Can Dogs Eat Black Rice?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Black Rice?“.

Isnot it true that most of us spoil our dogs excessively?

Why not treat our dogs like royalty and feed them food fit for kings and queens if we treat them like VIPs?

I’m going to take a look at one of these foods in todays article.

In Asia black rice has been a staple food for thousands of years and at one time it was so highly prized that only Chinese royalty could consume it.

Donot worry if you have been hesitant to feed black rice to your dog because of its color. 

There is no nasty toxin hiding in that dark color rather it is a very powerful nutrient.

Lets find out if black rice really lives up to its hype (no matter how expensive it may be).

What is black rice?

Wild rice is actually black rice.

Its name comes from the fact that it is black when uncooked and turns dark purple after cooking. 

In Ancient China black rice was also known as forbidden rice or Emperors rice because only the very wealthy could afford it or because it was so scarce that only royalty could consume it.

It is known as “the rice of Venus” by some Italians. 

There hasnot been much change since then.

The price of black rice can be up to nine times that of long-grain white rice according to walmart.com 

The black rice variety is very popular in southern Asia and Thailand the Philippines and Indonesia all have their own varieties. 

The rice is much starchier and stickier than the white rice we usually eat with our curries making it more similar to pudding rice.

Desserts and puddings are almost exclusively made from it in Asia.  

Anthocyanin The Power of Dark Purple

Some of you might be a little wary of the vibrant color as I mentioned in the introduction. 

However it is not necessary.

The beauty of black rice is undeniable but how healthy is it?

“Very.” is the answer to that question.

Its special characteristic is the presence of anthocyanin a plant compound.

This explains its striking color.

Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties can be found in anthocyanins.

This could be beneficial for your dogs heart among other things. 

Blueberries another superfood also contain anthocyanins in abundance.

Surprise surprise they are also dark purple.

What other nutrition does black rice provide?

As we leave purple behind for the moment I think that a very important question is how black rice compares to other types of rice.

Looks are one thing and costing a bomb is another but how nutritious is it?

Below you can see a chart that answers that question in a little more detail.

100g serving	Black Rice	Wild rice	Brown rice	White rice
Calories	353	357	367	360
Fat	2 g	1.1 g	3.2 g	.6 g
Carbohydrate	76 g	75 g	76 g	79 g
Fiber	9.8 g	6.2 g	3.6 g	0
Protein	7.8 g	15 g	7.5 g	6.6 g
Iron	.98 mg	1.96 mg	1.29 mg	.8 mg
Potassium	157 mg	427 mg	250 mg	86 mg

Below is a chart that compares the most important nutritional values of black wild brown and white rice per 100 grams. 

In the grand scheme of things there is little difference among all of these varieties.

Rice is in all of them so perhaps thats not a surprise!

What I consider to be the best value in a category is highlighted in green in the chart.

Therefore I have highlighted 353 in the black rice column because it has the lowest number of calories.

There are however only very small differences between the two.

The amount of fiber that black rice provides is another area of nutrition that it excels in.

Additionally it contains 9.8 g of fiber which is significantly more than any other rice.

For any food thats an impressive figure.

Pumpkin or sweet potato which are both high in fiber and also used as home remedies for diarrhea score much higher!

In any case let me digress.

With about 7.8 grams of protein black rice is about average compared to other types of rice.

All rice varieties differ significantly in terms of iron and potassium content.

I would say however that it is about average for black rice. 

You are flush with cash so you want to spoil your dog with food full of fiber that looks good and tastes great.

Is black rice unhealthy in any way?

You can easily be carried away by a product as beautiful as black rice and exaggerate its effects on your dog.

It isnot necessarily unhealthy to eat black rice but you should consider one thing. 

There are 76 grams of carbohydrates in every 100 grams of black rice or 66 grams if you subtract the 10 grams of fiber…

It is important to be aware of carbohydrates. I do not want to go completely over the top and start screaming about how evil carbohydrates are. 

Donot be fooled by all the sexy messages about black rice and do not forget the basics.

Dogs do not need carbohydrates in their diet.

Carbohydrates are not necessary for dogs but protein and fat are. 

When dogs eat too many carbs they become overweight.

Thats all I have to say about health.

I’d like to go back to some positive messages by discussing how to prepare black rice for your dog. 

What is the best way of preparing black rice for dogs?

Fortunately black rice can be eaten by dogs just like humans.

It should be cooked in boiling or simmering water for about 35 minutes.

You want a texture that is tender and chewy similar to brown rice or wild rice. 

What does black rice taste like? Can Dogs Eat Black Rice?

Rice with black bran has a nutty flavor which is due to the fact that it is whole grain rice.

Brown rice and quinoa are very similar in that way.

How much black rice should I feed my dog?

Such a venerable chestnut…

Based on what else your dog eats I would say that as little as possible but considering how much it costs!

Whenever you are tempted to feed your dog something other than its regular diet you should just give it a few tablespoons every now and then. 

Due to its high protein content this would make an excellent addition to your arsenal of diarrhea home remedies but for the price.

You should stick with pumpkin if you were me…

Other foods rich in anthocyanin

By stating that wild rice isnot the only food high in anthocyanins I’m stating the obvious. 

There is a wide variety to choose from. 

A dark purple fruit or vegetable may contain anthocyanin and have many of the same benefits as anthocyanin. 

Blueberries and blackberries are among the fruits on the list. 

Maybe you do not think its possible to get your dog to eat any fruit. 

My dogs love blackberries but I have never tried to feed them blueberries. 

My dogs join me in picking blackberries on lower branches when I go blackberry picking. 

Small blueberries however would make an excellent reward with your dog when you are training him. 

You do not have to feed your dog a lot of treats during training since they are small. 

Moreover blackberries can be squeezed into your pocket without squishing them. 

Blackberries however cannot be said to be the same… 

Anthocyanins are found in abundance in aubergines and red cabbage. 

I wish all dog owners luck in getting their dogs to eat aubergine! 

In my final section of this research I will discuss other foods that contain lots of anthocyanins that you might want to consider giving your dog as a treat occasionally.

What other “grains” are nutritious for dogs?

Almost any kind of grain can be fed to your dog and that poses a problem. 

What are the criteria for choosing?

I have found a list of grains that are ranked according to how nutritious they are.

Its funny that one of my favorite grains is the most nutrient-dense: porridge oats.

Previously I used them extensively in a recipe for homemade dog food that I prepared.

White rice costs about the same as brown rice is prepared similarly and is packed with nutrients. 

Approximately 17% of the 100g serving is protein 66% is carbohydrates 11% is fiber and 6% is fat.

Second place goes to one of the more obscure grains that I was unaware of: amaranth.

The appearance is similar to that of quinoa or couscous. 

It is also high in fiber protein and essential minerals like iron and magnesium. 

The price of its nutritional content is however high.

Four or five times more expensive than quinoa!

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

Can Dogs Eat Black Rice? (Watch Video)