Is rice good for dogs with allergies

Can Dogs Eat Rice Safely?

If your dogs begging for food while youre eating some rice, you might wonder if its OK to give him some.

Dogs can eat plain, cooked rice in small quantities, and it actually has some health benefits for your pup, too.

We spoke to Dr. Michelle Burch, a veterinarian with Paramount Pet Health, and Dr. Corinne Wigfall, a veterinarian spokesperson for SpiritDog Training, to find out the answer to the question: Can dogs eat rice?

Can dogs eat rice safely?

Rice is totally fine for most dogs to eat, and its actually an ingredient in most dog foods.

Dogs are omnivores, which means they need to have meat and vegetables in their diet and are able to digest most carbohydrates, such as rice.

White rice is also often fed to dogs as a bland meal to settle an upset stomach since it doesnt have a lot of fiber and is easy to digest.

Cooked plain rice is very helpful for dogs who are having tummy upsets and showing signs like vomiting or diarrhea for a few days, Dr. Wigfall told The Dodo. Rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate source, and its often much easier for the body to digest and use the energy from this particular food group, [carbs].

You can also give your pup a little plain rice as a treat, too. But keep in mind rice shouldnt make up a large part of your dogs diet since it doesnt have all the nutrients dogs need.

Is rice healthy for dogs?

Even though you might not think of rice as being super nutritious, it actually has some health benefits, even for dogs (which is why its included in so many dog foods).

White and brown rice are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamin D and B, calcium, iron, and riboflavin, Dr. Burch told The Dodo. Brown rice is a good source of fiber compared to white.

Brown rice is healthier for dogs than white rice is (just like for people) because it contains more nutrients, but some dogs might have more trouble digesting it.

Brown rice can be difficult for some dogs to digest and may cause gastrointestinal problems, Dr. Burch said.

White rice has a higher glycemic index than brown rice, which means it raises your dogs blood sugar levels more, so it isnt a good snack for pups who have diabetes. You also shouldnt feed rice to an overweight or obese dog because eating too much can make your dog gain weight due to the amount of carbs.

Rice allergy in dogs

According to Dr. Wigfall, rice allergies in dogs are pretty uncommon.

If your dog does have a rice allergy, you might notice symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and skin irritation.

[Gastrointestinal] signs can be seen with or without skin irritation: scratching at the skin, red patches, hair loss, smelly ears, or scabs and crusts on the surface of the skin, Dr. Wigfall said. If you think your dog is allergic to rice in particular, it's worth having this tested with a veterinary dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis, as so many foods we feed dogs contain some elements of rice.

If your pups definitely allergic to rice, your vet can recommend a dog food thats OK for him to eat that doesnt include it. They might have you start your pup on a hypoallergenic dog food.

Dogs with rice allergies can utilize potatoes, oats or tapioca as a carbohydrate source, Dr. Burch said.

Be sure to confirm with your vet that your dog has a rice allergy before switching him to grain-free food because foods that dont include grains have been linked to dogs developing dilated cardiomyopathy, and most dogs should have grains as a part of their diet.

How to feed your dog rice

You can give your pup plain, boiled rice with no seasonings or butter. Treats should only make up around 10 percent of your dogs caloric intake, and rice is included in that if youre giving it to him as a snack, so just give him a little bit.

If youre feeding your dog rice for an upset stomach, you can try giving him plain, boiled chicken with it to add some protein and nutrients, Dr. Wigfall said. Feeding rice for tummy upset is a short-term solution, and if no improvement is seen within one to two days, veterinary advice should be sought, Dr. Wigfall said.

Rice can also be used as an ingredient in homemade dog foods or treats if you like to cook for your pup.

Rice can be fed as a treat or combined with protein and vegetables to create a well-balanced homemade diet, Dr. Burch said. Ensure to obtain homemade diets from a reliable source, such as your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist, as not all recipes are balanced or complete, leading to health problems.

And definitely dont give your dog fried rice. Fried rice has extra fat and salt, and it can contain ingredients that are poisonous to dogs, like onion.

Be sure to talk to your vet to find out how much rice is OK for your dog to eat or if you think he might be allergic to rice. In most cases, though, a little plain, cooked rice every so often is a perfectly safe and even healthy snack for most pups.

Can Dogs Eat Rice?

One of the most popular foods around the world is rice. But can dogs eat rice? The answer is yes. Rice is an ingredient sometimes found in commercial dog foods.

Many pet owners feed white rice to their sick dog. One of the reasons white rice is the chosen grain for a dog with an upset stomach is that its easy to digest, quick to prepare, and low in fiber.

