How Much Chicken and Rice Should You Feed Your Puppy Based on Weight (kg)?
When your puppy has an upset stomach or is recovering from an illness, vets often recommend a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice. But how much should you feed based on your puppy’s weight in kg? Getting the proportions right ensures your pup gets adequate nutrition without upsetting their sensitive tummy.
This guide explains the ideal amounts of chicken and rice to feed puppies of different weights along with tips for transitioning back to regular food
Key Takeaways on Feeding Chicken and Rice to Puppies
-
Feed 1/4 cup chicken & rice per meal per 5 kg body weight. Adjust up or down based on activity level.
-
Stick to a ratio of 1 cup chicken to 1.5 cups rice for balance.
-
Cook chicken plain without seasoning, skin or bones.
-
Use white rice as it’s gentler on stomachs than brown rice
-
Transition back to regular puppy food over 3-5 days once stools normalize.
How Much Chicken and Rice Per Meal Based on Puppy Weight
The amount of chicken and rice to feed your puppy depends on their weight in kg. As a general guideline, aim for:
- 1/4 cup total chicken and rice per meal per 5 kg of body weight
So for example, a 5 kg puppy needs 1/4 cup per meal. A 10 kg puppy needs 1/2 cup per meal.
Here’s a breakdown by weight range:
Puppy Weight (kg) – Chicken & Rice per Meal
2-5 kg – 1/4 cup
5-10 kg – 1/2 cup
10-15 kg – 3/4 cup
15-20 kg – 1 cup
20-25 kg – 1 1/4 cup
25-30 kg – 1 1/2 cups
Monitor your puppy’s appetite and energy levels. Very active puppies may need slightly larger portions. Seniors or less active pups may need less.
What Ratio of Chicken to Rice is Best?
In addition to weight, pay attention to the ratio of chicken to rice. Aim for:
-
1 cup boiled, unseasoned chicken breast
-
1.5 cups cooked white rice
This supports the right balance of protein from the chicken and carbs from the rice.
For a 10 kg puppy getting 1/2 cup total per meal, do:
-
1/3 cup chicken
-
1/4 cup rice
Cooking Tips for Puppy Chicken and Rice
-
Remove skin and bones and boil chicken breast to make it easy to digest
-
Cook rice thoroughly until soft. Undercooked rice can irritate stomachs.
-
Don’t season chicken or rice. Avoid salt, spices, oils etc.
-
Let chicken and rice cool fully before serving. Don’t feed hot.
How Long to Feed This Diet?
Chicken and rice should only be fed temporarily, for 3-5 days max. Once your puppy’s stools normalize, transition back to their regular food.
On days 3-4, mix a bit of their kibble into the chicken and rice. Gradually decrease the bland diet while increasing kibble amounts over 3-5 days.
If diarrhea or vomiting returns, go back to just chicken and rice for another 1-2 days before trying again. Consult your vet if issues persist beyond 5 days on this diet.
The goal is to return your puppy to their complete and balanced regular diet as soon as their stomach settles. Chicken and rice should not be fed long term as it lacks essential nutrients.
Tips for Transitioning Back to Regular Puppy Food
-
Wait for firm stools for 24 hours before starting transition
-
Mix kibble with chicken and rice, slowly adjusting ratio over 3-5 days
-
If diarrhea recurs, revert back to chicken and rice only for 1-2 days
-
Closely monitor stool consistency and energy levels
-
Contact vet if you can’t transition fully after 5 days
-
Once back on regular food, monitor puppy closely for further issues
The ideal recovery involves 2 days chicken and rice only, 3 days of mixed increasing kibble portions, then back fully to their balanced diet. But adjust as needed based on your puppy’s unique response.
Chicken and rice can help provide gastrointestinal relief for puppies when used properly for a few days. Pay close attention to weight-based portions, ratio balance, and transition time back to regular food. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian for tailored advice on your puppy’s recovery diet. With the right approach, this bland meal can get your puppy back on their paws.
Preparing the Perfect Chicken and Rice Meal
Creating a nutritious chicken and rice meal at home is simple and straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Avoid using chicken with bones or skin to prevent choking hazards and excess fat intake.
