When To Feed Your Dog Chicken And Rice
Your vet will tell you when you should put your dog on a diet of chicken and rice, which is also often called a bland diet.
Your vet will usually suggest this diet when your dog:
If you need to put your dog on an elimination diet in order to detect allergies or sensitivities to something they are eating, your vet may also suggest that you start your pooch on a diet of chicken and rice, and then start gradually introducing other items into their diet to measure their reaction.
Whatever the reason, your vet will tell you what to look out for in order to know when you can start transitioning your dog back onto their normal food.
They may also ask you to bring in a fecal sample for testing.
This is unpleasant but necessary, as it is the only way to detect if your dog is suffering from something like intestinal parasites, in which case they will need more than a “bland” diet, but rather medication.
Your vet will never suggest that you put your dog on a long-term diet of chicken and rice, as it does not contain all of the nutrients dogs need to survive.
So, while it can do them good for a few days, if they spend a few months on this diet they will become deficient in other areas.
Chicken and rice are suggested as a bland diet that will be easy for your dog to digest. This is because it is simple, containing just one protein and one carbohydrate source, and also very low in fat.
The protein and starch combination that exists in a meal of chicken and white rice has the potential to stimulate a dog’s appetite.
Both chicken and rice are also very healthy for pups.
Chicken is high in protein, which makes it a great source of energy for dogs. It is also rich in Omega 6 fatty acids, which nourish their skin and coat, and full of essential amino acids and glucosamine, the latter of which is essential for healthy bones.
Rice is an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. It has lots of vitamins D and G, which are great for heart health, as well as calcium, iron, and riboflavin.
Rice also prompts the growth of good bacteria, which can help regulate bowel movements.
When you are feeding your dog rice as part of a regular diet, brown rice is recommended.
It is higher in nutrients than white rice, and white rice has a relatively high glycemic level, which means giving a lot of it to your dog can have negative consequences, such as potentially causing diabetes.
But, when it comes to the chicken and rice that you feed a sick dog, white rice is recommended. This is because white rice is easy to digest, unlike brown rice, and is full of the starch essential to stimulate your dog’s appetite.
How To Feed Your Dog Chicken And Rice
Feeding your dog chicken and rice starts with preparing the meal correctly. As we have already said, you should be using white rice rather than brown. You should also be using only white chicken meat, with all the bones and fat removed.
To prepare the meal, start by boiling the chicken until cooked through. Drain away all water, and then cut the chicken into small pieces for your dog.
You can boil the rice as you would normally, or you can boil the rice in the chicken broth you drained away from your cooked chicken.
Whatever you do, do not use any seasonings when preparing either the chicken or the rice, as these can be toxic to your dog. This also means not cooking with oils or butter. As much as possible, you want to avoid adding anything more to the dish.
Mix the chicken and rice together at a ratio of one-to-two. So, if you make one cup of the meal, you will want ⅓ of a cup of chicken and ⅔ of a cup of rice.
Let the meal cool completely before giving it to your dog, as hot food can damage their tongue and mouth.
If you decide to make a larger batch, you can store the prepared meat in the fridge for three to four days, and in the freezer for up to two months.
What Are the Benefits of Giving Your Dog Chicken
While some dogs may have a reaction to chicken, there are many benefits to having it as a part of your dog’s diet.
As a substantial source of protein, chicken provides essential amino acids that maintain and support healthy muscles for your dog as they age. Chicken is also rich in Omega 6 fatty acids, which not only supply your dog with energy for endless walks and ball chases, but they also help them better absorb vitamins and nutrients, manage inflammation, promote healthy growth and development, and encourage healthy skin and hair.
Don’t forget bone support! The glucosamine found in chicken can help prevent arthritis with stronger, more resilient bones.
No. Your dog should definitely not be eating raw chicken.
The raw diet movement has gained a lot of traction amongst human beings, mostly focusing on raw, plant-based, whole foods. However, even with people, raw food – especially raw chicken – comes with consequences. While it is believed that consuming raw food allows the food to maintain its nutrients more so than cooked food, it also leaves lingering bacteria behind. The same goes for dog food.
Feeding your pup raw chicken puts them at risk of contracting salmonella or other bacterial infections, so when in doubt, cook it out!
How to Boil Chicken for Dogs
Boiled chicken is a staple of bland diets, often used temporarily when dogs are sick or dealing with gastrointestinal upset like diarrhea. It can also be used as a mouth-watering treat for good boys or good girls.
Although boiling chicken for dogs seems like a straightforward task, you always want to be careful when you’re caring for a pup with digestive problems or handling raw poultry. Therefore, we asked expert veterinarians to share the advice they give their own clients in similar situations.
Here’s your complete guide for how to boil chicken for dogs, with answers to all of the questions that could arise throughout the process.