White rice is one of the most popular grains in the whole world. It’s filling and very versatile. But can cats eat white rice? If it’s fully cooked, a small serving of white rice would be totally fine for cats. It is not toxic to cats. In fact, cooked white rice helps cats with digestive problems. It’s also a good source of energy and an essential part of an emergency meal plan for cats who are recovering from a sickness and can’t eat kibble yet.

Can Cats Eat White Rice?

Can cats eat cooked rice? Cats can eat cooked white rice in small proportions. It is safe for them. It rarely causes irritation and is, in fact, an effective food to restore a cat’s digestion when it’s experiencing diarrhea.

White rice is a common ingredient in many cat food products in the market, so it’s guaranteed harmless for most cats. It’s also an easy ingredient if you prefer preparing homemade meals for your pet.

However, you should also know that white rice has very little nutritional value. Its blandness is enough to tell you that rice is nothing but a carb-rich food item. This same characteristic is the same reason why it’s suitable for cats suffering from diarrhea. It’s easy to digest and doesn’t have too many compounds that may trigger irritations.

Each 100-gram serving of cooked white rice has 28 grams of carbohydrates. This is a lot for cats and even humans. The downside is that aside from carbs, white rice doesn’t have anything else to offer. It has very little protein and fat. Unless paired with cooked meat and vegetables or fruits, rice is not a good source of nutrition for cats.

Some white rice products in the U.S. are enriched with vitamins and minerals. Some producers infuse it with folic acid iron that can beat the nutrition of brown rice.

Also, cats are obligate carnivores, so they need a meat-based diet. Rice is an excellent addition but in moderate amounts. Nevertheless, rice comes in handy if you want your cat to pack more weight. Still, it should be paired with other nutritious food ingredients. Also, rice shouldn’t be the main component of the cat’s meals.

If your cat stole a mouthful of rice from your plate, there shouldn’t be any problem. Just don’t get the kitty used to such a habit because it increases the risk of obesity. Carbs convert to sugar in the bloodstream, which is also detrimental to diabetic kitties.

Can cats eat brown rice?

Like white rice, brown rice is okay for cats. It’s also a common ingredient of cat foods. Brown and white rice are actually the same rice. It’s just that white rice underwent the milling process where the bran and hull are removed. In the process, some of the nutrients are stripped off as well. With this, white rice becomes a food item with empty calories.

Brown rice is rich in fiber and nutrients, so it’s good for cats. It can also help constipated kittens to pass stool. Some vets even recommend boiled brown rice and chicken to help cats with digestive issues.

Can cats eat basmati rice?

Basmati rice is a long and slender rice variety with an aromatic odor. Just like white rice, it’s safe for cats but must be given only in small amounts.

Overall, Basmati rice has no prominent nutrient profile. Being a grain, it shouldn’t be considered a major part of a cat’s diet. Any type of rice should not exceed 25% of the cat’s meal. If their diet is balanced incorrectly over a long period of time, this can be bad for cats and will lead to health issues and digestive system problems down the line.

Can cats eat fried rice?

Fried rice is a very delicious meal, but it’s not always good for cats. It depends on what’s in the fried rice. Most of us add eggs, which is totally fine for cats. A small amount of oil and salt shouldn’t hurt.

However, the problem here is canned luncheon meat. I personally add this ingredient to fried rice, which isn’t suitable for cats. Canned human food can easily irritate the kitty’s tummy.

If your cat stole a bit of your fried rice, it shouldn’t be a cause of concern. However, you should avoid giving it in large servings. As much as possible, stick to the cat’s complete and balanced food. This applies to all fried rice, regardless of whether it has white, basmati, or brown rice.

Does rice help cats with diarrhea?

Yes, rice is the go-to food for cats that are experiencing mild diarrhea. Since rice is bland and ‘empty’ in terms of nutritional benefits, it’s unlikely to cause stomach upset. White rice is also carb-rich, which will give the sick cat the energy it needs. So as your kitty recovers from diarrhea, white rice becomes an excellent ‘bridge’ to the cat’s diet.

Remember that you should only serve plain, steamed white rice. There’s no need to season it. If you have a picky cat, you can add some steamed or boiled chicken. Again, this should be unseasoned and plain.

Take note that the rice diet should only be temporary. Your cat should be switched back to its old diet once its digestion goes back to normal. However, if the kitty suffers from diarrhea again after eating its usual cat food, it might be time for a change. You should consult the vet about this.

How do you make cat rice?

Are you thinking of making homemade rice meals for your cat? To make this bland food item delicious and nutritious, the following are some of the tasty ways to do it:

Rice with fish. The easiest way to convert white rice into a healthy meal is by adding steamed fish to it. Your cat will surely chomp on it like mad. Just make sure that you shred the fish and remove all the bones. Mix it with the rice to spread the flavor.
Rice with chicken. Simply mix white rice with cooked chicken. You can also add chopped boiled eggs as well as a pinch of salt and bonemeal tablets. This rice meal is also a great way to hide medication.
Rice and chicken liver. Add chopped and cooked chicken liver into the white rice. A small serving of zucchini or cooked green beans will be a nice addition here. Lastly, add a low-sodium chicken broth to make the white rice tastier and healthier.
Rice with lamb. For cats with allergies, pairing brown rice with the ground and cooked lamb is a delicious choice. Next, add four teaspoons of bonemeal and a teaspoon of canola oil.

My cat is throwing up rice! What should I do?

If your cat vomits after eating rice, you should assess the situation first. Is rice mixed with other ingredients? If so, the other ingredients are the likely cause of vomiting. Rice is bland and unlikely to cause stomach upset or anything that can lead to vomiting.

It will help if you give the cat just plain rice with no other ingredient. This should help wash the irritants out of the GI tract.

If the vomiting isn’t abating, it’s probably best to immediately bring your cat to the vet. Your enemy here is dehydration, which can ensue within six hours of lingering vomiting.

Conclusion

Can cats eat rice? Yes, but only in controlled amounts. White rice is gentle on a cat’s tummy, but it’s nothing but empty calories. You should give your cat a meat-based meal instead. You can also add meat cuts to the cooked rice to make it more nutritious.

Rice has almost no protein and fat. It contains carbohydrates only. Cats are carnivores and shouldn’t be fed excess rice. No cat meal should have rice more than 25%. Feeding rice to your cat can have a detrimental impact in the long run.

Can Cats Eat White Rice? Can cats eat cooked rice? Is It Safe?