How to boil chicken for dogs?

Pet dogs love to eat kibble, however, nothing can beat the delicious taste and nutritional value of homemade food, especially boiled chicken. It’s full of lean protein, vitamins, minerals, and omega-6 fatty acids. Home-made boiled chicken mixed with boiled rice also benefits the dogs having health issues related to sensitivity, dental care, or digestive system. Let’s learn how to boil chicken for dogs and how to serve them in a variety of ways. However, It’s important to remember that dogs like the natural flavor of chicken to eat without any added seasoning. 

Which part of chicken should be preferred for dogs?

Stick to the chicken breast as it’s low in fat, healthier for your dog, and without bones. Food rich in fats leads to pancreatitis in dogs while bony chicken has to choke risks that may even puncture your dog’s stomach.

What do you need for the boiling procedure?

• Heat source
• Medium-sized container
• Fresh Water
• Storage container for leftovers

Boiling Procedure

Step 1) Choose a container to boil the chicken for the dogs

Place three skinless chicken breasts into a medium-sized container. If you want to boil more pieces to store for future use, consider using a large pot for boiling. It will save the chicken from uneven cooking. If you are using a refrigerated chicken, make sure to defrost it first. 

Step 2) Add fresh water and skip seasonings

Add fresh water to the pot until the chicken is completely covered with water. Avoid filling the pot, otherwise, water bubbles over while boiling. Do not add any sort of seasoning as it may worsen the condition of the dog’s upset stomach. Avoid adding onion or garlic in any form, as they act as toxic plants for your puppy’s tummy.

Step 3)  Cook the chicken on high flame for 15 minutes

Cover the container with a lid and place it on the stove. Turn on the flame and set it to high. Cook the chicken on high flame for 15 minutes, so the chicken breasts should be completely boiled. Better is to take out one chicken piece from the pot and cut it to make sure it’s cooked. If it’s still pink, cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4) Shred the meat for the dog

Place the chicken breasts on a plate. Cut it into large enough pieces for shredding. Hold one piece with the fork in a non-dominating hand and make the meat apart using another fork holding with the dominating hand. Keep your dog’s size in mind while shredding the meat. Small-sized dogs require smaller pieces of chicken as compared to large-sized dogs.

Step 5) Let the chicken cool off

Allow the chicken to rest on the chicken shelf to cool off for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also put it in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.

Step 6) Store the leftover boiled chicken in a container for the dog

You can store the leftover chicken in a plastic or glass container that has a high seal. Alternatively, you can freeze it in a sealed container for 2 to 6 months. Simply defrost before feeding your dog.

How to feed boiled chicken to dogs in different ways?

Recipe # 1: Serve your dog plain boiled chicken

You can feed your dog boiled chicken as a stand-alone treat. Make the meal portions appropriate to the size of your dog to avoid overfeeding your dog. 

Recipe # 2: Mix with dog food

Dogs enjoy food with added flavors. Additionally, chunks of boiled chicken in food make your dog fuller due to the extra protein intake. Make sure to reduce the amount of dog food you normally give when adding the chicken. For example, if you give one bowl of dog food for lunch, now serve your lovely pal ⅓ bowl of chicken and ⅔ bowl of dog food.

Recipe # 3:  Classic chicken and white rice

Chicken and rice is a popular recipe that helps dogs who suffer from upset stomachs. Cook white rice in a pot or rice cooker as you normally do. Alternatively, to add subtle flavor, you can also use the chicken broth produced by the boiled chicken to cook the rice. After cooking the rice, mix some of the shredded chicken with them. Allow them to cool and serve to your pup. He’s gonna love it with an upset stomach.

Note: Do not use store-bought broth, onions, or garlic that could be harmful to your dog’s stomach. Also, avoid brown rice as it is harder for your dog to digest so white rice way to go.

Recipe # 4: Pumpkin, yogurt plus boiled Chicken for dogs

The best way to prepare this chicken is by adding canned pumpkin or yogurt to the classic chicken and rice meal. Mix the ingredients together, and portion as needed to feed it to your dog.

Make sure you use non-fat yogurt to regularise your dog’s tummy. Pumpkin is high in fiber and yogurt provides natural probiotics to combat stomach illness. Moreover, both ingredients make the meal moister.

Recipe # 5: Cooked veggies plus boiled chicken meal

Mix boiled green beans, carrots, or broccoli with wet or dry dog food to add more fiber to his diet. However, keep it under 10% to avoid digestive issues.

Recipe # Vitamin supplements meals

Simply sprinkle powdered dog vitamins on your best friend’s meals to make sure they get all the nutrients they need to be healthy and stay long with you.

How often should your dog eat chicken?

Feed your dog boiled chicken 1-2 times a week. Otherwise, your dog will develop a picky eating habit for chicken. Or if your dog does have a digestive issue, you can feed it boiled chicken up to 3 days in a row to help regulate its stomach issue.

Takeaway:

Boiled chicken is excellent for dogs that need extra protein in their diets, especially if the meal is free of potentially harmful ingredients. However, it’s best to talk to your vet before supplementing your dog’s diet with chicken, especially if you’re concerned about stomach issues.

If your pet suddenly stops eating its normal food, or its stomach problems persist after making dietary changes, then take them to the vet to get them checked. As it could be a sign of something wrong!