Skip to content
In The Kibble
My dogs

Ingredient file // Grain

Rice

Digestible starch, without a special stomach benefit

Rice is a milled grain that supplies energy and helps hold kibble together. Dogs digest cooked rice well, but that does not make it a treatment for stomach trouble. The word "rice" alone does not tell you whether the grain retains its bran.

Rice
What it is
Rice grain with its inedible hull removed, supplied whole or ground for use in dog food.
Made from
Harvested rice grains
Main job
Starch for energy and kibble
Typical amount
About 36% in one tested dog diet
Watch for
Rice high in the list alongside other starches
Not the same as
Rice bran

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 20 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

5%

128 of the 2,508 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 17 brands. 94 dry dog food, 30 wet dog food, 4 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 3. In the top five of 97 foods, so it is usually a main ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

99%

Almost always listed before the salt, so there is more of it than a pinch.

Price per lb

Foods with it $2.27
All foods $3.23

Median of the cheapest bag price across 80 priced foods, 30% below the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

65%

of the foods that list it are from Purina. 17 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Rice mills prepare harvested grain for food and feed. They remove the tough hull, then may remove the bran to make white rice. Whole and broken kernels are sorted; either may be ground for a dog food recipe.8,11

  1. 01 // Source Harvested rice The grain reaches the mill with an outer hull that must be removed before the kernel is used.
  2. 02 // Process Hull removed Milling takes off the hull, leaving brown rice with its bran layer still attached.
  3. 03 // Process Optional polishing Further milling removes bran to make white rice and also produces broken kernels.
  4. 04 // Output Rice kernels or meal Sorted kernels, whole or ground, arrive as a dry starch ingredient for mixing into dog food.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

85.5

% starch

The measured share in polished rice. Rice mainly supplies starch; removing the bran leaves little fiber or fat.

Starch 85.5%6
Crude protein 5.9-14%6
Crude fiber 0.1-1.8%6
Crude fat 0.1-1.8%6
Ash 0.4-1.4%6

These figures describe polished rice, not every grain labeled rice. Brown rice retains the bran and averages more fiber and fat. The bare word on a bag does not settle which form was used.6,7,11

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Supplies digestible energy

    Cooking makes rice starch available to dogs. Feeding trials found high starch digestibility, though cooked corn performed similarly in some comparisons.1,2,3

  2. 02

    Helps shape kibble

    Starch thickens during extrusion and helps bind the mixed ingredients as kibble takes shape. Rice supplies that starch along with calories.1,3

  3. 03

    Offers a cost tradeoff

    Rice cost more than corn or sorghum in a published dog food comparison. Milling also yields broken kernels that sell for less than whole rice.3,11

How much One feeding study used 36.13% rice powder in a complete dog diet; that is a tested amount, not a standard recipe.1

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Rice gives dogs easily digested energy

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In an 8-dog comparison, rice and corn diets had similar dry matter digestibility, about 92% and 93%. A separate 36-dog trial found more than 98% starch digestibility across its cooked diets. Rice earns the digestible label, but has no exclusive claim to it.1,2

  2. Owners say

    Rice settles a dog's upset stomach

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Digestibility is not a diarrhea treatment test. In an 18-dog comparison, the rice diet produced looser stools than corn or sorghum diets, though all were in the study's ideal range. It showed no special stomach benefit.3

  3. Critics say

    Rice causes dangerous blood sugar spikes

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a 36-dog trial, the brewers rice diet produced a greater early glucose and insulin response than some pulse diets. The trial measured responses after meals in healthy dogs, not diabetes or harm from eating rice.2

  4. Brands say

    Rice is hypoallergenic for dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Rice was reported as a trigger in 5 of 297 selected dogs with food reactions. The review says inconsistent rice challenges prevent an estimate of its true trigger frequency. Calling rice hypoallergenic goes beyond those data.3,4

  5. Critics say

    Rice in dog food causes arsenic poisoning

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A small observational study found higher hair inorganic arsenic in 7 dogs eating rice based food than in 9 dogs eating no rice. The authors said the measured levels did not indicate toxicity. Exposure was measured; poisoning was not.5,9

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Rice supplies digestible starch and helps form kibble. It is an energy ingredient, not a major protein source. If it leads the list, read the other ingredients and the food's protein analysis before judging the recipe.1,2,10

  2. Q02

    Is brown rice better?

