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Meat & Fish

Raw chicken: Safe for Dogs and Cats?

CautionDogs

Raw chicken carries a real risk of Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination; the AVMA discourages feeding raw or undercooked animal protein to dogs.

Toxic principle: Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. bacterial contamination

Watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Dogs can shed bacteria and infect humans even without showing illness themselves
Full dog guide for raw chicken
CautionCats

Raw chicken is not recommended for cats due to a high risk of Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination, even though cats can carry these bacteria without symptoms.

Toxic principle: Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. bacterial contamination

Watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Asymptomatic bacterial shedding that can spread to humans in the household
Full cat guide for raw chicken

This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.

Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.