How to make it
- Boil skinless, boneless chicken breast in plain water until it is cooked through. Pour off the fat.
- Cook plain white rice in water until soft. White rice is easier on the stomach than brown rice.
- Cut the chicken into small pieces, or shred it. Let both cool.
- Mix 1 cup of chicken with 2 cups of rice.
No salt, butter, oil, onion, garlic or spices. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How much to feed
A dog with an upset stomach should rest, so it needs about its resting energy. The calculator uses the vet formula for that and turns it into cups of chicken and rice. Chicken and rice is lighter than dry dog food, so the cups look like more than usual. That is normal.
Resting energy = 70 × (weight in kg)0.75
Give it in 3 or 4 small meals a day. Small meals are easier to digest. Keep fresh water out all the time.
Going back to normal food
When the stool is firm again, mix the usual food back in over about a week. A sudden switch can upset the stomach again. If the diarrhea comes back, go one step back, and call your vet if it does not settle.
Questions
Can I use turkey or white fish instead of chicken?
Yes. Lean ground turkey or plain white fish work, cooked plain with the fat poured off. Use the same cups.
Should I add pumpkin?
A spoon of plain canned pumpkin can help firm the stool. Use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which has sugar and spices.
Should I skip a meal first?
Ask your vet. Many vets no longer advise a long fast for adult dogs. Never fast a puppy or a very small dog.
How long can my dog stay on a bland diet?
A few days. Chicken and rice is not a complete diet, so it misses vitamins and minerals. If your dog needs it for longer than about a week, ask your vet.
Why does my dog get diarrhea?
Common causes are a sudden change of food, eating something from the trash or the yard, stress, and worms or other infections. Your vet can test a stool sample.