Why We Started Making Our Own Treats
The final straw for us came recently when the pet supply store that we frequent informed us that the chicken and rice treats that we had been buying for our eleven-year-old Shih Tzu were made in China and were being recalled. This particular brand was responsible for making some dogs sick due to the fact the treats were irradiated.
Now why on Earth would they irradiate dog treats? Apparently, it’s to kill any bacteria that might be present in the ingredients, and it also prolongs the shelf life of the product. Well, we can tell you that this was the last time our Gobi was going to be eating these treats.
Gobi
Bill DeGiulio
How Much Homemade Dog Food Should You Feed Your Dog
You can calculate how much to feed your dog here. It is a great resource to tell you how many calories your dog needs based on it’s size.
The calories in the recipe box are an estimate based on lean chicken.
If you are making your homemade dog food for the first time,introduce the new food a little at a time. You don’t want your dog to get sick from a fast transition.
You may want to start off with half of the homemade food and half of the regular food for a couple of days.
Consult your veterinarian on how to do that best.
When you make this homemade dog food, please tell me what you think in the comment section! It would mean the world to me to hear back. My readers will appreciate the information also.
Also post your picture of your dog’s food on or , and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
Chicken And Sweet Potato Dog Food
Your dog will love this homemade dog food with chicken and sweet potatoes. Served with brown rice and sliced apple it’s a great dinner.
We serve this chicken and sweet potato recipe with the ingredients aside each other but you could mix the cooked ingredients together.
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Tip: Give Your Dog Supplements
My vet said this recipe was very well balanced.
However to assure me that my dog was getting all the proper vitamins that my dog might need, he suggested I give my dog VetriScience Canine Multi Pro – Extra Vitamins, Minerals, Essential Fatty Acids, and Probiotics – Important for Homemade and Raw Diets – 60 Soft Bite-Sized Chews
He would suggest this supplement for my dog if he was eating store bought food as well.
You can find cheaper supplements if you do some research. This is just the brand we use.
My dog is also older. He is at the age where he needs joint supplements.
He is a picky eater and has snubbed his nose at several different joint supplements that I have tried to offer him.
I buy the beef flavor. It is all natural with great ingredients.
He thinks he is eating a treat when I give him his little square chew!
How To Make Chicken And Rice Dog Food
Skinless and boneless chicken breasts are used in this homemade dog food recipe as the white meat is easier on your dog’s digestion.
The chicken and white rice are cooked together in a pot, then mixed with lightly cooked vegetables. We added the vegetables for extra vitamins but these can be omitted if you need a bland meal.
We shred the cooked chicken breasts so it’s easier to eat but you could cut the cooked chicken breast into small pieces for the size of your dog.
Always check with your veterinarian before introducing any new foods into your dogs diet.
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Does My Dog Need Vitamins
Yes. Your fur baby needs them more than you may know.
An excellent vitamin and mineral supplement is actually ESSENTIAL for dogs eating homemade dog food, because even the highest quality, human grade food won’t deliver the exact blend of vitamins and minerals canines need to thrive.
Our homemade dog food recipes with vitamins and supplements have been scientifically developed to meet AFFCOs standards, make your homemade dog food nutritionally complete, and will provide your dogs body with the nourishment s/he craves, so you can live your best life together!
Easy Homemade Dog Food Crockpot Recipe With Ground Chicken
If your dog is picky about the food he eats or suffers from food allergies, here is a homemade dog food crockpot recipe that helps my dog. Enjoy!
Are you wanting to make your own dog food? This is an easy homemade dog food crockpot recipe.
Just throw all the ingredients in the crockpot and cook for a couple of hours.
The result is a healthy, homemade dog food that your furry family member will love!
My dog has had food allergies FOREVER! I have tried almost every dog food under the sun from expensive to EXPENSIVE.
Finally, I had it and decided to look into making my own. I was shocked how easy it is.
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What Other Foods Can You Use In Homemade Dog Food
- You can interchange all the ingredients.
- I buy the meat that is on sale such as hamburger, turkey, and chicken. Whatever you choose, choose very lean cuts and no skin. Your dog cannot eat very fatty protein.
- You change out the vegetables from time to time also. I sometime switch out the butternut squash with pumpkin or sweet potato.
