Feeding a sick dog, especially one dealing with a decreased appetite, upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting, can be a source of significant stress for any dog owner. While it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment when your dog is experiencing digestive issues, a carefully chosen bland diet can often help alleviate some of these uncomfortable symptoms. This approach ensures your dog receives essential nutrition during recovery while being gentle on their sensitive digestive system. Understanding what foods are good for dogs upset stomach is key to providing comfort and supporting their healing process.
Understanding Your Dog’s Upset Stomach
Just like humans, dogs can occasionally experience an upset stomach. These mild symptoms can include gas, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. While often temporary, it’s vital to remember that these signs can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying health problem. Therefore, always check with your veterinarian before attempting any home remedies or dietary changes. Only proceed with these dietary recommendations once you’ve ruled out other health risks and discussed your plan with a professional.
It’s also important to consider that senior dogs and those with existing conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or allergies might require additional, specialized nutritional support to maintain their health. Their dietary needs can be more complex, making veterinary guidance even more critical.
Beagle laying down next to a full bowl of kibble.
Best Foods to Offer Dogs with an Upset Stomach
When your dog is struggling with a mild upset stomach, offering easily digestible and bland foods can be highly beneficial in soothing their tummy troubles. These types of foods are generally well-tolerated by dogs with sensitive digestive systems. Moreover, they provide key nutrients necessary for recovery and can help regulate appetite and address issues like constipation or diarrhea.
Boiled Chicken and Rice
Boiled chicken and rice are classic ingredients often found in commercial dog foods and are widely recommended for canines with digestive upset. These mild foods are typically gentle on upset stomachs and provide necessary energy. For preparation, you only need boneless, skinless chicken breasts and some plain white rice. While brown rice offers more nutritional value, white rice’s blandness makes it the preferred choice for a dog experiencing an upset stomach.
It’s crucial to avoid adding oils, butter, or any seasonings, as these can further irritate your dog’s stomach and worsen their condition. Stick strictly to plain boiled chicken and rice. Ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked and then cut or shred it into small, easily digestible pieces for your dog. For convenience, pre-packaged chicken and rice meals designed specifically for dogs are also available. This is one of the top human foods that are good for dogs when prepared correctly.
Shredded Chicken
Plain shredded chicken is incredibly easy on an upset stomach and can act as a strong incentive for dogs with a decreased appetite to eat. When prepared simply—plain, unseasoned, and boiled—shredded chicken is highly digestible and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fats, and amino acids. This makes it an excellent choice for dogs feeling unwell. Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3–4 days, or you can freeze it for 2–6 months for future use.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel standing next to its food bowl at home.
Plain Pumpkin
Feeding your dog unseasoned pumpkin can offer significant digestive health benefits. It’s rich in fiber, which plays a key role in regulating their digestive system, helping with both diarrhea and mild constipation. Cooked, peeled, unsalted, and unseasoned pumpkin provides essential nutrients like vitamin E, iron, and potassium, giving your dog a healthy boost and some much-needed digestive assistance. Knowing what foods dogs can and cannot eat is vital, and plain pumpkin is definitely on the ‘can eat’ list.
Veterinarians often recommend one to four tablespoons of pumpkin, depending on your dog’s size, to help regulate mild constipation. Canned pumpkin is a convenient option, provided it is 100% pumpkin puree and entirely unseasoned. It is critical to avoid pumpkin pie filling, as the spices and sugars can severely irritate your dog’s stomach and lead to further complications. Pumpkin supplements designed specifically for dogs are also available to add to their food.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is a very mild, liquid meal that is typically well-received by dogs with upset stomachs. It’s also an excellent way to add moisture and flavor to dry food, encouraging dogs with reduced appetites to consume necessary nutrients. To prepare a healthy bone broth for your dog, fill a slow cooker with beef marrow bones or bones rich in joints, such as turkey and chicken legs. Cover the bones with two to three inches of water, cover the pot, and cook on low for 20 to 24 hours.
After cooking, allow the broth to cool in the fridge, which will enable the fat to form a hardened layer on top. Scoop off this fat layer, and store the jelly-like broth in the refrigerator. If you plan to use the broth to moisten dry food, microwave it just long enough to turn it from a semi-solid jelly back into a liquid, ensuring it’s not too hot to prevent burning your dog’s mouth. For extended storage, you can freeze the broth in small portions, such as in an ice cube tray.
While bone broth is packed with healthy marrow, remember that cooked bones themselves can be very dangerous for dogs, potentially causing blockages or splintering. It is absolutely essential to remove all bones from your broth before serving. Straining the broth thoroughly will help ensure no small bone fragments are missed.
German Shorthaired Pointer puppy laying down next to its bowl indoors.
Meat-Based Baby Food
Certain types of baby food are frequently used in veterinary emergency hospitals to feed dogs under their care. Since baby food is exceptionally easy to swallow and digest, it also serves as an excellent vehicle for administering oral medications. Consider feeding Stage II meat-based baby foods, such as chicken, lamb, or turkey. However, it is paramount to ensure they do not contain any ingredients or additives that could be toxic to dogs, specifically garlic or onion powder. Being aware of what are the foods dogs can’t eat is vital for your pet’s safety.
Foods to Absolutely Avoid When Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach
While some human foods can be beneficial in soothing your dog’s upset stomach, many others can make their condition significantly worse or even be dangerous. It is crucial to avoid feeding your dog the following foods, especially when they are experiencing digestive issues:
- Foods cooked with garlic, oils, or seasonings: These additives can further irritate your dog’s already sensitive digestive system.
- Milk or dairy products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, and consuming dairy can lead to vomiting or diarrhea, exacerbating their current discomfort.
- Processed meats like ham, bacon, or pepperoni: These foods are often rich, fatty, and have a high salt content, all of which can be incredibly difficult for an upset stomach to process and can cause further digestive distress. This is a critical part of the list of what foods dogs should not eat.
Remember, none of these recommended foods are a substitute for proper medical care from a qualified veterinarian. However, offering a bland diet can effectively alleviate some of your dog’s intestinal discomfort while providing them with palatable and nutritious options. When in doubt or if your dog’s symptoms persist or worsen, always consult your dog’s veterinarian before making any changes to their diet or continuing with home care.
