Rice, source of starch for the dog
Rice is a cereal that contains many nutrients such as vegetable proteins, B vitamins, manganese, selenium, antioxidants and phosphorus. But, above all, rice is a starch, a source of assimilable complex carbohydrates, formerly called slow sugars.
Does dogs digest rice well?
The assimilable complex carbohydrate present in the greatest quantity in rice is starch. This is the "sugar" which constitutes the bulk of the energy reserves of plants. However, it is often said that the dog is a carnivore and is therefore not able to digest starch well.
Actually, the reality is a bit more nuanced.
Dogs are indeed capable of digesting starch because they are carnivores with an omnivorous tendency and not strict carnivores. During their evolution, dogs became close to human beings and fed on their leftovers and adapted "digestively" to their relatively high carbohydrate diet.
In dogs as in humans, the digestion of starch is therefore enabled by salivary and pancreatic amylase. These digestive enzymes allow the starch molecule to be cut into units of glucose that can be assimilated by the body. However, the dog's starch digestion capacity remains more limited than that of humans, so it is necessary to limit its consumption in dogs.
These are the primitive dog breeds which have retained digestive capacities close to those of the wolf and in which starch is to be limited even more strongly.These dog breeds that evolved from regions where agriculture was poorly developed and where starch sources were therefore rather rare do not have the same enzymatic equipment as other dogs!
What dogs can rice be given to?
Rice for dogs fed with a household ration
If your dog does not belong to a primitive dog breed and is fed a household ration, you can therefore include cooked rice in its bowl. Rice is indeed a cheap source of energy which, in addition, is well tolerated digestively.
If, on the other hand, your dog is fed with kibble, his ration provides him with enough starch and there is then no need to add rice to his ration! You risk giving it too much energy and saturating its digestive enzymes with too many starches.
Rice for dogs with digestive issues
Poor in fiber, well-cooked white rice can be used as a hyperdigestible food when you want to reduce the stool production of a dog suffering from diarrhea.
And, conversely, the high fiber content of brown rice can help fight constipation.
Note carefully!
If the administration of rice helps to fight against these digestive disorders, it should not be used as an exclusive treatment. If your dog is sick, always consult a veterinarian!
Rice, in what form should you give it to your dog?
In raw rice, starch is in the form of small grains that are insoluble in cold water. In this form, it is completely indigestible because it is inaccessible to the dog's digestive enzymes. In contrast, when rice is cooked in hot water or popped, the starch grains become much more available for amylase.
For these reasons, it is advisable to always give very well cooked rice, puffed rice or rehydrated rice flakes to the dog because it is in these forms that it is the most digestible for him.
How much rice to give my dog?
The amount of rice to give your dog as part of a classic household ration depends on your dog's needs. It must always be less than the quantities of meat distributed. To calculate these quantities, we invite you to go to our article en titled "calculating a household ration for your dog" .