If your dog is suffering with digestive issues, your veterinarian may recommend a low residue diet. A low residue diet contains food that is easily broken down and used by your dog’s body. These foods reduce digestive work and result in smaller stools because there is less waste. While there are low residue foods on the market, making your own is not difficult.
Begin with the proteins. Boil quality pieces of chicken or hard-boiled eggs in a saucepan with water. When cooking is complete, remove the chicken and eggs with tongs or a spoon. Allow to cool. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Peel eggs and cut into pieces. Set aside.
Place one cup of rice and two cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 15 minutes. Let cool. If using pasta, place noodles in water and boil for about eight minutes or until cooked. Drain in colander and let cool.
Mix the foods together in a mixing bowl by including 8 ounces of the protein with 1 cup of the rice or pasta. For example, if using the chicken and rice, mix 8 ounces of the chopped chicken with 1 cup of rice. For larger dogs, you will need to double or triple this amount to make a full daily serving.
Determine the daily feeding amounts. In general, small dogs will eat 0.5 to 0.75 cups a day. Medium dogs will eat one to 1.25 cups a day. Large dogs eat 1.5 to 2.25 cups a day. This is the daily amount and needs dividing into three to four servings each day.
Tips
Talk with your veterinarian before placing your dog on a low residue diet. Vitamin supplementation may be necessary. Depending on your dog and the reason the low residue diet was recommended, your veterinarian may want you to increase or decrease the daily serving sizes.
For variety, mix the use of proteins, rice and pasta. For example, on day one, use the chicken and rice. On day two, try the cottage cheese and pasta. Because this is bland food, it is nice to offer a variety.
Warnings
Don’t be alarmed if your dog is not pooping as much or if the stool size is considerably smaller. Because their body is digesting and using this food, waste is expected to be less.
Warnings
Don’t be alarmed if your dog is not pooping as much or if the stool size is considerably smaller. Because their body is digesting and using this food, waste is expected to be less.
Tips
Talk with your veterinarian before placing your dog on a low residue diet. Vitamin supplementation may be necessary. Depending on your dog and the reason the low residue diet was recommended, your veterinarian may want you to increase or decrease the daily serving sizes.
For variety, mix the use of proteins, rice and pasta. For example, on day one, use the chicken and rice. On day two, try the cottage cheese and pasta. Because this is bland food, it is nice to offer a variety.
Items You Will Need
- Chicken
- Cottage cheese
- Eggs
- Plain white rice, not instant
- Plain pasta
- Saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Tongs
- Colander
References
Tips
- Talk with your veterinarian before placing your dog on a low residue diet. Vitamin supplementation may be necessary. Depending on your dog and the reason the low residue diet was recommended, your veterinarian may want you to increase or decrease the daily serving sizes.
- For variety, mix the use of proteins, rice and pasta. For example, on day one, use the chicken and rice. On day two, try the cottage cheese and pasta. Because this is bland food, it is nice to offer a variety.
Warnings
- Don’t be alarmed if your dog is not pooping as much or if the stool size is considerably smaller. Because their body is digesting and using this food, waste is expected to be less.
Writer Bio
Deborah Lundin is a professional writer with more than 20 years of experience in the medical field and as a small business owner. She studied medical science and sociology at Northern Illinois University. Her passions and interests include fitness, health, healthy eating, children and pets.