Rice cakes come in various flavours and are a popular healthy snack for humans in general. However, can dogs eat rice cakes? Is this snack healthy for your dog?

Dog owners wondering if dogs can eat rice cakes ask this because this meal seems to be good for humans.

You may have thought about sharing something with your dog while you grab a few rice cakes for a quick and healthy afternoon snack. If people can eat rice cakes, why can’t dogs, you may wonder?

Rice cakes can be a safe source of carbohydrates for dogs, provided it does not make up the bulk of their diet. But how can you tell?

This article will introduce and explain facts that can lead to a positive conclusion if rice cakes are good for your dog. Proper nutrition for your dog is the key to their healthy and active dog life, good and healthy skin, and their life in general.

You do not want to take the nutrition of your dog for granted. Without adequate nutrition, your dog cannot maintain muscle tone, build and repair muscles, teeth and bones, easily perform normal daily activities or fight infection.

Proteins are a source of energy and help with muscle activity and growth.

What Are Rice Cakes?

Before feeding your dog rice cakes, you might want to know what this advertised snack is all about.

Rice cake is a relatively new snack. It is a disk-shaped puffed product with a low-calorie content. The main ingredient in rice cake is long or medium-grain brown rice.

Other ingredients, such as sesame seeds, millet and salt, may be added. Brown rice is milled from paddy rice by removing the husks and retaining the bran and polishing layers, which have higher levels of nutrients and fibre than regular white rice.

Although rice cakes are a puffed product, they are unique in that no added binder is used to hold the individually puffed rice grains together.

Rice cakes have so many health benefits for humans. This healthy snack can go a long way in complementing other meals you take. The following are the health benefits of rice cakes.

They contain antioxidants to fight against diseases
Blood sugar regulation
Weight Management
Fibre for easy digestion

The procedure for preparing the rice cake is as follows.

Water is added to long-grain or medium-grain raw brown rice to adjust its moisture content to 14-18%.

The added water and brown rice are mixed and tempered in a liquid-solid mixer and stirred at room temperature for a selected time (1–3 h). The moistened rice is then fed into a rice cake machine that has been preheated to 200°C or higher.

Can Dogs Eat Rice Cakes?

Yes, dogs can consume rice cakes. It can be incorporated as part of their diet as it serves to provide the body system with needed carbohydrates and other required nutrients.

However, it is essential to prepare the rice thoroughly and avoid adding any seasoning or taste enhancers that may prove to be harmful to dogs.

Cooked rice is generally recommended as it can supplement your dog’s regular balanced diet.

As with any new treat or meal, every dog owner should introduce rice gradually to the dog and monitor its reactions for some time just Incase an allergic reaction pops up.

Rice is packed with various essential nutrients, but the concentration of essential nutrients differs based on the particular kind of grain.

The whole grain type, known as brown rice, wins when it comes down to nutritional value as it is higher in fibre and vitamins than plain white rice.

However, your canine buddy should acquire all its required nutrients from their balanced diet, so if you’re doing a good job with consistently giving your dog a balanced diet alongside small amounts of white or brown rice on the side, then you do not need to worry much about adding any extra nutrients to your dog’s diet.

Rice, whether brown or white, is non-toxic to dogs, so it is completely safe for them to eat only when properly cooked. Rice is also healthy, containing the vitamins and minerals below, according to Wikipedia:

Phosphorus
Magnesium
Manganese
Selenium
Iron
Vitamin B
Folic acid
Thiamine
Niacin

White rice specifically is not only a safe meal for dogs, but it is great for enabling dogs that suffer from digestive issues, such as diarrhoea, to get over it in no time because:

1. It is a bland meal, which helps to slow down the mechanism of stool production and ease diarrhoea

2. It contains easily digestible carbohydrates

3. It contains fibre

4. Its starch content serves the purpose of binding your canine’s stool

Ensure you try not to feed your canine with too much white rice. It is not supposed to serve as a daily meal because it has an extremely high concentration of glycemic index, meaning that white rice can raise the sugar levels of your canine.

