IMPORTANT: It’s always a good idea to check with your vet first before feeding your dog new foods – especially human food. While some dogs may be okay with certain foods, your dog may not be depending on their individual health history.
Can Dogs Eat Rice?
Yes, dogs can indeed eat rice which is why it is used in many dog food brands.
There are circumstances where rice is a smart choice of food for dogs. For example, when they have gastrointestinal problems or they’re intolerant to other grains. Puppies who struggle to eat dry dog food may also benefit from eating rice.
What Type of Rice Can Dogs Eat?
Dog’s can eat different types of rice such as white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, barely rice and oatmeal rice. These are the best types to feed your dog because they contain more nutrients than many other types of grain.
Can Dogs Eat White Rice?
Yes, white rice is not only safe for dogs to eat, it’s actually great for helping those with digestive issues such as diarrhoea. This is because:
- it contains carbohydrates that are digested easily
- it is a good source of fibre
- it’s a bland food so it can ease diarrhea
- the starch helps bulk their poop up
But just because rice is a good choice when dealing with digestive problems, it doesn’t mean you should feed it to your dog on a daily basis. This is because rice has a high glycaemic index and will spike your dog’s blood sugar levels – something you especially want to avoid if your dog has diabetes or is overweight.
Can Dogs Eat Brown Rice?
Yes, dogs can eat brown rice. In fact, brown rice contains more nutrients, a lower glycemic index and more fibre than white rice. So if you feed your dog brown rice, they will stay full up for a longer period of time and will help them with any constipation issues.
However, as brown rice keeps the outer layer of the seed, it is harder for your dog to digest so it is not usually recommended to help with diarrhoea.
Can Dogs Eat Basmati Rice?
Yes, dogs can eat basmati rice. Basmati rice can be white or brown and the white version is often recommended by vets to help with upset stomachs. Again, you shouldn’t be feeding your dog basmati rice everyday as this will spike their blood sugar levels too frequently.
Is Rice Good for Dogs?
Overall, rice is good for dogs when eaten in moderation.
Rice is completely non-toxic to dogs and contains a number of important vitamins and minerals such as selenium, iron, B12, magnesium and phosphorus, to name a few. There are differences depending on the type of rice. For example, brown rice contains more nutrients than white rice but is harder for your dog to digest.
However, your dog should be getting all the nutrients they need from their balanced dog food. So if you are going to give your dog some rice, you don’t need to worry too much about how many nutrients are in the rice.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Rice
If your dog is suffering from digestive issues, your vet should give you instructions on how to safely feed rice to your dog. In general, you should keep it as plain as possible. Boil the rice in unsalted water until soft and avoid adding any flavours to it.
If you do want to add things to the rice, we recommend you stick to boiled bits of boneless chicken or turkey.
As mentioned above, rice should be eaten by your dog in moderation. So avoid feeding your dog rice more than 2 to 3 times per week unless advised otherwise by your vet.
How Much Rice Can a Dog Eat?
Dogs should eat rice only in moderation and portion sizes should be kept on the small side. 90% of your dog’s diet should be coming from their dog food. Which means treats such as rice should make up less than 10% of their diet.
Risks Involved With Giving Dogs Rice
A risk that could be involved with giving your dog rice is potential allergic reactions. So if your dog is known to be allergic to rice or grain, keep them away from it.
In addition to this, overfeeding your dog rice could lead to gastrointestinal issues or obesity.
Summary
Feeding your dog a small amount of rice every now and again is certainly okay. But it shouldn’t be a daily snack or meal unless instructed by your vet. Feeding too much rice to your dog could lead to weight gain and upset their digestion.
If your dog is struggling with their weight, B&A Dog Walkers in Chelmsford can help you come up with a dog walking plan designed to help them lose weight. Contact us to find out more.