Can Dogs Eat Brown Rice? 12 Things You Need To Know

You may be wondering if brown rice is safe for dogs because it is a common ingredient in many human foods. What you need to know about giving your dog brown rice is detailed below.

However, many dog owners wonder if their canine companions, even in moderation, can benefit from the nutrients found in rice.

This comprehensive guide answers all of your questions about feeding brown rice to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Brown Rice?

Canines certainly have access to brown rice. It’s a good source of carbohydrates, minerals, and B vitamins, and it digests quickly.

Because of its high nutritional value, brown rice is frequently used as an ingredient in commercial dog food.

Dogs have the digestive capacity to eat both plant and animal products because they are omnivores. Brown rice and other grains can be included in their daily diet unless you are specifically instructing to do otherwise.

Brown rice and other grains are common ingredients in commercial dog foods, and can be beneficial if given in moderation.

Is Brown Rice Good for Dogs?

To answer your question, brown rice for dogs does provide numerous health benefits. High-quality carbohydrates found in brown rice provide your dog with sustained energy. Brown rice also contains fiber, essential amino acids, and micronutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, and manganese.

Healthy Ingredients in Brown Rice

Carbohydrates like fiber are important for your dog’s digestive health. Soluble and insoluble fiber are both available.

Soluble fiber helps maintain regular bowel movements and good colon health in dogs because it is easily absorbed and broken down by the body.

Your dog will thank you for giving them insoluble fiber because it increases stool bulk and speeds up digestion. So, it helps with both diarrhea and constipation in canines.

To put it simply, proteins are made up of amino acids, which are organic compounds. Energy can be derived from amino acids just like it can from carbohydrates.

Dogs’ immune systems benefit from amino acids, too. About half of the essential amino acids for a dog’s body can be made internally, meaning the other half must be provided through the dog’s diet.

Vitamin B, a water-soluble compound that aids in metabolism and cellular health, is essential for dogs.

As a coenzyme, vitamin B plays a key role in the biochemical reactions that convert carbohydrates into glucose, your dog’s primary source of fuel.

One of the most important nutrients for your dog is magnesium, which plays a role in cellular energy metabolism.

Magnesium is essential for maintaining healthy heart function, nerve signaling, and muscle contractions.

Dogs need to get plenty of manganese from their food because their bodies can’t produce it on their own.

This mineral acts as a catalyst in more than 300 enzyme functions in the body after being absorbed into the bloodstream, facilitating the body’s ability to use the protein and carbohydrate they consume.

There is some disagreement about whether or not carbohydrates are good for dogs. Carbohydrates aren’t essential, but they are helpful for dogs.

Your dog gets its energy from a combination of macronutrients, including carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The breakdown of carbohydrates results in glucose, which cells use for fuel.

If you give your dog a balanced diet high in carbohydrates, he or she will be able to use protein for cellular repair and maintenance rather than burning muscle for fuel.

When To Avoid Brown Rice

Brown rice should be avoided if your dog has a sensitive stomach, GI issues, or has been vomiting, diarrhea, or experiencing unusual gas, bloating, or nausea.

Furthermore, if your dog’s diet already contains a lot of carbohydrates, you should probably stay away from brown rice. Overfeeding your dog carbohydrates can cause nutritional imbalance and possible weight gain because of the high calorie content of these foods.

What About White Rice?

White rice is a common remedy given to dogs when they have stomach problems like vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach.

As a bland food, white rice is easy for your dog to digest and can help relieve other digestive issues by calming the digestive tract.

If your dog has diabetes, you should limit the amount of white rice they eat because it can significantly increase their blood glucose levels.

White rice may still help settle your dog’s stomach, but it’s best to start with a smaller serving and ask your vet about alternative remedies, whether they’re all-natural or pharmaceutical.

Should I Choose Brown or White Rice for Dogs?

In most cases, brown rice is used rather than white rice as a canine diet staple.

The most common treatment for diarrhea in dogs is white rice because it is easier to digest, contains starch, and contains very little fiber.

Nonetheless, its glycemic index is higher than that of brown rice. Avoid making this a regular part of your dog’s diet because it can cause dangerously high blood sugar levels.

Brown rice, unlike its white counterpart, is more challenging to digest, making it less suitable as a staple food. It follows that brown rice isn’t the healthiest choice when you’re feeling queasy.

Brown rice, on the other hand, has a seed coat that keeps the nutrients in, making it a superior food choice over its white counterpart.

Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS, a nutritionist at Purina, explains that the hull and bran layers of the grain are what give brown rice its distinctive appearance.

As a result, it has a higher fiber content than white rice. Consider that brown rice spoils more quickly when stored than other varieties when making your selection.

Can Brown Rice be Good for a Dog with an Upset Stomach?

In some cases, some dogs that are experiencing digestive distress may benefit from eating brown rice.

When dealing with gastrointestinal distress or diarrhea, Carbo-Johnson recommends replacing their normal diet with cooked rice and cooked lean meat. While this mixture may be effective, it is not a complete and balanced diet and should be fed to the animal for no more than three days.

How Much Brown Rice Can Dogs Eat?

Although whole grains like brown rice and quinoa can be a healthy option, they also tend to be high in calories. Make sure the amount of treats you give your dog each day doesn’t exceed 10 percent of his total meal.

This means that the amount of rice you feed your dog each day shouldn’t account for more than 10% of their total calorie intake.

How to Prepare Brown Rice for Your Dog

Dogs should only be given cooked rice. Make sure to use plenty of water or a rice steamer when making this. Cooking in water or steaming is healthier and more calorie-efficient than using fats like butter, ghee, salt, and spices.

Other Grains Your Dog Will Love

Many whole grains are both healthy and safe for canine consumption.

The B vitamins riboflavin (B2) and thiamin (B1), as well as vitamin E, magnesium, iron, protein, fiber, potassium, and sodium are all found in grains, making them beneficial to your dog’s health.

Brown rice is nutritious, but it can cause stomach upset in dogs, be difficult for them to digest, and cause them to eat too many carbohydrates if given in addition to their regular food.

It’s up to you if you want to feed your dog brown rice, but there are two safer options that still provide the same benefits.

Oats

When it comes to whole grains, oats are among the best options for your dog. They’re good for your dog’s health and digestion, and full of fiber, nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. Oats are fantastic for your dog’s skin and fur.

Quinoa

Look for quinoa or other whole grains like it on the dog food label. The amino acids, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in this superfood are all good for your dog.

Grains To Avoid

If your dog has a wheat, gluten, corn, or soy allergy, feeding them these grains can cause them discomfort.

Filler ingredients, not ingredients that provide nutrition, are commonly used in pet food.

That’s why it’s recommended that you steer clear of those grains.

If your dog has a delicate stomach or already consumes a great deal of carbohydrates, you may want to keep him away from brown rice as well. Whole grains like oats and quinoa are great alternatives to fillers and irritants in dog food, and fortunately there are many brands to choose from.

Sunday’s dog food is formulated to provide all of the essential nutrients without any of the unnecessary fillers, with ingredients like quinoa, USDA-grade beef, and various fruits and vegetables.

Whole Grains, No Worries

Although brown rice is generally safe and acceptable for dogs, it may be hard for your dog to digest and cause stomach upset. Get your dog some brown rice if you’ve noticed any itching or discomfort.