What should I feed my dog when they have diarrhea? When a dog has diarrhea, you should typically start them on a bland diet for dog diarrhea, such as plain, boiled chicken or turkey mixed with white rice, to rest their digestive system.
Dealing with a bout of diarrhea in your beloved dog can be worrying. Seeing loose, watery stool is never fun for you or your pet. The good news is that simple dietary changes often resolve mild cases quickly. This guide will help you navigate what to feed a dog for soft stool and how to get their tummy settled again. We will focus on easy-to-digest options that support recovery.
Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea?
Diarrhea happens when food moves too fast through the dog’s intestines. This gives the gut little time to soak up water. Many things can cause this tummy trouble. Sometimes it is just eating something they shouldn’t have—like garbage or fatty table scraps. Stress, sudden food changes, or mild infections can also be the cause.
If your dog has only a mild upset stomach, diet changes are often the first step. If the diarrhea lasts more than a day or two, or if your dog is also vomiting or seems very sick, you must call your vet right away.
Starting the Recovery: Fasting vs. Feeding
When your dog first develops diarrhea, the first step often involves letting the gut rest. This means temporarily stopping regular food.
The Short Fast Period
For most healthy adult dogs with mild diarrhea, a short fast can help calm the gut.
- Duration: 12 to 24 hours is usually enough.
- Purpose: Fasting gives the digestive tract a much-needed break. It reduces the amount of material moving through the system.
- Water Intake: Always make sure your dog has fresh, clean water available during this time. Dehydration is a serious risk with diarrhea.
Important Note: Do not fast puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with existing health issues (like diabetes) without talking to your veterinarian first. Their needs are different, and fasting can cause low blood sugar.
The Transition to Easy-to-Digest Foods
After the short fast (or immediately, if your vet suggests skipping the fast), you need to introduce simple, gentle foods. The goal is to find an easy to digest dog food for diarrhea. These foods are low in fat and fiber.
The Core of the Bland Diet
The most common and effective approach uses a simple two-part system: a lean protein and a simple carbohydrate. This forms the basis of the bland diet for dog diarrhea.
1. Lean Protein Source
The protein needs to be cooked plainly. This means boiling or baking with no added fats, oils, salt, or seasonings.
- Boiled Chicken Breast: This is the gold standard. Remove all skin and bones. Chicken is highly digestible.
- Boiled Turkey: Similar to chicken, use white meat only and boil it until it is very tender.
- Low-Fat Cottage Cheese (Sometimes): A small amount of low-fat cottage cheese can sometimes be used, but only if your dog tolerates dairy well (many dogs do not).
2. Simple Carbohydrate Source
The carbohydrate helps bind the stool and provides gentle energy.
- White Rice: This is better than brown rice during a flare-up. White rice has less fiber, making it easier to digest. Cook it well until it is soft and mushy.
- Plain Boiled Potato: Cooked well, mashed potatoes (without butter or milk) can also work.
- Plain Boiled Pasta: White pasta, cooked until very soft, is another option.
These items form the foundation of dog upset stomach food recommendations.
Creating the Bland Meal Ratio
When mixing these ingredients, aim for a ratio that favors the carbohydrate slightly, especially at the start.
| Ingredient Type | Suggested Proportion | Example Meal |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate (Rice/Potato) | 2 parts | 2 scoops of white rice |
| Lean Protein (Chicken/Turkey) | 1 part | 1 scoop of shredded chicken |
This mixture ensures your dog gets nutrition without overloading their stressed system.
Feeding Schedule During Recovery
How often you feed your dog is just as important as what you feed them. A proper feeding schedule dog diarrhea management dictates smaller, more frequent meals.
Moving from Fast to Full Meals
Do not give one large meal after a fast. This can immediately trigger more diarrhea.
- Initial Reintroduction (First 12 Hours After Fast): Offer a very small amount of the bland diet—about one-quarter of their normal meal size. Wait two to three hours. If they keep it down, offer another small portion.
- Building Up: If the small meals are tolerated (no vomiting or worsening diarrhea), continue offering small meals every three to four hours throughout the day.
- Transitioning Back: Once stools have been firming up for about 24 to 48 hours, you can slowly start mixing their regular food back in, while decreasing the bland food portion. This transition should take three to four days.
Example Transition Plan:
- Day 1 (Firming): 100% Bland Diet, 4-6 small meals.
