Chicken and rice is a common bland diet recommended by vets for dogs with upset stomachs The thought is that the mild flavors of boiled chicken and white rice will be gentle on your dog’s digestive system But how long can you safely feed this limited ingredient diet before transitioning back to regular dog food?
I took a deep dive into the research to find out Here’s what I learned about the ideal duration for feeding your dog a chicken and rice diet, plus tips to transition off this temporary food
Why Chicken and Rice for Upset Stomachs
Before getting into how long you can feed it, let’s quickly cover why chicken and rice is used in the first place
Veterinarians typically prescribe a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for dogs with:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Upset stomach from medications
- Gastrointestinal issues like IBS
The logic is that chicken provides lean protein for energy while rice acts as an easily digestible source of carbohydrates. The food is low in fat, fiber, and spices that could further irritate an already sensitive stomach.
So as a short term gut soother, chicken and rice hits the spot. But it lacks complete nutrition to be a long-term solution.
How Long is Chicken and Rice Safe for Dogs?
Chicken and rice is meant as a temporary diet to give your dog’s digestive system a chance to rest and recover.
Most vets recommend sticking with the chicken and rice diet for 3-5 days at the maximum.
The goal is to transition back to a complete and balanced meal plan as soon as your dog’s stomach improves to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Here’s a general timeline for how long to feed chicken and rice:
Days 1-2
- Feed smaller portions 3-4 times per day
- Ensure chicken is boiled, no seasoning
- Monitor for improvements in diarrhea, vomiting
Days 3-4
- As stools firm up, gradually mix in their regular food
- Start with a 25% regular food and 75% chicken and rice ratio
Day 5 and Beyond
- Most dogs can fully return to regular diet after 5 days
- If issues persist, consult your vet before continuing
So by day 5, your dog should be back on their normal food if the gastrointestinal upset has resolved.
Let’s look closer at the health risks of feeding chicken and rice longer than 5 days.
Dangers of Chicken and Rice Long-Term
Chicken and rice is not nutritionally complete or balanced for prolonged feeding. Here are some of the risks of feeding it for too long:
✖️ Nutritional deficiencies: Dogs need balanced amounts of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Chicken and rice alone lacks vital nutrients.
✖️ Weight loss: The diet won’t provide adequate calories for most dogs beyond a few days.
✖️ Dehydration: Plain chicken and rice lacks the moisture found in regular dog foods.
✖️ Constipation: Too much rice without fiber can lead to constipation in some dogs.
✖️ Muscle wasting: Lack of nutrients can cause muscle mass loss.
The takeaway is chicken and rice should only ever be used short-term until your dog’s stomach settles.
How to Transition Off Chicken and Rice
Once your dog’s appetite returns and their stools look normal, it’s time to transition back to their regular food.
Here are some tips for a smooth switch:
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Go slowly: Mix a little bit of their normal food with the chicken and rice over 3-5 days.
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Keep portions small: Small meals are easier to digest than one large daily portion.
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Choose a bland kibble: If their stomach is still sensitive, a mild bland kibble may be tolerable than their previous food.
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Try probiotics: Adding probiotic supplements can help restore good gut bacteria.
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Avoid sudden food changes: Stick with the new food for at least 2 weeks before switching foods again.
If your dog has chronic stomach issues, your vet may recommend sticking with the chicken and rice longer, or trying a prescription hydrolyzed protein dog food formulated for gastrointestinal sensitivities.
Chicken and Rice Diet Tips
If you do need to feed a chicken and rice diet, follow these tips to give your dog the best chance of improvement:
✅ Use lean, boiled chicken breast without skin, fat, or seasonings
✅ Cook white rice until soft, avoid brown rice
✅ Mix in small amounts of low-fiber vegetables like carrots or pumpkin once stools improve
✅ Feed smaller, frequent meals instead of one big serving
✅ Ensure fresh water is always available to prevent dehydration
✅ Check with your vet before supplementing with vitamins or minerals
✅ Monitor energy level, stool quality, and general health closely
The goal is to get your dog off this limited diet and back on a nutritionally balanced food as soon as their stomach stabilizes.
Answers to Common Questions
Here are some quick answers to frequent questions about chicken and rice for dogs:
Can I feed my dog chicken and rice long-term?
No. Chicken and rice does not provide complete nutrition and should only be fed temporarily.
How long should a puppy eat chicken and rice?
Only 2-3 days maximum for puppies. They have higher nutritional needs that won’t be met by this diet.
Can I mix chicken and rice with dog food?
