Can I feed my dog rice and chicken every day

Dog licking his nose at a kitchen table

Why feed your dog rice and chicken

Feeding a dog a diet of chicken and rice is a bland type of food often recommended by vets to get their GI tract back on track. It is easy to digest and contains one source of protein and one source of carbohydrate.

Chicken and rice are ideal to feed to a dog with diarrhea or has been vomiting. It can also be used to stimulate a dog’s appetite when they have been ill or are recovering from an operation.

Although it lacks some nutrients it has enough nutritional properties to aid recovery without upsetting the stomach. You can also add canned or cooked pumpkin which also aids with curing diarrhea. Pumpkin can also be used as a treatment for constipation.

To learn more about feeding your dog pumpkin see here.

How to cook rice and chicken for dogs

What you will need is the best quality chicken you can find preferably hormone-free. Boneless chicken breast is best but you can cook the chicken on the bone. However, you must remove all the bones once the chicken is cooked and cooled down.

Buy short or long-grain white rice. Brown rice can be used but it needs to be boiled longer to ensure it is soft. Undercooked rice may irritate your dog’s stomach or intestine. It is important not to fast cook the rice as it will lose some of its nutritional value.

To cook the chicken

  1. Place the chicken in a pot and fill with enough water to cover the chicken.
  2. Bring the water to the boil and then reduce heat to allow it to simmer. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces. The estimated cooking time of 10 to 30 minutes. Chicken with bone-in will take longer
  3. Remove the cooked chicken from the water. Save the water (both) from the chicken as this will be used to cook the rice. This will provide additional nutritional value as opposed to cooking water in plain water.
  4. If you used chicken in the bone-in, remove all the bones from the chicken. Do not feed your dog the bones as they can splinter and could choke your dog or puncture their throat, stomach, or intestines.

It is crucial that the chicken is cooked fully. The bacteria found in undercooked or raw chicken will likely make your dog’s diarrhea and vomiting worse.

To cook the rice

  1. Once the chicken broth from cooking the chicken has cooled skim off any fat sitting on the surface. Measure around 2.5 cups (590ml) of both water into another pot.
  2. Bring the pot of both water to the boil.
  3. Measure 1 cup of rice. Rinse the rice in cold water thoroughly. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear. This will remove excess starch and arsenic from the rice.
  4. Put the rice in both water while boiling. Return to the boil and then lower to a simmer. It is important not to fast cook rice to maintain nutrients.
  5. Place a lid on the pot and cook for 20 minutes. If using brown rice it will take 40 to 45 minutes.
  6. Once the rice is cooked, drain off the water. You can wash under a cold tap to cool the rice and stop it cooking further.

Mix the chicken and rice

The ratio of chicken to rice should be 2:1 to 3:1. Therefore 1 cup of chicken with two to three cups of rice.

Chicken and rice can be refrigerated overnight. Store in an airtight container.

See below for feeding quantities. Spread the daily quantity over two to four servings as needed.

How much rice and chicken should you feed your dog

If you are feeding your dog chicken and rice for an upset stomach or recovery from illness use the following guideline for quantity to feed. The key to feeding a dog with diarrhea or vomiting is to feed little and often.

Start off with around 1/4 cup per 20 lbs (9kg) of body weight.per day. Spread this out over two or six servings.

Increase quantity per day to 1/2 cup per 20 lbs (9kg) of body weight as your dog’s appetite increases.

Once your dog’s diarrhea and vomiting as cleared up continue to feed this diet of chicken and rice for two or three days slowly weaning them back on to their usual food.

The gradual transition back to their normal diet should be over 4 or 5 days. Start with 10% normal food on the first day and gradually increase under they are fully weaned back on to their own food. Reduce the amount of chicken and rice as you increase the quantity of their regular food.

Can I feed my dog rice everyday

The chicken and rice diet is meant to be used as a bland food for a dog with diarrhea, vomiting, or recovering from illness. It is fine to feed every day until your dog is fully recovered.

However, it is not suitable by itself as a permanent dog for a dog. It does not have the necessary nutrients and vitamins for healthy dog’s needs.

Many people feed their dogs’ homemade dog food. Chicken and rice can be part of that diet, but additional ingredients or supplements will need to be added.

Is white and brown rice good for dogs

There is some debate about whether a dog actually needs carbohydrates in their diet. See here for more on for do dogs need carbs.

White rice has many benefits for a dog.

  • easily to digest and improves digestions
  • low in fat and sodium (salt)
  • great source of Niacin, Calcium, Iron, Thiamine & Riboflavin, and vitamin D
  • improves bowel movements and keeps a dog regular
  • can help with skin-related allergies
  • helps with an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting

White rice has a higher glycemic index than brown rice and can cause blood sugar levels to rise. It is best not to feed a dog with diabetes.

