Can Dogs Eat Chicken Pot Pie?

Chicken pot pie is not a good food for dogs. One small bite of plain filling will probably not hurt a healthy dog. But pot pie is often made with onion, garlic, a lot of salt, and a rich, fatty sauce and crust. Those can make a dog sick. Better to skip it.

Why is chicken pot pie bad for dogs?

The chicken itself is not the problem. The trouble is what comes with it. Pot pie recipes vary, but many use these:

• Onion and garlic. The ASPCA says these can upset the stomach and damage red blood cells. That can lead to anemia, which means too few red blood cells. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cooked, dried and powdered onion and garlic have all made dogs sick. Garlic is 3 to 5 times stronger than onion.
• Salt. The ASPCA says too much salt can make a dog very thirsty and make them pee more. It can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures.
• Fat. Rich sauce and buttery crust are high in fat. Merck says a large amount of table scraps is believed to be a common risk for pancreatitis, a painful swelling of the pancreas.

What are the signs of a problem?

Watch your dog for the next several days. The signs depend on what was in the pie.

• Stomach upset or pancreatitis: Merck lists vomiting, loss of appetite, belly pain, weakness, diarrhea, and dehydration. Mild cases may show only tiredness, less appetite, or loose stool.
• Too much salt: Merck says vomiting usually starts within several hours. Weakness, tremors, and seizures can follow.
• Onion or garlic: Signs can come late. Merck says red blood cell damage usually shows up 3 to 5 days after eating. Look for tiredness, weakness, fast breathing, yellow gums or eyes, and red or dark pee.

Don’t wait for these signs if your dog ate a lot. Call your vet early.

What should I do if my dog ate chicken pot pie?

1. Take the pie away and check what is left, so you know how much was eaten.
2. Read the ingredients. Look for onion, garlic, onion powder, and garlic powder.
3. Call your vet or a poison hotline if your dog ate a large amount, or if onion or garlic is on the list.
4. Give fresh water in small amounts. Merck says to offer water in small amounts, often, after too much salt.
5. Watch for signs over the next several days, including the late ones from onion and garlic.

Don’t hold back food or water on your own. Merck says to do that only if a vet tells you to.

Which parts of pot pie are okay for dogs?

Some of the pieces are fine on their own. They are just not good once they are cooked into a creamy, salty pie.

• Chicken: Plain, cooked, boneless chicken is a good treat. See our guide on whether dogs can eat chicken.
• Peas and carrots: Fine when plain and cooked without seasoning.
• Crust and sauce: Not a good idea. They are high in fat and may hold salt or onion.

What can I give my dog instead?

If your dog is begging while you eat, give them a few pieces of plain, cooked chicken with no skin, bones, or seasoning. Or try a few plain carrot sticks or peas. Treats should be no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

If you are not sure whether something in your pie is a problem, our guide to whether dogs can eat onions explains why this common kitchen ingredient matters so much.