Is curd rice good for dogs? Indian home food, food by food

Curd rice is the comfort food of many Indian homes, and plenty of Indian dogs have grown up eating it. So is it good for them? The honest answer: plain curd and plain rice are fine for most dogs in small amounts, but curd rice alone is not a complete diet, and the extras we add to our own bowl (salt, tadka, onion, chillies) are where the trouble starts. Here's how common Indian foods stack up.

Is curd rice good for dogs?

Plain curd is a good source of protein and calcium, and many dogs digest it well. Some dogs are sensitive to dairy, so start with a spoonful and watch for loose stools or gas. Use plain, unsweetened curd only. Plain rice is easy to digest and a common choice when a tummy is upset.

Together, plain curd and rice make a gentle topper or an occasional light meal. The problems:

• It isn't balanced. Curd rice is low in many nutrients a dog needs every day, like enough protein from meat or eggs, essential fats, and several vitamins and minerals. Fed every day as the main meal, it can lead to deficiencies over months.
• The tadka. Mustard seeds, chillies, ginger, and especially onion or garlic don't belong in a dog's bowl. Onion and garlic damage red blood cells.
• Salt. Our curd rice is salted for us. Dogs need far less.
• Calories. Rice adds up quickly, which matters for dogs who gain weight easily.

Plain curd rice is a fine treat or topper. As the whole diet, every day, it falls short.

Common Indian foods, one by one

Yes, plain and in small amounts

• Plain dal: take your dog's portion out before the tadka goes in.
• Boiled egg: fully cooked, a great protein.
• Plain idli: without sambar or chutney, which often contain onion.
• Boiled chicken: boneless, no masala.
• Cooked pumpkin and carrot: good fibre, low calories.
• Banana and papaya: small pieces; remove papaya seeds.

Now and then

• Paneer and ghee: rich in fat. A little is fine; a lot can upset the tummy or, in some dogs, trigger pancreatitis.
• Milk: many adult dogs and cats can't digest lactose well. Curd is usually easier.
• Chapati: plain is fine occasionally, but it adds calories and little else. Skip it if your dog is sensitive to wheat.
• Peanuts: unsalted only. If you use peanut butter, check it has no xylitol.

Never

• Onion and garlic in any form: tadka, gravy, sambar, chutney, powder.
• Grapes and raisins, including in kheer and halwa.
• Chocolate, mithai and anything with xylitol.
• Chai and coffee: caffeine is toxic to pets.
• Biryani and curries: onion, spices, fat, and often cooked bones.
• Cooked bones: they splinter and can injure the gut.

The full list, with what to do if your pet eats something, is in foods dogs and cats should never eat.

How to feed home food safely

• Keep extras small. Toppers and treats should stay under 10% of your dog's daily calories. Our calorie guide shows how much that is.
• Cook their portion separately, or take it out before salt, spices and tadka go in.
• Introduce one new food at a time, so you know what caused any upset.
• For a full home-cooked diet, get a recipe balanced for dogs. Home diets made without a plan are often missing calcium, vitamins or essential fats.

What about cats?

Cats need much more protein than dogs, so curd rice is not a good meal for them. Many adult cats are also lactose intolerant. A lick of plain curd is usually fine, but rice-based meals don't suit cats. Read fresh food for cats: what's different.

Questions pet parents ask

Can I give my dog curd rice every day?

Not as their whole diet. A spoonful of plain curd rice on top of a complete, balanced meal is fine for most dogs. On its own, every day, it lacks protein, fats, vitamins and minerals dogs need.

Is curd rice good for a dog with an upset stomach?

Plain rice, and sometimes a little plain curd, are often used for a day or two of mild tummy upset. If your dog is vomiting, has diarrhoea for more than a day, has blood in the stool, or seems unwell, call your vet.

Can puppies eat curd?

A small spoonful of plain curd is usually fine for puppies, but growing puppies need a complete puppy diet with the right calcium and energy. Don't replace their meals with home food.

Is chapati good for dogs?

Plain chapati isn't harmful for most dogs in small amounts, but it adds calories without much nutrition. Leave out ghee and butter, and skip it for dogs with a wheat allergy.

Sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: people foods to avoid feeding your pets
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Global Nutrition Guidelines
• Merck Veterinary Manual: onion and garlic, grapes and raisins, and xylitol toxicosis
• Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine: Petfoodology, on home-cooked diets