Short answer: Dried chicken and duck feet are a suitable chew for most adult dogs, as long as you give them as they come out of the pack, in a suitable size and under supervision. Never cook or roast feet yourself, because cooked bones can splinter. Mind the fat: according to our labels, poultry feet contain roughly a quarter to a third crude fat. If your dog gulps, choose a larger size or a different treat.
Are chicken feet safe for dogs?
A dried chicken foot consists mainly of skin, tendons, cartilage and small bones, with little meat. Drying makes the foot crunchy. Your dog has to crunch and gnaw before anything can be swallowed, which makes feet a short chewing moment.
For most healthy adult dogs, that goes well. The risk lies mainly with dogs that do not chew but try to swallow a whole foot in one go. That is why you always give feet under supervision, in a size that suits your dog. The full range is in the feet for dogs collection.
Dried or cooked: why does it matter?
Cooked bones are never suitable for dogs: cooking makes them brittle and they can splinter into sharp pieces. That also applies to leftovers from a roast chicken. So give feet as they come out of the pack and do not prepare them yourself in a pan or oven. Dried feet should also be given under supervision, because the bones are small and a gulping dog can swallow them whole.
What is in feet and necks according to the label?
We compared the labels of our poultry feet and necks. Crude ash is the mineral part; in feet and necks it comes largely from the small bones. The values vary from batch to batch, so the label on your pack is what counts.
| Product | Crude protein | Crude fat | Crude ash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canis Chicken Foot White | 53.6 percent | 31.3 percent | 10.0 percent |
| Canis Chicken Foot Natural | 47.80 percent | 30.10 percent | 14.93 percent |
| Canis Duck Feet | 44.00 percent | 26.90 percent | 20.31 percent |
| Canis Turkey Foot Natural | 45.71 percent | 24.62 percent | 25.21 percent |
| Canis Chicken Neck | 55.90 percent | 24.00 percent | 17.19 percent |
| Canis Duck Necks | 56.25 percent | 7.00 percent | 26.34 percent |
What stands out: poultry feet are fairly fatty, chicken feet most of all. According to the label, duck necks are much leaner than the feet. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or needs to watch their weight, give feet in moderation.
Which dogs are feet suitable for?
- Adult dogs: our poultry feet and necks are intended for adult dogs, not for puppies while their teeth are changing.
- Small and medium-sized dogs: chicken and duck feet are small; a turkey foot suits larger dogs better.
- Calm chewers: dogs that chew first before swallowing get the most out of them.
- Allergy: chicken is often mentioned as a source of food allergy. If your dog reacts to chicken, consult your vet before trying other poultry.
What do you do if your dog gulps?
A dog that gulps is the main reason to be careful with feet. What helps:
- Choose larger: a turkey foot is longer than a chicken foot and harder to swallow in one go.
- Hold the end: that way your dog has to gnaw instead of swallow.
- Give it in a quiet spot: not when other dogs are around that might take the treat away.
- Stop if it does not work: if your dog keeps gulping, choose a treat that cannot be swallowed in one go.
If your dog chokes, or vomits repeatedly afterwards, stops eating or seems to be in pain, go to the vet straight away. You can read more about safe chewing in which chews are safe for dogs.
How many feet can your dog have?
For all treats together, the rule of thumb is about 10 percent of the daily energy. Because feet are fairly fatty, they add up quickly, especially for a small dog. If you give a few feet on a particular day, give fewer other treats or a little less of the main food. How to work that out is explained in how many treats can a dog have per day.
Are necks an alternative?
Poultry necks are, like feet, a chew with small bones, but your dog usually spends a little longer on them. According to the label, duck necks are much leaner than feet. If you are looking for something without bones, beef neck muscle is an option: a dried muscle that is also listed as suitable for puppies in our product data. You will find them under necks for dogs. What suits puppies is explained in from what age can a puppy have chews.
Ingrid's tip: Give the first foot from your hand and hold the end. That way you see straight away how your dog handles it: if they nibble calmly, you can simply give them a foot next time; if they try to swallow it in one go, choose a larger size.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog eat cooked chicken feet?
No. Cooked bones can splinter. Give feet as they come out of the pack and do not prepare them yourself.
Are duck feet better than chicken feet?
Not necessarily better, but different. According to our labels, duck feet contain slightly less fat and more crude ash than chicken feet. Duck is also a change of protein source.
How many feet can a small dog have per day?
That depends on its weight and what else it eats. Keep all treats together within about 10 percent of the daily energy; for a small dog that is often no more than a single foot.
Can puppies have chicken feet?
Our feet are intended for adult dogs. For puppies, our beef neck muscle, without bones, is listed as suitable in our product data.
What is the difference between white and natural chicken feet?
They differ in the way they are cleaned and dried, which you can see in the colour and smell in the odour. According to our labels, the white ones contain slightly more protein and less crude ash.
Sources
- American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Bones? (cooked bones splinter, supervision, size)
- Dierenkliniek De Arker, Risico's van hondensnacks (choking, supervision)
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, Global Nutrition Guidelines (treats as part of the daily energy intake)
About the author
Ingrid Kooijman is the founder of Canis Snacks. She selects natural single-protein dog treats, sells them online and at markets in Brabant, and answers dog owners' questions about food and chews every day. Questions about this article? Email info@canissnacks.com.
