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Can Dogs Eat Wild Rice?

can dogs eat wild rice
(Last Updated On: December 15, 2022)

Yes, dogs can eat wild rice. Proper nutrition is essential to your dog’s health, ensuring that your canine friend is healthy, active, and free from disease. 

Dogs are mostly carnivorous which means that they do best on a diet that provides a large amount of meat and other types of animal proteins.

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However, research has shown that dogs also need to consume a wide variety of different foods to ensure optimum health.

safe for dogs to eat

Yes, dogs can eat wild rice.

Wild rice is a standard filler for gourmet wet dog foods. Feel safe to add a small amount to your dogs dry or wet food.

Carbohydrates provide energy to keep your dog active throughout the day while vitamins and minerals from vegetables and other plant sources help to ward off disease, boost brain activity and provide many other great health benefits. 

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Most dog food will contain a combination of meat, carbohydrates, and vitamins but it is also necessary to feed your dog these components separately, especially if you are planning to make your own dog food and control what he eats to ensure maximum nutrition.

Can Dogs Eat Wild Rice?

wild rice homemade dog food

Rice is a favorite ingredient in dog food, and it is used to bulk it up as well as providing much-needed carbohydrates.

However, the rice in dog food is often processed and refined to remove the bran that coats rice. This means that the dog food you purchase may contain rice that has been stripped of essential fiber and other vitamins and minerals. 

To avoid this, you should definitely consider buying brown or wild rice to add to your dog’s diet and ensure that he is getting the best diet possible. 

So, can dogs eat wild rice? The answer is yes, and this is because they provide the following benefits:

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Benefits of Wild Rice for Dogs

wild rice for dogs

1. Great source of fiber

Wild rice has not been processed to remove the bran that makes up the outer coating. 

As a result, it contains a lot more fiber than white rice which makes it an excellent digestive aid as well as a tasty food option for your dog. 

Fiber also helps your dog to feel fuller sooner which helps to prevent overeating and weight gain.

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2. Additional protein

A 100 gram serving of wild rice contains up to 6 grams of protein. This means that your dog will be getting extra protein in addition to what he gets from meat and other protein sources.

3. Bone health

Wild rice is rich in phosphorous and calcium, two minerals which are essential for the growth and maintenance of good bones. 

These minerals are crucial for growing puppies as well as elderly dogs. Phosphorous and calcium help the development of strong bones and preventing bone loss in dogs as they become older.

4. Antioxidant benefits

A diet laden with chemicals, additives, and preservatives can take a toll on your dog’s health and may even make him sick if left unchecked. 

Wild rice is high in antioxidants which help to counter the effects of these ingredients while helping to remove dangerous toxins from your dog’s system.

5. Reduced risk of diabetes and obesity

Commercial animal feeds tend to be extremely high in calories which raises the risk of weight gain and diabetes.

You can, however, control your dog’s calorific intake by using all natural ingredients such as wild rice and ensuring that he gets enough exercise to keep him lean and healthy. 

Meals made from wild rice also make your dog feel full for longer, which means he is less likely to overeat and gain weight.

6. A great tasting option

Wild rice has a nutty taste and a crunchy texture depending on how well cooked it is and is therefore likely to appeal to your dog’s taste buds. 

It can be combined with a variety of ingredients such as meat and vegetables for an even more delicious option. While it may take a while to cook, the end result is an incredibly flavorful meal that your dog will enjoy thoroughly.

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7. Versatility

Wild rice can be paired with many ingredients used in homemade dog food. Whether you are looking to make a filling main meal or just want to give your go a snack, you can make something with wild rice. 

Wild rice combines exceptionally well with other ingredients used in dog food to make a filling and delicious meals which can be eaten all at once or frozen for later. You can also use it to make large batches to feed multiple dogs over a more extended period.

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Final Thoughts

Every dog owner should definitely consider adding wild rice to their dog’s diet. Not only is it a tasty and a versatile ingredient but it also provides excellent benefits that ensure your dog is healthy and robust. 

Adding a little wild rice to your dog’s bowl is totally acceptable. So the answer to the question, can dogs eat wild rice is a yes.

Please leave a comment or question below. I look forward to responding to your comments. Don’t forget to share the article with your friends and loved ones too.

Liz

I'm a self-employed blogger, life-long pet parent, and lover of dogs. I have always loved animals, especially puppies. So when my family got our first dog 15 years ago, it was love at first sight. We named her Sassy because she was so small, cute, and had a sassy personality! Once we got her home, I wanted to know everything about caring for her, so I researched online. Eventually, this led me to create the PUPPYFAQS website, where I write about nutrition, health, and care of puppies and the latest news in the world of puppies. In my spare time, I volunteer at my local shelter, which is run by volunteers who are passionate about helping homeless dogs find their forever homes. If I'm not working or volunteering for dogs, you can find me spending time with my family, friends, and my puppy. I have been writing professionally online since 2009. In addition to PUPPYFAQS, I also write for several other pet-related publications.

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