- You can add in apples or apple sauce for a variety in flavor.
- Instead of the kidney beans, you can use lentils or pinto beans.
- You can also add in chicken livers. Chicken livers are really good for your dog, but also very rich. You want to add in small amounts.
- The egg shells are also very good for dogs. This adds in calcium. Most dogs won’t eat the shells unless they are really broken up or crushed. You can crush the shells in a coffee grinder, food processor, or with a mortar and pestle.
- Salmon, salmon oil, and fish oil also helps with skin allergies and inflammation.
- I use white rice because it is easier on sensitive stomachs than brown rice. You can use brown rice if your dog does not have a sensitive stomach.
A Note About Allergies
Chicken is a fairly common dog allergy, so if you havent fed it to your pup before, youll want to watch out for symptoms like ear infections, chronic diarrhea, and paw-licking.
We recommend talking to your vet before you change your dogs diet. A pet professional can help you make sure your dog is getting everything it needs and maybe recommend dietary supplements if not.
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How To Make Chicken And Sweet Potato Instant Pot Dog Food
Keeping your dog fed with safe, nutritious food is an important part of pet ownership. Its right up there with giving them lots of loving tummy rubs! But not all dog foods are straightforward about what they contain. If you want more control over what your dog eats, try making your own dog food. Its surprisingly simple!
Before you begin, you should always make sure that the ingredients in your homemade dog food are safe for your pup to consume. This dog food recipe is safe for most dogs and provides them with plenty of nutrients. Before you cook anything for your pet, though, consult your veterinarian to ensure youre serving safe food in just the right amount for your unique doggo.
Featuring hearty chicken and sweet potatoes, our Instant Pot Dog Food also contains carrots, green beans, rice, apples, and celery. Your Instant Pot will turn it all into a delectable dish that your dog will love. You might be tempted to take a bite yourself!
Chicken And Sweet Potato Instant Pot Dog Food
Our families love the hearty, savory flavors of fall and winter. That includes the members with four legs and wagging tails! Treat your pooch to a tasty feast of chicken and sweet potatoes with this Instant Pot Dog Food. Made with fresh, pup-safe ingredients, its the perfect food to spoil your dog while giving them the nutrients they need to be happy and healthy!
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How To Prepare Chicken And Rice For Dogs
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 19 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,433,215 times.
Homemade chicken and rice is a bland food source often recommended by veterinarians to help dogs recover from diarrhea and/or vomiting. It is an easily digestible low-fat, single-protein, and single-carbohydrate source diet recommended especially for cases of gastrointestinal upset.XResearch source Tilley LP, Smith FWK. The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline, 3rd Edition. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2004: p. 1359. This protein and starch combination can also stimulate appetite when a dog is ill or recovering from surgery. While it’s not recommended for long-term use, cooked chicken and white rice has enough nutritional properties to put your dog back on the road to wellness.
Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pet:
This recipe overall is very high in omega 6 fatty acids because of the chicken breast, and giblets included in this recipe as the main protein source, thus we need to use the fish oil by Nordic Naturals in order to balance out the fats in this recipe. We are also using this oil as a source of Vitamin E!
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How To Add Rice To Make Chicken And Rice For Dogs
Chicken & Brown Rice Stew
Cheap and healthy, this recipe from Tales from the Back Road even includes finely ground eggshells for a kick of calcium. This dish boasts brown rice , plus spinach, carrot, peas, and chicken thighs for added protein. Double or triple the recipe and store whats left in the freezer for a quick dog dinner fix!
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Is Sweet Potato Good For Dogs
Sweet potatoes are higher in fiber than white potatoes and are a great source of vitamin A and potassium for dogs.
Serve the sweet potato cooked not raw to your dogs as raw potatoes is not digested as easily and could cause an intestinal blockage.
Always check with your veterinarian before introducing any new foods into your dogs diet.
Commit To Portion Control
Make sure your entire household is on board with weight loss plans for your pet, especially if feeding the dog is a shared responsibility.
You can decrease your dogs meal serving by ¼ cup per day for weight loss. Alternatively- you can calculate kcals for your dog for a more exact serving suggestion.
