Has your dog ever woken you up in the middle of the night with a worried look and an unhappy tummy? It is a stressful experience for any pet parent. When your furry friend is dealing with diarrhea or vomiting, you want to help them feel better as quickly as possible. Many vets recommend a bland diet, but knowing exactly how to prepare rice for a sick dog can be confusing. Should you use white or brown? How much should you feed them? These questions often leave owners feeling unsure during a time when their pet needs them most.
Choosing the right approach to a bland diet is vital for your dogβs recovery. Using the wrong type of rice or adding the wrong ingredients can sometimes make digestion even harder for a sensitive stomach. You want to provide relief, not cause more discomfort. That is why having a clear, simple plan is so important for your dogβs health.
In this guide, you will learn the exact steps to prepare the perfect rice meal for your pup. We will cover the best types of rice to use, how to cook it properly, and when you should call your veterinarian for extra help. By the end of this post, you will feel confident in your ability to soothe your dog’s upset stomach at home. Letβs look at how you can get your best friend back to their happy, energetic self.
Top Rice For Dog Upset Stomach Recommendations
- NO COOKING NECESSARY: When your vet suggests feeding your dog a bland chicken and white rice diet, there's no need to waste time cooking. KOHA Bland Diet is convenient and ready-to-serve!
- PERFECT FOR SENSITIVE STOMACHS: KOHA Bland Diet is ideal for dogs struggling with loose stool, diarrhea, and upset stomach. This gently formulated limited ingredient dog food has just one protein source (chicken) for easy digestion. It also includes white rice and pumpkin to support healthy stools and regularity.
- FEED DAILY OR USE AS A TOPPER: This bland diet for dogs can be fed exclusively to your pup, or be used as a topper to enhance their current diet.
- FOR CHRONIC UPSET STOMACH OR FLAREUPS: Whether your dog suffers from chronic digestive issues, or is experiencing a flareup from things like stress, medication, or travel, KOHA Bland Diet can be fed to help get their tummy back on track!
- NO FILLERS OR ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS: KOHA Bland Diet uses only the most high quality ingredients. This sensitive stomach dog food is free from junky fillers like peas, potatoes, corn, soy or artificial preservatives that can cause digestive issues.
- Formulated high in protein to meet the needs of highly active small dogs
- High protein formula, with real salmon as the first ingredient
- Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health
- Used to be known as FOCUS Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon
- Sunflower oil rich in omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- ππ ππππ πππππππ - ππππ πππ πππππ! When dogs experience digestive upset, including vomiting and diarrhea, vets recommend feeding a βbland dietβ to soothe the digestive tract until normal digestion is restored. Shelf life: 36 months from manufacturing date. EXP date Printed on the back of the pouch near the bottom seal as EXP MM/YY.
- πππ πππππ-πππππππ - Freeze-dried dog treat bland diet features a carefully crafted blend of nutritious ingredients, including oats, turkey breast meat, sweet potato powder, and slippery elm powder. Specifically formulated to soothe and support dogs and puppies with poor digestion or upset stomachs. Enhanced with a powerful electrolyte blend to boost hydration and energy.
- πππ-π πππππππππ πππ πππ πππππππππππ - This tasty bland diet dog food is expertly formulated and approved by veterinarians with simple and natural top-notch, human-grade ingredients. Specifically designed for dogs with pancreatitis, these diets can help alleviate digestive strain, reduce inflammation, and support faster recovery of dogs with digestive tract concerns. Bland Diets can also be used as a topper to help ease your dogβs transition back to their regular diet.
- πππππππππππ - Just add water and this freeze-dried formula re-hydrates in minutes! With a 3-year shelf life, being prepared with a quick and healthy meal solution for when your dog is feeling under the weather, has never been easier! Keep a few Bland Diets in your pantry so when a digestive issue develops, you can skip the prep and get your pup feeling better faster!
- πππππ πππππππ ππ πππ πππ - With only the highest quality human grade ingredients, FREE OF By-Products, Gluten, Artificial Flavors, and Dyes.
- NO COOKING NECESSARY: When your vet suggests feeding your dog a bland lamb and white rice diet, there's no need to waste time cooking. KOHA Bland Diet is convenient and ready-to-serve!
- Sensitive Stomach Support - Made for dogs with food sensitivities and delicate digestion. Simple chicken and white rice recipe help support dogs prone to diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and stomach upset.
- Low Fat (6%) for Gentle Digestion - With only 6% crude fat, this low fat dog food is ideal for dogs needing mild, easy-to-digest nutrition during flare-ups or dietary transitions.
- Limited Ingredient Formula - Made with chicken, white rice, and essential vitamins & minerals. No wheat, gluten, artificial flavors, colors, or meat by-products.
- Complete & Balanced Adult Nutrition - AAFCO-compliant for adult maintenance. Feed as a full meal long-term or use as a topper to support picky eaters and smooth food transitions.
- Smooth PΓ’tΓ© Texture - Soft, moist pΓ’tΓ© is easy to chew and swallowβideal for senior dogs, small breeds, and dogs with dental sensitivity. Not formulated for puppies.
