Can Dogs Eat Brown Rice?

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Are you puzzled about why you're seeing brown rice in the list of ingredients in your dog food? Can dogs eat brown rice? In short, the answer is yes, as brown rice offers important nutrients for your dog's overall health. Here are explanations to some of the most common questions about why brown rice is an essential ingredient in many dog foods.

What health benefits does brown rice offer dogs?

Brown rice is full of natural fiber, which helps a dog's digestion. It is also an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Specifically, vitamins D and B — essential to heart health — are found in brown rice. Minerals and vitamins essential to a dog's health, including calcium, iron and riboflavin are also packed into this superfood. It is important to have the right balance of these nutrients in your dog's food, so if you see brown rice listed as an ingredient in a Hill's dog food you can be confident that Hill's has done extensive research to make sure that it not only meets our high-quality standards, but is also precisely balanced to meet your dog's needs.

Why brown rice and not white rice?

White rice, while less expensive, is more processed than brown rice. That processing causes white rice to lose much of its nutritional value. In addition, your dog digests white rice much more quickly than brown rice, which may have an adverse effect on blood sugar levels. Brown rice, in comparison, is much more nutritionally dense, takes a dog longer to digest and is higher in protein content and lower in fat.

Golden retriever eats out of white dog food bowl on deck

Can I ever safely feed my dog white rice?

You can! In fact, veterinarians may advise you to give your dog cooked white rice when he has an upset tummy or has a bout of diarrhea, according to the American Kennel Club. Chicken and rice can, however, lead to unbalanced nutrition and should really only be fed occasionally. Make sure to call your vet to discuss your pup's symptoms before beginning him on any home treatments.

Can my dog be allergic to rice?

Yes, but it's rare. If your dog is allergic to rice or other grains, he might have symptoms, such as itchy skin, hair loss and ear infections. But those same symptoms could be caused by other allergies or health issues. It's best to ask your vet to help you determine if your dog suffers from a rice allergy — or any other type of allergy — before cutting it from his meals.

Why would I want to keep my dog from eating grains?

The popularity of a grain-free food has far outpaced the number of dogs with diagnosed grain allergies or sensitivities. This fad, instead, became popular about the same time as low-carb diets in human kitchens. Vets report frequently hearing from pet parents that they chose to go grain free because they believe grains are simply fillers in dog food to keep prices low. That is simply not true. Whole grains like brown rice provide dogs with important and digestible nutrients. In addition, grain-free dog foods are not low in carbs — which are essential to a dog's overall health. All that being said, there are some dogs who should go grain free, so make sure to check with your vet if there is one that is best for your dog.

So, can dogs eat brown rice as part of a healthy meal plan? The answer is yes, and that it actually provides beneficial nutrients for your dog — it's not a cheaper filler option. The most important thing to remember in choosing a dog food is that it should provide your dog with complete and balanced nutrition. Hill's relies on a team of more than 200 veterinarians, nutritionists, and food scientists to develop new products and improve existing ones, to ensure that your pet lives a long, healthy, and full life. Always be sure to consult your veterinarian on ingredients for your dog's food, and do not rely on fads to sway your opinion of choosing the right nutrition for your dog. We care about his health as much as you do, and make every effort to ensure when he eats a Hill's dog food that he is getting a high quality meal with thoughtfully-sourced ingredients.

Contributor Bio

Kara Murphy

Kara Murphy

Kara Murphy is a freelance writer and pet parent who lives in Erie, Pa. She has a goldendoodle named Maddie.

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