Dog Diarrhea at 2 A.M.? Try White Rice

Quick Take

• Not all rice works the same way, and one common variety could actually make your dog's diarrhea worse. See which rice to avoid →
• Feeding the wrong amount based on your dog's weight could backfire, and vets use a specific formula to determine the right quantity. Get the vet-recommended amounts →
• Raw rice seems harmless, but giving it to a sick dog carries a hidden danger most owners don't know about. See the hidden danger →
• Five everyday kitchen staples can also calm a dog's upset stomach, and one of them happens to be a Halloween favorite. Explore the kitchen remedies →

Dog diarrhea can be an exhausting problem for pet owners. Whether it’s a new puppy or a long-time family companion, diarrhea can come on fast and at any hour of the day or night. It often happens before you have time to get your dog safely outside. The result is a loose and foul-smelling mess that leaves both you and your dog feeling sick. Many veterinarians recommend a white rice diet as part of treating diarrhea in dogs. But how much rice do you feed a dog with diarrhea and how often? Are there any other home remedies for a dog with diarrhea? Read on to find out.

Why Do Dogs Get Diarrhea?

Diarrhea can have a variety of causes, ranging from food allergies to intestinal parasites to something they ate on their last walk. The most common causes include:

• Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other illnesses
• Dietary changes
• Eating garbage or spoiled food
• Allergies
• Stress or anxiety
• Medications (including over-the-counter drugs)
• Eating something they should not have, such as toys, bones, fabric, toxins, or poisons

If it’s more than a mild case of diarrhea or your dog seems in pain or distress, it’s best to take your pet to the vet first before seeing if rice will help.

Why Does Rice Help Dogs When They Have Diarrhea?

Rice is a bland food and can help soothe an upset stomach. Since dietary upsets can be caused by a change in diet, food intolerances, or digestive irritants, a couple of days of soothing, bland foods can make a difference.

White rice is low in fiber and high in digestible starch, so it acts as a binding agent to absorb excess fluid in the gut rather than pulling more in. It has less fiber than other grains like oatmeal or whole-grain cereals. This helps to bulk up your dog’s stool and make it more solid. If your dog has been vomiting or having soft stools, this will help clear things up. Additionally, rice is a low-fat source of carbohydrates that is easy for your dog’s body to digest.

How Much Rice Should You Feed Your Dog When They Have Diarrhea?

The amount of rice to feed your dog to help alleviate diarrhea will depend on your dog’s size, weight, and age. As a general guideline, you can give them about one-quarter of a cup of cooked rice per 10 pounds of body weight. 

If your pup is a little on the heavy side, give them closer to one-eighth of a cup per 10 pounds of body weight. For example, if your dog weighs 30 pounds and has chronic diarrhea, feed him or her three-quarters of a cup of rice at the start of each meal.

If your dog is on the slim side or very active with a large appetite, you can go as high as half a cup per 10 pounds. In this case, your 30-pound dog would get 1.5 cups of rice per meal. If you have any questions about how much rice to feed your dog, you can always check with your veterinarian to be sure.

To calm digestive upsets in dogs with milder cases of diarrhea, mix one part boiled, bland meat (like hamburger or chicken) with two parts of cooked rice. You can boil the rice and the meat in the same pot.

What Types of Rice Are Best for Your Dog?

Plain white rice is the best rice to feed your dog when his or her stomach is upset. It is easy to digest, feeds good bacteria, and can regulate bowel movements. However, with a high glycemic index, white rice is not a good option for overweight dogs or dogs with diabetes.

Brown rice has more fiber than white, which can be hard on your dog’s digestive system when it’s sensitive. Depending on the source, brown rice can also be high in arsenic, so it’s not recommended as a treatment for diarrhea. 

When your dog is healthy, a small amount of brown rice can be a good source of nutrition and fiber. If you decide to give your dog brown rice, make sure it’s organic and grown in an area with low arsenic levels (like California).

Plain wild rice, which is actually the grain of an aquatic grass, can be a nutritious, tasty option for your dog. However, it is higher in fiber than plain white rice, and the extra fiber can worsen gastrointestinal issues.

How to Prepare Cooked Rice for Dogs

Microwaves or stovetops are acceptable methods of preparing cooked rice for your dog’s diet. Do not use instant or parboiled varieties of white rice, as their higher starch content increases the chances of constipation rather than alleviating diarrhea.

If your dog’s diarrhea is not severe and you are using cooked rice for an added dietary fiber, then cooking the rice to a soft consistency will suffice. However, if your dog is suffering from severe diarrhea and needs more than just added fiber, cooking the rice to a soft consistency will not be sufficient. 

For more severe cases, add an extra one-quarter to one-third of cup of water for every 1 cup of dry uncooked white rice. This extra moisture will help increase fluid intake for dogs suffering from diarrhea due to dehydration. It can also help dogs who are dealing with the malabsorption of nutrients due to a lack of digestive enzymes.

Can You Feed Your Dog Raw or Uncooked Rice?

Do not feed your dog raw or uncooked rice, especially when they have diarrhea, as it can be dangerous because it is hard for them to digest. Raw rice can harbor bacteria like Bacillus cereus, which means that feeding your dog uncooked rice could cause food poisoning or other gastrointestinal issues.

Cooked rice is generally a safe food to feed your dog. However, it is not fully sterilized by boiling water, as heat-resistant spores of Bacillus cereus can survive cooking and may grow to harmful levels if the rice is left at room temperature.

What Other Home Remedies Can I Give My Dog For Diarrhea?

If your dog has a mild case of diarrhea, you may be able to treat it at home by providing them with a bland diet, which in addition to rice can include low-fat hamburger or boiled chicken (if they have no allergy to it). Should you wish to have a bit more variety, or if your dog is unable to consume chicken or beef, you can add the following options:

• Pumpkin: Never give your pet pumpkin pie filling; you should only use pumpkin puree or cooked pumpkin.
• Plain Yogurt: The active cultures in yogurt can help calm your dog’s stomach.
• Boiled Potatoes: Potatoes contain starches that are easily digestible and provide a moderate amount of fiber, particularly when eaten with the skin.
• Eggs: Scrambled eggs are perfect to help an upset stomach but should always be plain, never add any spices, milk, or cheese.
• Broth: Make sure you choose a broth that is dog-approved; this remedy can help with dehydration, diarrhea, and upset stomachs.

It’s important to keep a close eye on your dog when they have diarrhea. If it’s severe or lasts longer than a couple of days, you should take them to see a vet. Hopefully, though, your faithful friend only has a little bit of an upset tummy, and a couple of days of a bland, high-fiber diet will get your dog back to his or her best.