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Rice Water For Dogs (An Effective Doggie Diarrhea Remedy)

Key Takeaways

  • How to make rice water for dogs: Boil one cup of white rice in four cups of water for 10 to 30 minutes or until the water is rich and white. Extract the liquid, cool, and serve.
  • Rice water is a great home remedy for diarrhea in both dogs and humans.
  • Do not rely on home remedies such as rice water if a dog has diarrhea accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of energy, abdominal pain, vomiting, and lethargy—take the dog to the vet immediately.

Rice water for dogs is basically the liquid extracted from boiling white rice. This liquid is used as an easy remedy for cases of diarrhea as it helps firm up a dog’s stool and soothe the stomach.

Diarrhea in dogs, however common, is still a cause for concern among pet owners. When diarrhea gets worse, a dog can become dehydrated resulting in electrolyte imbalances. That warrants an immediate visit to the vet for treatment though there are times when you can treat diarrhea at home. It should be when the dog acts normally in all other areas, meaning they have the same energy. Most pet parents swear by the effectivity of rice water for dogs in such cases. My pups have had diarrhea a couple of times and I’ve used rice water as a simple home remedy—however, I don’t think twice about bringing my pup to the vet if other symptoms occur other than soft stools or if it is a chronic diarrhea.

Before resorting to home remedies, be sure that the dog is not vomiting or has any other preexisting health issues. If the dog satisfies these conditions, rice water is a great option for home treatment. If you have been wondering what to feed a dog with diarrhea, rice water combined with a twelve-hour to day-long fast is one of the best options.

Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs

Runny stool in dogs, otherwise known as diarrhea, is a symptom rather than a condition. In the minor cases, it may have been precipitated by spoiled food, changes in diet, food intolerances, or even stress. The specific cause, though, is not usually known.

If your dog is vaccinated, dewormed and not suffering from another preexisting ailment, the problem will likely subside in a few days. Should there be blood in the stool, home treatment will not suffice, and you should take the dog to the vet immediately. It may not be possible to eliminate the cause, even if it is stress, immediately. For minor cases, you can try and help your dog cope with rice water.

How Does Rice Water Assist with Diarrhea in Dogs?

Rice water is effective as a home remedy for both dogs and people. The secret is because of rehydration and binding. When your dog suffers from diarrhea, it becomes dehydrated, and rice water helps your pup build back the fluids it has lost. It also helps that rice is a bland food as flavors and spices usually irritate an already sensitive stomach.

Rice Water for Dogs

Rice water also helps make the fecal mater thicker, bringing back the original consistency. The binding effect or absorption of excess water happens in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, so it effectively accumulates the stool. It is not a treatment approach but a symptom reliever.

If your dog has diarrhea, the first step before giving them rice water is to have them fast. Do not give them food for up to a day. The goal is to clean out the digestive system as the stool is expelled through your pup’s diarrhea. If they eat, it only adds fuel to the situation, and the objective is to perform a digestive reset.

The dog should have access to clean water during the fasting period, though. Change the water and clean the bowl when there are signs of dog diarrhea. The freshwater is to replace the fluid that is lost. Please make sure they drink water during the fasting period, so it does not cause too much stress to the dog’s body.

How to Make Rice Water For Dogs

Use white rice only rather than the brown variety. Brown rice has too much fiber, which would only make the diarrhea worse. You would need one cup of white rice and four cups of water.

Boiling rice.
  1. Boil one cup of white rice in 4 cups water for 15 to 30 minutes up to the point the water turns milky white like cottage cheese.
  2. Drain the water that results and leave it to cool down. You can use the cooked white rice for food later on. Cooked rice can also be given as a part of your dog’s diet with other food like vegetables, chicken, bone broth, etc.
  3. Once the water cools down, feed it to the dog as often as they will consume it.
  4. The rice water is viable for a few days in the fridge after it has been made though it would be best served at room temperature.

Only stop giving the rice water to your dog if they begin to have negative reactions like vomiting. You can add a teaspoon of boiled chicken broth to the liquid as an appetizer.

What Happens If Rice Water Still Does Not Work?

If the dog’s diarrhea extends for more than two days despite the regular administering of rice water, the best thing to do is to have your pet evaluated by the veterinarian. Dog owners should also carry along the dog’s poop material for examination.

There may be several things that are causing the symptoms to persist, but no internet searches or further trial and error would compete with veterinary medicine. You also need to act fast because the dog gets sicker as symptoms persist. Diarrhea causes a deficiency in nutrients [1].

Your pet is losing a lot of nutrients that would ordinarily be gained from their dog food. Diarrhea also leads to dehydration as your furry friend loses more water than they are taking in. Eventually, even with rice water, that will become a significant issue.

FAQs

Does rice water stop diarrhea in dogs?

Rice water helps to reduce the loss of fluids in dogs. They also have a thickening effect on the stool. It is not a treatment but can provide fluids until the dog’s digestive tract can overcome the condition.

How much rice water can I give my dog?

After the dog fasts, you can give the dog as much rice water as they would like to consume. If they have a negative effect like vomiting, take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Is rice water good for dogs?

Rice water is important to maintain the hydration of your dog. The advantage of rice water above usual water is it improves the digestive processes by alleviating an upset stomach or gas. During recovery, a pet owner should feed their dog a bland diet with probiotics for the dog’s stomach health.

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