I’m Kayla. I live with two goofballs: Milo (a 55-pound Lab mix) and Bean (a 14-pound senior Pug). I’ve fed them rice. Many times. Sometimes it saved the day. Sometimes it backfired. Here’s the plain truth from my kitchen floor. If you’re just looking for the quick yes-or-no, I put together a full breakdown of whether dogs can have rice with vet pointers and portion tips.
The first time I tried it
Milo had the runs after he stole a street taco. Classic Milo. Our vet said, “Do a bland diet for a day or two.”
As further reassurance, Yes, dogs can safely eat rice. In fact, white rice is often recommended by veterinarians as a bland food for dogs experiencing gastrointestinal issues.
So I made white rice and boiled chicken. No skin. No oil. No salt.
I did 2 parts rice to 1 part chicken. Small meals. About 1/2 cup at a time for Milo, every 4 hours. He kept it down. By the next morning, his belly was calm. You know what? I almost cried from relief. It was a long night.
White rice vs. brown rice (I learned the hard way)
I thought brown rice would be “healthier.” It’s not wrong. But when a dog’s gut is upset, brown rice can be a bit rough. More fiber. More work for the belly.
- White rice: easier to digest. Good for tummy rest.
- Brown rice: fine for normal days. Not great for bad stomach days.
One time I gave Bean brown rice after a long car ride. She bloated and looked miserable. Switched to white rice. She sighed like a tiny grandma and took a nap. Lesson learned.
How I cook it so it’s gentle
I keep it simple. Boring, even. That’s the point.
- Rinse the rice till the water runs clear.
- Cook it in water. No salt. No butter.
- I use a 1:2 rice-to-water ratio on the stove. Low and slow.
- Cool it so it’s not sticky hot. Warm is okay. Hot is not.
If I’m doing the “bland diet,” I mix the rice with boiled chicken or lean turkey. Sometimes I add a spoon of plain pumpkin. Not pie filling. Just pumpkin.
Real weeks when rice helped
- After a vaccine day: Bean felt queasy. Two tiny rice meals and a nap did the trick.
- Heat wave in July: Milo skipped breakfast. I made a small bowl—rice with bone broth ice cubes (low sodium). He licked the bowl clean.
- Post-op from a tooth pull: Vet okayed soft food. Rice with poached white fish worked like a charm.
Times rice didn’t help (and what I changed)
- Too much rice, too fast: Milo got constipated. I cut the portion, added warm water, and spaced the meals out. That fixed it.
- Weight creep: Bean gained half a pound over a month. Rice is carb city. I pulled back, added green beans for volume, and we took extra slow walks after dinner.
- Food itch scare: I blamed rice for Bean’s scratchy ears. Turned out it was the new chicken treats, not the rice. Still, I tested by removing rice for a week. No change. Back on the menu.
How much I feed (what worked for us)
This isn’t fancy. Just what I do.
- Milo (55 lb): 1/2 cup rice with 1/4 cup chicken, up to 4 times a day during tummy rest.
- Bean (14 lb): 2–3 tablespoons rice with 1–2 tablespoons protein, 3 times a day.
- For normal days, rice is a topper only. A spoon or two on their regular food. Not daily.
If your dog has diabetes, kidney issues, or allergies, talk to your vet first. Rice can spike blood sugar. Better safe than sorry. I jot down everything my vet checks at our yearly visits in this honest look at pet wellness exams if you want a checklist before your appointment.
For detailed, vet-reviewed guidelines on feeding rice and other human foods, I keep the quick reference sheets on Pet Care Services bookmarked.
Little add-ins that made it better
- A splash of warm water so it’s not dry.
- Plain pumpkin (1 teaspoon for Bean, 1 tablespoon for Milo).
- Shredded poached chicken or white fish.
- Low-sodium bone broth ice cubes on hot days. They melt and make a cozy gravy.
I tried peas once. Milo loved it. Bean did not. She spat them out like tiny marbles. Curious about less common veggies? I also tested whether dogs can eat eggplant with my two and shared the messy results.
By the way, if you share your home with both dogs and cats, you might have heard French speakers use the endearing nickname “minou” for their feline friends. If you’re curious about the cultural backstory, take a quick break and peek at Je montre mon minou—you’ll pick up a fun bit of French pet lingo and enjoy a lighthearted read while your rice finishes simmering.
Quick do and don’t list
- Do use plain white rice for upset tummies.
- Do feed small, frequent meals for a day or two.
- Do watch poop and energy. That’s your report card.
- Don’t add salt, oil, butter, or spices.
- Don’t make rice the main food long term.
- Don’t push it if your dog throws up more than once or seems weak—call your vet.
A tiny kitchen trick
I freeze flat bags of cooked rice. Then I can snap off a chunk in seconds. It thaws fast. Late-night dog drama? I’m ready.
Final word from my messy porch
Can dogs have rice? Yes. Mine do. It helps during tummy trouble and works as a gentle topper on normal days. White rice is my go-to when things are rough. Brown rice is fine for calm bellies, not for sick ones. Keep it plain. Keep it small. Watch your dog, not the clock.
Of course, life isn’t all measuring cups and muddy paw prints; once the pups are settled for the night, my partner and I like to reclaim a bit of grown-up adventure. If you’re in central Kansas and curious about spicing up your social calendar, the local lifestyle overview at Emporia Swingers lays out upcoming meet-ups, etiquette pointers, and discreet venues where open-minded couples can mingle confidently.
And if you’re standing over the stove at 2 a.m., stirring a pot for a pup who looks sorry and a little scared—hey, I’ve been there. You’ve got this.