By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Last updated: 12 November 2026
Rice turns up in some commercial cat foods, so it is reasonable to wonder whether a spoonful from your dinner is a problem. Plain, well-cooked rice is not toxic to cats. It is also not something they need. Cats are obligate carnivores, built to get most of their energy from animal protein and fat, so rice is filler at best. The real risks come from how rice is prepared for people: fried, buttered, seasoned with onion and garlic, or left raw in the pantry.
Key takeaways
- Plain, well-cooked white or brown rice is not toxic to cats.
- PetMD suggests keeping rice to very small amounts, less than a tablespoon a week, as part of a balanced diet.
- Call your vet if your cat eats a large amount of rice or any uncooked rice.
- Fried rice, risotto and rice dishes cooked with onion, garlic, stock or soy sauce are not safe treats.
- Related reading: puffed rice and cats, chicken and cats, onions and cats.
Is rice good for cats?
PetMD explains that white rice is not toxic and can be eaten in small amounts if it is well cooked, plain and fed alongside a balanced commercial cat food, but that it adds no real nutritional benefit. Brown rice has a slightly better nutritional profile, but cats do not process a heavy carbohydrate load well, so it is still not a useful addition.
RSPCA Australia recommends a complete and balanced commercial cat food as the basis of a cat's diet, with other foods offered only occasionally as treats. Rice is fine within that "occasional extra" category, but it should never displace meat-based food.
When rice might be suggested
Some vets suggest a short-term bland diet for a cat with a mild tummy upset, which can include plain cooked rice with plain cooked chicken. This should only be done on your vet's advice, because vomiting and diarrhoea in cats can have many causes, and some need treatment. Your vet may suggest a veterinary gastrointestinal diet instead.
The risks
Uncooked rice
Dry rice is hard to digest. PetMD advises calling your vet if your cat eats any uncooked rice, and lists stomach discomfort, vomiting, diarrhoea, gas, bloating, straining in the litter box and lethargy as possible effects.
Seasoned and fried rice
Fried rice, risotto, pilaf and many rice dishes are cooked with onion, garlic, stock, butter or soy sauce. Lort Smith Melbourne Animal Hospital lists onion and garlic as toxic to cats because they damage red blood cells. Stock and soy sauce are also salty. Leftover rice dishes are best kept away from cats entirely.
Weight
Rice adds calories. VCA notes that obesity predisposes cats to diabetes, joint problems and some cancers, and small extras add up in a cat that is already a little round.
How to offer rice safely
If your vet is happy for your cat to have rice:
- Cook it until soft, with no salt, butter, oil or seasoning.
- Let it cool completely.
- Offer only a small amount mixed into your cat's usual food, well within the PetMD guide above.
- Stop if your cat vomits, has diarrhoea or seems uncomfortable.
If your cat ate rice
A few grains of plain cooked rice are nothing to worry about. If your cat ate a large amount, any uncooked rice, or a rice dish containing onion or garlic, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Bloating or a sore belly
- Straining in the litter tray
- Lethargy
- Pale gums or weakness after onion or garlic exposure
When to see a vet urgently
Go to your vet or nearest emergency vet clinic if your cat has repeated vomiting, a swollen or painful belly, is straining without passing anything, or has pale gums or weakness.
FAQ
Can cats eat brown rice?
In small amounts, yes. PetMD notes brown rice is slightly more nutritious than white, but cats still digest it poorly.
Is rice in cat food a bad sign?
Not necessarily. Complete and balanced cat foods are formulated so the overall diet meets a cat's needs.
Can I feed my cat rice and chicken when it has diarrhoea?
Only on your vet's advice. Diarrhoea can have many causes, and kittens and older cats can become unwell quickly.
Can cats eat sushi rice?
Sushi rice is seasoned with vinegar, sugar and salt, and often served with raw fish and soy sauce. It is not a good treat.
Talk with a vet
If your cat has an upset stomach or you are unsure what treats are suitable, book a video consult with Dial A Vet's real vets and vet nurses. We help with dogs and cats, with same-day and extended hours. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- PetMD. Can Cats Eat Rice?.
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- Lort Smith Melbourne Animal Hospital. Onions Shallots Leeks - cats.
- Lort Smith Melbourne Animal Hospital. Garlic - cats.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Obesity in Cats.
- Animal Poisons Helpline. Emergency Instructions.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency vet clinic.