Is rice good for dogs?
You're thinking about feeding your dog rice, but you're not sure if that's really species-appropriate? Well, from now on you can always cook an extra portion of rice, because this little energy grain shouldn't just play an important role in your own dinner. It's actually quite healthy for your four-legged companion as well. So there's nothing wrong if your dog has rice every now and then. Sometimes, it's even recommended!dog has rice every now and then gets. Sometimes, it's even recommended!
Which rice is best for dogs?
There are many different types of rice, but only the best grains go in your dog's bowl? Basically, all types of rice are fine and well tolerated for your dog. These include:
brown rice
parboiled rice
basmati rice
Thai rice
jasmine rice
risotto rice
whole grain rice
Just like for us two-legged friends, brown rice (also called "whole grain rice") is the best choice for your four-legged friend. The reason is the higher fiber content, which supports healthy bowel function. Keep in mind that brown rice also takes a bit longer to cook.
White rice is also something your dog can eat without worry and is generally easy to digest. Just like for us, however, it contains less fiber.
Cooking rice for dogs
Of course, your dog shouldn't eat rice raw, but always cooked. When preparing it, make sure to add no spices and especially no salt! Otherwise, you can prepare the rice just as you would for yourself:
Wash the rice to remove excess starch.
Cook in a pot with unsalted water for 20 to 25 minutes.
Let the rice cool down and then serve it to your dog.
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Rice gives dogs an extra boost of energy
Rice with chicken as a bland meal when your pet's stomach is upset is probably already familiar to you. But there's more to it: rice provides your four-legged friend with plenty of strength and energy in the form of complex carbohydrates. Because, contrary to popular belief, dogs don't just need meat.
Although our four-legged friends don't need carbohydrates as much as we do, since they get most of their energy from fats and proteins, they can still meet their needs with the starch contained in rice starch and metabolize. The important thing here: Cook the rice thoroughly well, because only then can your dog digest it especially well.
Even with BARF feeding, fresh ingredients such as raw meat, vegetables, and rice are given. Learn more about it!
Rice for stomach aches or allergies
Precisely because your four-legged friend can digest rice easily, it is perfect as a bland diet when your dog is suffering from stomach aches or diarrhea. Starchy food components support a healthy gut flora. Organs like the kidneys and liver, which filter toxins from the body, also benefit from it.
Especially for older dogs the meals should be high in carbohydrates and low in fat – here, a reduction in meat and the addition of rice makes sense. Don't worry if you hear that rice is a type of grain, because unlike grains in, for example, bread, natural rice is gluten-free and therefore also suitable for dogs with allergies.
Delicious & easily digestible gentle diet: Our VET Stomach & Intestine Fit wet food contains everything an irritated doggy tummy needs.
How often can my dog eat rice?
In theory, you can feed your dog rice every day, it's just a matter of the right portion size. For your pooch as an omnivorous meat-eater, rice in his daily breakfast is no problem – quite the opposite. In addition to an optimal meat content of up to 80%, you can make up the rest of the menu as often as you and your furry friend like with rice and vegetables. This way you ensure a healthy supply for your four-legged friend with nutrients, vitamins, and trace elements.
If you're unsure about putting together a tasty menu, you can surprise your pet with one of our BARF fresh menus, in which we rely on healthy carbohydrate sources like rice.
