Can I provide a natural diet for my dog? Is feeding chicken and rice every day bad for my dog? To answer these questions this post will talk about the consumption of rice and chicken for dogs. We will also introduce you to the natural diet for dogs.
Feeding dog chicken and rice everyday
Dogs may love to feed on chicken and rice every day, but it is not advisable to provide only these foods to the animals. Feeding rice and chicken every day, the dog can become deficient in some nutrients and therefore it is recommended to use a balanced diet that contains all the nutrients necessary to keep the dog healthy.
Chicken in the dog’s diet
Chicken is a type of natural food rich in proteins and vitamins. Compared with red meat, chicken tends to have less saturated fat, reducing the chances of circulatory problems.
Chicken is a very common food used for the human diet, always roasted, boiled, or fried. For dogs, however, it is ideal that the chicken is offered raw, or cooked in steam to prevent it from losing its properties.
In addition, chicken should be offered to the dog without any seasoning such as salt, garlic, and onion. For these seasons can be toxic to dogs. In case of poisoning by, the dogs must be taken to the veterinary hospital.
And chicken bones must be removed, because when chewing them, dogs can end up hurting themselves and even swallowing pieces of sharp bones that can injure and even become a gastrointestinal foreign body.
Rice in the dog’s diet
Rice is a source of fiber, minerals, and essential oils. Rich in antioxidant properties, it helps prevent cell damage, cancer, and cardiovascular problems. Rice is the staple food for many cultures.
Rice for dogs should be cooked only in water, no seasoning can be added. Thus, avoiding intoxication by spices. Rice can be offered to dogs, but if the animal only feeds on rice, it can have a diet imbalance that can lead to several health problems.
How to feed dogs
Dogs can eat two types of food:
- Industrial foods;
- Natural foods.
Industrial foods
Dogs can feed on industrial foods that are manufactured to meet all the dog’s dietary needs when provided in adequate amounts. Each manufacturer has a feed formula and therefore the amounts of food to be offered to dogs also change according to the animals weight.
Along with industrial food, snacks can be offered, and foods such as fruits, vegetables and even rice with chicken. However, there is no need to add these types of foods. That’s why they should be done periodically to avoid the dog’s diet being unbalanced.
Natural foods
Another way to feed the dog is through natural diets, diets that the owner can cook at home and provide for his pet. In order to have a balanced diet, you should look for a veterinary nutritionist.
Homemade diets can include grains, vegetables, and meats. In addition, to supply all nutrients to dogs, supplementation with commercial vitamins may be necessary.
Food must be prepared according to the veterinarian’s instructions. The quantities of each food must be respected as prescribed. Avoiding the loss of nutrients and making it as tasty as possible for the dogs.
What happens when a dog has an unbalanced diet?
The excess of nutrients and the lack of them can lead to serious problems in dogs. The main symptoms to watch out for are:
Weakness;
Hair loss;
locomotion difficulty;
Pain in limbs;
neurological signs.
Animals with excess nutrients can present an imbalance in the homeostasis of the dog’s physiology. Depending on the nutrient, the dog can have skin diseases, kidney disease, heart disease and even neurological signs.
Already the absence of some nutrients can lead to weakness, weight loss and even difficulties in bone fractures, resulting in pain, litter, and a lot of discomfort for dogs to get around.
When the dog’s diet is unbalanced, a veterinarian should be urgently sought for dietary corrections, avoiding damage to the animal’s health. That is why you should not feed an animal with homemade diets without first consulting a veterinarian.
Conclusion
Chicken and rice diets are not enough to meet the food needs of dogs. So, it should be supplemented with vitamins and other foods. In order for the diet to be balanced, a veterinary nutritionist can be consulted. By providing a balanced homemade diet for the dog he tends to live a normal life, however if there is an imbalance in the diet the dog can get sick.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Feeding dog chicken and rice everyday
What spices can I use in dog food?
To make food for dogs a veterinary nutritionist should be consulted. But some spices can be used such as:
- Oregano;
- Basil;
- Thyme;
- Parsley;
- Mint;
- Rosemary;
- Cilantro.
Can you put salt in dog food?
Yes, but salt should be offered to dogs in small amounts. The sodium present in salt is a very important mineral for the proper functioning of the dog’s organism. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian.
What foods are toxic to dogs?
The most toxic foods for dogs and should not be fed to animals are:
- Chocolate;
- Coffee;
- Garlic;
- Onion;
- Star fruit;
- Others.
References
Carciofi, A. C., Takakura, F. S., De‐Oliveira, L. D., Teshima, E., Jeremias, J. T., Brunetto, M. A., & Prada, F. (2008). Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post‐prandial glucose and insulin response. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 92(3), 326-336.
Truett, A. A., Borne, A. T., Monteiro, M. P., & West, D. B. (1998). Composition of dietary fat affects blood pressure and insulin responses to dietary obesity in the dog. Obesity research, 6(2), 137-146.
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