Having read this board for some time it's interesting to note how often a switch to a diet of chicken and rice is recommended for severe tummy upsets.  While there's no doubt that this combination often works for simple GI disorders, the fact is that most proprietary dog foods contain one or both of these ingredients and dogs having an intolerance for or possibly alergic reaction to unknown ingredients could potentially be made very much worse by these specific ingredients.

Dogs, like humans, can and do suffer from IBS (Iirritable bowel syndrome) which often necessitates the removal of any grains from diets but unfortunately some also suffer from a much more difficult to manage problem (less commonly known) which is IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

IBD often presents initially as very soft, poorly formed or pudding like stools right through to explosive watery bowel motions.  This may or may not be accompanied by straining or bloody discharges when toileting and may also, but not necessarily, be accompanied by sporadic and unexplained vomiting.

Dogs with IBD are invariably unable to cope with the more commonly fed proteins and grains as the painful thinning lining of the bowel is exacerbated still further by the acids which the dogs stomach then over produces to push through these unwanted materials a.s.a.p. - in short, chicken with rice is a potentially disastrous recipe for any dog with this affliction.

It is therefore safer while awaiting veterinary confirmation of any bacterial infection or allergic reasons (both vastly preferable) for symptoms as described above that a diet of non oily fish, rabbit or venison is offered as a single source of protein with any necessary bulking up of the diet made up by one root vegetable such as potato or carrot.

There is some excellent advice given on dietary problems through this site and this topic is not intended in any way to detract from that but I think it is important to draw attention to diseases such as IBS and IBD so that there is an increased awareness of the potentially dire consequences - particularly for an IBD dog - of recommending a chicken and rice diet, whether complete or freshly prepared.

Very valid points Ramsco ;-)  Dogs suffering from IBD often have acute ulceration of the stomach too which makes it difficult to switch to a BARF type diet as anything containing bone is difficult if not impossible to digest.

I've previously suggested alternative protein and carb sources on here - hope you get some feedback.

  

Chicken & rice is the meal usually recommended by vets for an animal with ocassional stomach or bowel problems.  It is general advice for a nonspecific, nonchronic GI irritation.   The grain provides fiber which can be helpful in bulking up stool.  There may be better alternatives - but chicken and rice are easy to obtain and often in the cupboard already.  Unlike venison, rabbit or even white fish. 

Obviously, an animal which has chronic bowel or stomach problems needs proper diagnosis and a specific regime for the condition. 

Stacey

Hi Stacey,

You're quite right of course - this is standard vet advice for non-specific GI problems.  The difficulty lies in that IBS and IBD both initially present as most common GI disorders and when treated with a common grain based diet it will internally flair rapidly :-(  Sadly most regular vets and their customers are unaware of the severity of these conditions - in fact it is more common for them to plod on treating a GI disorder with a wholly inappropriate diet and antibiotics - which in a relatively short time could make a relievable condition turn chronic.

IBD does not show up in blood tests, stool samples or X-rays - however occasionally if accompanied by thickening of the stomach wall it can be detected (or at least suspected) by ultra-sound.   These measures are usually at least a couple of weeks or more and several £100's down the line from initially presented problems and during that time a heck of a lot of internal damage can be done.

Personally I'd rather err on the side of caution and boil some potato for a poorly dog than boil rice - if it is (as is generally the case) nothing sinister, tummy problems will clear as with a rice based diet but should it be the first onset of visible symptoms of a more debilitating illness, then at least no further harm has been done.  

Teri  ;-)

Teri,

Potatoes are better than rice? 

Stacey