Yesterday, my mother baked chicken pot pie. I was starving and pounced on it a second after it was served. But just as I took a bite, I noticed my dog sitting nearby, his pleading eyes silently asking, “Can I get a little too?”

This situation is heartwarming—we can’t resist sharing a little with our furry friend. As a vet, I understand which human foods are safe or unsafe for dogs.

But what about you? You probably want to share it with your dog, but a question will pop up: Can Dogs Eat Chicken Pot Pie?

In this article, we’ll explore whether dogs can enjoy chicken pot pies, what ingredients you need to watch out for, and if there are better options for treating your pup.

What is Chicken Pot Pie?

Chicken pot pie is a delicious dish loved by many of us, especially me, during winter when we crave warm, satisfying meals. It consists of a creamy filling of chicken, vegetables, and a rich sauce baked inside a flaky pie crust.

Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients

The most common ingredients of chicken pot pie are

• Chicken: Cooked chicken (usually boneless and skinless).
• Vegetables: Peas, carrots, celery, onions (onions are harmful to dogs).
• Creamy Sauce: Made with butter, flour, chicken broth, and milk or cream.
• Pie Crust: Contains flour, butter, and sometimes eggs.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or celery seed (some herbs and too much salt can harm dogs).

Chicken Pot Pie Nutrition Value

For a standard chicken pot pie (1/6 of a 9-inch pie, or 250 grams) the nutrition value is:^{1 2}

While this dish is delightful for humans, let’s find out: can dogs eat chicken pot pies too?

Can Dogs Eat Chicken Pot Pies

The short answer is no—chicken pot pie isn’t safe for dogs. As a people’s food, it contains ingredients unsuitable for dog health, especially onion and garlic which are highly toxic to dogs. Additionally, the rich, fatty crust and creamy filling are difficult for dogs to digest and may cause problems such as obesity or pancreatitis over time. If the salt content is too high, it can also cause sodium poisoning.

Here is a detailed overview of each harmful ingredient:

Onion & Garlic (Very Dangerous)

Among all others, onion and garlic are especially dangerous. If a dog eats an onion weighing more than 0.5% of its body weight—for example, a 45-pound dog consuming approximately 3.6 ounces (about 100 grams), which is the size of a medium to large onion—it is enough to reach toxicity levels, causing hemolytic anemia (where red blood cells are destroyed), tachycardia (where the heart beats faster), vomiting, and diarrhea.³ Garlic also has a similar effect to onion but is less potent. It mainly causes hemolytic anemia in dogs.⁴

Common Seasonings

The main seasonings are salt, pepper, and sometimes nutmeg used to enhance flavor for humans.

Salt: Just like humans dogs can also intake salt in appropriate amounts that is  0.25–1.5 grams of salt per 100 grams of food.⁵ But if consumed in excess it can lead to sodium ion poisoning which may cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive thirst or urination, tremors, and elevated body temperature.

Pepper: It can have varying effects depending on its type. Typically, black pepper is used in most chicken pot pies which can be consumed by dogs in low amounts, but large amounts can cause stomach upset, irritation, and discomfort due to its spicy nature.

Nutmeg: In most chicken pot pie recipes, it is used as a filling. However, it is also highly toxic to dogs, causing hallucinations and altered sensations (disorientation or confusion). 

Dairy Ingredients

The creamy filling of chicken pot pie contains dairy products like butter, milk, or cream.

Butter is very high in fat, so it can cause stomach upset and even lead to pancreatitis (a painful inflammation of the pancreas) if taken in excess.

Milk or Cream: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, so their stomachs can’t handle milk or cream. Drinking milk can make them feel sick and cause diarrhea or gas.

Cheese (sometimes used): A tiny amount of plain cheese is okay for some dogs. But in chicken pot pie it is often mixed with harmful seasonings or salt. Plus, cheese is very high in fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Cooked Chicken Feet

Are There Any Benefits Too?

The few ingredients of chicken pot pie seem healthy for dogs. For example, chicken is an excellent source of protein that helps dogs stay strong, and vegetables like carrots and peas are good for them too. However, these healthy ingredients can become unsafe because they are prepared in chicken pot pie by mixing with salt and other seasonings that aren’t good for dogs.

So, in short, there aren’t any real benefits. Stick to the plain meals.

Other Healthy Treats than Chicken Pot Pie

1. One Pot Chicken and Rice

This is a super simple, nutritious, and easily digestible dish for both humans and dogs. It is light, so it is easily digestible, making it great if your dog has an upset stomach or diarrhea. Also, it is low-fat and gentle on the tummy.

Recipe

What You Need

• Plain, boneless, and skinless chicken (no spices or salt!)
• Plain white or brown rice

How to Make

1. Boil the chicken in water until it’s fully cooked.
2. Cook the rice according to the package instructions. Don’t add anything extra like salt or butter.
3. Let the chicken cool down, then shred it into small pieces.
4. Mix 2 parts rice with 1 part chicken (for example, 2 cups rice and 1 cup chicken).
5. Let it cool before giving it to your dog.

2. Chicken Stew

This is a hearty stew full of nutrients from chicken and veggies. It is warm and comforting, and its stewy texture will help your dog stay hydrated.

Recipe

What You Need

• 1 cup plain, boneless chicken
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 cup green beans
• 1/2 cup sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped)
• 2 tablespoons plain pumpkin puree

How to Make

1. Boil the chicken in water until fully cooked.
2. Add the diced carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes to the same pot.
3. Cook everything together until the veggies are soft.
4. Remove the chicken and shred it into small pieces. If you use a whole chicken, make sure to remove all the bones.
5. Stir in the plain pumpkin puree.
6. Let it cool before serving.

3. Pumpkin and Chicken Patties

It is a healthy snack or occasional treat made by mixing small patties, chicken, mashed pumpkin, and oat flour. It helps with digestion because of the fiber (from pumpkin) and contains protein for energy.

Recipe

What You Need

• 1/2 cup cooked, shredded chicken
• 1/4 cup mashed pumpkin (plain, not sweetened)
• 1/4 cup oat flour

How to Make

1. Mix the shredded chicken, mashed pumpkin, and oat flour in a bowl. The mixture should feel like dough.
2. Shape the mixture into small, flat patties.
3. Place the patties on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes.
5. Let the patties cool completely before serving them to your dog.

Note: If your dog has special health issues or allergies always consult a vet before trying new foods! 🐶

Related: Can dogs eat bear meat?

Takeaway

Chicken pot pie is a tasty dish for humans, but it’s not safe for dogs. It has ingredients like onions, garlic, and a rich crust that can harm your furry friend. While chicken and some vegetables in the pie might seem okay, the way they are cooked with seasonings and dairy makes it unhealthy for dogs.

If you want to treat your dog, stick to plain and safe options like chicken and rice or a simple chicken stew. Always remember, it’s better to give your dog food made just for him rather than sharing your meal.

Your dog’s health is what matters most, so keep his meals simple, healthy, and made with love! 🐶

Sources

1. Chicken or Turkey Pot Pie — fatsecret ↩︎
2. Chicken Pot Pie — nutritionix ↩︎
3. Can Dogs Eat Onions? — American Kennel Club ↩︎
4. Can Dogs Eat Garlic? — American Kennel Club ↩︎
5. Dog food myth busters – is salt bad for dogs? — Tails ↩︎