Rice is one of the most common grains used in pet foods, and many pet parents believe feeding a cat chicken and rice can help with digestive issues. But should cats eat rice?

The answer is yes, cats can eat rice. That said, rice isn't a part of a cat's natural diet and offers few nutritional benefits.

Rice is high in fiber, which can help digestion, but it's a starchy carbohydrate that cats have more difficulty metabolizing than dogs. Rice is considered a filler ingredient in cat food.

Let's examine whether cats should eat rice, including whether they enjoy it, the potential health benefits, how much you can feed a cat, and more.

Yes, cats can like the taste of rice, but most will be uninterested. Rice doesn't have a strong taste and will be overpowered by whatever meat or other food you mix it with.

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means meat is essential to their diet. They aren't as well-equipped to digest grains as dogs. As a result, cats don't need to eat or like the taste of rice.  

Cats are also big texture eaters and may enjoy rice because it's soft and slightly chewy. Letting your cat try rice is the only way to know if they like it.

Rice offers basically no nutritional benefit to cats and is best avoided entirely. Here's a breakdown of some minor health benefits of feeding your cat rice.  

Rice is high in fiber, which can help with diarrhea and constipation. However, if your cat is experiencing persistent digestive issues, it's best to take them to the vet instead of feeding them rice. Brown rice is higher in fiber than white rice and is considered more nutritionally valuable.

Rice, particularly brown rice, is rich in several vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to cats. Brown rice is rich in thiamine (vitamin B1), an essential vitamin that promotes a healthy brain and nervous system.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is another essential vitamin in brown rice that's key to brain health and development. Brown rice is also high in phosphorus, which aids energy production and muscle function.

Cats can digest carbs to an extent—a 2017 study suggests that the digestibility of carbs in cats is between 40% and 100%. As a result, cats can use carbs for energy similarly to other species, like dogs.

However, a high carb intake, especially of starchy carbs like grains, is hard on a cat's digestive tract and can result in bloating and diarrhea. Too many carbs in a cat's diet can also lead to obesity, which can cause serious health issues like diabetes. 

The Association of American Food Control Officials (AAFCO) doesn't require pet food companies to state how much carbs they use, as carbs aren't essential to a cat's diet. Generally, cats can safely get 10% to 15% of their calories from carbs.

Here's a breakdown of the nutritional value of 100 grams of cooked brown rice:

Rice has little nutritional value to cats and ideally shouldn't be a part of their everyday diet. You can give your cat one or two tablespoons of rice a special treat.

If you're feeding your feline a rice-inclusive cat food, rice and other grains should comprise less than 25% of a cat's diet. Speak with your vet if you're unsure a grain-inclusive diet is right for your cat.

Yes, brown rice is considered more nutritionally valuable than white rice. It's less processed, meaning it's higher in nutrients like fiber, B vitamins, potassium, and phosphorus.

That said, white rice is easier for cats to digest than brown rice. White rice is processed brown rice, with parts of the grain removed, like the hull, making it softer and more digestible.

You should only feed your cat plain, boiled rice without any seasoning or sauces. Never feed your cat uncooked rice as it's very difficult to digest and may contain a natural pesticide called lectin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Yes, cats can be allergic to rice. Common symptoms of a rice allergy include: