Can I mix rice with dog food

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Rice can be a great and nutritious ingredient to add into your dogs diet. However, like with many ingredients, the quality and type of rice makes a difference. Below, we'll cover the health benefits of feeding your dog a balanced diet (that includes rice), which type of rice is best for your dog's health, and which health conditions rice can help with.

Why Is Rice Good for Dogs?

Rice can be a healthy, hearty, gluten-free grain to feed your dog at any point in their life, but it can be especially great following a bout of pancreatitis or other digestive issues. This is because rice can bind loose stool in cases of diarrhea and can help produce regular bowel movements. Rice is also very gentle on a dog's stomach think of it like saltine crackers that people snack on when dealing with stomach bugs.

Benefits of Rice for Your Dog

Other benefits of feeding your dog rice can include:

• Low in fat and sodium
• Contains antioxidants that can support cognition in aging dogs
• Feeds good bacteria in your dog's small intestine
• High in fiber
• Contains calcium and vitamin D, which support your dog's bones

Feeding Your Dog White Rice vs. Brown Rice

To summarize, white rice is not healthier than brown rice or vice versa: It comes down to your individual dog's health and nutritional needs.

White rice is best for soothing your dog's upset stomach and is very easily digestible. If you're adding white rice to your dog's diet, just make sure it's cooked as it would be if you were going to eat it. Don't feed your dog uncooked rice; it will be too hard for them to digest and could make their gastrointestinal issues even worse.

On the other hand, you should avoid brown rice when helping your dog with a sour stomach or GI issues. Cooked brown rice is ideal for a dog who may be diabetic, because it has a lower glycemic index than white rice. This means it won't spike your dog's blood sugar as much as white rice.

Brown rice also contains a variety of B vitamins (including niacin and thiamin, which are both essential for dogs), vitamin E, iron, and phytochemicals, according to GoodRX Health.

Other Types of Rice

Besides plain white rice or brown rice, dogs can eat a myriad of other types of rice in moderation, such as basmati rice, jasmine rice, and wild rice. What's most important is that the rice regardless of the type is cooked and does not contain any additives such as salt.

This is also why you'll want to avoid feeding fried rice to your dog due to its many additives like soy sauce, salt, onion, and leeks. All these aromatics can be toxic to dogs.

Similarly, salt can also be harmful to dogs, and even lethal. The lethal amount of salt for dogs is 1.5 grams per pound of body weight, Preventive Vet reports. If you are ever concerned about potential toxicity in your dog, contact your nearest emergency veterinarian immediately.

If this makes you worry that your dogs food is too bland, dont: Dogs dont have the same sense of taste as humans, and dont need seasonings or sauces in order to enjoy their food.

Potential Drawbacks of Feeding Rice to Your Dog

Because rice is a simple carb, you can certainly overdo it. As mentioned, white rice spikes blood sugar levels faster than brown rice. That said, all types of rice are high in carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain or obesity if given in large quantities. There is also the risk of constipation if you feed your dog too much cooked rice. Typically, it's best to keep rice 20-25% of your dog's diet.

If you are trying to support your dog in losing weight, cutting down on the percentage of carbohydrates in their diet is also recommended. For specific guidance on specific dog breeds, be sure to check in with your vet.

How To Feed Rice to Your Dog

There are two main ways you can feed your dog rice. First, you can purchase dog food containing rice as an ingredient, or you can prepare rice at home as you would for yourself and feed it to your dog or mix it with other dog food. Remember, if you make rice for your dog at home, prepare it without any seasonings or spices.

Feeding Rice Only Is Okay on a Short-Term Basis

If you're feeding your dog rice by itself, it's only recommended on a short-term basis or as a special treat. For example, if your dog is having stomach issues, you can feed them white rice alone or with boiled chicken for a few days but don't make it part of their regular diet because it could lead to weight gain.

If rice is a regular part of your dog's diet, be sure it's just an ingredient in their main dog food (which should also contain other nutrients vital to your dog's health).

Pair With Protein on a Long-Term Basis

If rice is going to be a permanent part of your dog's diet, be sure to pair it with a lean protein to prevent nutritional deficiencies. For example, chicken breast, turkey breast, lean ground turkey, lean beef (98% lean), and even salmon, tilapia, cod, or white fish can all boost your dog foods nutritional value. Just keep in mind that you should only feed fattier fish in moderation and in alignment with your dog's overall health goals.

Another thing to consider when choosing a protein to pair with rice is the quality of the protein. Many low-quality dog foods are made with highly-processed or 4D meats or meat meals. Instead, opt for dog food brands that contain real, high-quality muscle and organ meat like youd find from a reputable human grade dog food brand.