Use a feeding chart to ensure the household only feeds the dog once at meal time. Dogs can be very convincing at telling you they havent eaten in days.
Always use a measuring cup when dishing out your dogs meal portions. If your dog is overweight, replace the cup with a smaller measuring scoop so the portion of food served is smaller.
Sneaking the dog treats or food scraps is not doing your dog any favors. Substitute food rewards with praise and physical petting. Dogs love having their cheeks scratched. Tell your dog in a sing song voice what a good girl or boy s/he is.
Tip 3:
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What Kind Of Chicken Should I Buy
The easiest way to make rice and chicken for your dog is to purchase boneless, skinless chicken breast. You can purchase whole breasts or unbreaded chicken breast tenders .
Chicken breast is leaner than other cuts of chicken when your dog has tummy troubles, youll want to reduce the fat in his diet.
Lots Of Water & No Grazing
Keep fresh water readily available. A drink of water can make the stomach feel fuller and aids in digestion.
Do not allow your dog to graze freely throughout the day. Present his food bowl for fifteen minutes. If the meal is not eaten in the allotted time pick up the food bowl and put it away. Do not present it again until the next scheduled meal time.
Tip 5:
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The Nutritional Benefits Of Chicken And Chicken Meal
Chicken is one of the leanest sources of complete animal protein used in pet foods and it is also one of the most inexpensive and therefore most common proteins.
Chicken breast meat contains about 165 calories per 100-gram serving along with 31 grams of protein, 0 grams of carbohydrate, and 3.6 grams of fat.
Only 1 gram of that fat is saturated the rest is polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat. You should also know that, as an animal protein, chicken is a complete protein it contains all of the essential amino acids your dog needs. It is also rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin A, and various B vitamins.
In addition to knowing the nutritional benefits of chicken for your dog, you should also know the difference between different types of chicken-based ingredients.
Most pet foods that use chicken use chicken breast meat, the leanest part of the bird, but not all brands specify the type of chicken they use.
Something else you should know is that there is a difference between fresh chicken and chicken meal. Both of these are made from fresh chicken meat, but the latter is cooked to remove moisture in a process that renders it a highly-concentrated source of animal protein.
Fresh chicken meat contains up to 70% moisture by volume .
This means that when that product goes through the cooking process and the total moisture content is reduced to 10%, the final volume of the chicken will be much lower.
Homemade Treats Are A Success
So, our little experiment seems to be working just fine. Gobi loves her new treats, and we are just as happy to be saving a few bucks. In the future, we may experiment with a few other combinations. We may also use brown rice next time we make them, which is healthier than white rice.
As I mentioned earlier, other than chicken, her other favorite food is salmon. At the moment, we have a very good source for freeze-dried homemade salmon treats that Gobi really loves, so we wont mess with that just yet.
If youre inclined, give this a try. Its actually a fun thing to do, and the benefits are twofold: You get a healthy treat for your dog without worrying about the ingredients, and you just might save a few dollars along the way.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
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How To Prepare Rice And Chicken For Dogs
By hannah hollinger
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Has your dog been feeling under the weather? Or maybe seems just off their food? Perhaps a temporary switch to a bland homemade diet is just what they need. Chicken and rice for dogs is a common recipe often prescribed by vets. This homemade recipe is so simple and delicious, your doggo will be wagging their tail just smelling it!
Choose A Healthy Recipe
Any of our recipes can be tailored to help your pet gain weight in a healthy way. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, chicken and rice with carrots is an excellent choice because it is easy on digestion. If you are looking for weight gaining dog foods, simply substitute brown rice for white rice to safely add additional calories to your dogs meal.
Tip 2:
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How To Store Homemade Chicken & Rice
As with other homemade foods and homemade dog treats, this dish has no preservativesso youll want to refrigerate the chicken and rice as soon as its cooled.
Cooked chicken lasts three to four days when refrigerated. If you want to make a big batch, however, its easy to freeze and thaw as you needed.
Once cooled, spoon the chicken and rice into an air-tight container. I like to put it into zippered bags, squeezing out the extra air. This saves room in the freezer, too!
To defrost the frozen chicken and rice, place the zippered bag in your refrigerator and allow it to defrost overnight. In a hurry? Drop the zippered bag into a bowl of cool water to thaw.