We use rice as a carb source when dogs are on a bland diet after a GI upset, says Dr. Steve Weinberg, DVM and medical director/CEO of 911Vets, a mobile veterinary service in the Los Angeles area. Rice helps to bind the stool in cases of diarrhea.

Is All Rice the Same?

Brown rice is never prescribed for dogs having gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea. Ill canine companions need need the starch in white rice. However, white rice has a higher glycemic index than brown rice and can cause blood sugar levels to rise. If your dog is diabetic, you can still feed them a little white rice, if needed, but not on a consistent basis.

Brown rice can be harder for a dog to digest because it is not as processed. Brown rice has a seed coat where the nutrients are stored, explains Dr. Carly Fox, DVM, a staff veterinarian at New York Citys Animal Medical Center. That coat is missing from white rice, resulting in less nutritional content.

Carbohydrates are an important part of a dogs diet, along with a certain amount of protein and fat. Just as with humans, eating too many carbs can lead to weight gain in a dog. Because commercially produced dog food contains carbohydrates, be careful not to overload your pup with additional high-carb foods like rice. As long as your dog is maintaining a healthy weight, adding some rice to your dogs mealsis perfectly fine.

When preparing rice for your pup, boil it in water and do not add any seasonings or spices, which can upset stomachs or even be toxic. Keep it plain and simple; they wont know the difference. And just like with any new food you introduce into your dogs diet, consult your veterinarian first and then start off slowly.

Chicken allergy in dogs: Vet reveals everything you need to know

While still fairly uncommon, a chicken allergy in dogs can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including skin rashes and stomach upsets. If your pup is unlucky enough to be among the small percentage of pups with a digestive system that can't tolerate poultry, you're likely wondering what can be done about it.

However, before you go swapping your canine companion over to the best dog food for allergies, it's important to get a proper diagnosis from a vet.

That's because changing dog food needs to be done slowly and carefully to avoid upsetting the balance of bacteria in your dog's intestines. Once you know for sure that a chicken allergy is causing your pup's health complaints you can work with your vet to formulate a plan.

Below, Dr. Catherine Barnette explains the main symptoms of a chicken allergy and shares her favorite prescription foods for dogs who can't eat chicken. Plus, Dr. Hannah Godfrey outlines exactly how your vet will go about testing your fur friend for a chicken allergy so you know what to expect.

Dr. Catherine Barnette

Dr. Barnette graduated from the University of Florida in 2006 where she received both her B.S. in Zoology and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She has 15 years of clinical experience as a small animal veterinarian, treating dogs, cats, and occasional exotic patients. When shes not writing content as a freelance veterinary writer, Dr. Barnette lives in southwest Florida with her husband and daughter (plus two cats, a dog, and a rescued dove!) and enjoys kayaking, biking, and hiking.

Dr Hannah Godfrey studied Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College London. After graduating in 2011, Dr Godfrey went on to become a veterinary surgeon, conducting surgery consultations on a range of animals at a small independent practice in Cardiff, South Wales, UK. Dr Godfrey has a strong interest in soft tissue surgery. When shes not helping animals back on their feet, Dr Godfrey writes a number of veterinary and animal-focussed articles.

What causes allergies in dogs?

"Allergies in dogs occur when their immune system overreacts to a substance, recognizing it as a threat when it is actually harmless," explains Godfrey. "The cells within the immune system will remember this substance and will continue to react if exposed to it in the future. Dogs can be allergic to almost any substance, but pollen, food allergies, and parasites are reasonably common."

Can dogs be allergic to chicken?

"Dogs can be allergic to chicken," Godfrey says. "Chicken is one of the most common food allergies in dogs, alongside beef and dairy products. However, to be allergic to chicken, their immune system must be familiar with the protein, so a dog must have eaten it at least once before."

Symptoms of chicken allergy in dogs

If you've been asking the question 'why is my dog itching, scratching, and biting himself constantly?', a food allergy may well be to blame.

Food allergies are often clinically indistinguishable from other types of canine allergies. There are four common allergies in dogs: dust mite allergy, environmental allergies (tree, weed, and grass pollen), flea allergy, and food allergy.

While there may be slight differences in the signs between these different types of allergies (for example, you may see visible fleas in a dog with flea allergies or you may notice seasonal signs in a dog with pollen allergies), it is nearly impossible to distinguish the cause of your dogs allergies based on appearance alone.

