Spending time with Fido is usually fun.
Except when they have the runs.
Not only is diarrhea nasty…
But you’re also worried about Fido’s safety.
So, what if the clinics are still closed?
Well, you heard that you can try using rice.
Can you really use that?
Continue reading to learn:
- 5 alarming risks of rice for dogs with diarrhea.
- How much rice dogs with diarrhea can eat daily.
- 3 benefits of feeding rice to Fidos that have the runs.
- And many, many more…
Table of contents
Is rice good for dogs with diarrhea?
Rice is good for dogs with diarrhea. It contains carbs and fiber that firm up their stool. Moreover, rice also keeps your dog’s stomach full. At the same time, it gives enough energy your canine needs. However, only plain and cooked white rice works with diarrhea.
Is brown rice good for dogs with diarrhea?
Brown rice isn’t good for dogs with diarrhea. This is due to the seeds inside the grains. That’s where rice stores nutrients. But, the seed makes it harder for dogs to digest brown rice. That’s because it has higher fiber than white grains. Thus, brown rice might only worsen your dog’s diarrhea.
Why is rice good for dogs with diarrhea?
Rice is good for dogs with diarrhea for a few reasons.
But how does it work? Let me explain the process to you.
First, the rice stays intact as your pooch eats it. That’s all thanks to the fiber it contains.
Now, once the food reaches your dog’s gut…
The rice starts absorbing water.
Doing that adds weight to your dog’s poop. And this is how rice helps firm up Fido’s stool.
At the same time…
The added weight makes the food travel slower to your pooch’s gut.
“Wait, isn’t that a bad thing?”
Not exactly. In fact, your furry friend needs their tummy to slow down.
Why so?
When dogs have diarrhea, the food they eat isn’t digested properly.
As a result, your pooch will have watery or deformed poop.
But when your canine pal eats some rice…
It gives your dog’s body enough time for digestion. Plus, this also reduces the pain inside Fido’s belly.
Moreover…
The carbohydrates from rice also give your dog some energy.
And this helps Fido fight their diarrhea.
But that doesn’t mean this food will always be safe for dogs.
“Why not?”
Well, rice can still carry a few health risks…
And you’ll learn about them below.
Risks when feeding rice to a dog with diarrhea
#1: Food poisoning
At the beginning of this article…
I mentioned that dogs should only eat plain white rice.
Let me further explain why.
It’s because other forms of rice can be toxic to your pooch.
However…
It’s not toxic because of rice itself. But it’s about what they’re cooked with.
For example, fried rice could be unhealthy for dogs.
How so?
It’s due to the contents fried rice might have, such as:
- Salt.
- Garlic.
- Onion.
- Soy sauce.
- Other seasonings or preservatives.
Now, all these ingredients are toxic for your pooch.
This means eating them could lead to poisoning for Fido.
But how bad can they affect your dog who has diarrhea?
Here’s the answer.
#1: Salt in rice causes sodium poisoning
A study says:
Eating too much salt can lead to sodium poisoning in dogs.
And this condition’s also known as hypernatremia.
Moreover…
Dogs with hypernatremia have over 20.6% fatality rate.
See? That’s how risky salt can be for your pooch.
In that case…
How can you tell if your furry pal has this issue?
As per research, the signs of salt poisoning in dogs are:
- Ataxia.
- Barfing.
- Lethargy.
- Confusion.
- Comatose.
- Dehydration.
- Staring into space.
- Tremors or seizures.
Warning: If you notice these symptoms, contact the vet ASAP.
So when your pooch gets poisoned while they have the runs…
Their condition could become more dangerous.
Check out also: 11 Reasons Your Dog Vomits In The Morning + 3 Vital Tips
#2: Onion causes anemia in dogs
Some people like adding onion to their fried rice.
And while you think it would make things tastier for your pooch…
One research states:
Any type of onion is actually harmful to your dog.
And they can damage Fido’s red blood cells.
So if your dog eats them through fried rice…
They could end up having anemia.
“What does that mean?”
It’s a condition where your pooch’s blood level gets too low. With that, Fido won’t have enough oxygen in their body.
And that puts your dog at risk of:
- Cancer.
- Fainting.
- Seizures.
- Lethargy.
- Confusion.
- Blood loss.
- Belly ulcers.
- Sudden death.
- Heart problems.
- Loss of appetite.
- Blood in the feces.
- Abnormal breathing.
- Dark stools or melena.
With all these dangers…
Fidos should always avoid any type of onion.
Especially if they already have diarrhea.
You might also like: 7 Reasons Why Dogs Can’t Eat Spaghetti Bolognese
#2: Causes allergies
Now, let’s say that you only fed plain rice to Fido.
What could go wrong?
Well, a study says:
Over 7.6% of dogs could have food allergies.
With this, there’s a chance your pooch might be sensitive to rice.
If that’s the case…
Vets say your furry friend would show allergic reactions, such as:
- Barfing.
- Swelling.
- Belly ache.
- Non-stop scratching.
