Can Dogs Eat Red Rice? What You Should Know in 2023
Can dogs eat red rice? Learn about the nutritional benefits and potential risks of feeding a dog this food.
So, yes! Dogs can eat red rice but only a limited amount as a treat. It is recommended that red rice should be 10% of the total food of the dog. They improve bone and skin health, control blood glucose levels, and help lose weight.
Read on to know can dogs eat red rice?
What is Red Rice?
The medium-sized grain rice is named red because of the pigment anthocyanin. Red rice requires a longer time to cook than white rice but less time than brown rice.
The Nutritional Benefits of Red Rice
You’ve heard the advice a million times to feed your dog red rice, but you cannot decide whether you should feed him or not. According to experts at petmd.com, rice like other grains are not bad or harmful to your dogs. So let us dive into the benefits of red rice that will help you to figure out the answer of can dogs eat red rice?
High in Fiber
Red rice is a rich source of fiber that is crucial in maintaining the rate of metabolism. Include red rice in your dog’s diet; you will see good results within a few days.
High in Potassium
The dog’s diet must have adequate potassium as it controls heartbeat, blood pressure, and blood sugar level. Moreover, potassium is essential in maintaining fluid balance and protecting the bone from osteoporosis. Most of the time, owners do not go so deep, and their pet dog becomes deficient in potassium.
You must remain considerate towards this issue and make sure your dog is taking enough potassium.
Lowers Blood Glucose
The glycemic index of red rice is less, thus keeping the body sugar level in control and proving itself the best food for diabetic patients.
Improves Bone Health
Red rice contains magnesium and potassium, which are crucial for maintaining good bone health. These rice are best for the prevention of diseases, for example, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other bone-related diseases.
Improves Skin Health
Antioxidant properties are present in rice, and they delay aging. Thus, it helps to keep the dog strong for a long time. Furthermore, red rice is a rich mineral source that keeps the skin nourishing and healthy.
Helps in Weight Loss
Red rice can easily control hanger pangs; red rice has zero fat. Thus once you have fed your red dog rice, he will not feel hungry for a longer time, eat less, and ultimately lose weight.
Easy to Prepare
Besides its high nutritional value, red rice is straightforward to prepare; you can prepare it in just a few minutes and save precious time.
Read more to know Can dogs eat black rice?
Potential Risks
Although red rice has high nutritional value and is very good for dogs’ health, you must consider certain health risks associated with red rice.
Let us look at why red rice can be dangerous for dogs.
Diabetes Risk
Glycemic index of red rice is much less than white rice, but it does not mean that it will not cause diabetes. Menu implementation is very crucial to minimize the risk of diabetes.
Weight-Gain and Obesity
Rice contains large amounts of carbohydrates, and uncontrolled rice intake will lead to obesity. We all know that obesity is a mother disease and poses the risk of many other health issues.
Pesticide and Fertilizers
Most developing countries have low-cost labor to grow red rice and use large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers. When dogs are exposed to these chemicals for a long time, they become prone to different diseases. Arsenic is the most prominent metal present in red rice.
Choking Hazard
If your dog gulps down the food, you must be careful as red rice are sticky, and there is the risk of choking. If rice particles are stuck in the windpipe, there will be intensive choking, and in the best-case scenario, rice particles are expelled by coughing.
Digestive Problems
Excessive intake of red rice causes digestive problems like indigestion, gas, and bloating because it is hard for dogs to digest red rice. You must have a look at facts about black rice to further improve the diet of your dog.
How much Red Rice should I Feed my Dog?
Red rice is an optional food and must be given as a treat. So make sure that rice constitutes only 10% of the food in the dog’s daily diet.
Precisely ¼ cup of rice is enough for a dog having medium size but do not serve him more than 2-3 times a week.
How often can Dogs Eat Red Rice?
Never make red rice staple food for your dog; instead, give him red rice occasionally. You can serve your medium size dog with rice 2-3 times per week.
How to Serve Red Rice to Dogs?
Their serving is effortless and convenient. First, buy the red rice from the store, boil without spice, and serve it with boiled vegetables or chicken. You can try different recipes as well.
FAQs
Is Red Rice Healthier than White Rice?
The nutritional value of red rice is much more than white rice as they contain many antioxidants, potassium, zinc, and iron.
Can Dogs Eat Red Cargo Rice?
It is a type of red rice grown in the United States and has a nutritional value similar to red rice. Thus, red cargo rice is also safe for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Mexican Rice and Beans?
Mexican rice is yellow and white and mixed with tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Mostly, Mexican rice is served as a side dish with beans, and you can serve your dog with this combination unless he does not have an allergy to them.
Final Words
Although there are some debate over whether or not red rice is good for dogs and can dogs eat red rice, we believe that the pros outweigh the cons. Red rice is a great source of fiber and vitamins, and it can help to settle an upset stomach. Plus, dogs love the taste of red rice! If you’re looking for a new food to add to your dog’s diet, we recommend giving red rice a try. But make sure that red rice do not constitute more than 10% of the dog meal.
However it is best to consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s diet.
You can ask in the comment section below if you have any queries. Thank you for your read!
