A dog not digesting brown rice can be worrying, especially when you notice undigested grains in their stool, increased gas, stomach rumbling, or changes in appetite.
Anytime food seems to “go right through” a dog, it signals a problem with digestion, absorption, or proper breakdown of the ingredients.
This guide outlines the common reasons why a dog may not be able to digest brown rice what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
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Dog Not Digesting Brown Rice: Why It Happens
A dog not digesting brown rice usually comes down to issues with fiber tolerance, digestive sensitivity, underlying gastrointestinal conditions, or the way the rice is cooked. Brown rice is much harder to break down than white rice because it contains the bran layer, which is high in insoluble fiber and tougher for many dogs to process.
Some dogs struggle due to food intolerances, enzyme deficiencies, or stomach or intestinal inflammation.
Others react because brown rice is simply too heavy, too coarse, or too fibrous for their digestive system at that moment.
In some cases, the problem is temporary; in others, it indicates a deeper digestive issue needing attention.
Dog Not Digesting Brown Rice: Common Causes
Brown Rice Is Too High in Insoluble Fiber
Brown rice contains a tough outer bran layer that makes it significantly harder to digest than white rice.
Insoluble fiber speeds up the passage of food through the gut, so dogs that eat brown rice may not have enough time to properly break it down. This often results in seeing intact or partially digested grains in the stool.
Dogs with sensitive stomachs are especially prone to this. Their digestive enzymes may not be efficient enough to break down the fibrous coating, leading to loose stool, increased gas, or abdominal gurgling. Even healthy dogs may struggle if the portion is too large or added suddenly to their diet.
When a dog cannot handle the high-fiber load, the rice moves through the intestines quickly, causing incomplete digestion. While not dangerous on its own, persistent difficulty digesting brown rice indicates the dog may need a gentler carbohydrate source.
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The Rice Was Undercooked or Not Soft Enough
Brown rice requires significantly longer cooking times than white rice because of its dense structure. If it’s even slightly undercooked, a dog’s stomach won’t be able to break it down effectively.
Humans can chew thoroughly, but dogs swallow rice quickly, and their system must rely on stomach acid and enzymes to soften it.
Undercooked brown rice stays firm in the digestive tract. As it passes through the intestines, the dog’s body fails to extract nutrients or break the grains apart. This often leads to the appearance of whole grains in stool and sometimes mild stomach discomfort.
This cause is extremely common when owners switch from white to brown rice, not realizing it needs extra water and prolonged simmering. A dog may appear perfectly healthy otherwise, but the rice simply never becomes digestible enough.
Food Intolerance
Some dogs develop sensitivities to grains, including brown rice. Grain intolerance can affect the upper or lower digestive tract, leading to poor nutrient absorption and visible food remnants passing through.
A dog with grain sensitivity may show additional symptoms such as itching, ear infections, vomiting, gas, or chronic soft stool.
When brown rice is added to their meals, the digestive discomfort increases, making it difficult for their body to break down and use the carbohydrate.
This problem may slowly worsen over time as the immune system reacts to repeated exposure to the offending ingredient. Even small amounts of brown rice can lead to undigested portions appearing in stool if the dog truly cannot tolerate it.
Gastrointestinal Inflammation
Any inflammation in the stomach or intestines affects digestion efficiency. Conditions like gastritis, mild colitis, IBD flare-ups, or irritation from dietary changes can all interfere with the breakdown of fibrous foods like brown rice.
When the digestive lining is inflamed, the stomach may not produce enough acid or enzymes to soften the rice. The intestines may also move food more quickly than normal, preventing full absorption.
Dogs with GI inflammation often experience gurgling, loose stool, occasional vomiting, or decreased appetite alongside undigested rice.
This cause is especially likely if other foods are passing through partially digested, or if symptoms appeared after an unrelated stomach upset. Brown rice is simply too heavy for an irritated digestive system, so it exits the body mostly intact.
Insufficient Digestive Enzymes
The pancreas produces enzymes that help break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. When these enzymes are insufficient—whether from mild pancreatic insufficiency, temporary digestive disruption, or stress—carbohydrates such as brown rice are the first to pass through undigested.
Dogs with reduced enzyme activity may seem hungry but fail to absorb nutrients properly.
They may lose weight or develop chronic soft stool. Brown rice is particularly difficult because it requires more enzymatic effort compared to white rice.
Even mild decreases in enzyme function can cause fibrous foods to pass through untouched. While not always a sign of a serious disease, this cause needs attention if symptoms persist or worsen.
Brown Rice Is Too Heavy for Dogs Recovering From Illness
Many owners feed rice when a dog has an upset stomach, but brown rice is actually inappropriate for digestive recovery.
Its high fiber content demands more work from the stomach and intestines, making it difficult for healing tissue to process.
Dogs recovering from vomiting, diarrhea, infections, or recent dietary indiscretion often lack the digestive strength to break down fibrous grains.
Brown rice moves through too quickly, resulting in undigested pieces in stool and sometimes worsening symptoms.
During recovery, gentle foods like white rice or boiled potatoes are more suitable. Brown rice should only be reintroduced when the digestive system is fully stable again.
Read more: Dog Not Digesting Rice (What it means)
What to Do If Your Dog Is Not Digesting Brown Rice
If you notice your dog not digesting brown rice, the first step is to stop feeding it and switch to a gentler, easier-to-digest carbohydrate. White rice, boiled potato, or pumpkin are much simpler for a dog’s stomach to handle and provide smoother digestion without excess fiber.
Allow your dog’s digestive system time to rest by keeping meals small, soft, and consistent. Offering a bland diet for 24–48 hours helps reset the digestive tract and reduces inflammation.
If symptoms improve when brown rice is removed, it’s a strong indicator that the fiber load was too high or the grain was not well-tolerated.
Make sure your dog stays hydrated, especially if loose stool is involved. Small, frequent sips of water or adding moisture to food can prevent dehydration while ensuring the digestive system works smoothly.
Pay close attention to stool consistency and energy levels as these provide valuable clues about digestive health.
When reintroducing normal food, do it gradually. Add ingredients slowly over several days so the digestive system has time to adapt. If brown rice continues to appear undigested, it’s best to avoid it entirely and rely on more digestible options long term.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Contact your vet if your dog repeatedly passes undigested food, as this may signal underlying digestive or pancreatic issues. Persistent soft stool, visible discomfort, or ongoing gurgling noises warrant medical evaluation to rule out inflammation or malabsorption.
If your dog develops vomiting, lethargy, blood in the stool, or a sudden change in appetite, seek veterinary care promptly. These signs can indicate more serious gastrointestinal disturbances that need treatment beyond dietary adjustment.
You should also call your vet if your dog loses weight, has greasy or foul-smelling stool, or seems unable to digest multiple types of food. These symptoms may point toward enzyme insufficiency or chronic intestinal conditions that benefit from early intervention.
Any dog recovering from illness who worsens when fed brown rice should receive a professional assessment, as their digestive system may require medication, probiotics, or prescription foods to stabilize.
Read more: Dog Suddenly Not Eating and Vomiting (Here’s why)
Key Takeaway
A dog not digesting brown rice is usually due to its high fiber content, difficulty breaking down the bran layer, food sensitivities, or underlying digestive irritation.
While not always dangerous, it is a sign that your dog’s digestive system is struggling with this particular ingredient.
By switching to gentler foods, monitoring symptoms, and seeking veterinary guidance when needed, you can help your dog return to comfortable, healthy digestion.