    Not automatically

    Brown rice keeps its bran and averages more fiber and fat than polished rice. In an 8-dog feeding study, both rice forms were highly digestible. Judge the complete recipe rather than the grain's color.1,6,7

  3. Q03

    Is brewers rice different?

    Yes

    Brewers rice is a sorted fraction of small broken kernels from milling. Rice bran is the outer layer removed to make white rice. Those names describe different materials, so count each rice ingredient when reading the list.8,11

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Purina 83
  2. Simply Nourish 7
  3. Hill's 7
  4. Wellness 6
  5. Evanger's 4
  6. Eagle Pack 4
  7. Holistic Select 4
  8. Farmina 3
  9. Nature's Recipe 2
  10. Weruva 1

Plus 7 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #2 Purina Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  2. #5 Purina One SmartBlend Chicken & Rice Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
  3. #11 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  4. #19 Purina Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  5. #22 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
  6. #39 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oatmeal Formula Dry Dog Food
  7. #41 Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  8. #43 Purina One SmartBlend Healthy Puppy Formula Premium Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken 52%
  2. Beef Fat 51%
  3. Whole Grain Corn 41%
  4. Whole Grain Wheat 37%
  5. Soybean Meal 30%
  6. Barley 30%
  7. Poultry By-Product Meal 30%
  8. Corn Protein Meal 24%
  9. Dried Egg Product 23%
  10. Fish Meal 23%
  11. Natural Flavor 22%
  12. Corn Gluten Meal 21%

On the shelf

Foods that list it

128 foods in our reviews list it. Here are some of them.

