Dogs are opportunistic eaters, which means they take an opportunity to get food! Your dog knows where you keep the food, and he may see that you accidentally left open a cabinet door. So, when you’re out of the room, your fur baby may head over to the open cabinet and rummage around. He finds the box of uncooked rice and chows down!
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Has your dog eaten some uncooked rice? Are you worried the uncooked rice will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. It can be scary when your dog eats something he shouldn’t.
We’ve put together some information about what happens when a dog eats uncooked rice. You’ll also find information on what to watch for and when to call the vet. Let’s get started!
My Dog Ate Uncooked Rice
You’d be surprised at how many times this happens! We found numerous examples when researching this article. It’s a very common problem.
The good news is that rice is not toxic to dogs. However, uncooked rice can be a problem nonetheless.
Uncooked Rice & Dogs
Many people believe that uncooked rice can begin to absorb fluids once it hits the digestive tract. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Uncooked rice may cause severe diarrhea as it passes through the dog’s intestines. This is one possibility.
The other possibility is that the uncooked rice could become lodged in the dog’s digestive tract. This could then create an intestinal blockage. An intestinal blockage is a very serious medical condition that can end in death if not treated.
So, we recommend calling the vet to let them know what’s happened. Try to figure out how much uncooked rice your dog has eaten and give the vet this information. Then they can provide you with the best guidance possible on how to help your dog.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Intestinal Blockage in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten uncooked rice:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Excessive drooling
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain & swelling
If your dog develops any of these symptoms, then call the vet immediately. This could be an emergency.
Treatment for Intestinal Blockage & Eating Uncooked Rice
When you call the vet, they may want to see your dog right away, even before he shows any symptoms. The vet will give your dog a complete physical exam and may also run lab work and do x-rays. The x-rays will help the vet see if the uncooked rice has caused a blockage and where the blockage is located.
If the rice is still in your dog’s stomach, then the vet may induce vomiting. This is one way to get the rice out.
On the other hand, if your dog has an intestinal blockage, he may require emergency abdominal surgery. The surgery is done to remove the rice and repair any damage to the digestive tract.
The good news is that either method will safely remove the uncooked rice from your dog’s system. The best prognosis is for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment after eating uncooked rice. Soon, your fur baby will be back to his normal self. You may want to consider adding child-proof locks to your cabinet doors to prevent your dog from snacking in the future!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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