Everybody gets excited when they see a rotisserie chicken turning golden brown on the spit. Specifically canines. If you’re planning on bringing one home for dinner soon, consider giving your dog a small piece as a snack.
But, is rotisserie chicken safe for dogs to eat? As a general rule, chicken is a healthy option for canine diets.
It’s important to remember a few things when feeding your dog rotisserie chicken to ensure its optimal health.
Read on to learn the best ways to feed rotisserie chicken to your dog and whether or not it is healthier than commercially available dog food.
Can Dogs Eat Rotisserie Chicken?
If you want a quick answer, then yes. Chicken from a rotisserie is safe for dogs to eat. Some dog owners even give their pets table scraps from the daily rotisserie chicken dinner.
Chicken is a canine favorite, and when grilled over an open flame, it tastes even better.
Dogs shouldn’t eat nothing but rotisserie chicken, though. Before making rotisserie chicken a staple of your dog’s diet, think about how it would fit into the big picture.
Furthermore, the chicken may contain oils and fats that are unhealthy for dogs to consume on a regular basis, depending on the preparation method.
While avoiding fats is ideal when planning your dog’s diet, it may be impossible to completely eliminate them. In addition, you should try to eat other, healthier foods at the same time.
Nutrition Of Rotisserie Chicken
A whole chicken is roasted on a rotating spit over a flame, and the result is known as rotisserie chicken. Chicken is traditionally roasted over an open flame. Of course, electric or gas-powered heating elements are commonly used in commercial versions of the rotisserie chicken.
Brine injections are commonly used in commercial rotisserie cooking to increase the amount of moisture retained in the chicken. The flavor can be enhanced by adding other ingredients. Among Walmart’s rotisserie chicken options is one that specifically states it is flavored with garlic, which is obviously not good for dogs.
As well as salt, onion, garlic, and paprika, it also has maltodextrin, sodium phosphates, and natural flavor.
For some rotisserie chickens, both brine and phosphates are used as preservatives to prevent the meat from spoiling and to kill any bacteria that might have made it into the chicken during the cooking process.
Since these additives are typically found in trace amounts, they are unlikely to cause problems for most people (or dogs) unless they have a preexisting condition. If you don’t eat the skin, you won’t ingest the majority of them.
Take a look at this illustration of seasoned rotisserie chicken: A serving of rotisserie chicken (about 3.5 ounces) contains 0 g of carbohydrates, 64 g of fats, and 36 g of protein.
It’s rich in selenium and a good source of protein, phosphorus, niacin, and other B vitamins. The bad news is that it’s loaded with unhealthy ingredients like trans fat and sodium.
There are 260 calories, 18.6 grams of fat, 4.9 grams of saturated fat, and 23.2 grams of protein in a 100-gram serving.
However, it contains 584 grams of sodium, which is equivalent to 25% of an adult’s recommended daily intake. Only 100 milligrams of sodium is required daily for a 30 pound dog.
Weight-watchers recommend removing the skin from rotisserie chicken before consumption. Calories are highest in the thigh and lowest in the breast. Additionally, the breast is where you’ll find the most protein.
If you have a rotisserie oven, you can easily roast your own chicken for a delicious rotisserie meal. If so, you’ll have complete say over what goes into it. You must be careful to only purchase a whole chicken that has not been treated with any solutions (such as brine or other preservatives).
In modern times, the rotisserie oven has become the standard method for cooking rotisserie chicken. However, you could also roast the chicken over an open fire or on a barbecue spit in the great outdoors. In that case, you shouldn’t season the chicken with anything extra before cooking it.
Make sure the rotisserie chicken doesn’t get burned if you’re grilling it over an open flame. The roasting spit must rotate steadily, or be turned by hand on a regular basis.
You should remove any blackened, charred, or burned pieces from your rotisserie chicken.
Meats can produce HCAs (heterocyclic amines) if cooked at high temperatures or for extended periods of time. Because HCAs have been linked to cancer in animals when consumed in large quantities, it is best to avoid them.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be produced in the fat drippings of a rotisserie chicken cooked over an open flame. These potentially carcinogenic PAHs can be transferred to the meat when smoke drifts over it during cooking.
Most of these concerns disappear when using a rotisserie oven.
When compared to other types of chicken, rotisserie chicken that has already been cooked is typically the most cost-effective option. It’s very convenient because you can bring it home and have it ready to eat in just a few minutes. Furthermore, it’s a much better option than eating fried chicken or chicken nuggets.
Additionally, compared to fast food chicken or restaurant fried chicken, rotisserie chicken has fewer calories and less fat.
Is Rotisserie Chicken Good for Dogs?
When done right, rotisserie chicken is a canine’s dream meal. Rotisserie chicken is an excellent source of the lean protein that is the foundation of a diet for a healthy dog. However, not all chicken is safe for canines to eat.
