Rice and Chicken for Sick Dogs? New Findings Reveal a Hidden Arsenic Threat

If your dog has ever had an upset stomach, you’ve probably reached for the classic comfort meal: boiled chicken and rice. It’s the canine equivalent of chicken soup—simple, bland, and soothing. For decades, veterinarians and pet owners have relied on it as the go-to remedy for digestive troubles.

But new research suggests that this well-meaning meal might come with an unexpected guest: arsenic. Yes, the same element known for its toxicity in humans is showing up in rice—and by extension, in some dog diets. Before you panic, let’s look at what’s really going on and what it means for your dog’s health.

Why Chicken and Rice Became the Doggie Sick Meal of Choice

Chicken and rice is a long-standing veterinary recommendation because it’s easy to digest, low in fat, and gentle on the stomach. Boiled chicken provides lean protein, and rice offers simple carbohydrates that help firm up stools. It’s a safe, short-term diet for dogs recovering from vomiting or diarrhea.

However, what many pet owners don’t realize is that rice can contain trace amounts of arsenic, depending on where and how it’s grown. That’s where the concern begins.

The Hidden Ingredient: Arsenic and Why It’s in Rice

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and air. It exists in two forms: organic arsenic, which is less harmful, and inorganic arsenic, which is toxic and linked to cancer and organ damage.

Rice absorbs arsenic more readily than other crops because it’s grown in flooded fields. The plant takes up arsenic from both the soil and the water, and the concentration can vary dramatically depending on the region, the water source, and the soil’s history.

Some soils naturally contain higher arsenic levels due to their geological makeup. Others have been contaminated by past agricultural practices—especially in areas where arsenic-based pesticides were used on cotton crops before the 1980s. Water quality also plays a major role. In places where groundwater contains arsenic, such as parts of the southern United States and South Asia, rice grown there tends to have higher concentrations.

Even within the same country, two farms just a few miles apart can produce rice with very different arsenic levels.

What the Research Says

A 2020 study published in BMC Veterinary Research found that dogs fed rice-based diets had significantly higher arsenic levels in their hair compared to dogs on rice-free diets (source).

Researchers at the University of Helsinki’s DogRisk group also discovered that dogs consuming rice-based dry foods could face chronic inorganic arsenic exposure if rice is the primary carbohydrate source (source).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged that rice and rice-based products, including pet foods, can contain varying levels of arsenic depending on where the rice is grown and how it’s processed.

The takeaway is that not all rice is created equal. Brown rice, for example, typically contains more arsenic than white rice because the outer bran layer, which holds nutrients, also traps contaminants.

How Arsenic Affects Dogs

A few days of chicken and rice won’t harm your dog. However, long-term exposure to even small amounts of arsenic can build up in the body, potentially leading to digestive problems, lethargy, skin and coat issues, liver or kidney stress, and in severe chronic cases, an increased risk of cancer.

Dogs are generally resilient, but if rice is a major part of their diet—especially in commercial foods that rely heavily on rice as a filler—arsenic exposure can become a concern over time.

Not All Rice Is Created Equal

Here’s how different types and sources of rice compare in terms of arsenic content:

• Brown rice: Higher arsenic levels because the bran layer remains intact.
• White rice: Lower arsenic levels since the outer layers are removed.
• Basmati rice (India or Pakistan): Generally lower arsenic levels due to growing conditions and soil composition.
• California white rice: Typically lower arsenic levels thanks to stricter water quality and soil standards.
• Southern U.S. rice (Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas): Often higher arsenic levels due to historical pesticide use on former cotton fields.

Where your rice comes from matters as much as how it’s cooked.

How to Reduce Arsenic in Rice

If you use rice in your dog’s diet, there are several ways to minimize arsenic exposure:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear.
2. Cook it in excess water—about six parts water to one part rice—and drain the excess after cooking.
3. Choose white rice over brown rice to reduce arsenic intake.
4. Vary the carbohydrates in your dog’s diet by including alternatives such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, oats, barley, or quinoa.
5. Read pet food labels carefully and avoid products where rice or rice bran are the first ingredients.

What Veterinarians Recommend

Most veterinarians still consider chicken and rice a safe short-term diet for dogs with digestive upset. The concern arises when rice becomes a long-term staple, particularly for dogs with allergies or on limited-ingredient diets that rely heavily on rice.

Dr. Anna Hielm-Björkman from the University of Helsinki’s DogRisk group explained that dogs eating rice-based dry foods could be at risk of chronic arsenic exposure if rice is their main carbohydrate source. The best approach is moderation and dietary variety.

The Bottom Line

Rice and chicken will likely remain a go-to meal for dogs recovering from stomach issues—and that’s fine. The key is to treat it as a short-term solution, not a daily diet.

If you use rice, choose white rice from low-arsenic regions, rinse and cook it properly, and mix in other safe carbohydrate sources. A little awareness and variety go a long way toward keeping your dog healthy.

Your dog deserves comfort food when they’re sick—just without the side of arsenic.