If your Pomeranian has an upset stomach and you’re wondering whether plain rice might help, the short answer is yes — in the right situation, it absolutely can. Rice is one of the most commonly recommended bland foods for dogs with digestive upset, and Pomeranians are no exception. That said, it’s not a cure-all, and feeding it the wrong way or too often can cause its own problems.
What I’ve Learned Feeding Sash
- Plain white rice can genuinely soothe a Pomeranian’s upset stomach, but it should be temporary, not a regular part of their diet.
- Brown rice is nutritionally richer but harder for small dogs to digest — timing and context matter.
- Rice alone is never a complete meal for a Pom, and overusing it can lead to weight gain and nutritional gaps.
Is Rice Actually Safe for Pomeranians?
Yes, rice is safe for Pomeranians. It’s digestible, low in fat, and unlikely to trigger allergic reactions. The American Kennel Club lists plain white rice as one of the foods dogs can eat safely, particularly when they’re dealing with gastrointestinal issues. But safe doesn’t automatically mean ideal for every situation — and with a breed as small and metabolically specific as a Pomeranian, context is everything.
Sash is my five-year-old Pomeranian, and she has the digestive sensitivity that many small breeds are known for. The first time I gave her rice was after a bout of loose stools that came out of nowhere. I’d read about the classic bland diet — plain white rice and boiled chicken — and decided to try it. Within 24 hours, her stomach had settled. That personal experience shaped how I think about rice now: it’s a useful tool, not a dietary staple.
White Rice vs Brown Rice for Pomeranians
Not all rice is equal when it comes to your Pom’s needs, and the distinction between white and brown rice is worth understanding before you start spooning either into their bowl.
White Rice
White rice is the go-to choice for digestive recovery. It’s low in fibre, easy to digest, and gentle on an irritated gut. The starch content helps bind loose stools, which is exactly what you want when your Pomeranian has diarrhoea. It cooks quickly, requires no seasoning (and should have none), and most dogs find it palatable. The downside is that it’s low in nutrients — it won’t sustain your Pom long-term and has a relatively high glycaemic index, which means it can cause blood sugar spikes if fed in large or frequent amounts.
Brown Rice
Brown rice retains its outer bran layer, making it higher in fibre, vitamins, and minerals than white rice. In theory, that sounds better. In practice, for a Pomeranian with a sensitive or already-upset stomach, the extra fibre can make things worse rather than better. Brown rice is harder to digest and takes longer to cook properly. It’s better suited as an occasional dietary addition in a healthy dog, not as a recovery food. If you’re exploring balanced Pomeranian nutrition long-term, brown rice in small quantities may have a place — but it’s not where I’d start.
| Feature | White Rice | Brown Rice |
|---|---|---|
| Digestibility | High — easy on the gut | Lower — harder to digest |
| Fibre content | Low | Higher |
| Best use case | Digestive upset, bland diet | Occasional dietary variety |
| Nutritional value | Low | Moderate |
| Glycaemic index | High | Lower than white |
| Suitable for recovery? | Yes | Not ideal |
When Rice Actually Helps a Pomeranian
There are specific situations where rice genuinely earns its place in your Pom’s bowl — and knowing which ones they are will help you use it confidently rather than guessing.
Digestive Upset and Diarrhoea
This is the classic use case, and it’s the one most vets reach for first. When your Pomeranian has loose stools or general stomach upset — assuming it’s mild and not accompanied by blood, lethargy, or vomiting — a bland diet of plain white rice and boiled chicken gives the digestive tract a rest while keeping your dog nourished. The ratio I use with Sash is roughly two parts rice to one part chicken. It’s plain, it’s boring, and she eats it anyway because she’s hungry.
After Vomiting (Once Settled)
If your Pom has vomited and hasn’t kept anything down for several hours, rice can be a good first step back to solid food — in tiny amounts. I’d always recommend calling your vet if the vomiting has been more than once or twice, but for a single episode in an otherwise healthy dog, small spoonfuls of plain white rice once the stomach has settled is a reasonable approach many vets suggest.
Transitioning Between Foods
Rice can help smooth the transition when you’re switching your Pomeranian’s regular food. Mixing a little plain rice into the old food alongside the new food can reduce the digestive disruption that comes with sudden diet changes. This is one area where it acts as a buffer rather than a cure.
When Rice Doesn’t Help — or Actually Causes Problems
Here’s where I see a lot of well-meaning Pom owners go wrong. Rice is helpful in specific situations, but it can actively cause harm when misused.