Boost Your Dog's Diet With Human Grade Dog Food From The Honest Kitchen

Pet foods with human grade distinction have to meet over 100 safety standards set by the FDA and USDA. These strict standards apply all the way through the production process from the farm to final packaging. However, due to the rigorous nature of these high standards, many dog food brands opt to remain feed grade because it's easier and cheaper.

Luckily, here at The Honest Kitchen, we have perfected these standards. We're proud to call ourselves a certified human grade dog food company that can deliver right to your doorstep!

Our complete line of human grade dog food recipes (with and without rice) are packed high-quality, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. From kibble and dry dog food to wet food, broth toppers, and a ton of dog treats, The Honest Kitchen has something that every dog will love. Browse all of our dog food options here!

*Health Disclaimer: This post is educational in nature and doesnt constitute health advice. Please consult your pet's veterinarian or other healthcare professional for specific guidance on this topic.

10 Best Lamb and Rice Dog Foods 2023 (Premium & Budget)

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Last Updated on April 22, 2023

If you want to give your pooch a diet with a natural flavor thats healthy for them, too, then a lamb and rice recipe may be the way to go.

There are some pros and cons to this type of diet. Luckily, weve compiled a list of some of the best lamb and rice dog food for you.

Keep reading to learn more about this nutritious diet for your doggo!

Top 5 Picks for Best Lamb and Rice Dog Food

Best Lamb and Rice Dog Food (by Life Stage)

No matter how old your doggo is, youll be able to feed them a healthy lamb and rice dog food recipe. Here are some of the best dog food with lamb and rice for puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs.

Best Lamb and Rice Puppy Food

1. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Lamb & Rice Formula

Our Rating: 4.8Top Ingredients: Lamb, Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain CornType: Dry

This product features lamb as the first ingredient, which will help muscle-building protein. The formula promotes healthy growth, development, and digestive system.

Plus, it includes omega-rich fish oil for brain and vision development.

Pros:

• No artificial colors or flavors
• High in protein
• Affordable

Cons:

• May cause vomiting
• May cause constipation

CHECK PRICE HERE

2. Hills Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe

Our Rating: 4.5Top Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Sorghum, Brewers RiceType: Dry

This formula is made with wholesome ingredients to meet your pets needs and boost bone growth. Your doggo will get the nutrition they need to live a long, healthy lifestyle.

Pros:

• Made in the USA
• All-natural, high-quality ingredients
• Supports a healthy immune system

Cons:

• May have an odor
• Not for picky eaters

CHECK PRICE HERE

Best Lamb and Rice Adult Dog Food

1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Lamb & Brown Rice

Our Rating: 4.7Top Ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, BarleyType: Dry

This kibble contains real meat, whole grains with fresh fruits, and veggies. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are included for healthy skin and coat.

This adult lamb recipe also has calcium, essential vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants.

Pros:

• High in protein
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• Affordable

Cons:

• May cause gas
• Includes chicken fat

CHECK PRICE HERE

2. Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Formula

Our Rating: 4.5Top Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice, Grain SorghumType: Dry

Your doggo will love this nutrient-rich kibble. It contains guaranteed probiotics to ensure the support of your furry friends overall development and health.

This pet food is great for small breeds, medium breeds, and large breeds. Plus, its affordable.

Pros:

• Contains real lamb and fish protein
• Made in the USA
• No artificial flavors and preservatives

Cons:

• May cause an upset stomach

CHECK PRICE HERE

3. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Lamb & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Our Rating: 4.8Top Ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Rice BranType: Dry

You can give your pooch an all-natural, complete meal with this lamb and rice recipe from Nutro. This recipe is made with natural fiber to help digestion, high-quality protein sources, and essential antioxidants.

Pros:

• Good for all breeds
• Made with non-GMO ingredients
• Packed with nutrition and flavor

Cons:

• May cause frequent stools

CHECK PRICE HERE

4. IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Lamb

Our Rating: 4.5Top Ingredients: Lamb, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain BarleyType: Dry

The small kibble size of this adult dry dog food is perfect for any dog breed. This formula supports healthy digestion with natural fiber and prebiotics. This will especially help dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Pros:

• Contains nutrients and antioxidants
• Has real lamb as the first ingredient
• Zero fillers

Cons:

• Not for picky eaters
• May cause gas

CHECK PRICE HERE

5. AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula

Our Rating: 5Top Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken FatType: Dry

This formula is packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for your pup to thrive. Its rich in healthy fats and oils, including omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Your pooch will have a well-balanced diet by eating this food, and its flavorful to boot.