This is concerning, particularly for dog owners with canines that suffer from diabetes or are obese. Also, it is advisable to serve your pup some white rice only after its veterinarian has offered accurate medical advice.

Rice Cakes: Are They Safe for Dogs?

Understanding The Ingredients

It is quite understandable that any dog owner may seek extensive knowledge of the basic ingredients in rice cakes before giving them to their dogs.

The ingredients used to process rice cake snacks generally include:

Rice

Usually gluten-free, short-grain rice or a particular type of rice known as “sweet rice” is used for making delicious rice cakes.

Water

This is particularly used for soaking, washing and cooking the rice.

Water is the second main ingredient for making rice cakes after rice because water is essential to hydrate all rice grains before they are formulated into a thick paste or dough; afterwards, the producer proceeds to shape the rice cakes.

During the cooking process, the waterworks make the rice softer and create a chewable texture for the cakes.

However, the amount of water used in the rice cake can vary depending on the particular recipe and consistency the producer desires to produce the treat with.

Sodium

Salt serves to add flavour and sweetening to the rice cake snacks, and it is an ingredient in rice cakes that enhance the treats’ flavour and taste.

While rice cakes made with just water and rice are relatively plainly processed, salt enables the natural taste of the treat to be more pronounced, and thus it adds a savoury taste to the treat overall.

Not all rice cake brands use salt; however, some brands prepare rice cakes plainly, while some have salt content.

The recipe used to process this commercial treat may also play a huge role in the contribution of sodium to a dog’s body system after consumption of the treat.

It may be of help to you to know that the purchase of salt-infused rice cakes is completely optional for the sake of your dog’s health, and there are also other varieties of rice cake brands that use sweeteners like sugar where salt may be replaced.

Sugar

This sweetener is used for preparing sweetened & plain rice cakes or desert-style rice cakes.

Fillings & Toppings

Other ingredients aside from salt and sugar can also be incorporated into the snack. Ingredients like nuts, vegetables, grains, cheese, savoury fillings such as beef, sesame seed and red bean paste

Note that: Another factor that may influence the taste of commercially processed rice cakes is cultural preference and the particular recipe used to bake.

Cultural preference because in some communities where a commercially processed rice cake is sold and distributed, the indigenes may prefer taste enhancers rather than plain rice.

The Benefits Of Rice Cakes For Dogs

Rice meals, in general, can be a staple in the diets of both humans and dogs at large. Still, in cake form, it should only serve as an occasional treat and not as a staple in the diet of dogs or even humans, even though it may have some considerable benefits.

That being said, let us summarise some potential health benefits of rice cake snacks for dogs at large:

Digestive Health

Rice cake treats are considerably low in lipid concentration and, therefore, easily digestible, making them a suitable treatment option for mostly canines who suffer from sensitive digestive systems and stomachs.

Processed, unsalted rice cakes can serve to contribute a bland and moderate source of carbohydrates for canines.

Gluten-Free Option

The fact that rice cakes come in different varieties may be of positive benefit, especially to dogs who are sensitive or allergic to gluten.

All a dog owner has to do is decide on the label of each rice cake package he picks up before purchasing and ensure to buy only gluten-free rice cakes.

Helps In Weight Management

As a low-calorie treat, rice cakes are suitable for overweight dogs, making them a potentially appropriate snack for canines placed on a strict weight management diet.

Training Rewards

Treats such as rice cakes may be broken and shared into small, tiny-sized pieces and used as training rewards due to their crunchiness and nice health benefits.

Risks And Precautions

Serving rice cakes to canines may pose certain health-specific dangers, and it is important to put this into consideration.

While unsalted and processed rice cakes are entirely safe for dogs in moderate sizes, salted and artificially processed rice cakes are not healthy for dogs as these types are specifically formulated for human consumption.

Below are some of the potential risks associated with rice cake servings for canines:

Sodium Content

Specific rice cake snacks, especially the varieties flavoured with salt or sodium-induced seasonings, are harmful to canines if consumed excessively.

Excessive sodium intake in dogs results in an imbalance of the body system’s electrolytes and potentially results in health deteriorations like hypertension or kidney-related issues.

