Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Brown Rice? Yes, Plain and Well Cooked
Yes. Plain, well-cooked brown rice is safe for most dogs in small amounts, and many commercial dog foods include it. Because it keeps its outer bran layer, it has more fiber than white rice, but the American Kennel Club notes it is also harder to digest, which is why vets do not use brown rice for dogs with stomach upsets. Cook it in plain water with no butter, salt, broth or seasoning, and keep it a small side rather than a large share of the bowl.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20265 min read2 sources
How brown rice differs from white rice for dogs
Brown rice is the whole grain with only the inedible husk removed. The bran and germ stay on, so it carries more fiber and more of the grain's nutrients. White rice has those layers polished off, which the AKC says leaves it with less nutritional content but makes it easy to digest and low in fiber.
Those differences decide which one to use. For a healthy dog that just enjoys a spoonful of grain, brown rice is fine. The AKC notes it has a lower glycemic index than white rice, so it raises blood sugar more slowly, but dogs with diabetes should only have rice when their vet has worked it into their diet.
Why brown rice is not for an upset stomach
The AKC says brown rice is never prescribed for dogs with gastrointestinal problems. A dog with an upset stomach needs the easily digested starch in white rice, and the extra fiber in brown rice can make things harder on an irritated gut rather than easier.
So if your vet has suggested a bland diet after vomiting or diarrhea, use the white rice they recommend, not brown. And if your dog is unwell, call your vet before changing what they eat; a home bland diet is not a substitute for finding out why a dog is sick.
How to cook brown rice for a dog
Rinse the rice, then simmer it in plain water until it is soft all the way through, which takes longer than white rice. Undercooked brown rice is chewy and harder to digest, so it should squash easily between your fingers.
Let it cool before serving. Mix a spoonful into your dog's usual food rather than giving it on its own, and keep cooked rice in the fridge for no more than a few days. Do not serve rice that has been left out at room temperature for hours.
How much brown rice by dog size
The AKC warns that too many extra carbohydrates can lead to weight gain, especially in dogs already eating a commercial food that contains grain. As a starting point for a healthy adult dog: under 20 lb, about one tablespoon of cooked rice; 20 to 50 lb, two to three tablespoons; over 50 lb, up to a quarter cup.
Offer it a few times a week rather than every day, and reduce the usual food slightly on days you add rice so the total stays the same. If your dog is overweight, diabetic or eats a prescription diet, ask your vet before adding any grain.
For dogs that gulp anything new, a slow feeder bowl or a lick mat keeps portions small and eating slow.
Puppies and brown rice
A little well-cooked brown rice will not harm a weaned puppy, but puppies have sensitive stomachs and the extra fiber can cause loose stool. Start with a teaspoon for a small-breed puppy and no more than a tablespoon for a large-breed puppy, mixed into the usual food.
More importantly, a growing puppy needs a complete and balanced puppy food that supports growth, and extra grain dilutes it. If your puppy has diarrhea, do not switch to brown rice: call your vet, because puppies can become dehydrated quickly.
Signs it disagreed with your dog, when to call a vet, and alternatives
Too much fiber or a sudden change usually shows within a day as gas, a softer or bulkier stool, or one bout of diarrhea. If your dog is otherwise bright, stop the rice and the stool should settle within a day or two.
Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea repeats, there is blood in the stool, or your dog becomes lethargic or stops eating. If the rice was cooked with onion or garlic, watch over the next few days for weakness or pale gums and call your vet if they appear.
If rice does not suit your dog, a few green beans, carrot coins or a spoonful of plain canned pumpkin make easy low-calorie extras.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Is brown rice or white rice better for dogs?
For a healthy dog, either is fine plain and cooked. Brown rice has more fiber but is harder to digest; the AKC says white rice is the one used when a dog has an upset stomach.
Can dogs eat brown rice every day?
A small daily spoonful is fine for some dogs, but extra carbohydrates add calories. If you add rice regularly, cut the usual food a little so your dog keeps a healthy weight.
Can dogs eat brown rice and chicken?
Plain boiled chicken with no skin or bones and plain brown rice make a fine occasional topper. For a sick dog, ask your vet, who will usually suggest white rice instead.
Can dogs eat uncooked brown rice?
No. Raw rice is hard, difficult to digest and can upset a dog's stomach. If your dog ate a small amount from a spilled bag, watch for vomiting or a bloated belly and call your vet if either appears.
Is brown rice good for dogs with diabetes?
Brown rice raises blood sugar more slowly than white rice, but any rice affects a diabetic dog. Only add it if your vet has built it into your dog's diet.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
