Is White Rice Good for Dogs?

Can Dogs Eat White Rice?

There are a number of food groups that are wrongly considered dangerous for dogs. White rice is one of those foods as they are SAFE for dog consumption. White rice is an ingredient of some commercial dog foods that signify this fact, even further. They CAN also become a part of the regular diet if it suits the nutrition and health of your dog.

Is White Rice Healthy for Dogs?

White rice can be an excellent source of energy for your dogs as they are quite rich in carbohydrates. Similarly, they provide several other useful nutrients and minerals including Vitamin D, Iron, and fiber. White rice is easy to digest and that’s the reason why they are used to treat upset stomachs in dogs. They stimulate the growth of useful bacteria and ensure normal bowel movements.  

On the other hand, they don’t carry any harmful components like fats and sodium. All these factors make white rice a healthy and well-balanced ingredient for dogs. Having said that, you should ALWAYS consult your vet before giving any homemade recipe to your pet.  

Can Puppies Eat White Rice?

Just like adult dogs, white rice is good for puppies. All you need to ensure is that the rice are cooked and in a smaller quantity. Not only are rice safe for dogs, but they also offer a lot of other advantages. Some of them are listed below.

• The low percentage of fiber in white rice makes them easy to digest.
• They are pretty convenient for pet parents because they are faster to cook.
• They are a cost-efficient alternative which is considerably cheaper than commercial dog foods.
• Tummy infection, indigestion, and diarrhea can be an issue with dogs. White rice is an ideal treatment for this problem.
• Choking can be an issue with puppies as they try to swallow the food without chewing. The soft texture of rice can help you prevent any mishap.

Can Dogs be Allergic to White Rice?

Although food allergies are not very common in dogs, there are some ingredients that might make your pooch to scratch itself. Protein is the primary culprit in this regard and almost all the ingredients that carry protein can lead to these allergies.

Symptoms of Rice Allergies

As soon as the body of a dog digests an invader, it releases a chemical called Hertamine. This hormone is responsible for causing all the symptoms of an allergy such as itchy skin and vomiting. Some other symptoms of rice allergies include:

• Skin Rash
• Inflamed Paws
• Chronic Ear Infections
• Dry Skin
• Hair Loss

Given the varying nutritional requirements of different dog breeds, it can become a real challenge for new dog owners to predict these allergies. This is because some dogs do need a protein-rich diet for their healthy coat and white rice is an ideal food for them.

On the other hand, some breeds are sensitive to rice and can develop allergies after consuming them. In these circumstances, it is advisable to consult your vet before feeding rice to your new pup.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Rice Allergies

Diagnosis is the most critical phase of allergy treatment because it can be very tricky to figure out the exact source. There are several, different ingredients in a dog’s meal and anyone of them can be an allergen. One method that has been pretty successful in treating rice allergies recently, is the Elimination Dietary Trial.

The composition of this special diet may vary from one allergy to another. For instance, the dogs suffering from rice allergies will be given a grain-free diet.

During this trial, you need to feed your dog a novel diet for at least 90 days. This is because rice can take some time to get out of a dog’s system completely. If the symptoms of the allergy seem to disappear after 90 days, you should reintroduce rice into your pet’s meals. In case the symptoms emerge again, it is confirmed that the dog was suffering from a rice allergy.

Once the allergen has been identified, the treatment is quite obvious. Eliminate that ingredient from your dog’s diet and all the problems will perish. In addition to that, your vet may prescribe some medication (mild shampoo or ear cleaner) to control the symptoms.    

Feeding Dogs White Rice – The How-Tos

The very first thing that you need to do is to determine the suitable quantity of rice for your dog. It is an extremely crucial thing to do because excessive amounts of white rice can affect the bowel movements of dogs. Similarly, you MUST cook the rice as uncooked rice can be harmful to your pets. Following is a simple white rice recipe for dogs.

• Pour 4 cups of water in a pan.
• Add 1 cup of white rice in it.
• Boil this mixture for a maximum of 30 minutes. Keep checking the rice and turn off the burner when they are ready.
• You should start by feeding plain white rice to your dog. Once the pet gets used to it, you can add some different flavors like yogurt, low-fat meat, pineapples, etc.

If you are using white rice to treat diarrhea, you should always give sufficient time (to your dog) for recovery. Mix white rice and dog food to ensure that the disease subsides. Start feeding smaller proportions (e.g. 25%) of regular dog food and increase the quantity gradually.

The Bottom Line on White Rice and Dogs

Whether you want to treat digestive problems or counter other allergies, white rice can come to your aid. They can be an ideal alternative for a dog diet unless your dog is allergic to them. They can take care of all the nutritional needs (carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) of your pet. Likewise, it is a budget-friendly ingredient that will be affordable for most parents.

So, what are you waiting for? Consult your vet today and add this amazing ingredient in your recipe list.