- Real salmon is the number one ingredient in this puppy dog food, which is High in protein plus fish oil, a source of EPA and DHA, for heart health
- Purina Pro Plan salmon puppy food is gentle on the stomach and helps maintain stool quality and contains rice, which is easily digestible
- Sensitive skin dog food with rice includes omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A to nourish healthy skin and lustrous coat
- DHA from omega-rich fish oil for dogs in this salmon puppy food supports brain and vision development, and antioxidants help maintain your puppyβs developing immune system
- Formulated with natural prebiotic fiber to nourish specific intestinal bacteria for digestive health
- NO MORE COOKING - JUST ADD WATER! When dogs experience digestive upset, including vomiting and diarrhea, vets recommend feeding a βbland dietβ to soothe the digestive tract until normal digestion is restored. Shelf life: 36 months from manufacturing date. EXP date Printed on the back of the pouch near the bottom seal as EXP MM/YY.
- OUR AWARD-WINNING BLAND DIET is freeze dried and contains white rice, bone broth and 100% human grade white meat chicken, raised cage free with NO antibiotics or hormones. Enhanced with a powerful electrolyte blend to boost hydration and energy. Bone Broth promotes good digestion and immune health while providing important vitamins and minerals.
- VET-FORMULATED AND VET RECOMMENDED - Freeze dried bland diets soothe your pup's tummy during times of digestive upset, including travel, surgery, medications, and changes in daily routine. Bland Diets can also be used as a topper to help ease your dogβs transition back to their regular diet.
- CONVENIENCE - Just add water and this freeze-dried formula re-hydrates in minutes! With a 3-year shelf life, being prepared with a quick and healthy meal solution for when your dog is feeling under the weather, has never been easier! Keep a few Bland Diets in your pantry so when a digestive issue develops, you can skip the prep and get your pup feeling better faster!
- MANUFACTURED IN THE USA - With only the highest quality human grade ingredients, FREE OF By-Products, Gluten, Artificial Flavors, and Dies.
- Formulated to provide optimal digestive health in adult dogs
- Slow-cooked stew in a mouthwatering turkey flavor grown dogs love
- Promotes easier stool pickup with easily digestible ingredients
- Nourishes your grown dog's skin and coat with vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids
- Add variety to meal time with Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Vegetable EntrΓ©e
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing Rice for Your Dogβs Upset Stomach
When your dog has an upset stomach, their digestive system needs a break. Many veterinarians recommend a bland diet to help soothe their gut. Plain white rice is the gold standard for this recovery period. However, not all rice products are created equal. This guide helps you choose the best options for your furry friend.
1. Key Features to Look For
- Purity: Look for plain, unseasoned white rice. Avoid any rice that contains salt, onion, garlic, or butter. These ingredients can harm your dog.
- Texture: Choose a rice variety that cooks down to a soft, mushy consistency. This texture is the easiest for your dog to digest.
- Preparation Time: Quick-cook or instant rice is often better than brown rice for an upset stomach. It is easier on the digestive tract.
2. Important Materials and Ingredients
The best choice is simple, long-grain white rice. You should avoid brown rice during a stomach flare-up. Brown rice contains more fiber and a tough outer hull. This can be hard for a sick dog to break down. Stick to white rice that has had the hull and bran removed. This makes it gentle and easy to absorb.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality depends on how you prepare the rice. Boiling the rice in excess water makes it softer and more hydrating. Never use chicken or beef broth from a can, as these often contain hidden onions or too much sodium. If you want to add protein, use plain, boiled chicken breast with no skin or fat. Adding fats or oils will reduce the quality of the meal and may irritate your dog’s stomach further.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Most dog owners find that a simple mix of 75% rice and 25% boiled chicken helps their dog recover within 24 to 48 hours. Use this diet for short-term digestive issues like mild diarrhea or vomiting. If your dog does not improve after two days, please see a vet. Always introduce the bland diet in small, frequent meals rather than one large bowl.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use instant rice for my dog?
A: Yes, instant white rice is safe. It is actually very easy to digest because it is pre-cooked and dried.
Q: Is brown rice better for dogs?
A: Brown rice is healthy for daily use, but it is too high in fiber for a dog with an upset stomach. Stick to white rice.
Q: Should I add salt to the rice?
A: No. Never add salt or other seasonings. Dogs do not need extra salt, and it can dehydrate them.
Q: How much rice should I feed my dog?
A: Start with small portions. A general rule is about one cup of the rice-and-chicken mixture per 10 to 20 pounds of body weight.
Q: Can I mix the rice with their regular kibble?
A: When your dog is sick, stop the kibble entirely. Give them only the rice and chicken until their stool becomes firm again.
Q: How long should I keep my dog on a rice diet?
A: Keep them on the bland diet for 2 to 3 days. Slowly mix in their regular food over the next few days after they recover.
Q: Can I use pre-packaged rice pouches?
A: Only if the label says “plain” and contains no oils, salts, or flavorings. Check the ingredients list carefully.
Q: Is rice enough to keep my dog healthy?
A: Rice is only a temporary solution. It lacks the vitamins and minerals your dog needs for long-term health.
Q: What if my dog refuses to eat the rice?
A: Try adding a tiny amount of plain, boiled chicken. If they still refuse to eat, call your veterinarian.
Q: When should I be worried?
A: See a vet if your dog is lethargic, has blood in their stool, or continues to vomit after 24 hours.