How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks for Dogs (Easy Steps & Complete Guide)

To cook chicken drumsticks for dogs place them in a pot of boiling water and cover the pot with a lid. Leave the chicken to cook for 12 minutes and then drain. Cool and shred before serving to your dog.

In this article we will cover everything you should know about preparing chicken drumsticks for your dog including the cooking methods, the advantages of giving your dog chicken drumsticks as well as the dangers.

How do I cook chicken drumsticks for my dog?

The best way to cook chicken drumsticks for your dog is to boil them. Not only is this method the best, as it holds the most nutrients in the meat, but it is also one of the easiest and the quickest cooking methods for chicken.

To begin with you will need to get your equipment. You will need a large pot, tongs, a wire basket, and a fork. 

To start with fill the pan to about 1/2-3/4 of the way up with water and place it on the stove. Bring this water to the boil. Then place your wire basket into the pan and using the tongs lower your chicken drumsticks in.

Leave this to cook for around 12 minutes. Before removing all of the chicken drumsticks from the pot take one piece and cut in half to check that there is no pink in the meat as this means that it is not completely cooked.

Once you are sure that the chicken drumsticks are completely cooked you can remove all of the chicken from the pot and drain the water.

Because chicken bones, especially cooked chicken bones, can be very harmful to dogs you will need to remove the meat from the bone before feeding it to your dog.

You can do this either when the meat is still warm or after it has cooled down. Taking a fork shred the chicken carefully, pulling the meat away from the bone. Be careful not to get any bone fragments in the meat.

Once you have shredded your meat, discard the bone and leave the chicken drumstick meat to cool down. Once it has completely cooled you can give it to your dog.

Can dogs eat raw chicken drumsticks?

Although some experts recommend that it is okay for your dog to eat raw chicken meat, many still advise against it. The reason for this is that it is better to be safe rather than sorry.

Raw chicken can possibly contain salmonella and other harmful parasites and bacteria that can make your dog very ill. The reason why raw chicken is dangerous is that these harmful things are killed off in the cooking process.

Is boiled chicken good for dogs?

Yes, boiled chicken is a great food for dogs. The process of boiling the chicken locks in all of the good nutrients and makes the meat as healthy as possible for your dog.

However, you need to make sure that the meat is completely cooked until it is white and that there are no pink bits as these can still contain harmful parasites.

Are chicken drumsticks bad for dogs?

Although chicken drumsticks are not the best part of the chicken for your dog to eat, as they are a bit higher in fat than other parts, they are still a much healthier option than many other meats.

However, the main reason why chicken drumsticks can be bad for dogs is that there is a bone. Bones, especially when soft from cooking, can splinter and cause internal issues. If you remove the meat then it is a good option.

Why are chicken bones bad for dogs?

The reason why chicken bones are bad for dogs is that they can cause internal punctures and bleeding, leading to infections and damage to organs and the digestive system.

Even if your dog ingests a very small bone, or even a bone fragment, this can still cause a lot of damage. So, it is important that you make sure there are no bones in your dog’s food.

Are boiled or baked drumsticks better for dogs?

Although both boiling and baking are great methods of cooking meat for dogs because they require no additional fats, boiling is ever so slightly the better option.

This is because some of the nutrients that chicken meat has can be lost when the meat is baked, however, they are retained when the chicken drumstick is boiled. 

Can dogs eat fried chicken drumsticks?

It is not recommended that dogs eat fried chicken drumsticks because they contain additional fats and oils that are bad for your dog’s health. There are better cooking methods for the same meat.

If the chicken drumstick has been breaded and deep-fried then you definitely should not give it to your dog as it may contain spices and seasonings that are toxic to your dog. 

Also, the amount of fat used to cook the chicken drumstick can have serious health effects on your dog.

Are turkey drumsticks better than chicken drumsticks for dogs?

Turkey is better for older dogs whereas chicken is better for younger dogs. The reason for this is that turkey drumsticks contain fewer calories than chicken drumsticks but is higher in fat and protein. 

However, both meats are a good addition to your dog’s diet in moderation. 

How many chicken drumsticks can my dog eat?

When deciding how many chicken drumsticks to give your dog, always shred the meat in advance and weigh it to give your dog the right amount.

For every twenty pounds that your dog weighs you can give them one-third of a cup of chicken.

Should my dog eat chicken drumsticks every day?

Yes, you can give your dog chicken every day. In fact, because it is a lean meat it is normally the main component in dog food. 

Remember to portion their food so that they are getting enough vitamins and minerals.

Is a drumstick the healthiest part of the chicken for my dog?

No, the healthiest part of a chicken for your dog is the breast as this is the leanest part of meat on a chicken. 

If you have the choice between drumstick and breast for your dog, always choose the breast.