You shouldn’t give your dog any part of a chicken, but especially the skin. That’s where the bird’s own fat and any additional seasonings go. By omitting it, a rotisserie chicken can become a very nutritious option for dinner.
In addition, never give your dog a chicken bone. Dogs can break down most of the bone, but there is still a risk of choking and splintering. Worse, they could cause damage to your dog’s throat if they pass through there on their way to the stomach.
How much rotisserie chicken can you give your dog?
Rotisserie chicken is a healthy option because the meat is high in protein and low in fat. There are no carbs in this.
As was previously mentioned, there are roughly 260 calories in 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of rotisserie chicken. Most dogs will be satisfied with that amount.
Shred the chicken and mix it in with your dog’s regular food.
If your dog is sick and recovering, you can use rotisserie chicken to make a broth for him (consult your vet first). You can make a comforting meal by combining the chicken with rice.
How often can you give your dog rotisserie chicken?
We advise against giving your dog a treat of rotisserie chicken on a daily basis due to the high sodium content of most commercially available rotisserie chicken.
Chickens used in commercial rotisseries are often brined or soaked in a salt solution before being cooked. Chicken that has been soaked in brine for a few days will absorb some of the sodium into the meat, even after the skin has been removed. Meat from a rotisserie chicken will increase your dog’s sodium intake.
If your dog eats rotisserie chicken occasionally, this extra sodium should not be harmful in small amounts.
Your dog can safely consume a small amount of rotisserie chicken meat once a week unless he has kidney problems or another condition that would make this unhealthy for him.
Before feeding rotisserie chicken to your dog, it’s a good idea to consult with a vet.
Can I Feed My Dog Rotisserie Chicken Regularly?
Rotisserie chicken is a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, provided the skin and bones are removed first. They’ll love it if you make it the centerpiece of their meals on a regular basis.
A dog doesn’t just need rotisserie chickens to get big and strong, though. Rotisserie chicken is deficient in the complex carbohydrates and lean protein that are essential to a dog’s diet.
Mixing rotisserie chicken with other ingredients like carrots, peas, celery, and brown rice makes for a balanced and nutritious meal for your dog.
To ensure your dog finishes their meal, shred the chicken and mix all of the ingredients together.
This will guarantee that your dog receives the essential nutrients it needs to keep a healthy weight and enjoy a long, fulfilling life with you.
Is Rotisserie Chicken Better Than Dry Dog Food?
The type of canned or dry dog food you feed your dog will determine the answer. Many popular brands of dog food undergo extensive processing, leading to the addition of ingredients you may not want your dog to eat.
As it contains fewer additives and preservatives than commercial dog food, rotisserie chicken is the superior choice for your pet’s health. However, rotisserie chicken should be eaten in moderation and in conjunction with other foods to maintain a healthy diet. If you don’t give it chicken on a regular basis, it might be better off eating dog food.
Can I Make Rotisserie Chicken for Dogs?
Yes, of course! You should try your hand at making rotisserie chicken if you have the necessary equipment and utensils. To properly cook a chicken, all you need is a spit roast, the chicken, and a very hot stove or grill.
You can even roast it in the oven, though the resulting chicken will likely contain more unhealthy oils and fats than one roasted over an open fire.
To avoid this, use very little oil and no butter when cooking the chicken. Thus, your roasted bird will be a perfectly nutritious meal for your dog.
Keep in mind that raw chicken is safe for canine consumption. But many people are nervous about giving their dog raw meat. Don’t freak out if the middle of your turkey is still pink. Even if your dog is a little raw, it should be fine.
Where Can I Buy Rotisserie Chicken for Dogs?
A rotisserie chicken is something you can find in the grocery section of most stores, including the one you frequent. While some stores may only stock their own brand of chicken, others may offer a wider variety.
A single leg or even two legs are available as individual servings. To properly prepare rotisserie chicken for canine consumption, however, the whole bird should be purchased. You’ll have enough puppy food for several days, with some leftover for you.
Research the chicken’s nutritional information before selecting it as a dog’s rotisserie meal.
Depending on the method of cooking, some foods may have a higher fat content than others. Choose one that is minimally processed and as lean as possible, ideally with a low percentage of saturated fat and oil.
Conclusion
Chicken that has been roasted on a spit is easy to prepare, costs little, and tastes great. The vast majority of canines feel the same way. Due to the cooked bones and added ingredients, you should exercise caution before feeding it to your dog.
Phosphates are commonly used as preservatives, but they should be avoided if your dog has kidney disease.
Even though the protein in rotisserie chicken is beneficial to your dog, you should only give him a very small amount of it on a very rare occasion due to the high sodium content.