Is it OK to feed your dog chicken and rice all the time
Can I feed my dog rice and chicken every day? What should dogs eat?
Obviously, our dogs need to eat, and there are tons of options out there for what we can feed them,but what is best for our little furry friends?
Should you buy them the top of the line dog food? What things do I need to make sure my dog is eating? Can I feed them chicken and rice every day?
Hopefully we can help ease your mind and help you provide a balanced diet for your dog.
Chicken and Rice, is it a substantial diet for every dog?
While many people have different views on how a balanced diet looks for dogs, we recommend talking to your vet about your dogs specific needs and any special circumstances that may make a chicken and rice diet bad for your dog.
My Name is Shelby, and my furry best friends name is Lily! I am always wondering about the what I feed her.
I am sure I am not the only one who looks at the ingredients list and wonders if just making my pets food is better for her!
Is Chicken and Rice Good For my Dog?
Both chicken and rice have benefits for dogs. Chicken in dog food is defined as a clean food when delivered from a whole carcass of a chicken.
Like most meats, it provides great protein, and essential amino acids which are key for growing dogs as it helps to build strong muscles.
Rice in dog foods is a great carb. These carbs work in the same way they work for us, as energy!
While there is great nutritional value in a chicken and rice diet, it is not to be forgotten that this is a single source protein, and single carb.
Meaning that this dynamic duo is missing a lot a key vitamins and nutrients that store bought or more complex meals provide.
There are about 6 essential things to keep in mind for a balanced diet for your dog. Water, Proteins, Fats, Carbs, Minerals, and Vitamins. All 6 of these basics aid in the everyday functionality of your dog.
Most people reach for a chicken and rice diet when their dog is sick. The reason behind this is because of how simple the ingredients are.
This allows your dog to easily digest the food and aids in their recovery. This two ingredient meal packs enough nutritional properties to put your dog back on the road to wellness but not enough for long time.
How Do I Make Chicken and Rice for my Dog, Is it Hard?
If you do choose to feed your pup chicken and rice, whether it be in conjunction with other foods to supplement what this meal lacks, or your pup is ill and needing something easily digestible here are a few things to keep in mind and the steps involved in making this meal.
Purchase the highest quality chicken you can afford to limit your dogs exposure to toxins. Buy a package of short or long grain white rice.
Avoid quick minute rices as it lowers the nutritional value in comparison to the regular rice.
You can also sub white rice for brown but note that it needs to be cooked longer than white rice to avoid irritation in your dogs stomach.
Prepare the chicken by removing all fat, and place into a long pot to boil. Once thoroughly cooked through and proceed to removing all bones.
Leave the water (chicken brother) that you used to cook the chicken in the pan but skim off any fat that may have surfaced.
Return the chicken broth to a boil and pour the rice into the broth. Lower to a simmer and cover then cook.
Cut accordingly to the size of your dog. Smaller dogs need smaller bites while a larger dog can handle pieces cut into 1-inch cubes.
You can cook the chicken with the bones into but take note that the bones must be removed before feeding to your pup.
The History Behind What We Feed Our Furry Companions
Like we mentioned, Chicken and Rice lacks a lot of what vets recommend to keep your dog healthy. To understand what your dogs actually need, we need to go back to what they used to eat!
DNA evidence suggests that dogs are decedents of wolves dating back 100,000 years ago. It is suggested that as the human evolved, so did the dog.
Meaning, we used to feed the dogs what we ate, but nowadays most people avoid giving dogs table scraps. Why? Well the short answer is money and showing off wealth.
As time went on the middle class began to prosper and dog foods started showing up. Dog food was considered a luxury, and if you could afford this food then you were considered to be higher on the social ladder.
From there on people begin creating things like dog treats, and wet food making it more mainstream and through lobbyist groups campaigns were created with TV ads and radio talking about the dangers of table scraps.
This isnt to say that commercially produced and store-bought food isnt good for your dog, we are just saying it is not the only option.
There are some great dog foods on the market and with a good rotation of certain foods homemade food can be a great option as well!
Keep in mind that some store bought foods have un-needed toxic materials and some homemade food recipes lack some of the things your dog needs to consume on a daily basis.
However, these were all suggestions. They shouldnt eat things like fast food, tons of cheese, and candy, but they can eat people food.
If it is healthy, and literally digestible. If youre eating things like roasted chicken, greens beans and potatoes you can definitely feed some to your dog.
Cant I Just Feed My Dog the Cheapest Food On the Market?
