Cooked rice

White rice is fine for dogs. The AKC points out that rice is already an ingredient in many commercial dog foods. It is easy to digest, which is why it shows up in the classic bland diet after vomiting or diarrhea: as AKC puts it, rice is used as the carb source on a bland diet after GI upset, and it helps bind the stool. That is also why brown rice is not the version to reach for when a dog's gut is unhappy, since the starch in white rice is the point. Preparation is the whole story. Boil it in water and add nothing. The AKC warns against seasonings and spices, which can upset the stomach or be outright toxic. Most rice that reaches a dog comes off a human plate, and rice on a human plate rarely travels alone: fried rice and jambalaya are built on onion and garlic, sushi rice carries vinegar, sugar and salt, and restaurant rice is often cooked in broth. Onion and garlic are toxic to dogs, and picking rice grains out of a seasoned dish does not remove what soaked into them. Set a portion. Kibble already supplies carbohydrates, so rice on top is duplicated calories. Keep treats and toppers inside 10% of daily calories, which for a 20 lb dog is roughly a tablespoon or two of cooked rice. White rice has a higher glycemic index than brown, so for a diabetic dog use a little when it is needed but not as a daily habit. Rice is a side, not a meal; fed on its own it falls far short on protein, essential fats and micronutrients. Too much rice usually means gas and softer stool, and cutting the amount fixes it. Call your veterinarian instead of adjusting portions if you see repeated vomiting, diarrhea lasting more than a day, blood in the stool, a hunched painful belly or real lethargy. If the rice came from a dish with onion or garlic in it, note how much and when and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, and do not induce vomiting at home.