[stbob]

For about the last month +/- been feeding my 9 month old boxer homemade boiled chicken & white rice. I over cook the rice a bit to make it softer, i heard this makes it easier for the dog to digest. I also mix in some dry puppy kibble into the rice and chicken, afterwards i clean much of the kibble off the floor, dog has me trained well. Last but not least, i usually add an ounce or two of hot tap water to ever so slightly warm up the food after its been in the frigidaire for awhile...
So my current concern is, can this be a healthy long term diet or best to be only short term. Also thinking about adding some extra nutrients to the mix like peas & carrots... 🐓

 

[parus]

That is absolutely not a balanced diet, especially for a growing dog. I would be very concerned about nutritional deficiencies. If you are going to feed a homemade diet rather than a commercial food, please consult a "cookbook" with recipes for dog meal preparations that contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals as well as a good balance of protein and fat.

 

[DaySleepers]

Agree with Parus, chicken and rice is usually only recommended as a bland, short-term diet to get dogs over a temporary digestive upset, and isn't at all balanced for long-term health. Even with a few veggies added (which need to be well cooked and ideally blended to make them digestible for dogs - raw or lightly cooked whole veg goes right through them), you're going to be dangerously low on a lot of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Are you feeding it because you want to do a homemade diet, or because your pup has stomach troubles?

 

[stbob]

That is absolutely not a balanced diet, especially for a growing dog. I would be very concerned about nutritional deficiencies. If you are going to feed a homemade diet rather than a commercial food, please consult a "cookbook" with recipes for dog meal preparations that contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals as well as a good balance of protein and fat.

Agree with Parus, chicken and rice is usually only recommended as a bland, short-term diet to get dogs over a temporary digestive upset, and isn't at all balanced for long-term health. Even with a few veggies added (which need to be well cooked and ideally blended to make them digestible for dogs - raw or lightly cooked whole veg goes right through them), you're going to be dangerously low on a lot of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Are you feeding it because you want to do a homemade diet, or because your pup has stomach troubles?

About a month ago took dog to vet because it hadn't been eating or drinking for at least 24 hours (thought maybe the dog swallowed something it shouldn't have and had a blockage). Vet didn't find anything wrong with the dog, suggested it might be some indigestion and recommended trying a bland diet of rice & chicken. First serving of the rice & chicken and the dog was back to eating & drinking normally. Acually better than normal, dog has been a little underweight since day one (it was the runt) and after a week of its new diet seemed to be putting on some weight and looking healthier. As stated in original post, i do mix the dry kibble in with the rice & chicken. And on fridays i substitute the chicken with sardines, another of its favorite foods. I limit the sardines because they seem to cause loose stool, so they're more of a treat than a steady diet... As for cookbooks, one or two will probably look great on my bookshelf with rest of my book collection and one day i might even read some of them but for now i'll continue researching this forum and coooking videos on youtube...

 

[chfnas19]

Have you let the vet know that you are consistently feeding chicken and rice? Your vet might not realize that you are doing that, thinking that it was temporary. Talk to your vet and they can help direct you to the proper diet for your pooch. It does sound like the diet is not balanced enough and might not have a positive long term effect.

 

[BKaymuttleycrew]

About a month ago took dog to vet because it hadn't been eating or drinking for at least 24 hours (thought maybe the dog swallowed something it shouldn't have and had a blockage). Vet didn't find anything wrong with the dog, suggested it might be some indigestion and recommended trying a bland diet of rice & chicken. First serving of the rice & chicken and the dog was back to eating & drinking normally. Acually better than normal, dog has been a little underweight since day one (it was the runt) and after a week of its new diet seemed to be putting on some weight and looking healthier. As stated in original post, i do mix the dry kibble in with the rice & chicken. And on fridays i substitute the chicken with sardines, another of its favorite foods. I limit the sardines because they seem to cause loose stool, so they're more of a treat than a steady diet... As for cookbooks, one or two will probably look great on my bookshelf with rest of my book collection and one day i might even read some of them but for now i'll continue researching this forum and coooking videos on youtube...

Unless you are 'mixing in' at least 80% or more of her recommended amount of kibble based on her age/weight (ie - your 'toppers' make up 20% or less of her daily amount consumed) you risk doing long term damage to her health with an unbalanced diet. This is problematic enough when it's an adult dog - in a growing puppy it could be serious indeed. Many canine nutritionists who formulate home cooked diets for dogs won't even recommend them for dogs under 1 year of age because of the complexity of ensuring proper formulation for growth & development.

 

[carlatarani]

Agree with Parus, chicken and rice is usually only recommended as a bland, short-term diet to get dogs over a temporary digestive upset, and isn't at all balanced for long-term health. Even with a few veggies added (which need to be well cooked and ideally blended to make them digestible for dogs - raw or lightly cooked whole veg goes right through them), you're going to be dangerously low on a lot of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Are you feeding it because you want to do a homemade diet, or because your pup has stomach troubles?

 

[carlatarani]

 

[DaySleepers]

There are definitely options out there for highly palatable, balanced foods for growing puppies, or ways to use toppers to entice a dog to eat. But from your original post, it sounds like your pup is eating mostly chicken and rice, and not much kibble. Not only is chicken and rice quite low in many vitamins and minerals (including super important ones for growth, like calcium), it's quite low-calorie and that can be a huge problem for a growing puppy, who needs that energy to build strong bones and bodies.

A high quality wet food can be a good option for dogs who don't eat well. It's a complete diet in itself, but you can also mix it into kibble to make the kibble more appetizing (especially since canned tends to be a little pricier). But I'd definitely prioritize getting your pup eating much more complete, balanced diet, much less nutrient- and calorie-poor filler.

 

[storyist]

What everyone else said. Chicken and rice doesn't begin to meet any dog's nutritional needs and is very ill advised for a young dog. Mixing in some kibble, which he prefers not to eat, doesn't remedy the basic deficiencies.