Why
Rice is a common ingredient in dog food. Plain white rice is gentle on the stomach, which is why veterinarians sometimes suggest a short-term bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for dogs with mild digestive upset.
Brown rice has more fiber and nutrients but is slightly harder to digest. Rice is high in carbohydrates, so it should not replace a balanced diet.
What to watch out for
- Fried rice, which often contains oil, onion, garlic and soy sauce
- Blood sugar concerns for diabetic dogs
- A bland diet should not continue for long without a vet's advice
How to serve it
- Cook plain, with no salt, butter or seasoning.
- Let it cool before serving.
- If using rice for an upset stomach, ask your vet how long to feed it.
How much?
A dog can have a few spoonfuls of rice mixed with regular food.
Chicken and rice for an upset stomach: when it fits and when it doesn't
A vet may suggest a short bland diet for an adult dog with mild, brief diarrhea or a single episode of vomiting who is otherwise bright and drinking. The usual version is plain boiled skinless chicken, fat drained off, with plain white rice, fed in small meals. It is meant for a couple of days, not weeks, because it is not a complete diet.
It is not the right answer for every upset stomach. Call your vet first if you see:
- Repeated vomiting, or vomiting and diarrhea together
- Blood in vomit or stool, or black stool
- Lethargy, belly pain or refusal to eat
- A puppy, an older dog, or a dog with diabetes or another condition
- Symptoms that last more than about a day
Fried rice, rice cakes and other rice foods
Takeout fried rice has already been flagged because of onion and garlic. Other rice products vary a lot.
- Plain, unsalted rice cakes: fine as an occasional crunchy snack, broken into pieces.
- Flavored rice cakes and rice crackers: often salted or coated in cheese, caramel or seasoning.
- Seasoned rice mixes and pilaf: usually contain salt, onion powder or garlic powder.
- Sushi rice: seasoned with sugar, salt and vinegar, and rolls may contain raw fish or avocado.
Cooking and storing rice for your dog
Cook rice a little softer than you would for yourself, with plain water and no salt or stock cubes. Many stock cubes and broths contain onion or garlic.
Cool it, then refrigerate leftovers promptly and use them within a few days. Cooked rice left sitting at room temperature can grow bacteria, the same food safety rule that applies to people.
When rice is an extra rather than a bland diet, a little goes a long way. Rice adds calories without much protein, so a dog fed large amounts on top of a full meal will gain weight.
Common questions
Is rice good for dogs?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Rice is a common ingredient in dog food. Plain white rice is gentle on the stomach, which is why veterinarians sometimes suggest a short-term bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for dogs with mild digestive upset.
Is rice bad for dogs?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: fried rice, which often contains oil, onion, garlic and soy sauce.
Are dogs allowed to have rice?
Yes. Cook plain, with no salt, butter or seasoning.
Sources
Topic references
General care and safety
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).