However, any rice package’s salt content can vary depending on the brand and the specific ingredients they use in processing their product, which is why it is vital that every dog owner carefully decodes the ingredient label of a package before purchasing.

On an average scale, a produced rice cake contains around 10 to 20 milligrams of sodium per package. This means that flavoured rice cakes, like those processed with additives and seasonings, will contain sodium in higher concentrations.

Read More: Can Dogs Eat Celery?

Calorie Concentration

Despite being moderately low in lipid content, Rice cakes can still be high in calories. Overfeeding these snacks or using them as a replacement for your dog’s regular diet will contribute to unhealthy weight gain, which can result in various health deteriorations.

The calorie content in any rice package can vary depending on the brand and the specific ingredients they use in processing their product, which is why it is vital that every dog owner carefully decodes the ingredient label of a package before purchasing.

On an average scale, processed rice cakes contain approximately 35 – 40% of calories. This means that a rice cake packaging that is sweetened with caramel, sugar or chocolate toppings/coatings will be slightly higher in calory concentration.

Choking Hazards

Some rice cake brands process their products in such a way that the produce has a brittle and dry texture.

While this can be managed via human consumption, it can pose possible choking hazards, especially to dogs that are small or dogs that tend to swallow meals without chewing properly into small pieces.

The main risk regarding rice cakes that are dry and brittle is that generally, rice cakes when chewed tend to become sticky when chewed and ready to be swallowed, making the dry and brittle textured types dangerous for dogs because once lodged in the throat, it can cause choking.

Here are some safety guidelines to follow to ensure safety when it comes to serving rice cakes to your dogs:

Supervise your dog while it is chewing on the rice cake treat and ensure it is chewing in an upright position.
Encourage your canine to consume small-sized chunks of the rice cake and chew completely before swallowing it.
Avoid feeding rice cake treats to dogs at the age of 1 to 3, as their reflexes for swallowing and chewing properly are still developing.
If serving rice cake treats to your canine, consider breaking them into smaller, bite-sized chunks to reduce choking tendencies.
Always remember to keep water available for the dog as it would help to wash down the treat when needed.

These steps are vital in incorporating rice cakes into the regular diet of a canine, especially young canines who are extremely susceptible to choking tendencies.

Gastrointestinal Upset

An introduction of unfamiliar & new treats like rice cake into a canine’s diet may lead to digestive upset, diarrhoea, bloating, gas and vomiting if a dog owner does not proceed with care.

Some canines, too, may have allergic reactions and sensitivities aside from gastrointestinal issues.

Nutritional Imbalance

Dogs do have specific dietary needs & requirements, which include the need for balanced dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and fat intake.

Excessive consumption of rice cake treats or using it as a replacement for a well-balanced diet can result in a deficiency of nutritional needs over time.

Regardless of the potential health benefits mentioned above, it’s vital to exercise caution when serving rice cake treats to dogs and also consider the following factors:

Consult with your dog’s veterinarian before incorporating rice cakes into your canine’s diet, especially if it has compulsory dietary requirements or a history of health deterioration.
Purchase only plainly processed and unsalted rice cakes. Also, avoid the ones with taste enhancers, additional seasonings and coatings.
Rice cake treats should be served only in small quantities as an occasional dog-friendly treat, not as a primary source of a dog’s nutritional needs.

Introducing Rice Cakes To Your Dog

For an introduction of rice cakes to your dog, a few factors must be considered. We will provide general guidelines below to serve the purpose of guiding you when it comes to offering small amounts of rice cakes as a treat to your canine:

Consult A Veterinarian

Remember that you would be incorporating a new treat into your dog’s regular food intake, so consulting a veterinarian doctor first is an essential guideline to adhere to.

Certainly, there must be a need to make inquiries as there may be uncertainties regarding the safety of rice cakes for your dog.

That’s okay because there are professional veterinarians out there who can offer dietary advice for your canine.

Decode The Label Before Buying

Just before serving a treat of rice cakes to your dog, you should stop to think that some of the packages are made with various taste enhancers and additives that may pose a danger to your dog’s health.

Avoid all packaging of rice cakes which shows that its content has dog-toxic taste enhancers like garlic, onions, seasonings and chocolate.