Brown rice is less processed than white rice. This makes it harder for a dog to digest. Brown rice is a little higher in protein and lower in fat than white rice.

What is the best rice to feed a dog

You can feed your dog either short or long-grained white rice or brown rice.

White rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate which makes it a good source of energy when your dog has an upset tummy.

Brown rice is a little higher in protein and a little lower in fat when compared to white rice. Many people think that brown rice is not so good for a dog with an upset stomach. This is due to it being higher in fiber. However, this is a bit of a myth. The extra fiber can help with diarrhea.

Brown rice needs to be cooked for longer. Brown rice needs around 40 minutes for a cup of rice compared to 20 minutes for white rice.

Can dogs eat raw chicken – is it safe

There has been a movement to owners feeding their dogs a raw diet. Does this include raw chicken? The opinion on this is divided. Many sources recommend against feeding a dog raw chicken. This is due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections.

A study conducted by the University of Melbourne found eating raw chicken meat increases a dog’s risk of developing a potentially fatal form of paralysis by more than 70 times.

On the other side of the argument, a dog’s stomach acid is much more acidic than a human’s. A dog’s stomach has a low PH (around 1) which makes it impossible for salmonella to colonize and multiply. This provides greater protection against bacteria. 

Can dogs get salmonella from eating raw chicken

If you do feed raw chicken to your dog there is an element of risk. You can take extra precautions such as rinsing the chicken and check the date to make sure it is fresh.

In addition, never purchase chicken that has reached room temperature. It is best to purchase frozen chicken for your dog as the freezing process helps kill bacteria. Thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight rather than on the counter.

Can dogs eat Chicken Heart, Liver, Necks And Feet

Chicken internal organs are one of the most nutrient-dense parts of the chicken. Organs provide your dog with essential amino acids and help support healthy skin and coat. In addition, they support organ functions and repair damaged tissues. Organs are also a digestible source of protein.

Chicken Kidney

Benefits of feeding a dog kidney: –

  • essential fatty acids
  • maintains healthy skin and coat
  • aids a healthy digestive system
  • Contains vitamins (vitamin A, E, K, B12) and minerals (Iron and Zinc)

Chicken Hearts

Benefits of feeding a dog hearts:-

  • contains essential amino acids
  • highly digestible protein
  • contains vitamin A and B, iron and taurine

Chicken Necks

Benefits of feeding chicken necks:-

  • provide calcium for bone and teeth health
  • help clean teeth and scrape off the plague

Chicken Liver

Benefits of feeding chicken liver:-

  • source of vitamin A and B vitamins
  • source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids

Chicken Feet

Benefits of feeding chicken feed:-

  • source of glucosamine for joint health
  • help clean teeth

Chicken organs, feet, and necks can be a good addition to a dog’s diet, especially if they are on a raw only diet. You should only feed a small amount of these each day as they can be quite rich.

If you are not wanting to feed these raw, these are generally available dried.

Can I use chicken mince to feed my dog

Yes, chicken mince can be a lower-cost alternative to feed your dog. Pet chicken mince is generally of a lower quality than fresh chicken. It can also be higher in fat.

Most chicken pet mince is not just made help of chicken meat and can include organs and even the bones minced up.

FAQs – Feeding rice and chicken to your dog

Is it ok to mix rice with dog food

Commercially made dog food already contains carbohydrates. Adding rice will further increase the carb percentage. This may lead to weight gain. If your dog is active and is a healthy weight, a little rice added should be fine. It will also increase their energy levels.

Do dogs poop less when eating rice and chicken

Yes, your dog should produce less poop from eating rice and chicken. This is because rice and chicken are highly digestible. A bland diet like chicken and rice is lower in fiber. This means stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. 

Will rice help my dog gain weight

Rice is a carbohydrate. By adding additional carbohydrates to your dog’s diet can help them to gain weight.

Summary – Feeding a dog chicken and rice

Feeding a dog chicken and rice is a bland diet often recommended by vets. This is usually for a dog with diarrhea, vomiting, or recovering from illness or surgery.

Although it lacks some nutrients it has enough nutritional properties to aid recovery without upsetting the stomach.

Just feeding chicken and rice to your dog every day should only be a short term diet to aid with recovery. If feed continuously as their main diet it can lead to malnutrition. This is because it does not contain all the nutrients and vitamins a dog needs.

White rice has a high glycemic index and can cause blood sugar levels to rise. It is best not to feed a dog with diabetes.

Author

  • Joseph Coleman

    A lifelong writer and proud dog dad. Joseph started this blog dedicated to helping other dog owners find accurate information on how to keep their pets at their healthiest through exercise and nutrition. His passion for all things canine shines through in his writing, and he believes that every dog deserves the best possible care. If you're a dog owner looking for reliable advice on how to keep your pup healthy and happy, be sure to check out Joseph's work.