Pros:

• High in protein
• Gluten-free
• No corn, wheat, or soy

Cons:

• May cause an upset stomach

CHECK PRICE HERE

6. Purina Pro Plan Small Bites Lamb & Rice

Our Rating: 4.5Top Ingredients: Lamb, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Whole Grain WheatType: Dry

This particular dry dog food contains muscle-building protein with carbohydrates that are easy to digest. While the kibble size is great for small breeds, this food can be eaten by dogs of all sizes.

Pros:

• High in protein
• Ideal for active dogs
• Weight control formula

Cons:

• May cause vomiting
• May cause gas

CHECK PRICE HERE

7. Natural Balance Lamb & Brown Rice Formula

Our Rating: 4.7Top Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Brown Rice, Rice Bran, Brewers RiceType: Dry

This dog food boasts of its limited ingredients, which are suitable for dogs who suffer from food allergies. The formula is gluten-free and contains vitamins and minerals for complete, balanced nutrition for your pup.

Pros:

• Contains omega fatty acids
• Made in the USA
• No artificial flavors and preservatives

Cons:

CHECK PRICE HERE

Best Lamb and Rice Senior Dog Food

1. Natures Recipe Mature Lamb & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Our Rating: 4.5Top Ingredients: Lamb, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, BarleyType: Dry

This product supports your pups lean muscle mass and will boost their energy. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are included for healthy skin and coat.

This formula is crafted for senior dogs to let them thrive. It helps promote the immune system and joint health.

Pros:

• Supports strong muscles
• Added vitamins and minerals
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons:

• Kibble might be too large

CHECK PRICE HERE

Is Lamb and Rice Dog Food Good for Dogs?

Both lamb and rice, respectfully, are packed with nutrition for your doggo. Lets talk about each ingredient.

Lamb: an excellent source of nutrients

First, what exactly is a lamb? A lamb is classified as a young sheep, typically under a year old. Older sheep meat would be mutton, which is not as nutritious.

Lamb is considered red meat. Its a leaner red meat, similar to pork. It has many nutritional benefits for your doggo, such as protein, fat, and vitamins & minerals.

Lamb contains about 25-26 grams of protein with all nine amino acids. Fat levels, such as saturated fat and monounsaturated fat, typically make up about 13% to 15%.

Other fat includes polyunsaturated fat and other trans fats.

Vitamins and minerals are also jam-packed in real lamb. It contains vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, niacin, phosphorus, iron, choline chloride, manganese, potassium chloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, tocopherols, and calcium pantothenate.

Plus, antioxidants such as creatine, taurine, glutathione, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). And lamb has a great taste your pup is sure to love!

Lamb meal, on the other hand, is the dry rendered part of the mammals tissue. You may see this ingredient in your dogs food, and thats okay.

Lamb meal has essential amino acids and dietary fats that will boost your pups energy. Its also typically higher in protein than fresh lamb meat.

However, if your doggo has a sensitive stomach or food allergies, fresh lamb may be the better option.

Is rice a healthy choice for dogs?

Rice has its health benefits, as well. It helps your pup maintain a healthy digestive system with carbohydrates and fiber. Just be sure to keep an eye on which kinds of rice (and how much) youre feeding your furry friend.

White rice is good if your pup has a sensitive stomach. However, too much can cause your dogs blood sugars to rise and have weight issues.

Brown rice is the most common rice ingredient in dog food. Its higher in fiber than white rice and can help with certain health conditions, such as obesity.

So, should you feed your pooch rice every day? Probably not.

Rice contains a lot of carbs which can cause weight gain. Youll also want to keep an eye out for symptoms of diabetes. White rice can boost your pups sugar levels, which can be harmful in the long run.

Watch Dr. Tegzes explain why its alright to give your dog rice:

The Health Benefits of Lamb and Rice Dog Food

There are a few reasons dog owners switch their furry friend over to a lamb and rice diet. This diet has unique ingredients such as beet pulp or sweet potatoes, which alone have many benefits.

For example, dogs suffer from food allergies just like we do. Fewer dogs are allergic to lamb, which makes it a great alternative.

In 1994, a study about the Evaluation of a Commerical Canned Lamb and Rice Diet was conducted to test allergens in dogs.

About 60% of dogs did not have an allergic reaction to lamb and rice meals. However, dogs did react to chicken, beef, and dairy products.

Another reason is that dogs can be picky eaters just like humans. Switching up their plate once in a while will help them not get bored of their food quickly.

Also, a brown rice recipe alone has more fiber, thus improving your dogs overall digestive health.

Your pooch also needs to build and maintain strong muscles. Lamb is a high-quality protein that contains all nine amino acids.

Lamb also contains iron, specifically heme iron. This helps maintain healthy iron levels and blood cells to avoid your doggo having anemia.

