Can Dogs Eat Rice? White, Brown and Bland Diets
Yes, dogs can eat plain cooked rice. White rice is easy to digest and often part of a vet-advised bland diet; skip seasoning, onion and garlic.
Sunny · · 4 min read
Yes, dogs can eat rice. Plain, fully cooked white or brown rice is safe for most dogs in sensible amounts, and many commercial dog foods already contain it. The problems come from what we add to rice — oil, salt, spices, onion and garlic — not the grain itself.
Rice is also the food many vets suggest when a dog has a mild stomach upset. Here's when it helps, how to cook it and how much to give.
Why rice is used for upset stomachs
White rice is low in fat and fibre and very easy to digest. When a dog has had a bout of mild diarrhoea, a vet may recommend a short-term bland diet: plain boiled white rice mixed with a smaller amount of plain cooked lean protein, such as boneless, skinless chicken or turkey. The starch in the rice can help firm up loose stools while the gut settles.
A few important points:
- Only do this on your vet's advice. Diarrhoea and vomiting have many causes, and some need treatment rather than a diet change.
- It's a short-term fix. A bland diet is not complete and balanced. Most dogs go back to their normal food gradually over a few days once stools are firm.
- Puppies are different. Young puppies can dehydrate quickly, so don't try home care for a puppy with diarrhoea — see puppy diarrhoea: when to worry.
White rice vs brown rice
| White rice | Brown rice | |
|---|---|---|
| Digestibility | Very easy to digest | Harder to digest |
| Fibre | Low | Higher |
| Best for | Short-term bland diets for upset tummies | Healthy dogs as an occasional extra |
| Blood sugar | Raises it faster | Raises it more slowly |
Because white rice raises blood sugar fairly quickly, check with your vet before giving rice to a dog with diabetes or one who is overweight.
How to cook rice for your dog
- Rinse the rice and boil it in plain water until soft. Cook it a little longer than you would for yourself.
- Add no salt, oil, ghee, butter, stock cubes or spices.
- Let it cool completely before serving.
- Store leftovers in the fridge and use within a day or two.
Never share rice dishes from your own plate. Fried rice, pulao, biryani, risotto and khichdi made for the family usually contain onion and garlic — in any form, including powders and fried onions — which can damage a dog's red blood cells. Read more in our guide to foods that are toxic to dogs.
How much rice can a dog eat?
As an occasional extra, treats and add-ons should stay under about 10% of your dog's daily calories. As a rough guide for plain cooked rice:
| Dog size | Example breeds | Portion (as an extra) |
|---|---|---|
| Toy (under 5 kg) | Chihuahua, Pomeranian | 1–2 teaspoons |
| Small (5–10 kg) | Shih Tzu, Jack Russell | 1–2 tablespoons |
| Medium (10–25 kg) | Beagle, Cocker Spaniel | 2–3 tablespoons |
| Large (25–40 kg) | Labrador, German Shepherd | Up to a quarter of a cup |
| Giant (over 40 kg) | Great Dane, Mastiff | Up to a third of a cup |
These amounts are for rice as an extra. If your vet has prescribed a bland diet, follow the amounts and ratio they give you, since the rice will be replacing part of your dog's normal food.
Can puppies eat rice?
A little plain cooked rice won't harm a healthy puppy, but puppies need a complete puppy food to grow properly, and filling them up with rice means they eat less of it. Keep any rice to a teaspoon or two as an occasional extra. If your puppy has an upset stomach, call your vet rather than starting a bland diet yourself.
Alternatives to rice
For dogs who don't do well on grains, plain cooked pumpkin (not pie filling), plain boiled potato with no skin or seasoning, or a vet-recommended gastrointestinal diet are other gentle options. If you want to change your dog's main food, do it gradually — our guide on how to switch dog food explains how.
Frequently asked questions
Is white or brown rice better for dogs?
Both are fine plain and cooked. White rice is easier to digest, which is why vets usually suggest it for an upset stomach. Brown rice has more fibre but can be harder on a sensitive gut.
Can I feed my dog rice every day?
A small amount of plain rice can be part of a complete diet, but rice on its own is not balanced. Long-term home-made diets should be planned with your vet or a veterinary nutritionist.
Can dogs eat fried rice or biryani?
No. Fried rice, pulao and biryani usually contain onion, garlic, oil, salt and spices, which can upset a dog's stomach and, in the case of onion and garlic, damage red blood cells.