Introduce The Treat Slowly

You may commence by serving the dog treat bit by bit, ensuring that your dog slowly adjusts to the taste and texture of the treat. This process allows room for you to accurately observe any signs of dislike or sensitivities.

Monitor For Digestive Issues Or Allergies

While introducing the meal of rice cakes gradually, keep an eye out for any kind of allergy, such as tongue itching, skin redness, rashes, or gastrointestinal tract complications.

These complications include diarrhoea, bloating, gas and vomiting, discontinue the treatment if it is the rice cakes that are causing the health complications and seek medical advice from the veterinarian on what to do next.

Portion Size Control

This is for dogs who find rice cakes suitable enough for them; a dog owner should remember that while rice cakes, in general, are low in unhealthy calories and can serve as a nice treat option, he or she must still serve it moderately.

All breeds have their different ways of reacting to treats and their regular diet; rice cakes may result in unnecessary weight gain in a dog if served too much, and it may just be your dog.

Adjust the serving size of the treat based on the size of your dog, his or her activity level, and overall diet. Check for moderation at all times.

Pair With Dog-Friendly Foods

At least a teaspoonful or two of rice cakes can be completely enjoyed with a dog’s regular diet, and it should be incorporated moderately in any food your dog is eating but not regularly.

A teaspoonful or two of rice cakes is safer to use as a taste enhancer instead of unhealthy additives or spices.

Do Not Supplement With A Balanced Diet

Do not make the mistake of replacing your dog’s regular diet with rice cakes or any other treat at all. Every treat for a dog should not surpass 10% as the other 90% must be the dog’s healthy proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins.

Rice cakes alone cannot serve to provide your dog with all the essential nutrients it requires, and the treat should only be an occasional alternative to a regular diet or other treats.

In conclusion, rice cakes may not pose any dangers to your dog’s health, and it is only rice cakes that are prepared with spices and additives that may be toxic to your dog’s health.

Thus, It is essential to observe the ingredients of any kind of rice cake before purchasing it for your dog.

Alternatives To Rice Cakes For Dogs

Most definitely, there are healthy and safer treatment options out there for your dog! One of the most popular dog treats out there is peanut butter and banana biscuits.

Here is a straightforward recipe through which you can prepare a delicious peanut butter and banana dog treat for your dog:

Ingredients For Peanut Butter And Banana Biscuits

One cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup of pure peanut butter (pure because dogs are extremely allergic to xylitol in peanut butter, it is toxic to them)
¼ cup of mashed banana (must be ripe)
¼ cup of water & you may need more water if the wheat flour dough is too tough and dry

Procedure For Preparation

Use an oven for this treat; preheat it to about 350°F (175°C), and use parchment paper to line your baking sheet
Get a mixing bowl, gather your wheat flour, mashed banana, pure peanut butter, and some water and combine everything. Stir continuously until neatly formed, and you will know it is ready when you observe a thick dough formation. Add more water if the dough is too tough and strong to achieve a neat consistency.
Some of the wheat flour should be sprinkled on your work surface, and afterwards, roll out the prepared dough to about a thickness of ¼ inch.
This is where a cookie cutter comes to play; use your cookie cutter to cut out the cookies in shapes, or simply use a pen knife to cut the double into tiny squares
On the prepared baking sheet, place the fresh treats and place in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. To avoid burns, you may just be continuously checking in it and taking it out when it is golden brown and crispy.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the treats to cool thoroughly before serving them to your canine.

Never forget to store the homemade treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help to keep the treats fresh for a long time.

You can also use the knowledge of any other flavour or ingredients that your dog loves and incorporate them in other treat recipes.

Ensure that you remember to keep toxic ingredients such as garlic, onions, chocolate or spices away from the homemade treats because they will cause a very allergic reaction in the dog.

If you must add any specific ingredient and are unsure about its safety for your canine buddy, feel free to consult its veterinarian for medical advice because using it to prepare any dog treats.

Commercially processed dog treats are also a nice alternative to rice cakes. They are pre-packaged tasty snacks that are specifically made for canines.

