Can German Shepherds Eat Chicken Necks?

  • By: Justin
  • Date: February 10, 2023
  • Time to read: 4 min.

A common question among German shepherd owners is whether or not it is safe to feed a German shepherd chicken necks.

Veterinarians suggest not giving your dog any meat with bones. The bones can splinter and break into sharp pieces causing harm to your dog. Moreover, a recent study has shown that undercooked chicken necks and wings can cause a potentially RARE fatal condition that causes paralysis in dogs.

Therefore, it is crucial to consult with your veterinarian before feeding your German shepherd chicken necks.

In this blog post, we will explore the topic of feeding chicken necks to your German shepherd. We will discuss the risks of doing so.

Can German Shepherds Eat Chicken Necks?

What Are Chicken Necks For Dogs?

Chicken necks for dogs are basically the normal skinned necks of chickens that have been cleaned. They include parts like the neck, muscles, bones, cartilage, trachea, and spine. The necks should not have the head or body attached; they should also be free of feathers.

Chicken necks for dogs should be fresh or properly frozen to ensure they’re safe for your pup to consume.

Reasons Why Chicken Necks Are Bad for German Shepherds

Are you thinking about chicken necks for your German shepherd? You might want to think again. Here are some reasons why check necks are bad for GSDs:

They Can Be A Choking Hazard

Chicken neck bones, especially cooked ones, can easily splinter into small, sharp pieces. This poses a severe choking hazard for your German Shepherd, as they could easily choke on one of these pieces.

The sharp bone pieces can also cut through the inside of your German Shepherd’s mouth, throat, or digestive tract, causing severe injury.

Chicken Necks Can Be Hard To Digest For German Shepherds

Since chicken necks can sometimes be harder to digest, it’s possible that they could cause gastrointestinal issues for your German Shepherd. This is especially true if the chicken necks are cooked.

When chicken necks are cooked, the nutrients inside them are broken down and might not be as easily digested and absorbed by your German Shepherd’s body. This also means that your pup might not get all the benefits from eating chicken necks that they would if they ate them raw.

Can Cause Bacterial Infections

When it comes to feeding your German Shepherd raw meat, it is likely to contain harmful bacteria such as:

  • Salmonella
  • Listeria
  • E. coli
  • Trichinosis
  • Campylobacter
  • Clostridium

Cooked meat has a much lower risk of contamination. When the meat is heated up and cooked, the heat destroys harmful bacteria like Salmonella.

Dogs can get very sick from eating contaminated meat, causing problems from diarrhea and discomfort and can also cause other severe symptoms.

Note: Even if your German shepherd doesn’t get sick from raw meat doesn’t mean you could be putting your family at risk.

Thyroid Issues

An excessive amount of meat with a lot of thyroid tissues like chicken necks, duck necks, and turkey necks can cause hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism is basically when your dog’s thyroid is in overdrive. This produces a thyroid hormone that usually controls metabolites.

The thyroid hormone levels in the bloodstream affect things like the heart and temperature. This increase in thyroid hormone can cause:

  • Excessive urinating
  • vomiting
  • Weight loss

Alternatives To Chicken Necks

Here are some of the best alternatives to chicken necks for your German Shepherd:

Sprats

Sprats are small, oily fish that are packed with nutrients. They’re an excellent source of omega-three fatty acids, which are great for your German Shepherd’s skin and coat.

Bully Sticks

Bully sticks are made from a bull’s pizzle, and they’re a great source of protein for your pup. They’re also great for improving your dog’s dental health.

However, since they have high-calorie content, you want to make sure to only give your German Shepherd a bully stick as an occasional treat.

Antlers

is chicken necks for german shepherds

German Shepherds can eat deer antlers and they are a great source of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. They’re also low in fat and calories, making them a healthy option.

Check out this related post on Reasons Why Olive Oil Is Good For German Shepherds

Final Thoughts

GSDs cannot eat chicken necks, but it is vital to take precautions and learn all there is to know about this before feeding your dog.

They can be a good source of these nutrients for dogs. However, chicken necks can also be a choking hazard and contain bacteria that can make dogs sick.

Feeding your dog chicken necks is not recommended without consulting with your veterinarian. Your vet can help you determine if chicken necks are suitable for your

Do research to ensure that chicken necks are the best option for your GSD’s health. I hope this article has pointed you in the right direction.

If you liked this post, please check out ” Can German Shepherds Eat Cucumbers? ” And I hope this post was helpful, and thanks for reading!

Justin- Writer & Chief Editor of Bestwatchdogs.com

(Author)

Justin is a protection dog enthusiast. He has years of experience teaching and training dogs. He enjoys sharing what he’s learned. Read More

Can German Shepherds Eat Olive Oil

Previous Post

Can German Shepherds Eat Olive Oil? (Answered)

Next Post

5 Best Air Purifiers For German Shepherds | Hair Odor & Dust