Dog Care
Can Dogs Eat Rice? White vs Brown Rice and How Much
Yes, dogs can eat rice. Plain, fully cooked white or brown rice is safe for most dogs in small amounts. White rice is the one vets often suggest for a short bland diet after an upset stomach because it is gentle and easy to digest. Skip fried rice, seasoned rice and anything cooked with onion or garlic.
Below: white vs brown rice, rice for diarrhoea, how much to give, and the rice dishes to keep off your dog's plate.
Is rice safe for dogs?
Rice is not toxic to dogs, and many commercial dog foods already contain it. The American Kennel Club notes that plain boiled rice is a common carbohydrate in bland diets for dogs with stomach upsets. It is mostly starch, though, so too much adds calories without much else. Rice works best as a small extra or a short-term bland meal, not a main food.
White rice vs brown rice for dogs
| Type | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| White rice (plain, boiled) | Short bland diets after vomiting or diarrhoea; sensitive stomachs | Higher glycaemic index; feed only occasionally to diabetic dogs and only with your vet's advice |
| Brown rice (plain, well cooked) | Healthy dogs as a small extra; more fibre | Harder to digest, so not the choice for an upset stomach |
| Basmati or jasmine | Fine if plain and cooked | Same rules as white rice |
| Wild rice | Fine plain and well cooked | Chewy; cook thoroughly |
| Fried, seasoned or takeaway rice | Not suitable | Oil, salt, soy sauce, onion and garlic can upset or harm dogs |
| Uncooked rice | Not suitable | Hard to digest and can cause stomach upset |
Rice for a dog with an upset stomach
For a mild, short-lived tummy upset in an otherwise bright dog, vets often suggest a bland diet for a day or two. A typical mix is plain boiled white rice with plain boiled, skinless chicken or very lean mince, fed in small, frequent meals, then mixed back into the normal food over a few days.
Call your vet instead of home-treating if your dog is a puppy or senior, keeps vomiting, has blood in the stool, seems lethargic or in pain, won't drink, or the diarrhoea lasts more than a day or two.
How much rice can a dog eat?
As a treat or topper, keep extras like rice within about 10% of daily calories. As a rough guide for plain cooked rice:
- Small dogs: about a tablespoon
- Medium dogs: two or three tablespoons
- Large dogs: up to a quarter cup
A vet-advised bland diet uses larger amounts for a short time; follow your vet's portions for that. Dogs that are overweight or diabetic should have rice only as your vet allows.
How to cook rice for your dog
- Rinse the rice.
- Boil in plain water with no salt, oil, butter or stock cubes.
- Cook until soft, then let it cool completely.
- Serve plain, or mix a spoonful into your dog's usual food.
Rice dishes to avoid
Fried rice, risotto, pilaf, rice with gravy, and takeaway rice dishes usually contain oil, salt, butter, onion or garlic. Onion and garlic in any form, including powders, can damage a dog's red blood cells. Rice cakes are fine plain and unsalted; flavoured ones are not. You can check any other food in seconds with our can my dog eat this? food checker.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat rice every day?
A small amount of plain rice mixed into a complete dog food is fine for most healthy dogs. It should not replace a balanced diet, and extra calories add up, so reduce the main food slightly if you add rice.
Is white or brown rice better for dogs?
White rice is better for an upset stomach because it is easier to digest. Brown rice has more fibre and is fine as a small extra for healthy dogs.
Can puppies eat rice?
Puppies can have a little plain cooked rice, but they need complete puppy food for growth. Call your vet early if a puppy has diarrhoea, as puppies dehydrate quickly.
Can dogs eat fried rice?
No. Fried rice is oily and salty and often contains onion, garlic and soy sauce, which are not safe for dogs.
Can cats eat rice?
Plain cooked rice is not toxic to cats, but cats are carnivores and get little from it. A small taste is fine.
Sources
Guidance follows the American Kennel Club and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. This article is general information, not veterinary advice.
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