- Day 2 (Improving): 75% Bland Diet, 25% Regular Food, 3 small meals.
- Day 3 (Near Normal): 50% Bland Diet, 50% Regular Food, 2 small meals.
- Day 4/5 (Return to Normal): Gradually increase regular food until the bland diet is completely phased out.
Beyond the Bland Diet: Food-Based Home Remedies
While the bland diet is key, several other items can be incorporated as dog diarrhea home remedies food to help firm things up. These additions can provide beneficial fibers or prebiotics.
Pumpkin: The Fiber Powerhouse
Canned, plain pumpkin puree is a fantastic addition to the best food to stop dog diarrhea. It is not the pumpkin pie filling—just the pureed squash.
- Why it works: Pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber. This fiber absorbs excess water in the colon, helping to bulk up loose stools. It acts as a gentle regulator.
- How to use it: Mix one to two teaspoons of plain canned pumpkin into their bland meal, depending on your dog’s size.
Adding Probiotics and Prebiotics
A sick gut often has an imbalance of healthy bacteria. Reintroducing good bacteria is crucial for recovery.
- Probiotics: These are the good bacteria themselves. You can use a canine-specific probiotic supplement recommended by your vet, or sometimes plain, unsweetened yogurt (if your dog tolerates a little dairy).
- Prebiotics: These are foods that feed the good bacteria already in the gut. Ingredients like small amounts of cooked oatmeal or the fiber in pumpkin act as prebiotics.
The BRAT Diet Adaptation for Dogs
You may have heard of the BRAT diet for dogs (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast). This is a human remedy, but we adapt it for canine digestive systems.
- Bananas: Ripe bananas offer potassium, which can be lost during bouts of diarrhea, and some binding fibers. Use in moderation.
- White Rice: As covered above, this is the main staple.
- Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce. It contains pectin, a type of soluble fiber that can help soothe the gut lining.
- Toast: Plain, dry white toast is very low in fiber. Use sparingly, perhaps just a small crumbled piece mixed in.
While this approach can be helpful, the classic chicken and rice diet is usually more complete nutritionally for a dog’s recovery period.
When to Use Specialized Foods
If your dog has chronic or frequent diarrhea, the standard bland diet might not be enough. In these cases, veterinarians often recommend prescription or specialized over-the-counter diets designed specifically for gastrointestinal distress.
Prescription GI Diets
These diets are formulated to be highly digestible and often contain specific fiber levels and nutrients to support intestinal healing.
- Characteristics: They usually have highly purified, easily absorbed proteins and fats. They are often low in fat, as high fat intake can trigger digestive upset.
- When to use: These are necessary for dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), chronic vomiting, or severe malabsorption issues. Always use these under veterinary guidance.
Commercial Easy-to-Digest Options
Many high-quality pet food brands offer canned or dry foods labeled for “Sensitive Stomach” or “Digestive Care.” These are a great step up from homemade food once your dog is stable, offering complete nutrition in an easily processed format. Look for foods featuring novel proteins or limited ingredients if allergies are suspected.
Handling Vomiting Alongside Diarrhea
If your dog is experiencing dog vomiting and diarrhea diet management becomes slightly more complex. Vomiting means the stomach is also irritated and needs more time to rest.
- Stricter Fast: If vomiting is active, the fast period might need to be extended to 24 hours, focusing only on sips of water.
- Ice Cubes: Instead of large amounts of water, offer small ice chips every hour. This encourages slower hydration.
- Slow Introduction: Once vomiting stops for at least 6 hours, start introducing very small amounts (a teaspoon) of water, waiting 30 minutes before offering more.
- Bland Food: Only introduce the bland diet once vomiting has been absent for 12 hours. Start with the bland diet in tiny amounts, following the small, frequent meal schedule described earlier.
If vomiting continues for more than 12 hours, or if the dog cannot keep water down, seek immediate veterinary care.
Natural Remedies for Dog Diarrhea Food Support
Beyond simple cooking, certain natural remedies for dog diarrhea food can aid recovery by soothing the gut lining and balancing bacteria.
Slippery Elm Bark
Slippery elm is an herb known for its mucilage content. When mixed with water, it forms a slick gel.
- Action: This gel coats and soothes the irritated lining of the stomach and intestines.
- Application: It is usually given as a powder mixed into water or blended into the bland food. Always follow dosage instructions carefully, as too much can cause constipation.
