You’ve just placed an order for some chicken nuggets at your favorite fast-food restaurant. As soon your dog smells the salty, greasy aroma, they start begging like crazy, You think to yourself, “can Pugs eat chicken nuggets?” – is it really okay to share it with them?
Can Pugs Eat Chicken Nuggets?
While chicken nuggets are not fatal to dogs, they are composed of unhealthy ingredients such as salt, deep-fried bread, vegetable oil, and etc which isn’t the healthiest option for Fido.
Fast food restaurants cook their nuggets in vegetable oil, which is known to cause disorders in dogs such as pancreatitis or obesity. As a pet owner, it’s important to know what Pugs like to eat and which foods are actually good for them.
Let’s take a closer look at why you should avoid feeding your Pug chicken nuggets and other healthy options to choose from.
Note: This article is written by someone who owned a Pug for 16 years, I’m not a veterinarian and you should always talk to your vet before making any changes or adding any new foods to your dog’s diet.
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Chicken Nuggets To Pugs?
No, chicken nuggets are classified as “junk food” and are packed with high amounts of fat and calories. Depending on how they are prepared, they can contain unnecessary ingredients and fillers that are not good for your dog’s diet.
While it’s true they do have some protein which is essential for your dog’s diet. Richard D. deShazo, MD, a professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center did research and found that chicken nuggets found at national fast-food chains are a poor source of protein and high in fat.
What’s Inside A Nugget?
Chicken nuggets are unhealthy foods for us, but why are they so bad for Pugs? Well, the best way to understand this is to take a look at the ingredients that are found in one.
Every nugget is different, so the ingredients may vary. Here is a list of ingredients that can be found in regular chicken nuggets:
- Breading
- Boneless chicken meat
- Egg
- Vegetable or Canola Oil for frying
- Spices
- Wheat starch
- Water
- Salt
- Autolyzed yeast extract
- Spices
Best Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Kids love eating chicken nuggets and will gladly share them with the family pet. Unfortunately, all processed chicken nuggets are bad for dogs, here’s a list of some of the best and worst processed nuggets you can feed your pooch.
| Brand | Best/Good/Worst |
| Applegate Naturals Chicken | Best |
| Applegate Naturals Gluten-Free Nuggets | Good |
| Earth’s Best Baked Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets | Good |
| Fast Fixin’ Chicken Nuggets | Worst |
| Tyson Chicken Nuggets | Bad |
Fast Food Nuggets
Here’s a table with the most popular fast-food nuggets and the oil used as well as the amount of sodium they contain.
| Restaurant | Cooked In | Sodium |
| Chick-Fil-A Nuggets | Peanut Oil | 990mg |
| McDonald’s Nuggets | Vegetable Oil | 540mg |
| Wendy’s Non-Spicy Nuggets | Vegetable Oil | 720mg |
| Popeye’s Nuggets | Canola Oil or Corn Oil | 1,821mg |
| KFC Popcorn Nuggets | Canola Oil | 1,890mg |
Are Chicken Nuggets Safe For Pugs?
As you can see, regardless of the type of nuggets you eat, they are not the healthiest option for you or your dog. They contain high amounts of fat and sodium which is not good for your pooch. Chicken nuggets, Doritos, cottage cheese, pizza and etc are all foods you should never share with your Pug.
Don’t worry, I’ll share some a healthy chicken nugget dog treat below, that your dog will love.
The Dangers Of Feeding Chicken Nuggets To Your Pug
As mentioned above, nuggets are not toxic and won’t necessarily kill your dog the day they eat the nugget. However, over time, the fatty contents can cause obesity and can eventually lead to pancreatitis.
Here’s some other reasons nuggets are bad for dogs.
Too Much Salt
Dogs that consume too much salt are prone to salt poisoning. This condition is serious and if not treated early can cause a coma and eventually lead to death.
Avoid feeding your dog foods that are high in salt like bacon, french fries, pretzels, and etc.
Seasonings
The breading on the nuggets sometimes contain harmful seasonings such as onion, garlic, and salt that can be harmful for dogs.
Dangerous Raw Materials
Many people think that chicken nuggets comes from mystery meat. In reality, chicken nuggets are made from “rib meat” which is a natural extension of the breast meat. This means that you’re exposing your dog to meat that can be contaminated and harmful to your dog.
Can Pug Puppies Eat Chicken Nuggets?
No, puppies younger than a year old are still in the growth development stage of life. At this stage in life, they require a high-quality puppy food that provides them with the vitamins and minerals they need.
Puppyhood is never a good time to start introducing junk food into your dog’s diet.
Can Pugs Eat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets?
While they are not dangerous, they do contain high amounts of sodium and fat that are not good for you Pug. It’s best not to feed pets non-processed foods so they stay healthier.
Can Pugs Eat Breaded Chicken Nuggets?
No, many breaded foods are bad for dogs and they may also contain seasonings or ingredients that can be harmful for your pooch.
Not only that fried foods are not good for dogs and should not be introduced to your dog’s diet on a regular basis.
Can Pugs Eat Chicken Nuggets From Wendy’s?
No, Wendy’s nuggets are prepared in vegetable oil and contain high amounts of sodium. If you do share a small taste with your pooch, make sure they are the non-spicy variety.
The spicy chicken nuggets are seasoned with chili pepper, turmeric, red pepper, paprika, and ground mustard seed. Some of these ingredients can cause your pup to have an upset stomach, which can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
Chicken Nuggets Pugs Can Eat
If your Pug loves chicken nuggets, skip deep fried ones that are served in your favorite fast food restaurants, and the processed ones found in your freezer.
Here are some healthier alternatives your dog will love.
Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Baked chicken is a healthier option as it contains fewer calories than deep-fried chicken. You may have to use a little bit of oil to prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan, you can also choose to grill the chicken.
Cut 1/2 pound of chicken breasts in small cube sized pieces. Boil the chicken in a pot of water and roll the cooked chicken in ground flax to create balls.
These tasty chicken dog treats are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids and approved for your four-legged friend.
Veggie Nuggets
You can use broccoli, carrots, golden beets or any of the other veggies Pugs can eat. If your pooch can tolerate dairy, you can add some cheddar cheese. You’ll need to fry them in a tablespoon of canola oil.
Remove from heat and cool for 30 minutes before feeding your dog.
Alternatives To Chicken Nuggets
Most people give their dogs chicken nuggets as a treat. Maybe she behaved well or learned how to do something you’ve been trying to teach her? Instead of risking her health with chicken nuggets, you could opt for healthier options.
Consider giving your pooch the following treats:
- Apples
- Deboned chicken
- Green Beans
- Carrots
- Broccoli
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Chicken Nuggets
Pugs are usually not picky eaters and will eat anything you eat. It’s best to avoid feeding them chicken nuggets from fast-food restaurants. Fast food is not healthy for us and it’s definitely not the best choice for your pooch.
If your pooch loves chicken, make sure you’re feeding them real chicken that is prepared without any seasonings that can cause them harm.
References And Further Reading
Eater – Ryan Sutton – Ranking America’s Fast-Food Chicken Nuggets