Rice is Not Good for Dogs and Cats

are you including this in your dog and cat's diet, rice is not an appropriate food for dogs and Cats

Are you including this in your dog and cat's diet? Rice is not an appropriate food for dogs and cats. Rice is also not an appropriate treatment for diarrhea. Find out why rice is inappropriate (health damaging), and learn about appropriate alternatives to rice, for the daily diet and for treatment of diarrhea.
 
★ 2.5 min read
In this article:
  1. Rice is Not an Appropriate Food for Dogs and Cats
  2. Rice Causes and Contributes to Development of Health Issues 
  3. Avoid Rice Derivatives
  4. Rice and Arsenic
  5. Don't Use Rice to Treat Diarrhea, Do This Instead
  6. Rice, Grains and Other Starchy Carbohydrates 
  7. Protect your Dog and Cat's Heath 
  8. Appropriate Fresh Foods for Dogs and Cats

1. Why Rice is Not an Appropriate Food For Dogs and Cats

Rice is not good for dogs and cats

Rice is a grain and a starchy carbohydrate. Rice, grains and other starchy carbohydrates are not part of a dog or cat’s species appropriate diet. Dogs and cats don't need nor do they thrive on grains and other starchy carbs. White rice, brown rice, wild rice, organic rice, are all inappropriate, without exception. 

Are you wondering why rice and rice derivatives are used in so many pet food products including:
  1. Dry food
  2. Canned and wet food
  3. Cooked food
  4. Raw food
  5. Prescription pet diets
  6. Treats
  7. Supplements
The pet industry loves rice because rice is a very inexpensive commodity used to increase the volume of a product. A simple method to exponentially increase profit margins, at the expense of your dog and cat's health. 

If you'd like to learn more about how the pet food industry harms your dog and cat's health, to support profit margins, go to this article.

2. Rice Causes and Contributes to Development of Health Issues 

Rice causes inflammation in the canine and feline body and is a major contributing factor to:

3. Avoid Rice Derivatives   

Rice derivatives such as rice bran are equally inappropriate for dogs.

4. Rice and Arsenic

All plants have specific affinities to various minerals and elements in soil. The rice plant has a natural affinity to arsenic, meaning the roots of the plant seek to draw arsenic from the soil.


Fertilizer (used on conventional rice crops) contain inorganic (synthetic) arsenic. Rice plants absorb the synthetic arsenic. When your dog and cat consume the rice they are also consuming inorganic arsenic. Inorganic arsenic is bio-accumulative toxin.

5. Rice, Grains and Other Starchy Carbohydrates

Rice, other grains and other starchy carbs:
  • Acidify the body creating a perfect environment for parasites.
  • Block the absorption of essential nutrients.
  • Cause spikes in blood sugar.
  • Dehydrate the body causing strain on vital organs.
  • Slow down the elimination of waste from the body.
  • Contribute to the accumulation of disease causing toxins.

6. Don't Use Rice To Treat Diarrhea, Do This Instead

Many veterinarians recommend rice to help 'treat' diarrhea. This is terrible advice as rice can cause diarrhea. Rice can ferment in the intestinal tract and cause exacerbation of diarrhea, other gut issues and inflammation in your pet's body.

Don't give your companion animal rice for diarrhea.
 
Natural remedies for treating diarrhea in dogs and cats:

7. Protect Your Dog and Cat's Health

Protect your dog and cat’s health, don't include rice, grains or other starchy carbohydrates in your companion animal's diet.
  • A dogs and cat’s digestive tract are evolved to process fresh moisture rich whole foods:
  • Animal protein (muscle meat, organs).
  • Animal fat.
  • Raw non-load bearing bone.
  • Plant material including a small amount of greens, berries, seeds and herbs for dogs.
  • Herbs for cats.

8. Appropriate Fresh Foods for Dogs and Cats

Remove rice from your dog and cat's diet. Replace rice with nutritious, species appropriate foods that support your dog and cat's health and well-being.
 
For a list of appropriate fresh foods for dogs and cats:
 
 
Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat
 
For information about my holistic diet, nutrition, wellness services visit my:
 
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For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:
For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds
 
My holistic behavioral services are available locally in-person and worldwide via video session.
 
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To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email:
Contact me.
 
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld
Photo credit: photo at top of article by Suzy Hazelwood

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