There are days that your dog tends to feel under the weather. Whether they have diarrhea, are dealing with an upset stomach, vomiting, are less playful and energetic, or even have a decreased appetite, it’s hard to see your pup suffer and deal with these types of illnesses.
During this challenging time, it can be especially hard to feed your pooch and keep them nourished. As such, their vet may encourage you to give them a bland diet to help alleviate some of their symptoms and nurse them back to health.
One of the most popular food combinations that are often prescribed or given to dogs is boiled chicken and rice. Similar to when the weather gets cold or people feel under the weather and they drink the ever-comforting chicken soup that warms up the soul, boiled chicken and rice also tend to soothe dogs’ pain away in many ways.
Read through this article to know why boiled chicken and rice make for the perfect combination for your pup, and by extension, how you can properly make this for them in times of need.
Why You Should Consider Feeding Your Dog Boiled Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice are two of the primary components that make up your dog’s food and this is because this is best for dogs who are not feeling well or those who are suffering from upset stomachs.
On the one hand, chicken is chock-full of protein. This is also easier for your pup to digest, particularly when it’s lean. Not to mention, this makes for a tasty treat that’s nutritious as well. It is packed with fatty acids that nourish their coat and skin, as well as serve as the foundation for building healthy bones.
On the other hand, rice, particularly the white variety, makes for a bland component. Though this carbohydrate is considered less nutritious than its brown counterpart, this starch ensures that your dog’s tummy is soothed as brown rice has more fiber in it. Plus, this also helps your pup’s stool to form properly.
There are various reasons why you should consider giving boiled chicken and rice to your dog. One of these reasons is that your poor pup may have been suffering from diarrhea for quite some time now. Another issue that you might find recommended by your dog’s vet is when they have been constantly vomiting or feeling nauseated.
Apart from the aforementioned reasons, it’s also important to note that dogs who are dealing with gas or bloating, as well as a loss of appetite, may also be suggested to have this particularly bland diet. This combination may also be best for pooches that are still recovering from a serious illness, surgery, or even injury.
Dogs who are prone to allergies, skin and digestive problems, as well as other types of sensitivities, may also be requested by their vet to be put on this bland diet. Doing so helps eliminate potential allergens or triggers. Starting with boiled chicken and rice is a good measure that can gauge and jumpstart diets that work with their conditions and allergies.
Bear in mind, however, that you should never put your dog on a diet of boiled chicken and rice without consulting your vet, especially not on a long-term basis. This bland diet may contain some essential nutrients that your dog needs and can get them back on track, but this does not mean they can thrive on this alone.
Check Out This Easy Recipe for Making Boiled Chicken and Rice
What you’ll need are the following ingredients below. Make sure that you purchase fresh chicken or those that are in prime condition to avoid further triggering your dog’s problems or condition.
Ingredients:
- Skinless and lean chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- Water
Now that you have all the ingredients you will need, it’s time to get cooking. Follow the steps to preparing and cooking this simple dish that your pupper will surely love.
- Preparation is key. This means that apart from buying the freshest ingredients, you should wash the chicken properly. If the chicken you have on hand has some skin, easily remove and discard this, carefully trimming all the fat away.
- Cut the chicken into pieces. You have the option of doing this after boiling, but you could also shred or cut up the pieces beforehand. Make sure that the pieces are small enough and easy for your pup to consume.
- Take the chicken and place this in a pot. Fill this with just enough water to cover the chicken pieces and boil until tender and it is fully cooked inside. A good indicator is that the chicken meat has already taken on a fully white color.
- Once the chicken has been fully boiled and cooked, take these out of the pot and allow them to cool.
- Remove any bones in the chicken and slice these into smaller pieces if you haven’t yet. You also have the option of shredding these into finer pieces for easier digestion.
- Using the remaining broth, skim off any fat and impurities that rise to the top. The fat and impurities may not be as apparent when you take off the fat and skin before cooking.