Anemia is when theres a lack of red blood cells, causing your pup to become weak and fatigued.

On the other hand, this particular diet is low in taurine, which is an amino acid. Feeding your dog a commercial lamb and rice diet may cause them to have a deficiency in taurine, which can affect their heart, eyes, and kidneys.

This can be avoidable, though, with frequent visits to the vet where they can check your dogs bloodwork. If their taurine levels are low, then you can easily add a supplement to their food.

Best Lamb and Rice Dog Food Buyers Guide

Now that we know some of the best dog food recipes of a lamb and rice diet, how do you choose which is the better one for your pup?

Things to look for: Features of a good lamb and rice dog food

First, read the ingredients carefully to ensure your doggo will be getting the right nutrients. This way, there wont be any unwanted surprises when your dog eats their meal.

For example, even though its a lamb and rice recipe, some food brands contain chicken, chicken meal, or chicken fat. If your pooch has a chicken allergy, then youll want to stay away from these added ingredients.

Youll also want all the ingredients to be natural, so make sure there are no artificial sweeteners, colors, or additives.

Avoid formulas containing unidentified meat meals or by-products, and always check the expiration date.

Some characteristics to look out for in a high-quality lamb and rice recipe are high protein content, complex carbs, vitamins & minerals, lamb (fresh or deboned) is the first ingredient, and is manufactured in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, or New Zealand.

Wet, Semi-Moist, or Dry? Which lamb and rice food is best for your dog?

There are benefits to giving your pooch kibble versus canned wet food or vice versa.

On the one hand, dry dog food is crunchy, and not only will that help strong jaw muscles, but some dogs prefer that texture. Plus, it keeps longer.

Wet food locks in moisture for hydration and can have chunks of real meat and veggies inside.

You can speak to your vet about which would be best for your doggo, but having both isnt a bad option. For example, you can mix kibble in with your dogs canned food.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is lamb healthier than beef and chicken?

All meat has its pros and cons. Lamb is packed with high protein and all the amino acids. Plus, its food allergy-friendly, unlike beef and poultry such as chicken or turkey.

How often can I feed my dog lamb and rice dog food?

Feeding your doggo twice a day is an excellent place to start. Providing them with the right amount of dog food daily is whats important. You should look at your dogs individual needs when deciding on the portion size.

If youre unsure of the right amount of food and the frequency of feeding, consult with your vet so they can create a plan or feeding schedule.

Can you give homemade lamb and rice food to your dog?

Yes, you can! Heres a limited-ingredient recipe you can try making at home.

Ingredients:

1. 3 lbs (1 kg) cooked lamb
2. 4 lbs (2 kg) cooked rice
3. 7 tsp sunflower oil (can be substituted with flaxseed)
4. cup Azestfor Homemade Dog Food Vitamins

How to prepare:

• In a large skillet, place cubed or ground lamb and add enough water to cover. Bring it to a boil.
• Cover and let it simmer gently for about 30 minutes or until the lamb is fully cooked.
• Remove it from the heat and drain the extra water.
• Place the rice in a saucepan with double the amount of water.
• Bring it to a boil, turn the heat down, and cover tightly with a lid. For about 10-15 minutes, cook on the lowest heat with the pan still covered.
• When the lamb and rice are cool to the touch, you can add the supplements, including the sunflower oil (for linoleic acid).
• Combine all the ingredients and serve.

Are there any dogs who shouldnt eat lamb and rice dog food?

Rice is a grain, and some dogs do need a grain-free diet. So, if your pooch reacts to grains, then a lamb and rice recipe is one to stay away from.

Talk to Your Vet Before Choosing Any New Food for your Dog

If you have a large puppy breed, then Hills Science Diet will be a great choice. If you have an active dog, then they may do well with Purina Pro Plan.

A lamb and rice diet is a great choice. There are so many health benefits, and its tasty to boot.

Do you feed your doggo a lamb and rice recipe? Let us know in the comments below!

Further Reading: More dog food flavors your pooch will love

• Best Salmon Dog Food
• Best Venison Dog Food
• Best Kangaroo Dog Food
• Best Chicken Free Dog Food
• Best Rabbit Dog Food
• Best Green Trippe for Dogs

Cess Gamas( Head of Content Marketing and Editor )

Cess is the Head of Content Writing at K9 Web and a passionate dog care expert with over 5 years of experience in the Pet Industry. With a background in animal science, dog training, and behavior consulting, her hands-on experience and extensive knowledge make her a trusted source for dog owners.

When not writing or leading the K9 Web content team, Cess can be found volunteering at local shelters and participating in dog-related events.