Can Dogs Eat Brown Rice?

You may think that dogs are carnivores, but they aren’t. Dogs evolved to be omnivores. So, does this mean you can feed your dog brown rice? Read on to find out.

Can dogs have brown rice?

Absolutely. Dogs can eat grains, including brown rice, because they are omnivores. That means dogs can eat and digest foods that come from plants. Dogs aren’t strict carnivores, so brown rice or other grains can be a part of their diet.

Is brown rice good for dogs?

Yes, it is. Many commercial dog foods already include brown rice or other grains in their recipes and for a good reason. Brown rice is nutritious for dogs. You can give your dog brown rice in addition to his diet but feed it sparingly. “If you’re mixing brown rice in with a complete and balanced diet, be careful. Large dogs can have no more than ¼ cup. Smaller dogs can eat much less, maybe a tablespoon,” explains Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey.

Is brown rice a filler in dog food?

No, not at all. Brown rice offers a lot as an ingredient. “It is an easily digestible carbohydrate and provides beneficial minerals and B vitamins,” Dempsey says. It’s used in dog foods regularly because it’s so nutritious.

How much rice can dogs eat?

Brown rice and other grains are nutritious, but they have many calories. Make sure the serving size you feed your dog falls in the 10 Percent Treat Rule. The rice’s calories should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calorie amount. Feeding small portions of rice will help prevent your dog from packing on extra pounds.

Which is better: white rice or brown rice?

Both white rice and brown rice are good for dogs. “Brown rice is brown because it still has the outer layers or hull and bran parts of the grain that white rice doesn’t,” Dempsey explains.  That means it is more fibrous than white rice, and it also retains natural oils.  Brown rice can spoil faster when it’s stored. If you’re deciding between the two, keep in mind how quickly you plan to serve it. That can help you decide which to prepare.

How should you prepare brown rice for dogs?

Only serve your dog cooked rice. And when you prepare it, cook it in water or a steam rice cooker. Using butter, ghee, oil, salt, or spices can cause stomach upset and adds calories, so cooking in water or steaming is best.

Can brown rice be good for a dog with an upset stomach?

Brown rice may be helpful for dogs with GI upset. Since rice is easily digestible and contains nutrients, it can help soothe your dog’s gut and start his recovery. “Mix some cooked rice in with cooked lean meat like chicken or lean ground beef in a 50:50 mix to help give your dog a chance to recover,” Dempsey says. This meal replacement can help ease his GI distress or diarrhea. It is important to keep your veterinarian informed, too. This mixture should help, but it isn’t a complete and balanced meal, so only feed it for a couple of days at the most.