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Is feeding my picky dog only chicken and rice bad for his health?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | 9 months and 19 days old | 5.9 lbs

My pet don't want to eat his dog food but we keep convincing him and then we change his food to boiled chicken and a small amount of rice and then we keep feeding him boiled chicken everyday is it bad to his health?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Bette Isacoff

Dog Trainer

Published on May 27th, 2017

Yes, it is bad for his health because boiled chicken and rice is not a nutritionally complete food for dogs. He has decided what his diet will be, but that is not his job . . . it's yours. Stop feeding him the chicken and rice. Put regular dog food in a bowl on the floor without fuss and leave it for 15 minutes. After that time, pick it up whether he has eaten or not. Do not give him anything--no treats, snacks or human food--until his next scheduled mealtime. Then repeat the process. It may take several times for him to realize that there will be no more chicken and rice, and that he must eat his food. Remember that you are not starving him–he is choosing not to eat. When he is hungry enough, he will. Do not give in or "feel sorry" for him. It will only make it harder to correct. He must have a nutritionally complete diet, and chicken and rice is not sufficient.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Emily Fukuzato, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    For Azriel, feeding him chicken and rice for a short period of time will not be of any harm to his health. I would recommend to mix the chicken with his normal dog food that you want him to eat. This will encourage him to start eating his normal dog food as well, but still be able to get the chicken that he loves.

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