There are tons of dog foods out there. While I cannot tell you which one is best for your dog, I can tell you that my best advice is to feed your dog the highest quality food you can afford.
There is a large difference between high quality food and budget food.
These differences arent found on the nutrition labels, as most companies that create budget food are great at finding things to supplement these nutrients most of the time not in the best ways.
The major differences are found in the ingredients themselves.
Comparing two different dog foods side by side, they may contain the same about of protein but the source of the protein is vastly difference when it comes to your pet digesting it.
Another thing to consider when looking at your dog foods is how old your dog is. Every dog needs a different level of things in different stages of their lives.
The younger the dog is the more often they need to consume. By the sixth month mark the need for food in dogs has decreased because they have reached about 75% of their growth stage.
Puppy food has specific specialties over adult food as it caters to what a puppy needs like calcium, etc.
The food you feed your puppy at a young age is very important because of how rapidly they grow. Feeding them the wrong food can cause health issues down the road.
We have done some great research to pin point great food options for your dog! Here are a few great resources:
- High sodium diets are not just bad for humans, it can be harmful to our puppy pals as well. Best Low Sodium Dog Food 10 Healthy Picks!
- Buying the right dog food goes beyond just going to the store and buying whatever is a good deal The Top 10 Dog Foods My Honest Review!
- Not all dog foods are created equal and not every dog will like every dog food The Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters Feed Your Fussy Friend
- Keeping your dog in shape is a good balance between eating the healthiest food and daily exercise The Top 9 Best Weight Management Dog Food for Large Breeds
These articles are bound to help you with your dog whether they have a food sensitivity, are picky eaters or need to shed a few pounds!
Some animals require more things than others due to health concerns and this can also vary depending on how active your dog is.
Not only does nutrient requirements vary from dog to dog but research also shows that it also depends heavily from breed to breed.
For example dogs that were bred in as water dogs may have adapted to specialized diets that are common of that region because of what is readily available.
Final Thoughts
My opinion on feeding chicken and rice still remains that you should speak to your vet before making a long-term decision.
Choosing a high-quality flood among the crowd can be tough. There are many foods that your dog should avoid but feeding your dog table scraps is not a bad thing, as long as it is healthy.
If you are adamant about feeding your dog a human food diet, I would get a list of foods to avoid from you vet and get a list of foods your vet suggests you add to your dogs diet.
Feeding chicken and rice to your dog when ill is a great idea as it allows them to easily digest a single carb and protein meal. It is not sufficient for a growing active dog in every stage of life.
Can I Feed My Dog Chicken and Rice Every Day? (Solved!)
So, youve decided to pamper your pet with a home-cooked meal! Though chicken and rice might seem like an appealing everyday feast for your canine companion, especially if they have an upset stomach, trust me this simple dish alone wont cut it for meeting their nutritional requirements.
Avoid feeding your dog chicken and rice more than twice or three times a week. When you feed them chicken and rice, try to mix them in other vitamin-rich foods such as vegetables or some kibble.
Is Too Much Chicken And Rice Bad For Dogs?
Chicken and rice are not bad for your pet but your dog will need more than just these two foods. Chicken and rice are common ingredients in most home-cooked dog food recipes they are cheap, easy, and make a great bland diet option for dogs with upset stomachs.
Just as you need a balanced diet with some variety, your dog will also appreciate eating more than just chicken and rice.
Enhance your dogs meals with other wet foods beyond just canned food. Try adding vegetables, herbs, and other wholesome ingredients. Not only are you able to create an array of delicious recipes that taste great, but also one that is packed with essential nutrients for a balanced diet which will help keep your dog at a healthy weight!
Chicken And Rice For Dogs By Weight Chart
If youre considering making a meal of chicken, rice, and other ingredients for your dog, its important to keep the ratio of proteins and carbohydrates in balance according to their weight. Here is a handy guide that will help you do this:
Weight | Chicken (cooken) | Rice (cooked) |
<4 lbs | 1/4 cup | 1/8 cup |
4-7 lbs | 1/2 cup | 1/4 cup |
8-17 lbs | 3/4 cup | 1/3 cup |
18 26lbs | 1cup | 2/3cup |
27 35lbs | 1.25 cups | 3/4cup |
36 44lbs | 1.5 cups | 3/4cup |
>45lbs | 2 cups | 1cup |
Remember to always adjust the portions based on your dogs individual caloric needs and consult with a vet if you have questions about their diet. Preparing a balanced home-cooked meal with the right ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals is important in keeping your pet healthy!
