Cats can be finicky. You can’t tell them what to do. They have a mind of their own. A common question cat owners ask is, can cats eat rice? It’s hard to tell if they are being difficult and ignoring the rice in their food bowl or if they really can’t eat rice.
Yes, they can eat rice – experienced veterinarians say most cats can eat rice safely but in small amounts. Rice is a common ingredient in commercial feline food products. That’s because rice isn’t toxic for cats. If your cat has an upset stomach or diarrhea, many vets recommend giving them a little rice to increase their dietary fiber.
Should Cats Eat Brown Or White Rice
White rice is processed brown rice with the bran, germ, and hull removed from the grain. This makes white rice softer, easier to chew, and, experts say, easier for cats to digest. It is bland and has low dietary fiber, so it’s easier for cats to eat.
However, some people prefer to give their cats brown rice because it has B vitamins, folate, more fiber, iron, selenium, magnesium, and potassium. But some veterinarians explain that the digestive system of cats can’t absorb any of those nutrients except fiber. So they recommend giving cats white rice because it is a lot easier for them to digest.
Moderate Amounts From Time To Time
Can cats eat rice? Yes. But it is better to ask your vet if it’s a good idea to feed your cat rice or other human foods. Although it’s safe for cats to consume rice, experts say you should only give them a moderate amount from time to time.
Rice isn’t toxic to cats, so a little of it now and then won’t do any harm to your kitty. But, don’t give your cat too much rice or feed it to them too regularly. Cats are obligate carnivores and can get the nutrients they need by eating rats and other small animals or quality cat food.
Do you Know?
We’ve done our research for lots of foods and have vetted them if they are safe for your pets. Why not check out this article: Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken?
Can Rice Be Bad For Cats?
Yes. Some cats have sensitive digestive systems. If they are not accustomed to eating grains, eating rice might make them vomit or suffer other digestion issues.
Cats are obligate carnivores and have metabolisms and gastrointestinal tracts designed to consume meat. So, regularly feeding them rice can cause their GI system to become upset. Plus, one study found cats that ate a diet made up of 25%, or more rice had reduced taurine levels and a taurine deficiency.
The amino acid taurine is crucial for felines. It is only found in animal protein.
Can Cats Eat Uncooked Rice?
No, they can’t. You must make sure your cat doesn’t eat uncooked rice. Raw, uncooked rice can sometimes contain lectin, a natural pesticide. It can cause your cat to suffer from diarrhea and vomiting.
Moreover, uncooked rice is difficult for cats to digest. It may cause gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and an upset stomach. If, after eating uncooked rice, your feline friend has bloating and stomach pain more than 24 hours later, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
If you feed your cat cooked rice, make sure it’s plain. Additives like salt, garlic, onion, and spices can be poisonous to cats.
Potential Problems Caused By Cats Eating Cooked Rice
When cats eat rice regularly, its carbohydrates can make the cats obese. Obese felines are much more likely to develop diabetes and other health issues. Cats that eat lots of rice often can become malnourished.
Rice doesn’t have the nutrients cats need. If they fill up on rice and don’t eat enough meat, they won’t get the range of nutrients that they need. Kittens can quickly become malnourished from eating too much rice.
It is important to ensure your cat eats a balanced diet containing healthy servings of meat.
