If your French Bulldog is a big fan of “people food,” you may be wondering just what ingredients, such as rice, may be acceptable—or even healthy—to feed them. So, can French Bulldogs eat rice?
The answer is yes! Although ancient dogs were strict carnivores, modern domesticated dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat both grains and plants as long as their diet remains mostly animal protein. Both brown and white rice can be included safely in your Frenchie’s diet, and can even have many health benefits.
The rest of this article will discuss why dogs can safely eat rice, the health benefits, and how you can feed it to them.
Can French Bulldogs eat rice?
Can your French Bulldog eat rice? Yes! In fact, you may not have thought about it before, but rice is actually a common ingredient found in dog food. So, your dog may already be eating rice regularly without you even realizing it.
In ancient history, dogs were strictly carnivores, meaning that their diets consisted of only meat. However, as we mentioned before, modern domesticated dogs have become what we call omnivores. They can safely include plants and grains, like rice, into their diets.
It is important to make sure that even if you feed your Frenchie rice, that their diet should still consist of mostly animal proteins (a.k.a. meat). This means at least 75% of their diet.
Is rice good for my Frenchie?
Not only is rice safe for your Frenchie to eat, but there are many health benefits that come along with eating it as well. Since rice is a carb, you may not consider it to be intrinsically healthy. However, it is also low in fat and sodium and contains healthy antioxidants.
It is also full of fiber, meaning that it leads to healthy regular bowel movements and good digestion. In fact, white rice is often prescribed for dogs with upset stomachs.
Brown and/or wild rice also contains many more vitamins and minerals than regular white rice. Some of those vitamins include:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B6
What types of rice can my French Bulldog eat?
Your dog can eat any type of rice. However, the different types of rice may be fed at different times for different purposes. White rice is full of carbohydrates and starch and can easily be used to ease a sick stomach. So, if your dog is sick, this may be a good choice.
Brown and/or wild rice are both more nutritious than regular white rice because of its higher fiber content due to the bran. If your Frenchie is overweight, then brown rice may be a good choice because its high fiber content will make your dog feel fuller for a longer period of time.
Basmati rice is full of carbohydrates as well, and it is especially good for helping to ease diarrhea or other upset stomach issues.
How much rice can my French Bulldog eat?
As we mentioned before, your French Bulldog’s diet should still consist mostly of animal protein in order to make sure that their diet is totally balanced and complete. Rice should never make up more than 10% of your pup’s total diet.
You should also start with a very small amount of rice at first, then slowly increase the amount that you offer. This way, you can ensure that your Frenchie will not have any negative reactions to the rice.
Can my Frenchie be allergic to rice?
Yes, just like with any other food, it is possible for your French Bulldog to be allergic to rice. This is another reason why you should introduce rice very slowly into their diet. If your dog has lots of other allergies, it may be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian before deciding to try feeding them rice.
If your dog is allergic to rice, they may exhibit symptoms such as itching, swelling, vomiting, or hair loss after eating it. If your Frenchie begins licking their paws excessively after eating rice, this could be a sign that they are in discomfort or experiencing itching. Be sure to keep an eye on your pup the first couple of times you feed them rice to be sure.
How can I feed my Frenchie rice?
There are many different ways that you can feed your French Bulldog rice! First, decide which type of rice you want to feed your dog. Then, cook it. You should be totally fine to cook the rice using plain water. If you would like to boil it in broth for some extra flavor, feel free, but make sure that the broth contains no fats or sodium.
You can feed your French Bulldog rice plain, as many dogs will happily eat up plain rice as a treat. Or, you can mix it in with their kibble.
This can be an especially good trick if your dog has suddenly developed a stubborn desire not to eat their kibble! You make them think that they are getting a special treat with the rice, when actually, they are getting extra vitamins and minerals.
If you are looking for a totally new way to feed your dog rice, you can mix it with some vegetables and broth and feed it to them separate from their normal food. Just make sure that whatever vegetables you include in the rice are safe for dogs. Some vegetables that are safe for dogs to eat include:
- Brussels sprouts
- Green beans
…and more! Just do your research to ensure that you are not feeding your Frenchie anything that will upset their stomach or cause health issues.
Is rice good to feed my French Bulldog when they are sick?
Yes, rice is often prescribed for dogs who are having stomach issues, such as an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is very bland, which makes it unlikely to further upset their stomach.
You can feed the rice plain when your dog is sick, or you can boil some plain chicken and shred it to mix in with the rice. Make sure the chicken is shredded into small pieces, since if they are too large, your Frenchie may choke while eating the food too quickly.
You also want to make sure that you are not including any butter, oil, or any other seasoning when you cook the chicken and rice. This can actually further upset your pup’s stomach and do the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish with a bland diet.
If your dog is sick, especially with diarrhea, you may want to give them slightly more rice than you normally would as a treat. This is because the fiber in the rice will help solidify their stool and prevent further diarrhea. If the diarrhea continues even after the rice, however, you should immediately consult your veterinarian.
So, can French Bulldogs eat rice? The answer is yes! If your pup is craving some human food, and if you want to give them a special treat with some extra health benefits, rice can be the way to go.
Different types of rice offer different nutritional benefits, and plain white rice can be a good food to feed your dog if they are suffering from stomach issues. Make sure that if your Frenchie is going to eat rice, their diet is still made up of at least 75% animal protein.