Its also wise to add omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon oil or sardines to the meals for extra nutrition. This will help keep your pups coat shiny and their skin clear.
Can I Feed My Dog Boiled Chicken Every Day?
As long as you balance your dogs diet with additional ingredients, you can feed your pet a cup of food containing boneless chicken breasts and rice every day. For smaller dogs feed them less.
The boiled chicken alone will not sufficiently meet all of your dogs nutritional requirements.
Your dog will require additional fiber and carbohydrates, calcium, minerals, fatty acids, and various vitamins to help them maintain a healthy body weight.
If your pooch has recently been ill, its essential to amend its diet in order to replenish any nutrients that may have diminished.
Do Dogs Fully Digest Rice?
Dogs may be the descendants of carnivorous wolves but their stomachs have evolved to consume and digest some grains. However, they are not as capable of breaking down complex carbohydrates as humans or other animals. Therefore, you should be careful about what grains you feed your dog.
Canine stomachs are powerful enough to fully digest plain white rice boiled in chicken broth but avoid feeding your dog more fibrous varieties such as brown or red rice. Your dog will not be able to digest it and it could upset its gastrointestinal tract.
Will Chicken and Rice Give My Dogs Constipation?
Although chicken and rice provide a balanced meal for dogs, it is important to feed your pet the right amounts of both foods. Too much of either ingredient can cause issues such as constipation or diarrhea.
Its also essential to choose ingredients with high-quality proteins that are easy to digest, like lean chicken breast. Avoiding fatty meats, such as chicken skin and dark meats will also help prevent digestive issues.
What Can I Give My Dog Instead of Chicken and Rice?
If your dog has grown sick and tired of white rice, you can try mixing things up with a few other grains. (1)
Test out a few of these to see which ones your dog likes and can digest:
- Gluten-free oatmeal is a wonderful substitute for rice if your dog is grain tolerant
- If your dog has any allergies, tapioca works well as a grain-free carbohydrate (2)
- Boiled and mashed white potatoes contain complex carbohydrates and amino acids
- Bone Broth
- Baby food (without onions and garlic)
- Canned pumpkin and rice
If your dog struggles to digest any of these, do not feed them to your pet.
Are There Any Vegetables That I Shouldnt Give My Dog?
Avoid feeding your dog onions, garlic, chives, mushrooms, tomatoes, asparagus, or leaks. Onions, leeks, chives, and garlic are all part of the same plant family, and all of them are bad for your dogs health. They can cause gastrointestinal inflammation and poison your dogs blood.
While not all mushrooms are bad for dogs, many species of wild mushrooms are highly toxic. Feeding your dog mushrooms will teach it to trust all mushrooms, leading it to eat toxic ones.
Can I Replace Chicken with Tuna in My Dogs Food?
You can replace chicken with a variety of different meats. Tuna is completely safe for your dog but avoid making it their main source of protein. Tuna often has high mercury levels that can damage your pets health and lead to long-term health problems.
You can also use cubed or ground beef, turkey, or liver (in small portions), as long as you cook the meat to kill any bacteria that could harm your dog.
Should I Mix Kibble with Chicken and Rice?
If your dog is new to a home-cooked diet, its stomach may still be adjusting to new foods. You can mix kibble into their homemade meals to provide more fiber, calories, and nutrients they need to survive.
Your vet may also recommend adding kibble into their meals to round out their diets. Often, it is difficult for pet owners to meet all of their dogs nutritional needs, so adding kibble can help lighten that burden.
What Homemade Foods Can Dogs Eat?
You may be surprised to learn that your dog can eat a wide range of human foods without it harming their health. Your dog can safely and happily consume:
- Vegetables such as carrots, peas, spinach, and zucchini
- Lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and ground beef
- Some legumes such as kidney beans
- Grains such as oatmeal, rice, and tapioca
As long as your home-cooked meals meet all of your dogs nutritional needs, theres no harm in switching to a homemade diet.
Is Homemade Dog Food Good for Dogs?
Although scientists have yet to publish any research on whether homemade dog food is better than store-bought dog food, there is reason to believe it is better for them. One study found that dogs raised on a home-cooked diet lived 3 years longer, on average than dogs raised on kibble.
Additionally, you can better control what your pet is eating and regulate their diet if they have any allergies or a sensitive stomach.
My name is Ken and Im one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. Ive cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.