Is Giving Rice With Puppy Food OK?

Puppies often have more energy than sense, and a proper diet helps them grow while maintaining that high energy level. Rice is safe to give to most puppies, but check the food you're already giving him. Many puppy foods include rice or other types of grains, so add rice only if you can do so and maintain the proper amount of protein in your pup's diet.

  1. Getting Full

    • Some puppies seem to be hungry all day. With those large expenditures of energy, you pup needs plenty of food to keep his body moving. When it seems like your dog just won't get full, adding some rice to his food helps fill him up, according to petMD. It adds a bit more substance to his food and helps with his digestion.

    Protein

    • Protein should be the main component of your puppy's diet. The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends most average-size adult dogs receive about 25 grams of protein per day. Puppies of average-size breeds, however, need more than twice that -- 56 grams of protein per day. Giving your puppy rice along with his food might help him feel full, but it shouldn't stop him from getting the right amount of protein his body needs to grow properly.

    Carbohydrates and Fiber

    • While protein should make up the majority of your puppy's diet, carbohydrates, such as rice, also are important. His little brain uses the glucose from the carbohydrates to function at full capacity, and this is essential when he's still growing. The fiber helps your pup's system stay regular, helping him to avoid problems such as constipation. However, fiber fermentation sometimes can cause more gas. Rice is considered only moderately fermentable, so it's a good choice as a carbohydrate option.

    Brown vs. White Rice

    • When picking the right rice for your dog, consider his needs. If he's prone to tummy upsets, white rice might be the better choice. It's more gentle on his stomach and doesn't contain as much fiber, which can reduce diarrhea episodes. White rice is the best choice for newly weaned and young puppies, according to the ASPCA. Brown rice has more protein, although not enough to replace meat in your pup's food bowl. The extra fiber in brown rice makes it helpful for puppies who don't poop on a regular schedule or are prone to constipation.