Can dogs eat rice? Yes. Plain, cooked rice is safe for most dogs, and white rice is a go-to for upset stomachs because it’s bland and easy to digest. It’s still a starchy carb, though, so portions matter, especially for overweight or diabetic dogs. Below: white vs. brown, how much by size, and the rice dishes to keep off the floor.
Yes, plain and cooked. White or brown rice cooked in water with nothing added is safe in moderation. Skip fried rice, seasoned rice and rice snacks with sugar, butter or onion. A cup of cooked white rice has about 205 calories, so think spoonfuls, not bowlfuls.
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Is Rice Good for Dogs?
In the right amount, yes. Rice is an easily digested source of energy, low in fat and sodium, and it shows up in many complete commercial foods. White rice helps firm loose stool, which is why vets often pair it with a lean protein for short-term bland diets, as the American Kennel Club explains. Brown rice keeps its bran layer, so it adds more fiber, magnesium and B vitamins.
What rice doesn’t do is complete a diet. It’s mostly starch, so on its own it lacks the protein, fat and minerals your dog needs.
White Rice vs. Brown Rice for Dogs
| Per 1 cup cooked | White rice | Brown rice |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~205 kcal | ~216 kcal |
| Fiber | ~0.6 g | ~3.5 g |
| Digestibility | Very easy | Slower; bran can upset sensitive guts |
| Blood sugar impact | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Diarrhea, upset stomach, picky recovery meals | Healthy dogs as an occasional extra |
Approximate values for long-grain rice from USDA FoodData Central.
Short version: white rice for a touchy stomach, brown rice for a healthy dog who could use a little fiber. Jasmine and basmati are simply types of white rice and are fine plain.
How Much Rice Can a Dog Eat?
As an extra on top of a complete food, keep rice inside the treat budget: around a tenth of daily calories, per the WSAVA treat guide. In cooked white rice, that works out to:
| Dog’s weight | Est. daily calories | Max rice as an extra |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~350 kcal | 2 to 3 tablespoons |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | ~690 kcal | about ⅓ cup |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | ~1,160 kcal | about ½ cup |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | ~1,580 kcal | about ¾ cup |
| 100 lb (45 kg) | ~1,960 kcal | about 1 cup |
Our estimates for a typical neutered adult (70 × kg0.75 × 1.6) at ~13 kcal per tablespoon of cooked white rice, assuming no other treats that day.
Can dogs eat rice every day? A spoonful mixed into a complete food is fine daily if you trim the kibble to match. Feeding mostly rice for weeks is not; it crowds out protein and nutrients. Our dog calorie calculator helps you balance it.
Rice for Diarrhea and Upset Stomach
For a short-term bland diet, mix about 2 parts plain white rice with 1 part lean cooked protein such as boiled chicken breast or turkey, and feed small meals several times a day for 2 to 5 days. Our chicken and rice for dogs recipe and what to feed a dog with diarrhea guide give portions and a day-by-day plan.
Rice water (the cloudy liquid from boiling rice) is sometimes suggested for mild diarrhea. It can help with hydration, but it’s not a treatment, and fresh water always comes first.
How to Cook Rice for Your Dog
- Rinse first, then cook in plain water with no salt, butter, oil or broth with onion.
- Cook it soft, a little softer than you’d eat it, especially for an upset stomach.
- Consider extra water: the FDA notes that cooking rice in excess water and draining it lowers arsenic, though it also washes out some added vitamins. Brown rice tends to hold more arsenic than white.
- Cool, then serve lukewarm, mixed into food or as a small topper.
- Refrigerate within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.
Which Rice Dishes Are Safe? Fried Rice, Rice Cakes and More
| Rice food | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain white, brown, jasmine, basmati | Safe | Cooked in water, nothing added |
| Wild rice | Safe in small amounts | Chewier and higher in fiber |
| Plain rice cakes | Occasionally | Unsalted only; break into pieces |
| Fried rice, takeout rice | Avoid | Oil, soy sauce, onion, garlic |
| Rice Krispie treats | Avoid | Sugar, butter, marshmallow |
| Rice pudding | Avoid | Sugar, milk, often nutmeg or raisins |
| Rice noodles, rice flour treats | Plain only | Fine without sauce or seasoning |
My dog ate rice left out or a takeout rice dish. Cooked rice left at room temperature can grow Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that causes vomiting and diarrhea, and reheating doesn’t always fix it. Offer water and watch for 24 hours. Call your vet if your dog vomits repeatedly, has bloody diarrhea, seems weak, or if the dish contained onion, garlic, raisins or a lot of fat.
Puppies, Diabetes and Other Special Cases
- Puppies: a spoonful of plain cooked rice is fine, but their growth food should supply nearly all calories.
- Diabetes: white rice raises blood sugar quickly; keep it occasional and ask your vet.
- Weight loss: rice adds calories fast; swap it for green beans if your dog needs bulk.
- Allergies: rice is rarely a trigger and appears in many limited ingredient foods; see dog food allergies.
- Kidney disease or pancreatitis: rice is low in fat and phosphorus, so some vets use it, but follow their diet plan; see our kidney diet for dogs guide.
Is rice good for an upset stomach? Plain white rice with lean boiled chicken is a common short-term bland meal. If vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a day or two, or you see blood, your dog needs a vet visit.
White or brown rice? White is gentler on a sore stomach. Brown has more fiber and suits healthy dogs. Either one stays a side, not the main meal.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Rice for Dogs: Quick Serving Guide
✓ Do
- Cook rice plain in water
- Pick white rice for a sore stomach
- Mix it with lean boiled chicken
- Keep it a side, not the main meal
✕ Don't
- Add butter, salt or soy sauce
- Share fried rice or takeout
- Use rice as a full diet
- Ignore diarrhea that keeps going
See your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts or you see blood. Diabetic dogs need a vet OK first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat white rice every day?
Small amounts mixed into a complete food are fine. Large daily portions add calories and push out nutrients.
Can dogs have rice with soy sauce?
No. Soy sauce is very salty, and takeout rice often contains garlic or onion.
Is rice good for dogs with diarrhea?
Plain white rice with lean protein is a common short-term bland meal. Call your vet if diarrhea lasts beyond a day or two or contains blood.
Can dogs eat brown rice?
Yes, cooked plain. It has more fiber than white rice, so introduce it slowly and skip it during stomach upsets.
Can dogs eat rice and eggs?
Yes. Plain scrambled or boiled egg mixed with plain white rice is a gentle, high-protein meal for a few days of tummy trouble.
Is rice just a filler in dog food?
Not necessarily. In a complete and balanced food, rice is a digestible energy source. The AAFCO statement matters more than any single ingredient.
Wondering about other foods? Our A-Z guide to what dogs can eat sorts them into safe, moderation and avoid.
The Bottom Line
Can dogs eat rice? Yes, plain and cooked, in modest portions. White rice is the gentle choice for upset stomachs, brown rice adds fiber for healthy dogs, and seasoned or fried rice dishes stay off the menu. Find more answers in our Can Dogs Eat…? library, try a balanced bowl from our homemade dog food recipes, or start with Start Here. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- American Kennel Club (AKC) — Can dogs eat rice
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central
- WSAVA — WSAVA guidetotreats dogs 251107
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Arsenic food and dietary supplements