Can Dogs Eat Rice?

Yes, dogs can eat rice, and it’s actually one of the best foods to give your dog for an upset stomach. While rice isn’t very nutritional (it’s mostly carbs), it’s great for dogs with an upset tummy, diarrhea, and other stomach issues. It’s probably best to give your dog rice only when they’re having stomach issues, as too much rice all the time can lead to weight gain.

Table Of Contents

Can dogs eat white rice?
Can dogs eat brown rice?
Can dogs eat all types of rice? What about jasmine and basmati rice?
- Can dogs eat wild rice?
How to prepare rice for your dog?
Don’t give your dog rice dishes that you make for lunch!
FAQs

Rice is good for dogs and can be a lifesaver when your dog has diarrhea or an upset stomach. A combination of plain-cooked chicken with plain-cooked white rice will soothe their stomach and help them recover. But rice is also high in calories, and if you cook it often and give your dog table scraps, it can actually make them gain weight.

Also, other rice products like rice noodles don’t have the same effect on your dog’s stomach. I wrote about whether dogs can eat rice cakes as a snack and warned that they are mostly empty calories with lots of salt, but they are not toxic.

To make your dog feel better, the trick is to give your dog plain-cooked rice, so forget about salt, seasonings, fried rice, and everything else! Stay tuned, as I’ll break down all of this and more in this article.

Can dogs eat white rice?

Yes, dogs can eat white rice, and cooked white rice is the best option for your dog. It’s gentle on the stomach, easy to digest, and helps with acid, diarrhea, and digestive issues. The main reason white rice is good for your dog’s stomach is that it’s easy to digest and low in fiber (unlike brown rice), which is why it can help your dog feel so much better.

Cooked white rice is also a good idea for sick dogs who feel a bit sluggish and can’t eat their kibble. A good idea is to cook some rice with carrots and chicken or turkey meat and serve it plain.

Rice is also one of the main ingredients in kibble and is considered a healthy grain!

Can dogs eat brown rice?

Technically, they can, but brown rice has a shell with all the fiber and nutrients, and while we might choose that option for extra vitamins and fiber when your dog is sick, the last thing they need is extra fiber. So, I would rather skip brown rice and cook white rice instead, but if that’s all you have at home and your dog has diarrhea, then go for it.

Can dogs eat all types of rice? What about jasmine and basmati rice?

Dogs can eat most types of rice, especially when cooked plain without any seasonings. However, some types of rice have extra flavor or fiber, so not all are equally suitable for dogs.

Jasmine and basmati rice are safe for dogs, as both are long-grain varieties that cook easily and are light and fluffy, making them easy to digest. The only downside might be the strong aroma, which could feel a bit intense for your dog. But if it’s a subtle jasmine aroma, you don’t have anything to worry about, and jasmine rice can even help with diarrhea.

Yellow rice is simple and easy to digest, but it often contains turmeric and saffron, so I wouldn’t recommend it for your dog, whether they’re sick or not. Extra spices and flavors can irritate a dog’s stomach, so it’s better to stick to plain white rice. It’s best that your dog doesn’t eat saffron- or turmeric-flavored rice.

Sushi rice, on the other hand, is plain white rice but sticky with lots of starch, giving it a glue-like texture that can be a bit harder to chew, swallow, and digest. So if sushi rice is the only rice you have and you really need to help your sick dog, you can use it, but otherwise, choose fluffy, light rice, as it’s easier to digest.

Black rice looks pretty cool as it gets its color from the same pigment that gives eggplants and blackberries their deep blue hue! While black rice is very healthy, it’s known to cause gas, bloating, and an upset stomach, so it’s definitely not something you’d want to give to your dog.

Can dogs eat wild rice?

Wild rice is actually not rice at all; it’s a type of grass that looks like a grain that’s very nutritious and high in amino acids, but it’s not meant for dogs. It’s often cooked and served as a side dish, similar to rice, but it won’t help with an upset stomach and may only make it worse for your dog.

How to prepare rice for your dog?

Just keep things plain and simple, and you’re good to go. Rinse the rice to remove extra starch, cook the rice (white rice or any other light variety), and let it cool down to room temperature.

The best way to serve cooked rice to help your dog with runny stool and an upset stomach is to mix it with the following:

cooked carrots, as carrots are great for dogs with an upset tummy
cooked pumpkin, as pumpkin can help dogs with both diarrhea and constipation
sweet potato, as sweet potato is gentle on a dog’s stomach and has lots of healthy soluble and insoluble fiber
cooked chicken breast, which is easy to digest and provides lean protein without added fats
plain-cooked turkey, another great protein source that’s gentle on the stomach

Don’t give your dog rice dishes that you make for lunch!

While dogs can eat cooked rice, they can’t eat our table scraps as we love to spice up our dishes! Take Rice-A-Roni for example which has garlic and onion powder, which can upset your dog’s stomach and be harmful in huge amounts.

Dogs also can’t eat Spanish rice and Mexican rice that usually come with tomatoes (safe), but also onions, garlic, cumin, and chili that can upset your dog’s stomach.

Whether you’re making rice pilaf with chicken broth and onions, or have some fried rice from Panda Express (loaded with soy sauce), it’s not a good idea to share them with your dog as all of these dishes have too much salt, too many spices and sauces that can upset your dog’s tummy.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat puffed rice?

I really doubt that you’re snacking on plain puffed rice (which is actually safe for dogs), as puffed rice is best with lots of sugar, flavors, and chocolate! That kind of colorful puffed rice with extra flavor, sweeteners, and colors is not safe for dogs, but plain puffed rice, like the kind you might buy for homemade granola, is a safe snack. It’s not a healthy snack since it’s mostly empty calories, but it’s a safe one.

Can dogs with pancreatitis eat rice?

Yes, dogs with pancreatitis can eat plain-cooked white rice, as it’s low in fat and easy on the stomach. But when it comes to dogs with specific health issues, you need to talk to your vet first about any changes to their diet. That said, rice is very safe and one of the best foods you can give a dog with an upset stomach.

Can dogs eat coconut jasmine rice?

Not really. Coconut milk is heavy on the stomach and high in fat, which can be hard on your dog’s digestive system. If your dog eats some coconut jasmine rice by accident, don’t worry—it’s not toxic, but don’t give it to them intentionally.