Is rice, i.e. cereals, good for a dog’s diet? Is it just a filler or a valuable source of nutrients?
Gluten, a group of proteins which is in most cereals, causes allergic or autoimmune reactions. However, rice, similarly to corn, is one of the gluten-free cereals. They are much better for dogs (as well as for people) as they are easier to digest.
Rice is even the most valuable basic feed material of plant origin for dogs. Therefore, we can see it in their bowls very often. And not only to satisfy their hungry tummies. Besides highly digestible carbohydrates and starches, rice also contains a great number of vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, E), minerals (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, silicon, selenium, calcium and others) and 8 essential acids. It is also suitable for dogs and cats with allergies or diabetes.
Therefore, you will find it in hypo-allergenic and other special kinds of feeds. In high-quality pet food, you should only see one kind of starchy feed material (rice, corn, potatoes).
With regard to the nutrients, the best kind of rice is wholewheat. The cover layers of grains are missing in white rice, but these contain a great number of vitamins. The amount of fibre is the same; however, wholewheat rice is more difficult to digest.
If you prepare it for your dog on your own, no matter if it’s white or wholewheat rice, cook it for a long time as it makes it easier to digest. However, it is a good idea to soak it in water during a night (at least 9 hours), with a drop of lemon juice or another acidic component in a perfect case. This way, preservation enzymes are released from the grains (they prevent early germination and preserve the nutrients for growth), the grains are “activated” which increases their digestibility and the eater gets more minerals and proteins from them. It also shortens the boiling time – and boiling destroys some vitamins.
Should your pet eat rice? Personally, I like it a lot and I also give it to my pets.
If you have decided to buy a purebred cat, you still have a lot of questions ahead of you. Which breed should you choose? A female cat or a tomcat? A kitten or an adult? Only if you consider everything carefully, you'll get the right companion for...
Lots of rabbit lovers choose this breed mainly by its appearance. The cuter, the better. But maybe they don’t know that a certain kind from the order of lagomorphs lives in nature, and hardly any domestic rabbit can match it in its cuteness. The same...
If you've noticed that your fluffy friend excessively licks and nibbles at his paws, you should not leave it like that. It might have several causes. Whether it's a psychological problem, allergy, yeast or other problem, the situation must be...
Did you know that our senses include the perception of the magnetic field? While we have almost lost this ability already, dogs still have it and use it every day. Do you know for what?
The British Shorthair cat is without a doubt the most popular cat breed not only in the Czech Republic, but also in the rest of Europe. This is caused not only by its appearance of a small Teddy bear, but also a mild, trouble-free nature.
In individual rodents, we’ll find breeds that are more popular with breeders than others. One of those is the American Teddy, typical with its peculiar hair structure that gives it the appearance of a teddy bear.
There is certainly no doubt that the Labrador belongs among the best known and most popular dog breeds. The reason is his extraordinary versatility, adaptability, intelligence and loyalty. Like the British Shorthair cat, the Labrador Retriever can be...
To spend a few days outside of civilisation - in the forest, on the ridges of the mountains - away from the hustle of the cities, in the wilderness and ideally with your dog. An imaginary return back to nature is the trend that did not avoid even the...
Hunting and exercise. If the dog loves both these activities, then coursing is the perfect activity for it. This cross-country race is based exactly on the desire of the dog to catch its prey.
No matter how thorough we are with the prevention, a situation might come up when a dog or a cat will get to a poisonous thing, whether it’s by our inattention or it's somebody else’s fault. That’s why it’s not off-topic to prepare yourself for the...
Under the name of dogtrekking, imagine an orientation walk with the dog. Official rules rank it among extreme dog endurance sports.
There may be more causes of dog fear. And the first step to eliminate it is to find out its origin and cause.
