Plain, cooked rice is safe for Shih Tzus and is the classic bland-diet food vets recommend for an upset stomach. In small amounts, it’s also a fine occasional addition to a healthy meal.
Can Shih Tzus eat rice? According to the American Kennel Club, rice is a common ingredient in commercial dog food, and vets frequently use it as a carbohydrate source when a dog is recovering from gastrointestinal upset. PetMD confirms that both white and brown rice are safe for dogs, though they serve slightly different purposes.
Let’s break down white versus brown rice, when rice actually helps, and how much Cooper gets when it’s on the menu.
White Rice vs. Brown Rice for Shih Tzus
They aren’t interchangeable, and the right choice depends on why rice is being served in the first place:
| Type | Best For | Key Trait |
|---|---|---|
| White Rice | Upset stomach, diarrhea, bland diets | Low fiber, easy to digest, higher glycemic index |
| Brown Rice | Regular healthy diets, weight management | Higher fiber, lower glycemic index, harder to digest |
Dr. Steve Weinberg, DVM, explains via the AKC that white rice is the go-to carb source for dogs on a bland diet after a GI upset, since its starch helps bind loose stool. Brown rice is not typically recommended for a dog with diarrhea, since its extra fiber can make digestion harder at exactly the wrong time, but it’s a perfectly good everyday grain for a healthy Shih Tzu.
The carbohydrates in rice provide readily available energy, useful for an active toy breed.
White rice’s starch helps bind loose stool, which is why it’s the classic bland-diet choice after an upset stomach.
Brown rice adds fiber that supports regular digestion in a healthy dog, though it’s not the pick during a GI flare-up.
Plain rice contains no added salt, making it a safe carbohydrate base for dogs on sodium-restricted diets.
A note specific to Shih Tzus
Rice is calorie-dense for its size, and Shih Tzus only need around 340 calories a day. A little rice goes a long way for a toy breed, so it works best as a small side to a protein, not a full bowl on its own. If a Shih Tzu has diabetes or a weight problem, check with a vet before making rice a regular feature, given its higher glycemic index.
A pilot study published in Veterinary Record by researchers at the University of Helsinki found that dogs eating rice-based dry food had measurably higher hair arsenic levels than dogs on rice-free diets, since rice naturally accumulates more arsenic from soil and water than most other grains. The researchers noted the difference, while statistically significant, was small, and the study looked at rice as a daily dietary staple in commercial food, not occasional home-cooked servings. For a Shih Tzu getting rice as an occasional side rather than a everyday ingredient, this is a minor consideration rather than a reason to avoid it.
How to Safely Prepare Rice for a Shih Tzu
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Cook it fully and keep it plain No butter, salt, oil, onion, or garlic. Plain water is all rice needs to cook safely for a dog.
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Choose white rice for an upset stomach If a Shih Tzu has diarrhea or vomiting, plain white rice mixed with boiled boneless chicken is the standard bland-diet combination vets recommend.
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Choose brown rice for everyday variety For a healthy Shih Tzu who isn’t recovering from a GI issue, brown rice adds fiber and nutrients as an occasional side.
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Let it cool before serving Freshly cooked rice holds heat. Let it cool to a safe temperature before giving it to a small dog.
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Keep portions small A spoonful mixed into regular food is plenty for a toy breed; rice should never make up the bulk of a meal.
How Much Rice Can a Shih Tzu Eat? (Portion Guide)
| Shih Tzu Life Stage | Recommended Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | A teaspoon, well cooked and cooled | Occasionally, not daily |
| Adult | 1 to 2 tablespoons mixed with food | A few times a week, or during a bland-diet recovery |
| Senior | A small spoonful | Occasionally, check with a vet if diabetic or overweight |
In practice, rice only shows up in Cooper’s bowl when his stomach is unsettled: a spoonful of plain white rice mixed with boiled chicken, exactly as our vet first recommended. On a normal week, he doesn’t get rice at all, since his regular kibble already covers his carbohydrate needs.
Risks of Feeding Rice to Shih Tzus
A few things to keep in mind before adding rice to a Shih Tzu’s routine:
Weight gain: Rice is calorie-dense, and a Shih Tzu’s small daily calorie budget leaves little room for extra carbohydrates on top of a complete dog food.
Blood sugar spikes: White rice has a relatively high glycemic index. Dogs with diabetes should only have rice under a vet’s direction.
Long-term arsenic exposure: As noted above, rice-based diets fed daily over long periods may modestly raise arsenic exposure. Occasional servings are a much smaller concern than making rice a daily dietary staple.
Allergies: Rare, but possible. Watch for itching, digestive upset, or skin irritation the first time a Shih Tzu tries rice.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Rice for Shih Tzus
✅ Do’s
- Cook rice fully in plain water
- Use white rice for upset stomachs
- Use brown rice for everyday variety
- Let it cool before serving
- Keep portions small for a toy breed
- Pair with plain boiled chicken when bland-diet feeding
❌ Don’ts
- No butter, oil, salt, or seasoning
- No fried rice or restaurant rice dishes
- Don’t make rice the bulk of a meal
- Don’t use brown rice for active diarrhea
- Avoid daily rice-heavy diets long-term
- Skip if diabetic, without vet guidance
So, Can Shih Tzus Eat Rice? The Bottom Line
Yes, Shih Tzus can eat rice, and it earns its reputation as the go-to bland-diet food for a reason: it’s gentle, easy to digest, and genuinely helps settle an upset stomach. Outside of recovery days, a small amount of rice is also a fine occasional side to a Shih Tzu’s regular meals.
Cooper’s rice bowl only comes out when his stomach needs a reset, and it works every time. Simple, plain, and exactly what the vet ordered. 🐾
