Can I give my dog chicken and rice every day
Can Dogs Eat Rice?
One of the most popular foods around the world is rice. But can dogs eat rice? The answer is yes. Rice is an ingredient sometimes found in commercial dog foods.
Many pet owners feed white rice to their sick dog. One of the reasons white rice is the chosen grain for a dog with an upset stomach is that its easy to digest, quick to prepare, and low in fiber.
We use rice as a carb source when dogs are on a bland diet after a GI upset, says Dr. Steve Weinberg, DVM and medical director/CEO of 911Vets, a mobile veterinary service in the Los Angeles area. Rice helps to bind the stool in cases of diarrhea.
Is All Rice the Same?
Brown rice is never prescribed for dogs having gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea. Ill canine companions need need the starch in white rice. However, white rice has a higher glycemic index than brown rice and can cause blood sugar levels to rise. If your dog is diabetic, you can still feed them a little white rice, if needed, but not on a consistent basis.
Brown rice can be harder for a dog to digest because it is not as processed. Brown rice has a seed coat where the nutrients are stored, explains Dr. Carly Fox, DVM, a staff veterinarian at New York Citys Animal Medical Center. That coat is missing from white rice, resulting in less nutritional content.
Carbohydrates are an important part of a dogs diet, along with a certain amount of protein and fat. Just as with humans, eating too many carbs can lead to weight gain in a dog. Because commercially produced dog food contains carbohydrates, be careful not to overload your pup with additional high-carb foods like rice. As long as your dog is maintaining a healthy weight, adding some rice to your dogs mealsis perfectly fine.
When preparing rice for your pup, boil it in water and do not add any seasonings or spices, which can upset stomachs or even be toxic. Keep it plain and simple; they wont know the difference. And just like with any new food you introduce into your dogs diet, consult your veterinarian first and then start off slowly.
Chicken and Rice for Dogs
Looking for a special meal that your picky dog will love? This Chicken and Rice for Dogs is packed with nutritious ingredients and will make your pup so happy! I also offer some modifications for this meal that make is perfect for dogs with upset stomachs.
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You often hear about cooking chicken and rice for dogs with upset stomachs, but did you know it can be a delicious meal for healthy dogs, too?
I make this chicken and rice as a special treat dinner for my dog when she's bored of her regular food and in need of something a little more fun. I don't feed it to her every night as she gets all her her vitamins and nutrients from her regular food, but she loves it as a treat!
I do also offer some tips in this post for what you can add to make it a more well-rounded meal. And your vet can likely recommend adjusting this homemade dog food to make it part of a regular diet specific to your dog's needs.
Please remember to always check with your vet before adding new food to your dog's diet. All pups are different and have different dietary requirements, food allergies, and sensitivities.
Is chicken and rice good for dogs?
Yes, chicken and rice is a great special treat meal for most dogs and also a good way to calm their stomachs when they're sick.
I love it because it's so versatile and you can really suit it to your dogs tastes and give them a meal that they'll love!
Can dogs eat brown rice?
Brown rice is great for most healthy dogs. It contains fiber (which helps with constipation!) and has a low glycemic index (source).
However, if you want to feed your furry friend chicken and rice because they have an upset stomach, you should use white rice for this recipe as it contains less fiber and will be gentler on their digestive system.
I make this recipe with brown rice on a regular basis, but if your dog isn't feeling well, definitely use white rice instead.
Why you'll love this recipe
You'll love this recipe because your dog will love it! My pup Winnie is extremely picky, but she is always happy to gobble this up.
I love that it's easy to switch up with different vegetable add-ins and that I can suit it exactly to her tastes.
I also feel good about feeding it to her as a treat as it has so much great nutrition in it!
You can easily double this recipe for a big batch.
Ingredients
As I've mentioned, this chicken and rice for dogs is an incredibly versatile dish and can be made in so many different ways! Here's everything I use, but be sure to check out my recommendations for different variations (also be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):
- Extra-virgin olive oil: We only use a little olive oil in this dish, but it's actually quite good for dogs, especially for keeping their coats shiny (source) - you can substitute with coconut oil if you prefer.
- Chicken breast:I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts (white meat) and cut it into small cubes before cooking.
- Brown rice: if you're feeding this to a dog with an upset stomach, use white rice instead. You can even try wild rice if you prefer.
- Unsalted chicken broth: you can use water instead, but I find that my dog enjoys this much more when I use chicken broth! Definitely use unsalted as you don't want additional sodium added to the broth. Bone broth also works well.
- Parsley: not only does parsley have a lot of vitamins that are great for dogs, but it can also help freshen their breath (source). Curly parsley is generally best for dogs.
- Shredded carrots: I would leave these out if your dog is sick.
- Frozen peas: I also recommend leaving these out if your dog is sick.
How to make chicken and rice for dogs
Making this dish is so easy. To start, add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat.
Once hot, add chicken to the skillet.
Cook for about 5-7 minutes until chicken is just cooked through.
Stir chicken stock, rice, and parsley into the skillet.
Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.Cover skillet and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until rice is cooked and tender.
Stir in chopped carrots and peas until warmed through.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly before feeding to your dog. I like to add a little more chopped parsley over the top, too, since I love all the health benefits it brings!
Hello, pickiest pup in the world. Why don't you tell the readers what you think about chicken and rice for dogs...
Dig right in, why don't you.
Winnie is happy to tell you she loves it! I couldn't believe how quickly and happily she gobbled it up.