- White Rice: White rice is preferred over brown rice for its higher digestibility, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Water: For boiling and cooking purposes.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts in a pot and cover with water.
- Bring to a boil and then simmer until the chicken is fully cooked (no pink in the center).
- Remove the chicken from the water and let it cool before shredding it into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Rice:
- Use the broth from the boiled chicken to cook the rice for added flavor and nutrients.
- Combine the appropriate amount of rice and chicken broth in a pot (typically, a 1:2 ratio of rice to liquid).
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Combine and Serve:
- Mix the shredded chicken and cooked rice together in the correct proportions as indicated by the calculator.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before serving it to your dog.
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to three months. Thaw thoroughly before serving.
While chicken and rice provide essential proteins and carbohydrates, they may lack certain vitamins and minerals required for a balanced diet over the long term.
- Short-Term Use: This diet is excellent for short-term feeding, especially during digestive upset or recovery periods.
- Long-Term Use: If you plan to feed your dog chicken and rice regularly, consider supplementing with essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Consult with a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist to ensure your dog’s diet remains balanced and complete.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
While brown rice is more nutritious, it is also higher in fiber and can be harder to digest for some dogs. White rice is usually recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs due to its ease of digestion.
Can I Feed My Dog Chicken & Rice Every Day?
FAQ
How much rice and chicken should I feed my puppy?
Guidelines for Serving: Portion Size: – A general rule is to feed your dog about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of boiled chicken per 10 pounds of body weight. – For white rice, you can serve about 1/4 cup for the same weight range. Mixing: – You can mix the chicken and rice in a 50:50 ratio for a balanced meal. Frequency:
How much chicken and rice for puppy diarrhea?
The combination of rice to chicken/beef will be 2 to 1. In other words, if you want to give your dog a total of one cup of food he/she will receive 1/3 cup chicken mixed with 2/3 cup of rice. Feed several small meals per day rather than one or two large meals.
Is 2 cups of rice too much for a dog?
My vet has always specified 2 parts rice to 1 part chicken, then to feed 1/2cup of that mixture per 5 pounds of dog. So for your dog that would work out to 2 cups rice and 1 cup chicken per day.
What is a good portion size for puppies?
If you’re not sure about how much food to give a puppy, you can calculate the ideal amount in a few, simple steps. First, measure how much your dog weighs in pounds. Then, multiply that number by 16 to calculate their weight in ounces. Finally, find 5 to 6 percent of that value to see how much food to give your puppy.
How much chicken & rice should a dog eat?
The right portion size depends on your dog’s weight, ensuring they get enough food to support recovery without overloading their stomach. A good rule of thumb is to give your dog ⅓ cup of boiled chicken and rice per 10 pounds of body weight per meal. If your dog weighs 30 pounds, for example, they would need 1 cup of chicken and rice per meal.
How many calories in chicken & rice for a 10 pound dog?
One cup of chicken and rice contains around 400 calories. The average requirement of dogs is between 25 and 30 calories per pound of their body weight. Therefore, 1 cup of chicken and rice is too much for a 10 pound dog, providing more than they need.
Can dogs eat chicken & rice?
Missing Nutrients: A balanced weight loss plan for dogs typically involves a specially formulated low-calorie, high-protein, and high-fiber diet. Chicken and rice, while simple and easy to digest, does not provide these essential elements in the correct proportions for effective, healthy weight loss.
Does chicken & rice help a dog lose weight?
Low Fiber: Chicken and rice lacks the necessary fiber content needed to promote satiety (feeling full) and healthy digestion for weight loss. Fiber is crucial for helping dogs feel satisfied on fewer calories, which is a key element in a weight loss diet.
Can dogs eat chicken & rice if they have diarrhea?
Chicken and rice – not just for dogs with diarrhea! Because chicken and rice is gentle on the stomach while being highly nutritious, you can use it in most situations where your pup has an upset stomach. Just as with diarrhea, feeding chicken and rice can help a vomiting dog heal faster than they might otherwise.
Can dogs eat rice if they have an upset stomach?
Here’s why: High Carbohydrate Content: While rice is great for soothing an upset stomach, it is high in carbohydrates. For a dog that needs to lose weight, excess carbs can contribute to weight gain rather than weight loss, especially if fed over a long period.