You do everything you can to ensure your dog doesn’t end up eating something he should. Yet it only takes a moment for your dog to get into something he should, like eating uncooked rice.
While pet owners know all about the dangers of chocolate and other toxic foods, they don’t always know what to do when their furry friend consumes something he shouldn’t.
Uncooked rice poses a moderate threat to your dog. While some will pass it without incident, others will develop serious complications.
So should you worry if your dog ate uncooked rice? It isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
The guide below will provide you with vital information about the dangers of uncooked rice, then provide you with all the information you need when your dog manages to consume it.
What to Do If Your Dog Ate Uncooked Rice
You should immediately contact your veterinarian if your dog ate uncooked rice. Most dogs will suffer from diarrhea the following day if they eat uncooked rice. In severe cases, it may result in gastrointestinal blockages that require invasive procedures or surgery.
Can Dogs Eat Uncooked Rice?
Dogs are opportunistic eaters, meaning they’ll eat just about anything within reach. While cooked rice is safe for dogs to eat, uncooked rice isn’t.
Your dog might eat a few stray grains of rice you dropped on the kitchen floor or find their way into the bag of uncooked rice.
You should never intentionally feed your dog uncooked rice. While it’s not toxic, uncooked rice can cause serious medical conditions. If you want to feed white rice to your dog, make sure it is cooked.
Is Uncooked Rice Safe for Dogs?
Uncooked rice is not safe for dogs in any amount. While some may manage to consume it without major symptoms, you never know what sort of complications your dog will develop until it’s too late.
Uncooked rice is not safe for dogs, whether it’s white, brown, or even instant rice. When consumed, it can cause diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and even intestinal blockage. Dogs cannot digest uncooked rice in any amount.
Dog Ate Uncooked Rice: 10 Potential Health Issues
When your dog eats uncooked rice, a number of things can occur. The severity of symptoms can often depend on how much rice your dog eats.
However, even a small amount of rice can cause serious complications. It’s very important to monitor your dog’s condition and consult their veterinarian whenever they eat uncooked rice.
The following are ten complications that may occur when your dog eats uncooked rice.
Discomfort
Your dog may experience discomfort when they eat uncooked rice. You may be able to tell because they are not as active as usual or show signs of pain when moving.
Stomach Ache
Stomach ache is just a notch above discomfort in severity. Your dog may experience a stomach ache, making them unwilling to eat or drink more food.
When you go to rub your dog’s belly, they might move or growl, indicating that the gesture is causing them pain.
Lethargy
Dogs often have lethargy when they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t. Your dog will stop eating or drinking and show decreased interest in playing.
If your dog stops eating and drinking entirely, it’s important to follow up with their vet for medical intervention.
Learn what to do when your dog is lethargic and not feeling himself.
Vomiting
Vomiting is the body’s way of expelling things that shouldn’t be eaten. In some cases, your dog may vomit up the uncooked rice. When this happens, make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Make sure your dog does not return to his vomit to consume it. As soon as your dog vomits, make every effort to promptly clean it, wiping away any uncooked rice they may try to consume again.
Diarrhea
Your dog’s digestive system cannot break down uncooked rice. This causes intense irritation, which often results in diarrhea.
Provide your dog with a bland and easy-to-digest diet for a few days, allowing them to fully recover from the irritation to their intestines.
Constipation
Sometimes the opposite occurs, and dogs experience constipation after ingesting raw rice.
This often happens when your dog eats a large volume of uncooked grains, although small dogs may experience constipation after eating only a small amount.
If your dog is constipated, call your veterinarian to determine the best course of action. In some cases, a laxative may be required to help your dog eliminate.
Bloody Stool
A few days after your dog consumes raw rice, you might notice blood in your dog’s stool. Bloody stool may be a sign of a more serious complication, so it’s vital to talk to your dog’s veterinarian whenever it occurs.
Intestinal Blockage
Intestinal blockage is one of the most serious complications that can occur when your dog eats uncooked rice.
If your pup has not had a bowel movement and shows signs of lethargy, take them to an emergency vet clinic to get evaluated. In many cases, a blockage will require surgical intervention.
Infection
Your dog is more likely to get food poisoning or contract an infection from uncooked rice (compared to cooked ingredients).
If the uncooked rice causes a tear in your dog’s intestinal tract, the tear can become infected and cause serious symptoms.
If your dog has a fever, monitor his symptoms and contact their vet. A fever can be a sign that he has contracted an infection.
Before you take a trip to your local veterinarian, there’re some steps that you can take at home to comfort your dog with a fever.
Death
In serious cases, your dog may die from the complications of ingesting uncooked rice. Organ failure is rare but a possibility when your dog eats uncooked rice.
An untreated intestinal blockage or infection may also cause your dog to suffer an untimely demise.
That’s why it’s so important to watch your dog’s symptoms and behavior after they consume something that’s off-limits.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate Uncooked Rice?
So what do you do when your dog eats uncooked rice? The following are seven steps you should take when it happens.
Determine how much rice your dog ate
If you didn’t witness your dog eating the uncooked rice, take a moment to evaluate how much rice is missing from the container. Your dog’s veterinarian may want to know how much was eaten when you call them.
Put any remaining rice out of your dog’s reach
To prevent your dog from eating more uncooked rice, take steps to get the uncooked rice out of your dog’s reach.
DON’T induce vomiting
It may be tempting to induce vomiting to help your dog get the rice out of his stomach before it becomes a problem. You should only ever induce vomiting under the advisement of your dog’s veterinarian.
Even though rice poses a risk to your dog’s intestines, it is unsafe to induce vomiting without the proper guidance. Resist the urge to induce vomiting unless given the green light by your dog’s vet.
Call your dog’s veterinarian
You shouldn’t wait for serious complications to occur before calling your dog’s veterinarian.
Even if your dog’s vet doesn’t want you to come in, they will be able to give you advice about the next steps for your dog’s treatment.
As an added benefit, letting your dog’s veterinarian know early on can help you establish communication over the issue.
This may help if further problems develop since your dog’s vet will already be aware of the situation.
Make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water
Uncooked rice often soaks up moisture, causing a number of problems for your dog. Ensure your dog has easy access to lots of fresh water.
Encourage your dog to drink as much as possible since drinking more water can help them pass the uncooked rice.
If your dog has vomiting or diarrhea, they may also need increased water intake to compensate for what’s lost due to these conditions. You may even offer your dog warm, low-sodium chicken broth to encourage hydration.
Monitor your dog’s condition closely
Make sure someone is at home to watch your dog’s condition over the next two days. If there are any new developments, call your dog’s veterinarian.
Keep track of how much your dog eats and drinks, and pay special attention to their bowel movements. If your dog has bloody stool or constipation, it may be a sign that he’s developed an intestinal blockage.
Take steps to keep uncooked rice away from your dog
Once your dog is out of the woods, take steps to prevent him from getting into uncooked rice again.
If he consumed a few stray grains dropped during cooking, take extra care when cooking the ingredient in the future.
Sometimes dogs get into things they shouldn’t. If your dog is able to get into the cabinets to consume raw food, invest in some child locks to prevent future mishaps.
Wrap-Up: Do Ate Uncooked Rice
Your dog shouldn’t eat uncooked rice. Although many dogs consume small amounts without incident, uncooked rice can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system.
In addition to causing vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, uncooked rice can cause intestinal blockages and infections. Left untreated, these conditions can be fatal to your dog.
If your dog has eaten uncooked rice, even in small quantities, reach out to his veterinarian for advice. They are best equipped to help you keep your dog safe and healthy.
