it: should you let it go to the trash or feed it to the dog? Can dogs eat expired chicken? Let’s find out!
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You may have expired chicken in your kitchen and wondering if you can serve it to your dog. Although, it is a common thought of giving it to your dog instead of putting it into the trash. But it is not worth it; you may put your dog’s health at risk when you feed your pet old or expired chicken or any other expired food item.
Like humans, dogs are also prone to many diseases if they eat expired chicken.
In this article, we will explain to you about:
- Can dogs eat old chicken or meat?
- What are the signs of food poisoning in dogs?
- What should I do if my dog ate spoiled chicken?
Can Dogs Eat Old Chicken?
No, expired food contains E. Coli and Salmonella, which makes them very dangerous for dogs as well as humans.
We may think that dogs have different bacteria in their stomach than humans, and in that perception, we might wonder if expired for us is different from expired for them. But in reality, they are the same.
Being humans, we find the leftover food items in the fridge unacceptable after their due date, or they have been lying in the fridge for a longer time. Similarly, they should not be given to dogs also.
Although dogs have more robust stomachs than humans, Old or outdated chicken contains harmful toxins and deadly E.Coli and Salmonella, which could infect your dog’s stomach. While the infection chances are lower than in humans, to be on the safer side, it is not recommended to feed your dogs an old chicken.
Instead, it is always better to feed your pup freshly cooked food from nonexpired meat.
Can dogs eat expired leftovers?
However, cooked and refrigerated leftover food items in the fridge are safe for dogs even after the expiry date of the chicken. Proper cooking kills bacteria like Salmonella, and refrigeration preserves the food.
If you do not find mold growing on the old chicken, it is a safe option. But in case you see mold on the leftover items, you just have one option, trash them rather than feed them to your pup.
Can Dogs Eat Expired Meat?
No, expired chicken and meat are both out because of the reasons above.
Both meat and chicken can carry E.Coli and Salmonella, so neither is safe for your dog.
In case there is raw meat that has been there in the fridge for a long time, just do not even think to serve it to your dog. Uncooked expired meat contains more bacteria than usual, leading to adverse effects.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning in Dogs
The following are the symptoms that you may notice if your dog eats expired chicken and cannot digest it. Food poisoning is a common stomach problem that may take place if you feed outdated chicken to your pup. Let us explore the symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Tiredness
Can Dogs Eat Meat That Has Been Left Out?
No, there are many parasites and bacteria in raw meat, and left-out meat can quickly become dangerous for dogs.
Bacteria, fungi, parasites left out and spoiled are not right for a dog’s digestive system, however strong it may be. In addition, there are several toxins in expired meat, which could lead to adverse effects on the dog’s system.
Expired or outdated meat contains various Penitrem, E-Coli, Staphylococcus, and many more. Here we will discuss how these pathogens are harmful to your dog
- Staphylococcus Aureus can cause Staph, a common infectious disease that can spread from dogs to humans.
- Pentium is a common pathogen or bacterial that is mostly found in mold or expired chicken or meat; it can lead to dog seizures.
- E-Coli- Usually, when meat or chicken expires, E-coli pathogens get active and lead to colibacillosis, a common disease among dogs in the digestive system.
- Clostridium Botulinum- This meat pathogen can cause Botulism, due to which a dog’s nervous system can get paralyzed.
- Salmolena- Due to this pathogen present in expired meat, dogs can lose appetite and can experience more symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and more.
Can Dogs Eat Spoiled Cooked Meat?
In theory, yes, but we would still recommend you avoid it.
Many vets recommend not to feed your dog spoiled meat, whether it is cooked or uncooked. In theory, while you cook meat for long, it kills the bacteria present in it, but if it is spoiled or expired, cooking will not be able to kill the pathogens. Even if you cook spoiled meat, already present toxins won’t get away.
How Long Does Chicken Last Before Getting Spoiled?
Raw chicken unrefrigerated lasts only 1-2 days, while in the fridge, it can last 3-4 days.
At warm temperatures, chicken is capable of growing bacteria and mold. If chicken is uncooked and kept outside the fridge for a longer time, it can get spoiled quickly.
To protect your meat from getting spoiled, either cook it when it is fresh or immediately put it in the fridge. Storing chicken at below 40-degree temperature will prevent the growth of bacteria or harmful molds.
Is it OK To Give Spoiled Meat To Your Dog?
It’s a huge gamble; why take the risk at all?
Your dogs might be able to digest it once or twice without getting sick, but in no way is it responsible for you to willingly feed spoiled meat to your dog.
It takes six days for food poisoning to be visible in dogs, so by the time the dog shows signs, you might not even be aware of what causes them. Although, it depends on the quantity as well.
Answers to Other Common Questions
Can a dog eat raw chicken giblets?
No dogs should not have raw chicken. However, giblets and liver are considered good parts of chicken for dogs. But it should be cooked as raw chicken can lead to Salmonella infection.
Can a dog eat spoiled chicken?
No, you should not feed your dog spoiled chicken. Although dogs have a stomach that is highly acidic still, you should not feed them spoiled chicken.
Can dogs have chicken thighs?
All parts of the chicken are good for dogs, but the best part is the thighs and wings. Thighs do not have bones, so dogs can eat them easily. However, make sure it is cooked chicken and, of course, not beyond the expiry date.
A Few Final Words
It is not advisable to feed your dog spoiled meat that has been kept out from the fridge for long or has crossed the expiry date. There could be many harmful bacteria in expired food, which can lead to problems for your dog or even the spread of Salmonella to you through contact.
We thank you for reading this article and hope we have answered all your questions. If we left anything out, please let us know in the comments section.
We have written about other foods that can be dangerous for dogs, such as gummy bears, leather, rawhide, etc. Please do read these guides and make sure to keep your dog safe!