Artemis Fresh Mix Weight Management / Senior Dog Dry Dog Food22.2% proteinEagle Pack Large & Giant Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food25.6% proteinEvanger’s EVX Restricted Diet: Digestion Bland Diet Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinEvanger’s Heritage Classic Lamb & Rice Dinner - Case of 12 Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinEvanger’s Super Premium Heritage Classic Chicken & Rice Dog Food Topper40.9% proteinEvanger’s Super Premium Lamb & Rice Dinner Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinFarmina Pet Foods - - Farmina Vet Life Canine Dry Dog Food24.2% proteinFarmina Vet Life Convalescence Canine Dry Dog Food34.6% protein
Show 53 more Wellness Core Protein Bowls Beef, Potato & Green Beans Wet Dog Food33.3% proteinWellness Core Protein Bowls Lamb, Red Rice & Peas Wet Dog Food33.3% proteinWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Puppy Beef & Rice Formula in Gravy Wet Dog Food37.5% proteinSimply Nourish Original Adult - Shreds, Salmon, Chicken & Rice Stew Wet Dog Food27.3% proteinSimply Nourish Homestyle Adult Dog Food Topper36.4% proteinNatural Balance Platefulls Harvest Chicken & Rice Recipe Wet Dog Food38.9% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Healthy Cuisine Chicken & Vegetables Stew Wet Dog Food26.7% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken & Rice Entrée Wet Dog Food21.4% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Hearty Vegetable & Chicken Stew Wet Dog Food25.0% proteinHill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Wet Dog Food16.7% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Small & Mini Chicken & Vegetables Entrée Wet Dog Food22.7% proteinPurina Pro Plan Sport Puppy High Protein Beef & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Beef & Oat Meal Entrée Classic Wet Dog Food29.5% proteinPurina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog Food29.5% proteinPurina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Senior Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinRachael Ray Nutrish Big Life Savory Chicken, Veggies & Barley Dry Dog Food27.8% proteinPurina ONE Skin and Coat Dry Dog Food29.5% proteinPurina Pro Plan Puppy Starter Chicken Entrée Ultra Soft Mousse Wet Dog Food38.6% proteinPurina Pro Plan Sport Adult High Protein Beef & Bison Entrée Classic Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinSimply Nourish Original Senior Wet Dog Food58.8% proteinHill’s Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Rice Stew Wet Dog Food25.0% proteinSimply Nourish Homestyle Meal Topper Dog Meal Complement Dog Food Topper36.4% proteinSimply Nourish Original Adult Wet Dog Food58.8% proteinSimply Nourish Original Puppy Wet Dog Food58.8% proteinPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Can, Prime Rib, Rice, and Vegetable Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinSolid Gold Homestyle Meals Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinAuthority Healthy Weight Chicken Entree Adult Dog Wet Dog Food25.0% proteinSimply Nourish Original Dog Meal Dog Food Topper58.3% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Savory Stew with Chicken & Vegetables Wet Dog Food23.5% proteinPurina Beneful Freshly Prepared Stews Chicken Dinner with Carrots and Rice in Gravy Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinPurina Pro Plan Sport Adult High Protein Turkey, Duck & Quail Entrée Classic Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinPurina Pro Plan Puppy Grain Free Chicken Entrée Classic Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinPurina Pro Plan Senior Weight Management Shredded Blend Chicken Rice Dry Dog Food33.0% proteinPurina Pro Plan Puppy Sport 30/20 Chicken Dry Dog Food34.1% proteinPurina Pro Plan Senior Large Breed Shredded Blend Chicken Rice Dry Dog Food33.0% proteinFirstMate Skoki Dry Dog Food26.7% proteinPurina Pro Plan Sport Performance 30/20 High Protein Salmon Rice Dry Dog Food34.1% proteinPurina Pro Plan Senior Beef And Rice Dry Dog Food33.0% proteinPurina Pro Plan Development Puppy Large Breed Chicken Rice Dry Dog Food31.8% proteinFarmina Vet Life Struvite Canine Dry Dog Food21.1% proteinPurina Pro Plan Small Breed Beef And Rice Dry Dog Food33.0% proteinPurina One Plus Whole Body Support Chicken Dry Dog Food30.7% proteinPurina Beneful Incredibites Small Dog Chicken Dry Dog Food29.5% proteinPurina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy 30/18 Chicken Dry Dog Food34.1% proteinPurina Pro Plan Specialized Nutrition Puppy Toy Breed Chicken Rice Dry Dog Food38.6% proteinPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin Stomach Puppy Dry Dog Food31.8% proteinWellness Complete Health Grain Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food26.7% proteinWellness CORE+ Wholesome Grains Sensitive Skin Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food33.3% proteinPurina Pro Plan Advantedge Digestive Support Large Breed Salmon Oatmeal Dry Dog Food29.5% proteinWellness Core Digestive Health Age Advantage Chicken Brown Rice Dry Dog Food30.0% proteinEagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult Dry Dog Food26.7% proteinWellness Core Simple Limited Ingredient Duck & Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food23.6% proteinPurina One SmartBlend True Instinct High Protein with Real Beef & Salmon Dry Dog Food36.4% protein

Our read // On the bag

Read rice alongside the rest of the recipe

Rice high on the list means it is a substantial starch source. Check whether other rice fractions or grains sit nearby, then read the protein analysis and the named protein ingredients. Keep it if the complete food suits your dog; the rice line alone proves neither gentle digestion nor poor quality.

On labels as

Other names for this

Manufacturers do not all use the same wording. These all mean the same thing.

Ground Rice Organic Rice

Sources

What we read

Checked September 30, 2026.

  1. 1 Nutritional value of common carbohydrate sources used in pet foods Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 2024 // Journal
  2. 2 Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and post-prandial glucose and insulin response Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2008 // Journal
  3. 3 The Use of Sorghum and Corn as Alternatives to Rice in Dog Foods The Journal of Nutrition, 2002 // Journal
  4. 4 Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats BMC Veterinary Research, 2016 // Journal
  5. 5 Hair arsenic level in rice-based diet-fed Staffordshire bull terriers Veterinary Record, 2019 // Journal
  6. 6 Rice grain, polished Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), 2017 // Database
  7. 7 Rice grain, brown Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), n.d. // Database
  8. 8 Rice bran and other rice by-products Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), n.d. // Database
  9. 9 Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Risk Assessment U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2016 // Government
  10. 10 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  11. 11 Rice - Rice Sector at a Glance USDA Economic Research Service, n.d. // Government
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

Keep In The Know,
Know What's In The Bowl

The In the Kibble newsletter. Useful emails for dog owners: what we find inside dog food, how to feed well, and a heads-up when a food is recalled.
DOUBLE OPT-IN // ONE CLICK TO STOP // NEVER SHARED