Can Dogs Eat Rice? Benefits and Simple Ways to Include Rice in Your Dog’s Meals

In many delicious human dishes, rice is a staple component, but can dogs eat it as well? The short answer is yes. Similarly to you, your dog can also enjoy rice as part of their meals. As part of this article, we’ll discuss how to feed your dog white and brown rice so that they can take advantage of all of the health benefits it provides.

Health Benefits of White vs. Brown Rice

In order to help you pick the right grain for your dog, let’s look at the benefits of white and brown rice. Whatever you choose, be sure to choose an organic option that’s high-quality because your dog deserves only the best.

 

Is Brown Rice Good For Dogs?

There are three main benefits of brown rice for your dog: one, it’s high in fiber, which helps it feel full and regulates its digestion. The second is calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, which contribute to the health and strength of your dog’s bones. The third benefit of brown rice is that it contains a good amount of vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, folate, magnesium, and so on.

 

Can Dogs Eat White Rice?

On the flip side, the top three benefits of white rice include: number one, it’s higher in calcium and iron than brown rice. Secondly, enriched white rice is an excellent source of folate. Thirdly, and perhaps the most important benefit, white rice may soothe your dog’s upset stomach. Apart from being a good source of carbs, white rice is also useful for treating diarrhea. Please note that white rice has a higher glycemic index than brown rice, so you shouldn’t feed them it everyday. In the case of diabetic dogs, brown rice might be the better choice.

 

How To Prepare Rice For Dogs

While they’re different in terms of benefits, the way you should prepare white and brown rice for your pup is exactly the same. First, rinse all excess starch off the uncooked rice. Next, soak the rice for a minimum of several hours. Eight to 10 hours is ideal. During soaking and cooking, rice absorbs a lot of water. Make sure to use two parts water to one part rice. Once you rinse, drain, and soak it, cook the rice very well by boiling it. After the rice has been thoroughly cooked, mash or puree it to ensure that it is as digestible as possible. It should have a very mushy consistency.

 

How Much Rice To Feed Your Dog

There are many differences between white rice and brown rice, so the serving size will vary. You’ll want to moderate your consumption of white rice since it has a high glycemic index. For larger breeds, a quarter cup will do, while for smaller breeds, a teaspoon or two will do. When it comes to feeding your dog brown rice, the 20% rule is a good guideline. So if you feed your dog two cups of commercial dog food, you can replace up to 20% of your dog’s meal, which is 0.4 cups or 3.2 ounces, with brown rice. For dogs with upset stomachs, white or brown rice works as a temporary bland diet.

 

Is Chicken and Rice Good For Dogs?

It doesn’t matter which foods you choose for your dog’s bland diet, the ratio remains the same: one part lean meat protein, two parts starchy carbohydrates, and a pinch of fiber. Next time your dog’s belly grumbles, consider using one of these bland diet recipes based on rice. You can give your dog essential B vitamins by mixing white rice with ground beef for a tasteful and protein-rich meal. Don’t forget to top it off with a dollop of low-fat cottage cheese that is packed with calcium. Turkey is naturally low in fat and protein, making it a great match for brown rice which is rich in fiber. If you want even more protein, mix in some scrambled eggs.

 

So can dogs eat rice? Definitely. Depending on how it is prepared and served, white or brown rice is a good grain to add to your dog’s diet. Consider the benefits of each type before choosing which one is right for your dog.