You can mix small amounts of kibble with chicken and rice as you transition back to their regular food.
What if my dog won’t eat chicken and rice?
Try adding low-sodium chicken broth or warm water to enhance the smell and taste. If they still refuse, call your vet.
Can I use brown rice instead?
White rice is best. The lower fiber in white rice makes it ideal for dogs with upset stomachs.
The Takeaway
While chicken and rice can help soothe your dog’s stomach for a couple of days, it’s not a long-term solution. Most vets recommend sticking to this bland diet for just 3-5 days maximum.
Monitor your dog closely for improvements in vomiting, diarrhea, and appetite. As soon as their stools return to normal, gradually mix their regular food back in.
Getting your dog off the chicken and rice and back on a complete and balanced diet will ensure they get the nutrition they need while avoiding potential health risks. Just be patient and transition slowly to give their stomach time to readjust.
Rice For Dogs: The Proper Portion
Rice alone is a bountiful source of vitamin D, fiber, and iron for your pup. Vitamin D in rice regulates calcium and phosphorous levels.
Iron helps form hemoglobin, the oxygen-rich molecule in red blood cells. Feeding your dog rice is an easy way to help deliver these nutrients.
Unfortunately, many cheaper dog foods can contain gluten in different forms. This is because gluten based flours are plentiful and very cost effective. Like humans, many dogs suffer from gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance. This food intolerance can result in stomach upset, rashes, and diarrhea.
Since it is naturally gluten-free, rice is a great carbohydrate alternative to gluten based dog foods.
However, rice fed in high amounts daily should probably not be a part of your dog’s diet. A recent study by the British Veterinary Association states that dogs who had an abundance of rice in their diet showed higher levels of arsenic in their hair[*].
This study compared a group of dogs with no rice in their diet with a group that had very high amounts of rice in their diet. The findings concluded that the levels of arsenic in the group with high rice consumption was significantly higher than the group with no rice.
It is important to note that the rice-fed group had extremely high amounts of rice in their diet. Also, while arsenic is a well known toxin, it is naturally present in other food too, such as pears, apples, and grapes.
In conclusion, rice in small amounts may be beneficial for your dog, but it should not be the number one ingredient in their dog food.
Furthermore, if you are making homemade food for diabetic dogs, we recommend avoiding rice and other simple carbohydrates altogether.
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Chicken and Rice: The Proper Amount
When a dog eats something that upsets their stomach, a few days of feeding them chicken and rice may put a stop to their ailment. However, we need to understand that not all methods of cooking are created equal.
You should not pan fry or deep fry chicken that you will serve your dog. This excess fat can lead to further gastrointestinal problems, as well as make the protein too hard for them to properly digest in an already inflamed intestinal tract.
So what is the best way to cook chicken and rice for dogs?
The best, most effective way to cook chicken for your dog is to boil it. Follow these steps below:
- Use boneless, skinless, thin-sliced chicken breast. Thin-sliced will reduce cooking times. You want to stay away from chicken thighs because of the excess fat. This may further upset your dog’s stomach.
- Fill a deep pot with water, and bring to a rolling boil. Using tongs, slowly lower each chicken breast into the boiling water. After a couple of minutes, cut one of the chicken breasts in half to ensure that it is cooked through.
- Remove chicken from the pot and let it cool for approximately 20 minutes. Set Aside.
For the rice:
- For digestive purposes, only use white rice. Brown rice has a high fiber content, and may upset your dog’s already sensitive stomach.
- Bring water to a boil, and prepare white rice according to package.
- Remove from heat, let cool completely.
Never serve hot food to your dog. You want both the chicken and the rice to bee cool before serving to your pup.
To aid in digestion, you want to aim for 1 1/2 – 2 cups of rice to 1 cup of chicken. The increased amount of rice will help stop any further diarrhea. If diarrhea continues for a long period of time, contact your veterinarian.
Here are the serving amounts we recommend for your dog by weight.
| dog weight | chicken (cups/day) | rice (cups/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lbs or less | 1/3 cup | 2/3 cup |
| 10 – 20 lbs | 1/2 cups | 1 cup |
| 20 – 30 lbs | 3/4 cups | 1 1/2 cups |
| 30 – 40 lbs | 1 cup | 2 cups |
| 40 – 60 lbs | 1 1/4 cups | 2 1/2 cups |
| 60 – 80 lbs | 1 3/4 cups | 3 1/2 cups |
| 80 – 100 lbs | 2 1/4 cups | 4 1/2 cups |
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