Chicken is one of the most common ingredients in pet food—but also one of the most misunderstood. Many pet owners avoid chicken “just in case,” even though there is usually no real reason to do so.
In this article, our veterinarian Henna breaks down the most common myths about chicken and explains what research actually says.
Myth 1: Chicken Is a Poor Source of Protein
🔍 Fact: Chicken is one of the best protein sources for pets.
Among the various ingredients used in pet foods, chicken is consistently shown in studies to be one of the highest-quality protein sources. It contains all the essential amino acids pets need, and its digestibility is generally excellent.
High-quality chicken meals used in dry food can reach close to 90% digestibility. Fresh chicken can further improve digestibility. However, processing and manufacturing methods always have some impact on how well nutrients are digested and utilized.
You can’t determine food quality directly from packaging, but your pet’s condition says a lot. With high-quality protein, your pet will typically have:
- a healthy coat and strong muscles
- a moderate amount of stool
- firm stool consistency
If needed, you can always ask the manufacturer or brand for more detailed information about ingredient quality. Our customer service is happy to help!
Myth 2: Chicken Isn’t Palatable
🔍 Fact: Chicken is one of the most palatable ingredients for dogs and cats.
Chicken is highly appealing to both dogs and cats. This is supported by both owner surveys and comparative studies.
Just like digestibility, palatability can also be influenced by processing and production methods. Certain parts of chicken, such as liver and fat, can make food even more appealing.
That said, individual preferences always play a role. Among different chicken-based foods, one option may be more appealing to your pet than another. The best way to find the right fit is through trial.
Myth 3: Chicken Isn’t a Sustainable Choice
🔍 Fact: Chicken is one of the most sustainable animal-based protein sources.
The environmental impact of pet food ingredients is complex, but in general, chicken production has a lower carbon footprint than beef or lamb. This makes it a more environmentally friendly option compared to many other animal proteins.
Chicken is also widely available locally, meaning it doesn’t need to be transported from across the world like some more exotic protein sources.
In Europe and Finland, production is also strictly regulated, helping ensure high quality and safety.
Myth 4: Chicken Commonly Causes Allergies
🔍 Fact: Chicken is not particularly allergenic—it’s just common.
The exact mechanisms behind food allergies are still not fully understood. There may be a genetic predisposition, but avoiding specific ingredients “just in case” is generally unnecessary.
Among veterinary patients, only about 1–2% of dogs and less than 1% of cats suffer from food allergies. This means most pets can eat a wide variety of foods without issue.
Chicken is often mentioned as an allergen, but there’s no evidence that it has unique allergenic properties. Its prevalence in allergy statistics is simply due to how commonly it’s used in pet food. Many allergic pets have been exposed to chicken, so it appears frequently in reports.
So, Should You Avoid Chicken in Your Pet’s Food?
For most pets, chicken is an excellent choice. It is:
- a high-quality, highly digestible protein source
- very palatable
- an environmentally sustainable option
- rarely a true cause of allergies
Chicken is sometimes avoided unnecessarily. Instead of excluding ingredients in advance, it’s more important to observe your own pet and how it responds—what works best for them as an individual.
References:
Geary EL, Vogel CL, Oba PM, Mioto JC, de Godoy MRC, Swanson KS. Effects of chicken slurry inclusion on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, palatability, and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of healthy adult dogs. J Anim Sci. 2024 Jan 3;102:skae313.
Le Guillas G, Vanacker P, Salles C, Labouré H. Insights to Study, Understand and Manage Extruded Dry Pet Food Palatability. Animals (Basel). 2024 Apr 3;14(7):1095.
Martens P, Su B, Deblomme S. The Ecological Paw Print of Companion Dogs and Cats. Bioscience. 2019 Jun 1;69(6):467-474.
Montegiove N, Calzoni E, Cesaretti A, Pellegrino RM, Emiliani C, Pellegrino A, Leonardi L. The Hard Choice about Dry Pet Food: Comparison of Protein and Lipid Nutritional Qualities and Digestibility of Three Different Chicken-Based Formulations. Animals (Basel). 2022 Jun 14;12(12):1538.
Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res. 2016 Jan 12;12:9.
Olivry T, Mueller RS. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (3): prevalence of cutaneous adverse food reactions in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res. 2017 Feb 15;13(1):51.
Swanson KS, Carter RA, Yount TP, Aretz J, Buff PR. Nutritional sustainability of pet foods. Adv Nutr. 2013 Mar 1;4(2):141-50.
