Buffalo wings are a popular appetizer made of chicken wings that are deep fried and coated in a sauce made with butter and hot pepper sauce. While they may look delicious, you may wonder whether buffalo wings are safe for dogs to eat. The quick answer is that dogs should not eat buffalo wings. Buffalo wings contain several ingredients that can be harmful to dogs.
Are Buffalo Wings Safe for Dogs?
The main ingredients in traditional buffalo wings that can cause problems for dogs include:
- Hot peppers – The hot sauce used in buffalo wings contains peppers like cayenne or Tabasco peppers. These hot peppers can irritate a dog’s stomach and digestive system.
- Butter – Buffalo wings are fried in butter or oil and tossed in a buttery hot sauce. High amounts of fat and butter can lead to pancreatitis in dogs.
- Bones – Buffalo wings contain small chicken bones that can easily splinter. Bone fragments can cause choking hazards or damage a dog’s digestive tract.
- Seasonings – Many buffalo wings have added seasonings like garlic and onion powder. Onions are toxic to dogs and can damage their red blood cells.
The combination of spicy seasonings, fatty sauce, and small bones make buffalo wings a risky food for dogs. While a few licks of the sauce may not harm them, eating the whole wing with bones can put dogs at risk of serious gastrointestinal injury or pancreatitis.
Can Dogs Eat Boneless Buffalo Wings?
Boneless buffalo wings may be a slightly safer option to give dogs. Without bones, the choking hazard is removed. However, the other ingredients still remain highly problematic.
The hot sauce, butter, and seasoning used on boneless wings can still cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and other issues. So while boneless wings remove the risk of bone fragments, they can still irritate a dog’s sensitive digestive tract.
Can Dogs Have Mild Buffalo Wings?
Mild buffalo wings contain less hot pepper sauce, so they aren’t as spicy. Unfortunately, they still contain butter, fat, seasonings, and bones, which are unsafe for dogs.
Even small amounts of onion or garlic powder found in mild buffalo wing seasoning can cause toxicity over time. The lower levels of hot sauce may reduce stomach irritation, but they can still cause pancretitis from high fat content.
So even mild or boneless buffalo wings are too risky to feed dogs. The seasonings and fats pose a risk even without spicy flavors or bones.
What If a Dog Eats Buffalo Wings?
If your dog accidentally eats some buffalo wings, watch for these signs of distress:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive thirst or urination
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
Call your veterinarian if your dog exhibits any concerning symptoms after eating buffalo wings. You may need to bring them in for exams or treatment with intravenous fluids.
Take the leftover buffalo wings away immediately so your dog can’t eat any more. Try to determine if they ate any bones, which could cause a dangerous intestinal blockage.
Can Dogs Eat Buffalo Wing Flavored Treats?
Some pet treat manufacturers offer buffalo wing flavored dog treats or chews. While these sound like they contain buffalo wings, they are formulated to be safe for dog consumption.
The treats do not contain any real chicken, hot sauce, or butter. Instead, they are made with chicken or vegetable stock, spices, and salt to mimic a buffalo wing “flavor.” These treats should not cause any digestive upset, but monitor your dog for any individual intolerances.
Can Dogs Have Buffalo Wing Sauce?
It’s best to avoid giving dogs any buffalo wing hot sauce. Sauces like Frank’s RedHot or Buffalo Wild Wings sauces contain potent peppers and spices that irritate dogs’ stomachs. The high fat content from butter could also lead to pancreatitis.
Small amounts may not cause a problem in some dogs, but it’s difficult to control the dosage when licking sauce from wings. It’s better to play it safe and not let your dog lick up any buffalo wing sauce.
Safe Buffalo Wing Alternatives for Dogs
If your dog is eyeing your plate of buffalo wings, try one of these safe alternatives instead:
- Plain boiled chicken breast
- Skinless baked chicken strips
- Pork or beef bones for chewing
- Freshpet dog food with buffalo chicken flavor
- Bonies or other buffalo wing dog treats
These provide a similar meaty taste and texture without the risks of hot sauce, bones, and butter. Monitor your dog closely whenever trying new human foods or flavored treats.
Conclusion
Buffalo wings contain multiple ingredients that can be harmful to dogs, including hot sauce, bones, and high fat content. While boneless or mild wings may seem safer, they can still cause gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis. For dogs’ safety, avoid giving them any type of buffalo wings.
If your dog accidentally eats buffalo wings, monitor them closely for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or other signs of distress. Buffalo wing flavored dog treats are formulated to be safe for dogs to enjoy the taste without the dangers of real buffalo wings.