In dogs, nearly all allergies manifest as irritation of the skin and ears (check out our guide to skin allergies in dogs for more on how a food allergy can affect the skin and coat). Common signs of dog allergies include:

• Generalized redness of the skin
• Itching
• Chewing at the paws
• Hair loss (generalized or patchy)
• Frequent hot spots or skin infections
• Scratching at the ears
• Recurrent ear infections
• Less commonly, food allergies may trigger gastrointestinal signs, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

If your vet suspects your dog has allergies, they will recommend an appropriate diagnostic workup to determine the cause of your pets allergies. This workup may include the consistent use of the best flea treatment for dogs (to rule out flea allergies), intradermal or blood allergy testing (to rule out environmental allergies), and a food trial (to look for evidence of food allergies).

In a food trial, you will be asked to feed your dog a hypoallergenic prescription diet for a period of 2-3 months. During that time, you will need to avoid all treats and table food, to ensure that your dog is not being exposed to any potential food allergens. If your dogs signs resolve during the food trial, you and your veterinarian can safely assume that your dogs allergies are caused by something in your dogs diet.

Next, you will begin gradually reintroducing different food items, in an effort to determine which ingredients trigger an allergic response in your dog. If you feed chicken, for example, and your dog begins itching within 24 hours, you can safely assume that your dog is allergic to chicken.

Why are so many dogs allergic to chicken?

A chicken allergy is one of the three common food allergies in pets. Beef and dairy are the most common food allergy triggers in dogs, with chicken coming in at number three on that list.

Dogs can develop an allergy to any protein that they have eaten. Historically, most dog foods were made with beef as the primary protein source. Therefore, most canine food allergies were associated with beef, because thats the protein that the immune system had seen the most often.

In recent years, however, an increasing number of chicken-based diets have been created, often marketed as sensitive skin or sensitive stomach foods. Therefore, veterinarians are seeing an increase in the number of dogs with chicken allergies. If kangaroo meat were to suddenly become a common ingredient in dog food, we would likely see an increasing number of dogs with kangaroo allergies. Dogs can develop a food allergy to any protein they have been fed.

If a dog is allergic to chicken, are they allergic to turkey?

Chicken and turkey are both poultry. There are enough similarities between these birds that some dogs with chicken allergies will also react to turkey. In fact, some dogs with chicken allergies will even react to duck.

However, this isnt always the case. Some chicken-allergic dogs can eat turkey or duck with no problems. Therefore, you may need to experiment with a bit of trial-and-error in order to determine whether your dog can tolerate a turkey-based diet.

If you want to be on the safe side and minimize the risk of an allergic reaction, it is probably best to avoid feeding turkey to a dog that is allergic to chicken.

Diagnosing a chicken allergy

"Blood and skin prick tests can help diagnose a chicken allergy in your dog, but these tests can be costly and take some time," Godfrey explains. "They may also show inconclusive results, which can be frustrating. Eliminating chicken from your dog's diet completely for eight weeks (known as an elimination diet) can allow you to see whether your dog's symptoms improve, but this will only work if you check the ingredients on all of their food and treats."

Best food for dogs with chicken allergies

If your dog has chicken allergies, you will need to find a nutritious, balanced dog food that does not include chicken meat, chicken meal, or chicken by-products. You may opt to feed a prescription diet (under the guidance of your veterinarian) or search for an over-the-counter diet.

The most highly-restricted diets will be prescription diets as opposed to the best dry dog food and the best wet dog food that you can buy off the shelf. These include products like Hill's Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Potato & Venison Formula Dry Dog Food or Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Hydrolyzed Protein HP Dry Dog Food. Prescription allergy diets are manufactured on dedicated manufacturing lines, reducing the risk of cross-contamination, and careful attention to ingredients. Your veterinarian can help you select the most appropriate prescription diet for your pet.

You can also attempt to use an over-the-counter diet that does not contain any chicken, such as Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food. Over-the-counter diets are often less expensive than prescription diets, which may make this an appealing option for some dog owners. Be aware, however, that these diets may be made on the same manufacturing lines that are used to create chicken-based diets. (This is why they are often less expensive.) Depending on the severity of your dogs chicken allergies, even a small amount of cross-contamination may be enough to trigger an allergic reaction.

How common are food allergies in dogs?

"Its much more common for dogs to experience allergy symptoms due to environmental allergens like pollen from trees and plants, or parasites like fleas and mites than food allergens," Godfrey says. "While its not easy to control the symptoms caused by any allergy, it's easier to keep your dog away from food allergens than pollen and other environmental allergens."

A chicken allergy in dogs can be a frustrating condition, but there are ways to manage it successfully. Work with your veterinarian to accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your dogs skin issues, then come up with an appropriate plan to minimize your dogs exposure to foods that trigger an allergic response. With long-term efforts and maintenance, you can minimize the frequency of flare-ups and successfully reduce your dogs signs of allergic dermatitis.

For more on what foods are safe for your canine companion to consume, check out our guide to what human food can dogs eat where a vet explains which foods you can share with your pooch.