Rice for Dogs

Rice is one of the carbohydrate sources barely any bowl guide goes without, especially when it comes to bland diets or sensitive stomachs. Yet not all rice is the same, and not every preparation suits dogs equally well. We explain what makes rice a raw material, why it plays a role in canine nutrition, and what to watch out for.

What is rice?

Rice is a cereal obtained from the grains of the rice plant and exists in countless varieties, from white polished rice to parboiled rice through to wholegrain rice. In canine nutrition, almost exclusively polished white rice is used, because it's particularly easy to digest.

Rice consists predominantly of starch, in other words carbohydrates, and provides energy in a form that a dog's digestive tract can break down comparatively easily. Unlike for humans, rice isn't an everyday staple of a dog's diet, but rather a deliberately used carbohydrate source.

Why rice for dogs?

Well-cooked, polished rice is considered one of the most easily tolerated carbohydrate sources there is, and is therefore classically used for bland diets, for example after diarrhoea, vomiting or other digestive problems. Combined with lean meat such as chicken, this creates the well-known bland diet combination many dog owners will recognise from conversations with their vet.

Rice also plays a role for:

• Dogs with acute gastrointestinal upset, where a bland diet is advised
• Dogs being gently reintroduced to food after a diet change
• Recipes containing an easily digestible carbohydrate source as an energy provider

Rice in canine nutrition

If rice is part of a food, it's worth looking at what role it plays in the recipe: does it serve as a gentle energy source alongside a clear meat content, or is it used in large quantities as a cheap filler? For dogs with a grain intolerance, it's also important to know that although rice is low in gluten, it isn't automatically suitable for every dog.

When preparing a bland diet yourself, the rule is: well cooked, without seasoning, and in a quantity that fits the rest of the feeding plan. How long a bland diet makes sense and when your dog can be switched back to their usual food depends on the individual case; if diarrhoea or vomiting persists for longer than a day or two, it's a matter for veterinary attention. You'll find more raw materials and their significance for canine nutrition in our raw materials lexicon.