Rather than sharing your buffalo wings, give your dog a alternative treat that will satisfy their cravings without putting them at risk. Keep an eye on your plate, and keep buffalo wings off your dog’s menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are buffalo wings bad for dogs?
Buffalo wings contain several ingredients that can harm dogs, including spicy capsaicin peppers, fatty sauces, small bones that pose a choking hazard, and seasonings like onion and garlic powder that are toxic for dogs.
What if my dog only ate a small piece of a buffalo wing?
Even if your dog only ate a small piece, the hot sauce, fat, and seasonings can still cause stomach upset. Additionally, swallowing just a small bone fragment poses a choking or internal injury risk. Contact your vet if your dog ate any part of a buffalo wing.
Can I give my dog boneless buffalo wings?
No, boneless buffalo wings are still too risky for dogs to eat. While they remove the choking hazard, the hot sauce, butter, and spices can irritate your dog’s digestive system and potentially cause serious conditions like pancreatitis.
Are liquid buffalo wing sauces safe for dogs?
No, buffalo wing sauces like Frank’s RedHot also contain ingredients that are hazardous for dogs. The spices and hot peppers can irritate their stomachs, and the butter poses a risk for pancreatitis. It’s best to avoid giving dogs any buffalo wing sauce.
Can I add buffalo wing sauce to my dog’s food?
No, you should never add buffalo wing sauce to your dog’s meals. The peppers and spices can cause digestive upset. Start with plain, unseasoned dog food instead.
Nutritional Facts of Buffalo Wings
| Nutrient | Amount Per Wing |
|---|---|
| Calories | 42 |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 13 mg |
| Sodium | 223 mg |
As shown in the table, a single buffalo wing contains a high amount fat and sodium compared to the small amount of protein. The combination of fat and salt is what makes buffalo wings unhealthy for dogs to consume.
Ingredients in Traditional Buffalo Wings
Here are the typical ingredients in buffalo wings that create potential health risks for dogs:
- Chicken wings – Small bones pose choking hazard
- Hot pepper sauce – Contains irritating capsaicin that can upset dog’s stomach
- Butter – High amounts of fat increase risk of pancreatitis
- Garlic powder – Toxic and damaging to dog’s red blood cells
- Onion powder – Also toxic for dogs and causes anemia
- Salt – High sodium levels
- Vinegar – Acidic and can cause GI irritation
While each ingredient may not seem significantly harmful alone, the combination of several can make buffalo wings dangerous for dogs to consume.
Other Human Foods Dogs Cannot Eat
In addition to buffalo wings, here are some other common human foods that should not be fed to dogs:
- Chocolate
- Raisins and grapes
- Alcohol
- Apple seeds
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions
- Xylitol
- Avocado
- Fruit with pits
Be sure to research whether any human food or people food scraps are safe before feeding them to your dog. When in doubt, stick with plain dog treats and food designed for canine health.
Signs of an Upset Stomach in Dogs
If your dog eats something unhealthy like buffalo wings, watch for these signs of digestive distress:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive gas
- Abdominal bloating
- Loss of appetite
- Increased thirst
- Fatigue
- Whining
- Pacing
If you notice any severe or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms after your dog eats something new, call your vet. Discontinue feeding the new food and stick to your dog’s regular diet.
Healthy Human-Safe Snacks for Dogs
Here are some people foods that are safe and healthy to feed dogs in moderation:
- Lean cooked meat (no bones or skin)
- Fresh fruits like apples, bananas, blueberries
- Fresh vegetables like carrots, green beans, sweet potato
- Unsalted popcorn
- Pieces of bread or toast
- Plain cooked pasta, rice, or oatmeal
- Peanut butter (no xylitol)
- Plain yogurt
- Cottage cheese
Introduce any new foods slowly and watch for any signs of sensitivity. Avoid overly spicy, fatty, or sugary human foods not meant for canine consumption.
Other Ways to Enrich Your Dog’s Diet
In addition to the occasional people food treats, here are some other ways to provide your dog with taste stimulation:
- Rotate between dog food proteins like chicken, beef, fish, lamb
- Use broths or warm water to add taste to kibble
- Try dental chews in flavors like poultry, bacon, or mint
- Give fruit-flavored dog treats like blueberry biscuits
- Stuff food puzzles with yogurt, peanut butter, or canned food
- Use plastic bottle feeders to serve wet food
Dogs experience taste sensations just like we do. Varying flavors and textures keeps mealtime interesting for both you and your pup. Just be sure to stay away from “people food” like buffalo wings that can make your dog sick.