Dealing with a sick dog can be a stressful experience for any pet parent, especially when they’re grappling with symptoms like a decreased appetite, an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting. While these signs can be alarming, a carefully managed bland diet can often provide much-needed relief and support your dog’s recovery, offering them the nutrition they need without irritating their sensitive digestive system. However, it’s paramount to remember that persistent or severe symptoms always warrant an immediate consultation with your veterinarian. This guide will explore what can dogs eat with an upset stomach to help soothe their tummy troubles and get them back to their happy selves.
Understanding Your Dog’s Upset Stomach
Just like humans, dogs can experience occasional digestive distress. Mild symptoms often include gas, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. While these issues can sometimes resolve on their own with a simple dietary adjustment, they can also be indicators of a more serious underlying health problem. Therefore, before attempting any home treatment, it is crucial to consult your vet to rule out any severe conditions and discuss a suitable dietary plan. This is especially important for senior dogs or those with pre-existing health issues such as diabetes, cancer, or allergies, as their nutritional needs and sensitivities may be different. Ensuring you know what foods can dogs eat with upset stomach safely can prevent further complications.
Best Foods for Dogs with Upset Stomachs
When your canine companion is suffering from a mild upset stomach, the key is to offer easily digestible and bland foods. These types of foods are generally well-tolerated by sensitive digestive systems, providing essential nutrients while helping to calm the stomach, regulate appetite, and alleviate symptoms like constipation.
Boiled Chicken and Rice
Boiled chicken and rice are staples in many commercial dog foods, and for good reason. These mild ingredients are incredibly gentle on an upset canine stomach and are simple to prepare at home. For this bland meal, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts and white rice. While brown rice offers more nutritional value, white rice is preferred for an upset stomach due to its lower fiber content and easier digestibility.
It’s vital to avoid adding any oils, butter, or seasonings to the chicken and rice, as these can further irritate your dog’s digestive system. Always cook the chicken thoroughly and shred or cut it into small, bite-sized pieces. Remember, the goal is blandness to aid recovery, so save the extra flavors for your own meals.
Shredded Chicken
Plain, unseasoned, boiled, shredded chicken is a fantastic option for dogs with an upset stomach, particularly those experiencing a decreased appetite. Its ease of digestion and appealing taste can encourage reluctant eaters to consume the necessary nutrients. Beyond being gentle on the stomach, shredded chicken is a good source of essential vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and amino acids, making it a highly beneficial choice for dogs feeling unwell. Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for 2-6 months, making it a convenient option to have on hand when wondering what can dogs eat if they have an upset stomach.
A Beagle lying down next to a full bowl of kibble, looking slightly disinterested.
Plain Pumpkin
Unseasoned pumpkin can offer significant digestive health benefits for dogs. It’s renowned for its high fiber content, which helps to regulate the digestive system and can be particularly useful in managing mild constipation or diarrhea. Cooked, peeled, unsalted, and unseasoned pumpkin provides a nutritional boost with ingredients like vitamin E, iron, and potassium.
Veterinarians typically recommend one to four tablespoons of pumpkin, depending on your dog’s size. Canned pumpkin (pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling) is a convenient alternative to fresh pumpkin, provided it contains no added spices or sugars. These additives can irritate your dog’s stomach and worsen their condition. For more insights on what is the best vegetable for dogs to eat, pumpkin is often at the top of the list for digestive health.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is an excellent, very mild liquid meal that is easily tolerated by dogs with upset stomachs. It’s also a fantastic way to add moisture and flavor to dry kibble, encouraging dogs with reduced appetites to eat. To prepare a beneficial bone broth for your dog, fill a slow cooker with beef marrow bones or bones rich in joints, such as 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.
Once cooked, let the broth cool completely in the fridge. A hardened layer of fat will form at the top, which you should scoop off and discard. The remaining jelly-like broth can be stored in the refrigerator. When serving, microwave the broth just enough to turn it from a semi-solid to a liquid state, ensuring it’s not too hot to prevent burning your dog’s mouth. For future use, you can freeze the broth in small portions, like in an ice cube tray. While bone broth is incredibly nutritious, remember that cooked bones can be dangerous for dogs, so always ensure all bones are removed from the broth before serving, ideally by straining it.
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel standing next to its food bowl at home, looking ready to eat.
Meat-Based Baby Food
Certain types of baby food are frequently utilized in veterinary emergency hospitals to feed dogs under their care. Baby food is exceptionally easy to swallow and digest, making it an ideal vehicle for administering oral medications when a dog is ill. Consider feeding Stage II meat-based baby foods such as chicken, lamb, and turkey. However, it’s crucial to meticulously check the ingredients to ensure they do not contain additives that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic or onion powder. This highlights the importance of knowing what human food is best for dogs and what to avoid.
Foods to Avoid When Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach
While a bland diet can be incredibly beneficial, it’s equally important to know which foods can exacerbate your dog’s symptoms or even be dangerous. Always steer clear of feeding your dog these items, especially when they are already experiencing digestive issues:
- Foods cooked with garlic, oils, or seasonings: These can be highly irritating to a sensitive stomach and potentially toxic.
- Milk or dairy products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, and consuming dairy can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and further digestive upset.
- Processed meats: Items like ham, bacon, or pepperoni are often rich, fatty, and high in salt content, which can overwhelm a dog’s digestive system and worsen their condition.
A German Shorthaired Pointer puppy lying down peacefully next to its food bowl indoors.
Conclusion
Feeding a bland diet is an effective strategy to alleviate your dog’s intestinal discomfort and ensure they receive vital nutrition during a bout of upset stomach. Foods like boiled chicken and rice, plain pumpkin, and bone broth are excellent choices that are gentle on their digestive system. However, it’s crucial to reiterate that these dietary adjustments are supportive measures, not a replacement for professional veterinary care. Always prioritize consulting your dog’s veterinarian before making any changes to their diet, especially if symptoms persist or worsen. Your vet can provide an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment plan for your beloved companion.
