Overview
Yes, dogs can eat rice. Rice contains nutrients that are beneficial to dogs. Some rice varieties have more nutrients than others. For example, brown rice, red rice, black rice, and wild rice are healthier than starchy white rice.
Can dogs eat Rice?
Benefits
- Being a good source of carbohydrates, rice acts as a source of energy for the body.
- Rice is packed with several nutrients that are beneficial to dogs. Rice contains vitamin A, iron, zinc, and folic acid, which support blood, brain, and heart health.
- Rice is rich in fiber which promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movement.
- Many commercial dog foods include rice as one of the ingredients to create a nutritious and balanced meal for dogs.
- There are different varieties of rice and each has its own nutritional profile. White rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, sticky rice, and wild rice are some of the types of rice available in the market.
- Brown rice has higher protein and lower fat and starch content than white rice.
- White rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate which makes it a good source of energy when your dog has an upset tummy and needs a bland meal or if you are feeding an older dog.
Risks
- Rice should be given to dogs in moderation. Eating large amounts of rice can lead to weight gain because of the high carbohydrates content.
- Most rice varieties have low to medium glycemic index (GI) values. Among rice varieties, white rice has a higher GI value than brown rice and can cause blood sugar levels to rise. It's not suitable for dogs with diabetes.
- Unlike white rice, many rice varieties are harder for dogs to digest because they still contain the bran and germ, such as Brown rice.
Servings
- Wash the rice before cooking.
- Only give rice that is thoroughly cooked to a dog.
- Only give freshly cooked rice to your dog as rice spoils quickly and can cause food poisoning.