- Allow the broth to reach a boiling point once more. During this time, rinse the rice you plan on using for your dog. Make sure that you do this step until the water runs clear to help rid of excess starch and other impurities that may be present in the grains.
- Once the chicken broth is boiling, pour the rice grains into it. Lower the heat just until it simmers. Allow the rice to cook for around 20 or so minutes until soft and slightly soggy, ensuring that all the broth has been absorbed.
- Let the rice completely cool.
- Combine the rice and boiled chicken and mix well. 2 or 3 cups of cooked rice should be enough to go well with 1 cup of cooked chicken.
How Much You Should Make for Your Dog
The boiled chicken and rice combo that your dog should eat in a day vary depending on their weight. Remember that the ideal portion you should give them should be 2 or 3 cups of rice for 1 cup of chicken.
Dogs who weigh around 10 pounds should be given just ¾ cup of chicken and rice per day. Meanwhile, 20-pound dogs should eat around 1 ½ cups of this combo. 30-pound dogs, on the other hand, are recommended to have 2 ¼ cups of this food a day.
Consult your dog’s vet to ensure that the portions they are getting are apt for their weight, size, and needs. They will know what daily serving amount is best for your pooch.
Proper Food Storage
Although the serving sizes of boiled chicken and rice may seem quite small, making big batches of this is certainly alright, especially when you know how to store it properly. While this is easy enough to make, having some on hand when your dog needs it the most saves you some precious time.
You can store this in the fridge anywhere from 3 to 5 days. However, any longer than this and you would do well to either throw it out or freeze it at the onset. For a much simpler prep time, you might want to freeze these in the recommended portions for your pup to make the thawing much more efficient. Plus, you won’t have to constantly thaw big batches as well, preventing cross-contamination of their food.
How Long This Food Combo is Good for
There is no doubt that it is ideal to make big batches of this dish because it minimizes the prep time and offers a quicker way for your pooch to get a healthy meal. It can even stay in your fridge for up to 5 days.
However, you want to make sure that you make only the right amount because as mentioned, this diet cannot be your pooch’s long-term food.
The question now would be, how long should your feed your dog this combo? The answer lies in your dog’s needs. Keep in mind that this diet is recommended for dogs who are suffering from ailments and other medical conditions as this can help them get enough fiber, protein, and other valuable nutrients.
Once your canine starts to feel better, it is advisable to have them go back to their regular diet as this will provide them with all the vitamins, minerals, and other sustenance they need to sustain their growth, energy, and health.
The only person that can answer the question of how long you should keep your pooch on this diet is its veterinarian. Usually, this should only be fed to your dog for up to five consecutive days. Any longer than this should come with advice from your pet’s doctor.
What You Should Know About Feeding This Combo to Your Dog
Now that you know how boiled chicken and rice combinations can help your dog, as well as how you can prepare it, you might be eager to try this for your ailing pet.
What you need to know is that it can only last a few days, only with a recommendation from your pooch’s veterinarian. This is important, especially as the reason you need to feed your canine this food combination is to help it recover its heath.
The veterinarian will diagnose your dog’s health and prescribe a period and amount to be fed based on its weight and condition.
Once the given time is up, and you still see signs of the illness in your pooch, you might want to consult the vet to know what you can do next. Some more checkups, medications, or other remedies may be in order.
Now, if the pooch shows signs of health improvement, then you can start weaning it off the food combo. You can start by adding a little bit of the kibble into the mix to accustom your pooch to the taste. Then, you can start adding more every day until you can feed your dog only kibble.
Make sure to keep a close watch on your pet for the next few days to see whether any symptoms return. This way, you can consult the veterinarian immediately and avoid any condition from becoming more serious.
The Bottom Line
Your dog is one of the most important companions in your life. Boiled chicken and rice for dogs can do wonders if they are sick, as long as you get a veterinarian’s approval. Combined with your care and some professional help, your pooch will be back to 100% health in no time.
