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Tailwise

Grains & bread

Can cats eat rice?

Yes Safe

A little. Plain cooked rice is safe but cats need very little carbohydrate.

Photo: cclogg (CC0) via flickr

How much, how often

A teaspoon.

Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories

Serving it safely

  • Cook plain, with no salt or butter
  • Brown rice is fine for dogs that digest it well

Dogs and cats, side by side

Dogs Safe

Yes. Plain cooked white rice is easy to digest and often recommended with chicken for upset stomachs.

How much: A few spoonfuls mixed with a meal.

Can dogs eat rice?

Cats Safe

Yes, a little. Plain cooked rice is safe but cats need very little carbohydrate.

How much: A teaspoon.

Questions owners ask

Can cats eat rice?

Yes, a little. Plain cooked rice is safe but cats need very little carbohydrate.

How much rice can a cat have?

A teaspoon.

What should I do if my cat ate rice?

A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.

Is rice safe for dogs too?

Yes. Plain cooked white rice is easy to digest and often recommended with chicken for upset stomachs.

Sources

  1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: people foods to avoid
  2. Merck Veterinary Manual: food hazards
  3. WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines

Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts

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