Commercial treats are sold in various sizes, tastes, shapes, quantities, and textures that cater to each dog’s dietary and taste preferences.

Treats like these are mostly processed using safe and dog – beneficial ingredients such as lamb, beef, vegetables, grains and even fruits.

Commercial treats are not only a better alternative to rice cakes, but they also serve as training rewards and dental care pickers.

Despite the fact that this can serve as an alternative to rice cakes for your dog, ensure that you thoroughly decode the label of any commercial dog treats package you plan to buy for your dog.

Select only the products infused with high-quality ingredients appropriate for your dog’s diet, size, age, and health conditions.

Additionally, it is a good idea to consult your dog’s veterinarian to make sure that the commercial treats you are going for are suitable enough for your dog’s dietary needs.

FAQ

Is Rice Cake Ok For Dogs?

Dogs can eat plain puffed rice cakes as an occasional low-calorie snack. To use rice cakes as dog treats, look for plain rice cakes with no added salt, spices, or artificial flavours.

What Rice Can Dogs Not Eat?

Brown rice is never prescribed for dogs with gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhoea. Sick canine companions need starch in white rice. However, white rice can cause a spike in blood sugar.

Are Rice Cakes Healthy?

Rice cakes are a healthy snack, especially when paired with avocado, fruit, or peanut butter.

What Is Best To Feed Dogs?

It is perfectly acceptable to feed your dog pure kibble. Or you can mix up their menu with cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables, and rice. Many owners like to feed their dogs a raw meat diet, and while some dogs may be fine with this, there are a few important things to be aware of.

Can Dogs Eat Corn?

Raw and cooked corn is safe for dogs to eat in small portions, in moderation, and always off the cob. Frozen corn can be a fun, crunchy food stuffing for dogs; just be sure to watch them eat it to ensure they don’t choke.

Can Dogs Eat Bread?

Plain white and wheat bread are generally safe for dogs as long as they don’t have any allergies and usually don’t cause any stomach problems. If you feed your dog occasional bread as a treat, it won’t hurt if he is fed a complete and balanced diet as well and gets plenty of exercise.

Can Dogs Eat Noodles?

Dogs can eat noodles, but only as a special treat. Noodles are not very suitable for a dog’s nutritional needs. Although not toxic to dogs, they can contribute to weight problems due to their high carbohydrate content.

Can Dogs Eat Fried Eggs?

The safest way to feed dogs eggs is to ensure they are always hard-boiled. Stick to boiled, scrambled, or fried eggs. Just like humans, dogs share the same potential risks of contracting salmonella if they consume raw or undercooked foods.

Can Dogs Eat Beans?

Pet owners wondering if dogs can eat beans will be happy to know that these healthy legumes can be safely consumed when cooked. Beans are high in fibre, so they won’t cause your dog’s blood sugar to spike.

Is Rice Cakes Better Than Bread?

Rice cakes are lower in calories than bread but lower in fibre and other important nutrients. Plain whole-grain varieties of brown rice may be slightly healthier, but this gluten-free food will likely spike your blood sugar.

Conclusion

So, can do eat rice cakes? Yes. As mentioned earlier, rice cakes for dogs can be incorporated as a full meal or as part of the dog’s diet. However, like every other meal introduced to your dog, all new meals should be tested to see if your dog would display any form of allergies.

This test can be done by serving this meal in bits to your dog. Most importantly, always check with your veterinarian to see if indeed rice cakes are the best option for your dog.

The metabolism of dogs differs from dog to dog, so do not ever assume that what is good for the goose would be good for the gander.

Ensuring a healthy balanced diet for your dog is always essential to your dog’s overall well-being.

This affects their energy levels, skin, and entire body system. Look out for essential vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and, yes, fibre for easy digestion.

If there are other means, always remember that better diets can work better than rice cakes for your dog, like peanut butter and banana biscuits or peppers.

We do hope you found this article helpful. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to use the comment box, and a member of our team will attend to them as soon as possible.

As a dog owner, you would also know other dog owners or lovers and do well to share this article with them as well.

Can Dogs Eat Rice Cakes? What You Should Know