Note that I didn't let her eat this entire bowl of chicken and rice! The serving size really depends on your dog's size and nutrition requirements, but I give my 20-pound dog about a cup at a time.
Perhaps this is TMI, but this meal definitely effects her digestive system in a great way and makes her very regular with healthy bowl movements.
Plus, it's all human-grade food. You and I could also enjoy it for dinner. But, we would probably find it very lacking in seasonings. Luckily, pups don't seem to need as much in terms of seasoning as humans do!
What if my dog is sick?
If your dog isn't feeling well, you really should be feeding them a bland diet. I recommend making this dish with just chicken and white rice (brown rice could cause digestive issues in an already sick dog).
Also, instead of sauting the chicken in olive oil, I recommend boiling it instead. You can boil the chicken breasts whole and then cube or shred them before adding to the cooked white rice.
To do so, put chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover with enough chicken broth or water (or a mixture) to cover. Cook for 12-15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and has an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove and cube or shred chicken.
You can reuse chicken broth/water for the white rice if you want. You'll need a 2:1 liquid to rice ratio, so if you're cooking cup rice, you'll need a cup of the broth or water.
Once rice is cooked, mix together with cubed/shredded chicken and serve to your dog.
Don't introduce any vegetables or add-ins until your dog is feeling better.
Can I serve this as my dog's every day food?
If you are looking to replace your dog's kibble or wet food with homemade food, I highly recommend you talk to your vet first. All dog's needs are different and they're also different from human needs and it's important you're feeding your dog a diet that is suited for them with all necessary nutrients.
Most store-bought dog foods are tested and vetted, but of course, homemade foods are not. This chicken and rice recipe for dogs does have a lot of good nutrition in it, but it might not have everything your dog needs to make it a part of their regular diet.
I have some recommendations below on adding calcium to the food, but I also recommend talking to your vet about what else you can add and about the daily serving size right for your dog.
This article from the American Kennel Club has a lot of great information on how to choose balanced ingredients for a homemade dog food recipe.
In the meantime, chicken and rice for dogs is an awesome treat!
How to add calcium to homemade dog food
While chicken does have some calcium in it, there are more ways you can add calcium to this chicken and rice for dogs recipe. Here are a few options:
- Salmon: adding salmon to this homemade food will also add some calcium. My dog loves salmon and it's so good for her coat and skin.
- Leafy greens: if your dog likes spinach or kale, you can add some to this dish.
- Cheese and yogurt: while also being aware that they add fat, cheese and yogurt are good ways to add calcium to your dog's diet.
- Calcium supplement: you can buy calcium supplement powders that are easy to mix into your dog's food.
Variations on recipe
There are so many things you can add to this chicken and rice that your dog will love and that will add more nutrition. You can either mix them in at the end, like I do the carrots and peas, or you can saut them with the chicken in the olive oil before adding the broth and rice.
Note that you shouldn't be adding any of these additions if you have a sick dog on your hands. Stick to chicken and white rice with no add-ins.
Here are some ideas:
- Zucchini: my dog won't eat zucchini on its own, but I've made this chicken and rice for dogs with finely chopped zucchini and she ate every bite. You can also grate it.
- Sweet Potatoes: you can dice it or mash it and stir it in.
- Spinach or kale: be sure to finely chop it. These leafy greens will add calcium, too.
- Broccoli florets: chopped
- Other meats: Salmon and ground turkey are great options for this rice dish for dogs. Lean ground beef or most other lean protein could work, too.
Can I freeze this?
Yes, you can! It's easy to double or triple this recipe and freeze some for later use.
I recommend freezing chicken and rice for dogs in individual portions in either freezer-safe plastic bags or small containers. It should keep fresh for about 3 months.
When ready to use, you can remove from fridge and thaw overnight in the fridge.
More treats your dogs will love
If you have a good pup who's always deserving of delicious treats, I have lots of homemade treat options for you! Here are some of my favorites:
I hope your dog loves this special treat meal and that you enjoy cooking this easy recipe and feel good about serving it to him or her.
Comment below to let me know what vegetables or other add-ins you used and what your dog thinks of them!
Recipe
Chicken and Rice for Dogs
Looking for a special meal that your picky dog will love? This Chicken and Rice for Dogs is packed with nutritious ingredients and will make your pup so happy! I also offer some modifications for this meal that make is perfect for dogs with upset stomachs.
Print Pin RateCourse: Dog-Friendly
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dog Recipes, Dog-Friendly Recipes, Homemade Dog Treats
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Author: Sues
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into small cubes
- cup brown rice (see notes if your dog has an upset stomach)
- 1 cup unsalted chicken broth (can substitute water)
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley (I recommend curly parsley)
- cup shredded carrots
- cup frozen peas, thawed
Instructions
Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add cubed chicken.
Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is just cooked through.
Stir chicken stock, rice, and parsley into the skillet.
Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.Cover skillet and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until rice is cooked and tender.
Stir in chopped carrots and peas until warmed through.
Notes
- If you're feeding your dog chicken and rice as part of a bland diet due to an upset stomach, use white rice instead of brown and omit the veggies. I recommend boiling the chicken breasts instead of sauting them if your dog is ill. Simply, put chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover with enough chicken broth or water (or a mixture) to cover. Cook for 12-15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and has an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove and cube or shred chicken. You can reuse chicken broth/water for rice if you want. Once rice is cooked, mix together with cubed/shredded chicken.
- This chicken and rice for dogs should keep fresh in your fridge for about 5 days. You can also freeze in individual portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