- Sudden hyperactivity.
Not to mention…
Allergies could cause diarrhea too.
But since your pooch already has this issue…
The result could turn into severe diarrhea.
“Wait, you mean it can get worse for my dog?”
That’s right.
And to spot severe diarrhea in Fido, watch out for:
- Bloody feces.
- Intense foul odor.
- Lots of smelly gas.
- Persistent vomiting.
- Diarrhea has lasted more than 24 hours.
Warning: If you notice these signs, seek an expert immediately. That’s because severe diarrhea could be a sign of other serious problems.
“How could I prevent this in my dog then?”
The best way to avoid allergies is to test the food first.
To do this…
Get 1 tablespoon of rice (14.3 grams) and feed it to Fido.
Then, wait for a few minutes and stay close by their side.
Check if your pooch’s showing signs of allergy.
If not, then you can keep feeding them rice.
Want some tips for treating Fido’s allergies at home? You can check out this vet’s advice:
Find out more: Help, My Dog Is Constantly Scratching And Biting Himself!
#3: Nutritional deficiency
A while ago, I said that rice contains fiber.
And it’s what helps your pooch with diarrhea.
But did you know?
Experts say that too much fiber can lead to an imbalance.
To be specific, it causes nutritional deficiency in dogs.
“Wait, how does that happen?”
That’s because Fido’s gut can’t break down fiber from rice.
Instead, it stays intact as your pooch digests them.
However…
The whole fiber might block out other nutrients.
In that case, your dog won’t get all the help their body needs.
As a result, Fido might end up weak.
With this, your furry friend’s diarrhea could get worse.
“How do I prevent an imbalance in my dog?”
You should limit the amount your pooch eats.
In that case, most dogs can have 1 to 2 cups of rice per day.
But if your pooch is a toy breed…
Give them ⅔ cup of rice instead.
#4: Rice contains arsenic
Have you ever heard of arsenic?
According to WHO, it’s a substance found in groundwater.
So when you plant rice in the fields…
The grains could absorb arsenic from groundwater.
Now, what would happen if you or Fido ate this?
Then, it’s not gonna look good…
You see, a study found that arsenic is toxic.
Moreover…
VCA Hospitals says that arsenic causes issues in dogs, such as:
- Drooling.
- Vomiting.
- Fainting.
- Diarrhea.
- Lethargy.
- Stomach pain.
- Sudden death.
- Struggling to walk.
- Abnormal pulse rate.
- Low body temperature.
But despite these scary risks, don’t panic just yet.
Why?
There are tricks to prevent toxic rice.
And you can do them in simple ways.
So, here are 7 tips to avoid arsenic in rice:
- Rinse the grains properly.
- Find out where they come from.
- Cook the rice yourself for safety.
- Only use clean water for cooking.
- Ensure that your rice is boiled enough.
- Only buy the grains from a trusted brand.
- Cook rice like pasta by using 6 times more water.
With these, you can safely eat rice or feed them to Fido.
Reading tip: Dog Ate Uncooked Rice: 4 Health Issues + 3 Tips
#5: Slows down the recovery
Let’s say that your rice is free from arsenic.
Plus, you cooked the grains and served them plain to Fido. Also, your pooch isn’t showing signs of allergies.
Everything seems great.
So what else could put your dog at risk?
Apparently, rice isn’t good enough for all Fidos.
Specifically, I mean dogs who are:
- Seniors.
- Puppies.
- Nursing.
- Diabetic.
- Pregnant.
- Overweight.
- Prone to a sensitive tummy.
- Sick with other health issues.
Now, these furry friends will need more than just rice.
Why so?
In most cases, these dogs have a more fragile body.
Especially when compared to healthy adult dogs.
With that, you should try better options for Fido instead of rice.
What alternatives are we talking about?
You can refer to the list below for other options. It’s under the section “What is the best food to give a dog with diarrhea?”
How much rice can I feed my dog with diarrhea?
The amount of rice you can feed your dog with diarrhea depends on their weight.
That said, use the table below for reference:
| Your dog’s size | Fido’s average weight | Amount of rice they can eat per day |
| Toy breeds / Small | 12 to 24 lbs (5.4 to 10 kg) | ⅔ to 1 cup |
| Medium | 24 to 59 lbs (10 to 26 kg) | 1 ½ to 2 cups |
| Large / Giants | 59 lbs to 100 lbs (26 to 45 kg) | 2 ½ to 4 ½ cups |
With that, refer to this table to safely give the right amount for your sick pooch.
What is the best food to give a dog with diarrhea?
Aside from rice, specialists say you can try other meals for your pooch.
That said, here are the best foods to help your dog’s diarrhea:
- Turkey.
- Oatmeals.
- Pumpkins.
- Cottage cheese.
- Boneless chicken.
- Lean ground beef.
- Bananas and watermelons.
- Probiotics suggested by vets.
Note: Don’t forget they should all be plain and cooked. Also, the chicken must be boiled and skinless.
If you have more concerns, talk to your dog’s clinic.