Watching your beloved dog suffer from an upset stomach can be a stressful experience for any pet parent. Symptoms like decreased appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea leave you searching for answers and relief for your furry friend. While a visit to the veterinarian is always the first and most crucial step when your dog is unwell, offering a carefully selected bland diet can often provide much-needed comfort and support their recovery. This guide, from the experts at Dog Care Story, will walk you through safe and effective options for What Can Dogs Eat To Settle Their Stomach, along with essential advice on when to seek professional veterinary care.
Understanding Your Dog’s Upset Stomach: When to Worry and What’s Normal
Just like humans, dogs can occasionally experience mild gastrointestinal upset. This might manifest as gas, a temporary loss of appetite, mild constipation, or a bout of loose stools. Often, these minor issues resolve on their own or with a simple bland diet change. However, it’s vital to remember that these symptoms can also be indicators of more serious underlying health problems, such as infections, parasites, blockages, or chronic diseases.
Therefore, before attempting any home remedies or dietary changes, it is absolutely essential to consult your veterinarian. They can accurately diagnose the cause of your dog’s discomfort and recommend the appropriate course of action. This is particularly important for puppies, senior dogs, or those with existing health conditions like diabetes, cancer, or allergies, as their nutritional needs and vulnerabilities are different. Understanding what should a 1 month old puppy eat or the specific dietary restrictions for a dog with pancreatitis is crucial for their well-being. Only proceed with a bland diet once your vet has given you the green light and ruled out more serious health risks.
A calm Beagle resting near its food bowl, possibly experiencing an upset stomach.
The Best Bland Foods to Soothe Your Dog’s Tummy
When your veterinarian confirms that a mild upset stomach is the culprit, easily digestible and bland foods can play a significant role in helping to soothe their digestive system. These foods are generally low in fat and fiber (initially), gentle on sensitive stomachs, and provide the necessary nutrients without causing further irritation. They also help regulate appetite and can assist with both diarrhea and mild constipation.
Boiled Chicken and Plain White Rice
This classic combination is a go-to for many veterinarians and pet parents alike. Boiled chicken and rice are prime ingredients in countless dog foods due to their mild nature and digestibility. Cooked white rice, while lower in nutritional value than brown rice, is preferred for upset stomachs because its blandness and starch content can help bind stool and soothe the gut. Boneless, skinless chicken breast provides easily digestible protein.
To prepare, simply boil boneless, skinless chicken breast until fully cooked. Avoid adding any oils, butter, or seasonings like garlic or onion powder, as these can irritate your dog’s already sensitive stomach and make the problem worse. Shred or cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. Separately, cook plain white rice with water. Once both are prepared and cooled, mix them together in a 1:2 ratio (one part chicken to two parts rice). Offer small, frequent meals rather than large portions.
Shredded Chicken (Alone or with Broth)
Plain, unseasoned, boiled, and shredded chicken is an excellent choice on its own for dogs with a decreased appetite. It’s highly palatable and can act as an eating incentive for a dog that’s feeling poorly. Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and amino acids, it provides a nutritional boost that’s gentle on the digestive system. You can store cooked shredded chicken in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to six months for future use. If your dog is struggling with hydration, you can moisten the shredded chicken with a little low-sodium, dog-safe chicken or bone broth. Remember, when considering what meat you should not feed your dog, always prioritize plain, lean proteins for a bland diet.
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel looking at its food bowl, considering a bland meal for an upset tummy.
Plain Canned Pumpkin
Unseasoned pumpkin can be a fantastic digestive aid for dogs. It’s high in soluble fiber, which helps regulate the digestive system by absorbing excess water to firm up loose stools, or adding bulk to relieve mild constipation. Beyond fiber, cooked, peeled, unsalted pumpkin contains beneficial ingredients like vitamin E, iron, and potassium, offering a gentle nutritional boost.
When choosing pumpkin, always opt for plain canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling contains spices, sugars, and sometimes xylitol (a sugar substitute toxic to dogs) that can further irritate your dog’s stomach and lead to more severe complications. A general guideline veterinarians suggest is one to four tablespoons of pumpkin, depending on your dog’s size. Introduce it slowly and monitor your dog’s response.
Homemade Bone Broth
Bone broth is a remarkably mild, nutrient-rich liquid meal that is incredibly easy on an upset canine stomach. Its palatability makes it an excellent way to encourage dogs with reduced appetites to take in some hydration and nutrients, especially when added to dry kibble or other bland foods. Making bone broth for dogs is a simple process: fill a slow cooker with beef marrow bones or bones with plenty of joints (like turkey or chicken legs). Cover the bones with two to three inches of water, then cover the pot and cook on low for 20 to 24 hours.
After cooking, let the broth cool completely in the fridge. As it cools, the fat will form a hardened layer at the top, which you should scoop off. The remaining jelly-like broth can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen in small portions, such as ice cube trays, for convenient future use. When serving, warm the broth just enough to turn it liquid (if frozen) but ensure it’s not too hot to prevent burning your dog’s mouth. While bone marrow is healthy, cooked bones are very dangerous for dogs and can splinter, causing internal injuries. Always make sure to thoroughly strain the broth to remove all bone fragments before serving.
A German Shorthaired Pointer puppy resting comfortably beside its food bowl after eating soothing bone broth for an upset stomach.
Meat-Based Baby Food
In some veterinary emergency hospitals, specific types of meat-based baby food are used to feed dogs under their care. Baby food’s smooth consistency makes it very easy to swallow and digest, making it an ideal vehicle for administering oral medications to a reluctant or nauseous dog. Look for Stage II meat-based baby foods, typically chicken, lamb, or turkey. It is crucial to ensure these baby foods do not contain any ingredients or additives that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic or onion powder, which are commonly found in human processed foods. Always check the ingredient list carefully.
Foods to Strictly Avoid When Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach
While some human foods can aid your dog’s recovery, many others can exacerbate their digestive issues or even be dangerous. It’s important to know what vegetables are dogs not allowed to eat, especially when their stomach is sensitive. Avoid feeding your dog the following, especially during digestive distress:
- Foods cooked with garlic, oils, or seasonings: These can irritate the digestive tract and worsen symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
- Milk or dairy products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, and dairy can lead to severe vomiting and diarrhea, even in dogs with otherwise healthy stomachs.
- Rich, fatty, or processed meats: Items like ham, bacon, or pepperoni are often high in fat and salt. These can trigger pancreatitis, cause further stomach upset, or dehydrate your dog.
Key Takeaways and When to See Your Vet
Providing a bland diet can be a helpful supportive measure when your dog has a mild upset stomach, offering comfort and crucial nutrients for recovery. However, it’s vital to reiterate that these dietary adjustments are not a replacement for proper veterinary care. Always consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet, especially when they are unwell.
Seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog exhibits severe symptoms such as persistent vomiting, bloody diarrhea, extreme lethargy, abdominal pain, or a fever. These could indicate serious conditions requiring prompt medical intervention. Empower yourself with knowledge, but always trust the expertise of your veterinarian to ensure the best possible care for your beloved companion.
