Can Cats Eat Rice?
By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026
Cats can eat small amounts of plain cooked rice. Tufts Petfoodology explains that cats can digest and metabolize properly cooked carbohydrates, and rice is a common ingredient in commercial cat foods. A cat does not need rice, though, since adult cats have no specific requirement for carbohydrate.
What Rice Offers a Cat
Cooked rice is mostly starch and water, with a little protein. The Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found only in animal products, and the protein in rice does not replace those. Rice is a source of calories, not of anything a complete cat food lacks.
White rice has had the bran removed, so it is softer and lower in fiber. Brown rice keeps the bran, which gives it more fiber and a chewier texture. Either one is fine for a cat in a small, plain, well-cooked portion.
How Much Rice Can a Cat Have?
For a 10-pound adult cat with no food allergy and no medical condition, about 1 teaspoon of plain cooked rice is enough. That is a few calories. WSAVA advises keeping treats under 10% of a cat's daily calories, which works out to about 22 to 25 treat calories a day for an adult cat of roughly 9 to 11 pounds. A teaspoon fits inside that and should take the place of part of the day's food rather than be added on top.
Rice adds starch without protein, so making it a regular part of meals can dilute a cat's balanced diet. Kittens, seniors and cats with diabetes, kidney disease, urinary stones, pancreatitis or food allergies should only get rice if your veterinarian agrees. Tufts notes that reducing carbohydrate can improve diabetic control in cats, though it is not the best approach for every cat.
How to Serve It
Cook white or brown rice in plain water until soft, with no salt, butter or oil. Let it cool and offer a teaspoon. Never give uncooked rice, which is hard and difficult to digest.
Avoid fried rice, rice pilaf, risotto and seasoned rice mixes. These often contain garlic, onion or chives, which the ASPCA says can damage red blood cells and to which cats are more susceptible. Soy sauce and seasoning packets add a lot of salt, which the ASPCA also warns about. Rice pudding adds milk and sugar, and the ASPCA notes that pets have little of the enzyme needed to digest lactose.
If your cat has diarrhea, call your vet rather than switching to rice at home.
If your cat has a medical condition or eats a special diet, ask your veterinarian before offering rice.
Common Questions
Is rice good for cats with diarrhea?
Rice is not a proven fix for cat diarrhea, so check with your veterinarian before changing the diet. The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that an abrupt diet change can itself cause diarrhea for a few days, and it advises veterinary care as soon as possible if diarrhea lasts longer than a day or two and comes with vomiting, poor appetite or lethargy. Your vet may suggest a specific bland or prescription diet.
Can cats eat brown rice?
Yes, a small amount of plain, well-cooked brown rice is fine for most adult cats. It has more fiber than white rice and needs a longer cooking time to soften. Tufts Petfoodology explains that cats can digest properly cooked carbohydrates. Keep the portion to about a teaspoon, and skip butter, salt and seasonings.
Can cats eat uncooked rice?
No, do not feed uncooked rice. Raw grains are hard, difficult to chew and poorly digested, and they can upset a cat's stomach. Tufts Petfoodology refers to cats digesting properly cooked carbohydrates, so cooking matters. If your cat ate a few dry grains, it will probably be fine, but call your veterinarian if vomiting or a loss of appetite follows.
Can cats eat fried rice?
No, fried rice is not a good choice for cats. It is usually made with garlic, onion or green onion, which the ASPCA says can damage red blood cells. It adds that cats are more susceptible than dogs. Soy sauce adds a lot of salt. If your cat ate some, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Can cats eat rice every day?
A teaspoon of plain cooked rice can fit into a daily treat allowance, but daily rice is not needed. WSAVA advises keeping treats under 10% of a cat's daily calories, and filling that allowance with starch leaves less room for treats with animal protein. Cats rely on nutrients from animal products, so rice should stay a small extra rather than a staple.