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Chick-fil-A has been serving up its famous chicken sandwiches and other tasty menu items since 1967. Founder Truett Cathy opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta’s Greenbrier Shopping Center, and today, the restaurant is the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the US. Humans are obviously fans of the restaurant, but what about dogs? Can dogs eat Chick-fil-A? The answer is that it depends on the item and how much they eat.
We can’t definitively say dogs can eat Chick-fil-A because it depends on what menu item, how much you let your dog have, and whether your pup suffers from any underlying health concerns.
No matter what item on the menu you choose, it should be an occasional treat only and avoided entirely if your pup is on a low-fat or calorie diet, or has underlying health conditions such as gastrointestinal issues or pancreatitis Let’s take a closer look into the different items the restaurant has and whether or not you can let your dog have a taste safely.
Can Dogs Eat Chick-fil-A?
When you think of Chick-fil-A, the chicken sandwich often comes to mind. However, they have quite a few types of chicken sandwiches: the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, the Chick-fil-A Deluxe Sandwich, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich, the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, the Spicy Deluxe Chicken Sandwich, and the Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich. Let’s compare them all and take a closer look at the ingredients and other items on the menu.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
For humans, the grilled option is healthier because it’s not fried, has lower sodium content, and is only 390 calories, but can you give your dog a bite? After further research, we learned that the grilled chicken sandwich has garlic powder and onion powder, both of which are unsafe for dogs to consume. In short, you should avoid giving your dog a bite of the grilled chicken sandwich, even though the sandwich is grilled and not fried.
Classic Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich contains 420 calories and offers a crispy chicken treat seasoned to perfection on a toasted bun with pickles. You can let your dog have an occasional bite of this sandwich without the pickles, as they contain a significant amount of sodium. The bread is also safe, but don’t let your dog have too much and too often, as bread contains a high amount of carbs your dog simply does not need. We also did not find garlic or onion powder in the ingredient list for this sandwich, making it a safe option.
A general rule is not to let your dog have an entire sandwich or huge portions of other menu items. That said, you can give him a bite or two, but we can’t recommend any more than that.
Chicken Nuggets
The chicken nuggets come in various counts of your choice: 5 count, 8 count, 12 count, and 30 count. These nuggets are essentially the same type of chicken used in the chicken sandwich, only in small bites, but they are fried, and you should only occasionally let your dog have a small bite. Also, avoid letting your dog have a bite with dipping sauce.
Grilled Nuggets
Like the grilled chicken sandwich, the grilled nuggets may sound like a healthier option to give your dog, but they also contain onion powder and garlic powder, which is unsafe and potentially toxic to your dog.
Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
The ingredients in any spicy item on the menu should be avoided due to the spices and red peppers used for heat, which can cause your dog digestive issues, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and an uncomfortable burning in the mouth and digestive tract.
Items and Ingredients to Avoid Giving Your Dog at Chick-fil-A
There are some items you should avoid giving your dog due to the ingredients they contain. Let’s check them out.
Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap
There are a few potential problems with letting your dog have a bite of this wrap. First, it contains Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses. While cheese is not toxic to dogs, it does have high fat content, and some dogs may be lactose intolerant.
Next, this wrap may be eaten with an avocado lime dressing. Avocado is not technically toxic to dogs and they are more resistant to persin, the fungicidal toxin that avocados contain. Although the amount of avocado in the dressing is unlikely to cause any serious issues, it could result in gastrointestinal upset and is best avoided.
French Fries
French fries may seem harmless, but they contain high amounts of sodium thanks to the added salt, and they are fried. They are also high in carbs, which is unhealthy for your dog.
Onions
Onions can be added to your sandwich, but if you add them, don’t plan on giving any of your sandwich to your dog, as onions are extremely toxic to your dog and should always be avoided.
Pickles
Pickles are high in sodium, which is not good for your dog. While considered generally non-toxic, the high sodium content alone makes this a not-so-safe food to give your dog.
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Does Chick-fil-A Have Something for Dogs?
Some Chick-fil-A restaurants keep dog biscuits at the window; all you have to do is ask. They do not advertise this on the menu, but it never hurts to ask.
Chick-fil-A also offers fruit cups consisting of fresh blueberries, strawberry slices, mandarin orange segments, and chopped pieces of red and green apples, all of which are non-toxic to your dog. However, ensure the apples have no seeds, as the seeds can be toxic to dogs.
Does Chick-fil-A Have a Pup Cup?
Many dog owners have heard of Starbucks’ secret menu item, the “Puppuccino,” which is really a serving of whipped cream. But does Chick-fil-A have something similar? Just like Starbucks, Chick-fil-A does not advertise a “pup cup,” but you can order the Chick-fil-A Icedream Cup as a vanilla treat as long as your dog is not lactose intolerant. A single serving has 140 calories, 3.5 fat grams, 24 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of protein. However, only give this sweet dairy treat on occasion as it is not a healthy option!
Summing Up
You can offer your dog small bites here and there of the classic Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, but skip the grilled chicken due to its garlic powder and onion powder content. The fries are high in sodium and carbs, but if your dog steals one, it shouldn’t cause a problem. You can always order the Icedream Cup as an occasional sweet frozen treat as long as your dog is not lactose intolerant, and the fruit cup is safe.
Keep in mind that any fast food you give your dog should be only on occasion and should never make up the bulk of your dog’s diet. All dogs are individual and it’s best to avoid giving any of these Chick-fil-A options to dogs with weight issues, sensitive stomachs, or those at increased risk of pancreatitis.
Dogs require a complete and balanced dog food consisting of high-quality proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and water. Treats should consist of only 10% of your dog’s daily intake, and avoid seasonings like onion, garlic, and salt.
Featured Image Credit: cars in chick fil a drive thru
