Which is Better for Dogs Rice or Potatoes? (Solved!)

While both rice and potatoes are perfectly healthy for dogs in limited quantities, rice is typically the healthier food while potatoes are more of a treat. In fact, rice is often helpful for dogs with upset stomachs, but potatoes can contain solanine which can be toxic to certain dog breeds.

The rest of this piece will go on to discuss the nutritional value of both rice and potatoes for dogs, including how each is processed by your dog’s digestive system as well as the vitamins and minerals that each can provide for your pet.

Is rice or potatoes better for dogs?

While both can be welcome additions to your dogs balanced diet, rice is generally a safer form of carbohydrate as unlike potatoes it does not contain any solanine and there is no known correlation between rice and CDM. Owners should consult with their veterinarian about any dietary concerns.

Can I feed my dog rice?

The American Kennel Club affirms that cooked white rice is a perfectly acceptable food for your dog. Rice is actually a very common ingredient in most commercial dog foods. Many vets actually recommended the rice for dogs that are sick and/or reaching an advanced age where their digestive tracts are sensitive.

Why is white rice preferred?

Cooked white rice is recommended by most vets over brown rice because the husk on brown rice can be too hard for dogs too digest. Feeding a dog uncooked white rice can have a similar effect and leave your dog with an upset stomach. Owners with diabetic dogs should feed their dogs white rice sparingly as it the starchy carbohydrates cause a pets blood sugar levels to rise.

What vitamins are in white rice?

White rice in most American and European supermarkets is often fortified with additional vitamins and minerals for an extra nutritious boost. Producers fortify their rice with iron, magnesium, folic acid, and even a bit of calcium, all of which dogs need just as humans do.

Is the rice used in dog food the same as that found in the supermarket?

While the rice packaged for human consumption in grocery stores is typically fortified with extra vitamins, the rice used in dog food is meant to be filler, meaning that your dog will not enjoy the nutritious benefit of fortified rice. A dog’s most nutritious meal will include home-cooked rice.

Can I feed my dog only white rice?

Rice can be a useful addition to your dog’s diet to add carbohydrates, but it must be part of a balanced diet alongside plenty of lean proteins and healthy fats. Cooked white rice along with well cooked lean chicken is an excellent dish for a sick or aging dog. Do not add seasoning to the dish as this can further upset your dogs stomach.

What dog breeds digest rice the best?

Cooked, white rice is very easily digested by most dog breeds, but the extra energy from the carbohydrates is best for very active breeds such as work or hunting dogs. Rice is also a good alternative for very old dogs that might not be able to handle the more complex blends in commercial dog foods.

Can rice be toxic to my dog?

Generally no, but the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did release a memo in 2011 suggesting that humans vary their grain consumption due to elevated arsenic levels in domestically harvested rice crops. Dog Food Advisor’s Mike Sagman suggests that it would be wise to follow this practice when feeding dogs rice.

How much rice can I feed my dog?

While caloric expenditure will vary depending on your dog’s age, weight, and activity levels, dogs should eat half a cup to 2 cups of rice per day along with an adequate amount of protein and healthy fats. Owners should consult with their veterinarian when altering diets and avoiding unwanted pounds.

Can I my feed my dog potatoes?

Cooked white potatoes are generally considered safe for dogs to eat and a welcome boost of specific vitamins, but there are some health factors that one must be cautious of. As of 2018 the FDA put out a correlation between dog foods that contain potatoes and canine dilated cardiomyopathy.

What is canine dilated cardiomyopathy?

CDM is a heart disease that can damage the heart muscle’s ability to contract and pump blood effectively. While CDM is often genetically passed on through breeds, potatoes are one of the foods that have been linked to breeds that don’t often suffer this disease. Please consult with your veterinarian if you plan on introducing potatoes to your dog’s diet.

What vitamins are in potatoes?

If your vet does approve of potatoes in your dog’s diet, they can be an excellent source of B-vitamins, iron, and magnesium. However, it is important to cook your dog’s potatoes, as this reduces the levels of solanine (a potentially toxic compound) to safe levels for your pet’s consumption.

Should I only feed my dog white potatoes?

While you should always boil or bake your potatoes before feeding them to your dog, the American Kennel Club actually recommends sweet potatoes as they have even more vitamins in them, making them a better alternative, but much like rice the starch and carbohydrates can cause a rise in blood sugar that can be harmful to dogs with diabetic complications.

What dog breeds digest potatoes the best?

Very much like rice, the starchy carbohydrates in potatoes are best for very active dogs, but owners should consult with their vet to make sure that their dog breed is not at risk to develop canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Potatoes should not be fed to diabetic or overweight dogs because potatoes can cause elevated blood sugar.

How many potatoes should I feed my dog?

Biologist Dr. Emilie Bess suggests that pet owners allow no more than 10% of their dog’s daily calories to come from potatoes. Most dogs need 25 to 30 calories per pound per day. A golf ball sized chunk of white potato contains roughly 130 calories, meaning a 20 pound dog could have half of one of these chunks per day.