Activated Charcoal (Use with Caution)
Activated charcoal is sometimes used in emergency settings because it can bind to toxins in the gut, preventing their absorption.
- Warning: Do not administer activated charcoal without talking to your vet first. It can also bind essential nutrients and medications, making them ineffective. It is generally not recommended for routine home use for simple diarrhea.
When to See the Veterinarian
While many cases of diarrhea resolve at home with dietary changes, some situations require professional medical attention immediately. Do not delay a vet visit if you notice any of the following signs:
- Diarrhea lasting longer than 48 hours, even on a bland diet.
- Severe lethargy or weakness.
- Refusal to drink water.
- Signs of severe dehydration (sunken eyes, tacky gums).
- Diarrhea that is black and tarry (signaling digested blood).
- Diarrhea that is bright red and bloody.
- If the dog is a puppy, elderly, or has a known chronic illness.
- If vomiting accompanies the diarrhea, especially if it persists.
Your vet can perform tests to check for parasites, bacteria, or underlying disease processes that diet alone cannot fix.
Detailed Guide to Bland Diet Preparation
Proper preparation ensures the food is as easy to digest as possible.
Preparing Lean Protein (Chicken or Turkey)
- Trim Fat: Remove all skin and visible fat deposits. Fat is difficult to digest and can worsen diarrhea.
- Boil: Place the raw meat in a pot and cover it completely with plain water. Do not add salt or spices.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the meat is cooked through and no longer pink. This usually takes 15–20 minutes.
- Shred and Drain: Drain off all the cooking water—it will be fatty and greasy. Shred or chop the cooked meat into very small, bite-sized pieces.
Preparing White Rice
- Ratio: Use a standard 1 part rice to 3 parts water ratio (more water is better for mushiness).
- Cook Thoroughly: Cook the rice until it is overcooked—it should be very soft and almost sticky, not fluffy.
- Cool: Allow the rice to cool completely before mixing it with the meat. Serving hot food can irritate the gut further.
Mixing and Storing
Mix the cooled components according to your 2:1 ratio. You can prepare a large batch of the bland diet and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Comparing Bland Diets and Regular Food
| Feature | Bland Diet (Chicken & Rice) | Regular Dog Food (Kibble/Wet) |
|---|---|---|
| Fat Content | Very Low | Varies; often higher than recommended for upset tummies |
| Fiber Content | Low (from white rice) | Varies widely; often higher, especially in grain-free formulas |
| Digestibility | Extremely High | Moderate to High (depending on quality) |
| Nutritional Balance | Temporary; lacks full vitamins/minerals | Complete and balanced for long-term health |
| Purpose | Rest and recovery | Maintenance |
The bland diet is a temporary fix; it is not meant for long-term feeding because it lacks essential nutrients needed for a healthy dog.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dog Diarrhea Diets
Can I feed my dog bread when they have diarrhea?
Plain white bread (without butter, seeds, or raisins) can be used in small amounts as a temporary source of carbohydrate, similar to toast. However, white rice is generally preferred because it is less processed and easier on the system than wheat products.
How long should I keep my dog on the bland diet?
For most mild cases, you should see improvement within 24 to 48 hours of starting the bland diet. You should transition back to their regular food over the course of three to four days once the stool is consistently firm. If diarrhea persists after 48 hours on the bland diet, call your vet.
Is brown rice okay to feed a dog with diarrhea?
Brown rice has more fiber than white rice. While fiber is generally healthy, when a dog has active diarrhea, too much fiber can irritate the gut further and speed up transit time. It is best to stick strictly to white rice until the stool is completely normal.
What are some good natural remedies for dog diarrhea food intake if I can’t get chicken or rice?
If you are in a pinch, look for highly digestible canned pumpkin (plain, not pie mix) or plain, low-fat cottage cheese (if your dog tolerates dairy). Boiled sweet potato can sometimes substitute for white potato as a carbohydrate source, though it is slightly higher in fiber than white rice.
Can I give my dog medication like Imodium for diarrhea?
Never give your dog human medications like Imodium (loperamide) without explicit direction from your veterinarian. Many common human drugs are toxic to dogs, even in small doses. Always consult your vet before medicating.
Should I stop giving my dog treats while they have diarrhea?
Yes. During the recovery phase, all treats, chews, rawhides, and flavored medications should be completely stopped. Only feed the prescribed bland diet and water to ensure you are not introducing anything that could irritate the gut further.