This gentle, healing meal is specifically formulated for dogs experiencing digestive upset, recovering from illness, or managing chronic digestive sensitivities. The recipe combines easily digestible boneless, skinless chicken breast with soothing steamed pumpkin and plain white rice—a trio that veterinarians have recommended for decades as the gold standard for upset stomach relief.
Pumpkin is a nutritional powerhouse for digestive health, providing soluble fiber that helps regulate both diarrhea and constipation while being incredibly gentle on the stomach. The white rice offers easily absorbed carbohydrates that provide energy without taxing the digestive system, while lean chicken breast delivers high-quality protein essential for healing and recovery. The addition of plain yogurt with live cultures provides beneficial probiotics to help restore healthy gut flora.
This recipe is intentionally bland and simple, avoiding fats, oils, and seasonings that could further irritate a sensitive stomach. Each ingredient serves a specific therapeutic purpose, making this more than just a meal—it's a remedy that supports your dog's recovery and comfort. The gentle cooking methods preserve nutrients while ensuring everything is soft and easy to digest.
Ideal for transitioning dogs back to regular food after illness, managing inflammatory bowel conditions, or providing daily nutrition for dogs with chronic digestive issues. This recipe can be served as a complete meal during recovery periods or mixed with regular food to provide ongoing digestive support. Always consult your veterinarian if digestive issues persist beyond a few days.
| 2 lbs | boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of any fat |
| 2 cups | white rice, uncooked |
| 2 cups | fresh pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and cubed |
| 6 cups | water |
| 1/2 cup | plain yogurt with live cultures, unsweetened, no additives |
| 1 cup | bone broth, low-sodium, no onions or garlic (optional) |
Rinse the chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim away any visible fat or connective tissue to ensure the meat is as lean as possible.
Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes to ensure even, thorough cooking and easier digestion for your dog.
Peel the fresh pumpkin, remove all seeds and stringy pulp, then cut into 1-inch cubes. You should have approximately 2 cups of cubed pumpkin.
Place the cubed chicken in a large pot and add 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the chicken for 15-18 minutes until fully cooked through with no pink remaining. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
While the chicken cooks, prepare a steamer basket in a separate pot with 2 cups of water. Bring water to a boil.
Place the cubed pumpkin in the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 12-15 minutes until very tender and easily pierced with a fork.
Remove the cooked chicken from the pot using a slotted spoon and place in a large bowl. Reserve 1 cup of the chicken cooking liquid.
In a medium saucepan, combine the white rice with the reserved chicken cooking liquid plus enough water to make 4 cups total liquid. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer the rice for 18-20 minutes until all liquid is absorbed and rice is very soft and fully cooked.
Remove the steamed pumpkin from heat and mash thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until smooth with no chunks remaining.
Shred or finely chop the cooked chicken into small, easily digestible pieces suitable for your dog's size.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked rice, and mashed pumpkin. Mix gently but thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
Allow the mixture to cool completely to room temperature, approximately 30 minutes. This is crucial before adding the probiotic yogurt.
Once cooled, fold in the plain yogurt with live cultures, mixing gently to incorporate throughout the meal.
Divide the mixture into individual portion sizes based on your dog's weight: approximately 1 cup per 20 lbs of body weight per day, divided into 2-3 smaller meals.
Store portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight and warm slightly before serving.
