Have you run out of your dog's usual feed? Are you looking for an occasional substitute? No matter why you've decided to cook for your dog, rice can be a good option for homemade dog food. However, rice alone won't be enough for a healthy dog. There are certain special diets which may be required for dogs with kidney problems or other ailments. In these cases, using rice can be helpful because it will be relatively easy to digest. For a healthy dog, we will need to use other ingredients to ensure the animal gets the nutrition they need.
This is why AnimalWised explains how to make rice for my dog step-by-step. We show you how to make a rice dish for your dog which results in a nutritious meal. Take note any serious or long-term dietary changes for your dog require veterinary consultation.
The first thing to do before starting to cook, of course, is to round up the ingredients that we'll need. For this rice recipe for dogs you will need:
- 100 grams (1/2 cup) rice (any kind)
- 200 grams (1 cup) chicken meat (any part)
- 2 whole carrots
- 1 egg
The egg and chicken will provide protein, and the carrots will provide fiber and vitamins. All these nutrients, together with the carbohydrates from the rice, will make this dish a complete and balanced choice to feed your pet.
Note that dogs generally do not need much carbohydrate in their diet, but they have adapted to eat more than their wild counterparts. Take a look at our article on a natural diet for dogs to learn more.
Fill a pot with water and bring to a strong boil. Add the rice and let it cook for about 20 minutes or according to package instructions. Your dog probably won't mind whether it is a little overcooked, but it is important not to give them undercook rice as it can expand internally. While the base of the dish is boiling, you'll have the time to prepare the rest of the ingredients, which cook faster.
Start by peeling, washing and chopping the carrots. The pieces can be as big or small as you want - dogs don't mind chunky dishes.
Wash the egg to get rid of all possible remaining dirt from the hens and the market. Finally, dice the chicken in pieces small enough for your dog to ingest. Do not add any flavorings such as salt or spices. Salt can affect their kidneys, blood pressure and provide other health issues. Spices may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Halfway through the cooking time of the rice - at the 10 minute/halfway mark - add the rest of the ingredients to cook. Continue boiling.
Once all the ingredients are cooked, switch the heat. You're almost done! Strain the remaining water from the rice dish for your dog.
There are two ways you can prepare the egg. Eggshell can be digested by dogs and provide a healthy level of calcium if they need it. However, it also will have sharp edges and can cause indigestion. If your veterinarian thinks you can give them egg shell, then you can crack the egg into the rice, pulverize the eggshell and then add fine shell into the dish. Otherwise, crack the egg into the dish, stir it in and discard the shell. Dogs can eat raw egg, so don't worry if the heat doesn't cook the egg completely.
Of course, remember that you can substitute these ingredients and try new combinations of ingredients. Before starting to experiment, we recommend taking a look at our articles on what fruit and vegetables can dogs eat and foods rich in taurine for dogs with heart problems. This way, you'll avoid any major mishaps.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Make Rice for My Dog Step by Step, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.