Chicken and rice is a classic bland diet recommended by vets to help dogs recover from digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset. But how much of this simple food combination should you be feeding your pooch? Getting the proportions right ensures your dog gets the nutrition they need without overloading their sensitive stomach.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding your dog boiled chicken and rice, including:
- Ideal portions based on your dog’s weight
- How long to keep them on this diet
- The best cooking methods and ingredients
- Transitioning back to regular food
- FAQs on modifications for allergies, weight loss, and more!
Follow these tips from veterinarians and animal nutritionists to get your pup back on their paws quickly when gastrointestinal problems strike.
How Much To Feed Based on Dog’s Weight
For your dog’s health, you should feed them the right amount of chicken and rice based on its size. As a general guideline, the daily recommended portion is:
- 1/3 cup chicken and rice per 10 lbs body weight.
If your dog weighs 10 pounds, you would give it 1/3 cup per meal. If your dog weighs 50 pounds, you would give it about 1 2/3 cups per meal.
Here is a breakdown by weight
| Dog’s Weight | Chicken & Rice per Meal |
|---|---|
| 10 lbs | 1/3 cup |
| 20 lbs | 2/3 cup |
| 30 lbs | 1 cup |
| 40 lbs | 1 1/3 cups |
| 50 lbs | 1 2/3 cups |
| 60 lbs | 2 cups |
| 70 lbs | 2 1/3 cups |
| 80 lbs | 2 2/3 cups |
| 90 lbs | 3 cups |
| 100 lbs | 3 1/3 cups |
- For larger dogs, split the daily portion into 2-3 meals to prevent overwhelming their stomach.
- Gradually increase portions if your dog is underweight and needs more calories.
- Reduce portions if your dog needs to lose weight.
Focus on small, frequent meals while your dog recovers from digestive issues. Their stomach will be sensitive, so avoid large meals that could lead to vomiting or diarrhea.
How Long Should You Feed This Diet?
The chicken and rice diet is only intended as a short term bland food option Vets typically recommend sticking with it for
- 3-5 days for mild digestive upsets
- Up to 7 days for more severe cases like gastroenteritis
Here’s what to look for when transitioning back to regular dog food
- Day 1-2: Feed small, frequent meals of just chicken and rice.
- Day 3-4: If stools are normal, mix a bit of kibble with the chicken and rice.
- Day 5+: Gradually transition back to 100% regular food if stools stay firm.
Don’t continue feeding chicken and rice long-term, as it won’t meet all of your dog’s nutritional needs. Get them back on a balanced commercial or homemade diet within 5-7 days.
Cooking Tips
For the chicken and rice to be gentle on your dog’s stomach:
- Boil skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- Avoid any seasonings, salt, oil, onions, or garlic
- Cook white rice until soft, use a 2:1 water to rice ratio
- Mix the rice and boiled chicken together
- Let the food cool before serving
When you boil chicken, the protein and nutrients stay in while making it bland. Brown rice has more fiber than white rice, which makes it easier to digest.
Serve the chicken and rice mixture cool, not hot, as the temperature could irritate your dog’s stomach. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Transitioning Back to Regular Food
Once your dog’s stomach problems are gone, you should slowly switch them back to their regular food. Here’s how:
- Days 1-4: Feed the bland chicken and rice diet
- Days 5-6: Mix their kibble into the chicken and rice, reducing the ratio each day
- Day 7: Feed just the regular kibble again
Go slowly over the course of a week, ensuring the change doesn’t re-trigger stomach upset. If symptoms recur, extend the chicken and rice phase for a few more days before trying again.
Your dog should regain normal energy levels and stool consistency when they are ready to go back to their regular food. Monitor them closely when transitioning to make sure the sensitive stomach has fully healed.
FAQs
Can I add vegetables or broth to the chicken and rice?
Low-fiber cooked veggies like carrots, green beans, and pumpkin (canned, no spices) can be added once stools start to firm up. Avoid high-fiber veggies, fatty broths, and seasonings until the stomach is fully recovered.
Should I use white or brown rice?
White rice is recommended, as the lower fiber content makes it easier to digest. Brown rice may irritate an already upset stomach.
Is chicken and rice enough nutrition long-term?
No, chicken and rice does not provide complete and balanced nutrition. It should only be fed short-term. After 5-7 days, transition back to your dog’s regular commercial or homemade diet.
Can I use this diet if my dog has allergies?
If your dog has a chicken or rice allergy, substitute with a protein and carb they can tolerate, like turkey and sweet potato. Work with your vet to find an appropriate hypoallergenic diet.
What if my dog needs to lose weight?
Chicken and rice is not ideal for weight loss. Consult your vet for a prescription weight management dog food to safely help your dog slim down.
Can I freeze batches of chicken and rice?
Yes, freezing in portion-sized containers allows for easy use. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating slightly. Do not refreeze thawed chicken and rice.
The Takeaway
Chicken and rice can help get your dog’s digestive system back in working order during bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Just be sure to stick with the bland food for only 5-7 days before transitioning back to their regular balanced diet. Pay close attention to portion sizes based on your dog’s weight for the best recovery. With the proper feeding guidance, this simple food can get your canine companion back on their paws!
Bland Diets A bland diet is one that is highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat, and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast (without skin and bones). As bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows, and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastrointestinal system and to help promote normal stool formation.
1 part white rice with three parts water boiled for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed.
Remove all visible fat and boil in water for 10-15 minutes (or until the meat is easily pulled apart and is fully cooked).