As a Long-Term Meal Replacement
Rice has almost no protein, no healthy fats, and insufficient vitamins and minerals to support a Pomeranian’s needs. If your dog has been eating mostly rice for more than two or three days, they are not getting what they need. Pomeranians are small, energetic dogs with specific nutritional requirements — a diet built around rice will leave them deficient quickly. If you need guidance on what a complete, species-appropriate diet actually looks like for a Pom, the Pomeranian food guide on this site is a good place to start.
In Overweight Pomeranians
Rice is calorie-dense for its volume, and Pomeranians are already prone to weight gain given their small size and the tendency of owners to overfeed them (guilty — at least in Sash’s early years). If your Pom is already carrying extra weight, adding rice — even as a bland diet measure — needs to be carefully portion-controlled. A couple of tablespoons is enough; a full bowl is too much. Using a small dog food measuring scoop can help you stay consistent with portions.
In Diabetic or Pre-Diabetic Dogs
White rice has a high glycaemic index, meaning it causes a faster spike in blood sugar than more complex carbohydrates. If your Pomeranian has diabetes or has been flagged as at risk, rice is not the right bland diet option. Talk to your vet about alternatives before reaching for the rice pot.
Flavoured or Seasoned Rice
This one should go without saying, but it’s worth being direct: rice cooked with onion, garlic, salt, stock cubes, or butter is not safe for dogs. Onion and garlic are toxic to dogs. Salt causes dehydration and sodium poisoning in large amounts. Plain means plain — water only, no additions.
How to Prepare Rice for Your Pomeranian
The preparation is genuinely simple, which is part of rice’s appeal as a home remedy. Rinse white rice, cook it in plain water until soft (no salt, no stock, no oil), and let it cool completely before serving. For a Pomeranian, the portions are small — we’re talking two to four tablespoons per meal for an adult Pom, depending on their size and the situation. Always serve at room temperature or slightly warm, not hot.
When I make it for Sash, I cook a small batch, portion it out, and refrigerate the rest for up to three days in an airtight food storage container. It saves repeating the process every few hours when she’s unwell and I’m already tired from worrying about her.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed my Pomeranian rice every day?
Feeding rice every day as part of a balanced meal is generally not recommended for Pomeranians. While small amounts of plain white or brown rice can occasionally complement a complete commercial or home-cooked diet, rice lacks the protein, fat, and micronutrients a Pomeranian needs daily. Use it as an occasional addition, not a regular component. If you want to incorporate it consistently, speak to your vet about appropriate quantities.
How much rice can a Pomeranian eat?
For an adult Pomeranian on a temporary bland diet, two to four tablespoons of plain cooked white rice per meal is a reasonable portion. This varies depending on your dog’s weight and the reason you’re feeding rice. Rice should not make up more than a third of the total meal when paired with a protein like boiled chicken. For puppies, use even smaller amounts and consult your vet first.
What is the best bland diet for a Pomeranian with diarrhoea?
The most commonly recommended bland diet for dogs with mild diarrhoea is plain boiled chicken (no skin, no bones, no seasoning) combined with plain white rice in a roughly 1:2 ratio — one part chicken to two parts rice. This combination is easy on the digestive system and helps firm up stools. It should only be used short-term — typically two to three days — before transitioning back to a regular diet.
Can rice cause constipation in Pomeranians?
Yes, it can. White rice is low in fibre, and feeding it in large amounts or for too many consecutive days can lead to constipation, particularly in small breeds like Pomeranians. If your dog’s stools become hard or infrequent while on a rice-based bland diet, reduce the quantity and reintroduce their normal food more quickly. Keeping your dog well-hydrated during this time also helps — a non-spill water bowl can encourage regular drinking throughout the day.
Is rice good for Pomeranians with sensitive stomachs?
Plain white rice can be helpful for Pomeranians with sensitive stomachs during a flare-up, but it’s not a long-term solution for ongoing digestive sensitivity. If your Pomeranian regularly has a sensitive stomach, the underlying cause — whether it’s their regular food, intolerances, or a medical issue — needs to be identified. Speak to your vet about a diet specifically formulated for digestive health rather than relying on rice as a repeated short-term fix.
The information in this article is based on personal experience and general guidance from recognised sources, but it is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your Pomeranian is unwell, vomiting repeatedly, has blood in their stools, or shows any signs of distress, contact your vet promptly rather than managing it at home with dietary changes alone.