Can dogs eat rice?
New dog owners may be perplexed by this question. After all, there are so many different dog food guides out there, all of which keep giving out conflicting answers.
But don’t worry.
We at Can Dogs Eat GUIDE are here to tell you that it is perfectly safe for your canine friend to eat rice. What’s more, is that there are a ton of delicious dog treats that consist of rice!
Can Dogs Eat Rice: Is It Safe
Yes.
As I said, it is safe for your dog to eat rice. Many vets, in fact, tend to instruct owners to add more white rice to their pup’s diet whenever they’ve fallen sick from something such as a GI Upset.
This is because white rice is soft and easy for your dog to chew and digest. At the same time, these also contain an adequate amount of carbohydrates that a dog needs to have enough energy for the day.
Can Dogs Eat Rice: What Types Of Rice?
Traditionally, there are two types of rice most of the world is familiar with. One of these is white rice and the other is brown rice.
Now while we humans may find our doctors and physicians telling us to shift to brown rice since it is low in starch, the contrary is true when it comes to our canine friends.
Dogs need starch content.
And what’s more, is that the husk present in brown rice might lead to further indigestion problems for your pup. A core reason is that these are not as soft on the gut as say, white rice maybe.
Regardless, brown rice is not toxic for dogs. And whichever option you want to go for, please be sure to consult the vet beforehand.
Can Dogs Eat Rice: Other Varieties
Other than white and brown rice though, several types of rice exist out there as well.
Some of these include Basmati rice, Jasmine rice, and alas, wild rice. All these are safe for your dog to consume as well.
And each comes with its specific set of goodness too.
Basmati rice, for instance, is a good way to treat diarrhea in dogs since it works well against gastrointestinal problems.
Wild rice, on the other hand, is often appreciated for the number of antioxidants packed in them.
Can Dogs Eat Rice: What Type Do We Recommend?
While each of the five varieties is non-toxic and won’t do much harm to your dog, it is best to stick to white rice only.
And the reasons for this are not just medical, but also well…economic.
Wild rice and Basmati are typically on the more expensive side of things. Being a dog owner can sometimes be a strain on your wallet. This is why it’s best to stick to less costly but safe options whenever these are available to you.
White rice is, in general, the perfect fit when faced with such a conundrum of quality versus quantity.
Can Dogs Eat Rice: How Much Should Your Dog Eat
Rice can be given to dogs in various forms.
Simply cooked rice for treats would be fine as well as giving it to them in the form of a properly cooked meal.
Since these are after all carbs, dogs should not have an excess amount of rice.
What does an excess amount look like?
Well, feeding your dog a plate full of rice more than two times a day would definitely be an indication of excess.
Even though you may find many dog owners not being worried about this, the truth is that too many carbs do in fact, lead to obesity in the long run.
So, unless your dog gets a lot of physical activity every day, please be sure to not feed them anything in a lot of excesses.
Can Dogs Eat Rice: Nutritional Perspective
Rice is a rich source of carbohydrates. But I’m sure we all already knew that.
Ever wondered though- what other nutrients your pets may be getting out of this staple diet if you were to make it a part of their daily feed?
Rice, scientifically known as being a seed that comes from the grass species Oryza sativa, does contain a lot of other nutrients in addition to carbs.
Some of these include:
- Zinc;
- Folic Acid;
- B Vitamins;
- Potassium;
- Magnesium;
- Selenium;
- Fiber.
So, if you’re one of those dog owners who like to add a lot of extra ingredients to their pet’s diets to provide them with the healthiest meals possible, you might just want to look into the simplest shelf top ingredient, aka rice.
Don’t get me wrong.
Dogs should be getting things like peas, carrots, and other different types of veggies in their diet to provide them with additional nutrients. But offering them something like rice not only offers them nutrition but also makes them feel more energetic.
Can Dogs Eat Rice: Potential Dangers
Okay, so we’ve talked all about the benefits but are there any dangers to your dog eating rice?
Some dangers are still present, unfortunately.
The primary one is, of course, obesity.
But certain yeast-related problems may also arise if the dog is fed rice that is stale or hasn’t been re-heated to the right temperature.
Such infections may result in any of the following:
- Rashes;
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- GI upset;
- Hair loss.
The best way to avoid these problems is to prepare and feed the rice on time. And just like you would for yourself- if the rice has been cooked for a while, please make sure to heat them to the appropriate temperatures before serving.
Can Dogs Eat Rice: Recipe Guide
A ton of delicious rice treats exist out there. One of these is as follows:
Chicken and Rice Treats
Ingredients
- Chicken cubes- 1 lb;
- Chicken stock- ½ cup;
- Rice- ½ cup;
- Flour- 2 ounces;
- Eggs-1;
Recipe
- In a blender, mix the chicken stock, chicken cubes, and rice.
- Next, add the mixture to a bowl of flour.
- Add in a beaten egg.
- Mix and knead into dough with your hands.
- Finally, use a cookie cutter to cut out chunks from the dough and bake at 300 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Video Recipe
Can Dogs Eat Rice: Fun Facts About Rice
Not only is rice an excellent staple diet for humans and dogs alike but they also come packed with a flavorful history.
For instance:
- Did you know that the Great Wall of China is held together by rice? Rice tends to contain gluten, making them excellent for combining and sticking things together. So, back in the day when cement was only a dream, engineers turned to rice as a combining agent!
- Wild rice, isn’t as close to being real rice as we think. Instead, it originates from the Zizania genus instead of the Oryza sativa family.
- White rice tends to last longer than brown rice due to the absence of any bran in them.
FAQs
Can dogs eat rice with other foods?
Yes. Dogs can have rice with a lot of different meat and vegetables.
Can dogs eat rice as a treat?
Yes. But do combine other ingredients as well.
Can dogs eat rice every day?
Yes, but not in excesses.
Can dogs eat rice as their sole meal?
No. Dogs need to have other sources of nutrition as well, especially lean meats.
Can dogs eat rice if they have diabetes?
Yes. But might be wise to consult with a vet.
