Caring for a sick dog, especially one experiencing a decreased appetite, upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting, can be a stressful ordeal for any pet owner. While it is crucial to consult with your veterinarian for any serious health concerns, a well-planned bland diet can be instrumental in addressing these symptoms and providing your dog with the necessary nutrition for recovery. This guide focuses on gentle, easily digestible foods that can help soothe your canine companion’s digestive troubles.
Understanding Your Dog’s Upset Stomach
Dogs, much like humans, can occasionally suffer from an upset stomach. The dietary recommendations that follow are designed for dogs experiencing mild gastrointestinal issues such as gas, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. However, it is vital to remember that these symptoms can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying health problem. Always seek professional veterinary advice before attempting any home treatments or dietary changes. These recipes are best utilized once your veterinarian has ruled out significant health risks and approved your dietary plan. It’s also important to note that senior dogs or those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, cancer, or allergies may require specialized nutritional support to maintain their health.
When your dog is feeling under the weather, easily digestible and bland foods are key to soothing their digestive system. These options are generally well-tolerated by dogs with sensitive stomachs and are packed with essential nutrients to help regulate their appetite and manage constipation.
Boiled Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice are staple ingredients in many commercial dog foods, and their mild nature makes them ideal for settling an upset canine stomach. This bland meal is simple to prepare. You will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts and rice. While brown rice offers more nutritional value, white rice is often preferred for upset stomachs due to its blandness. It’s important to avoid adding oils, butter, or seasonings, as these can further irritate your dog’s stomach. Ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked and then cut or shredded into small, manageable pieces. For convenience, pre-packaged chicken and rice meals formulated for dogs are also available.
Shredded Chicken
Plain, unseasoned, boiled, and shredded chicken is not only easy to digest but can also serve as an appealing incentive for dogs with a reduced appetite. This protein-rich food is a great choice for dogs feeling unwell, providing essential vitamins, minerals, fats, and amino acids. Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for longer preservation.
Plain Pumpkin
Incorporating unseasoned pumpkin into your dog’s diet can offer significant digestive health benefits. Its high fiber content aids in regulating the digestive system. When cooked, peeled, unsalted, and unseasoned, pumpkin provides beneficial nutrients like vitamin E, iron, and potassium, offering a nutritional boost and digestive support. Pumpkin is often recommended to help alleviate mild constipation. Veterinarians typically suggest one to four tablespoons per day, depending on your dog’s size. Canned pumpkin is a convenient option, provided it is pure and unseasoned. Crucially, avoid pumpkin pie filling, as the added spices and sugars can be detrimental to your dog’s sensitive stomach. Specially formulated pumpkin supplements for dogs are also available.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is a very mild, liquid meal that is gentle on upset canine stomachs. It also serves as an excellent way to add moisture and flavor to dry food, encouraging dogs with diminished appetites to eat. To prepare bone broth for dogs, fill a slow cooker with beef marrow bones or bones rich in joints, such as turkey or chicken legs. Cover the bones with water and cook on low for 20 to 24 hours. After cooking, let the broth cool in the refrigerator to allow the fat to solidify at the top; then, skim it off. Store the jelly-like broth in the refrigerator. To serve with dry food, gently warm the broth until it reaches a liquid consistency, ensuring it is not too hot for your dog’s mouth. Freezing the broth in small portions, like an ice cube tray, is a practical way to store it for future use. While bone broth is nutritious, always remove all cooked bones before serving, as they can pose a choking hazard. Straining the broth is a good practice to ensure no small bones remain.
Meat-Based Baby Food
Certain types of meat-based baby food are frequently used in veterinary emergency hospitals due to their high digestibility and ease of swallowing. Stage II varieties, such as chicken, lamb, and turkey, can be beneficial, provided they do not contain additives like garlic or onion powder, which are toxic to dogs.
Foods to Avoid
While some human foods can be soothing, others can exacerbate your dog’s digestive issues or even pose a danger. It is essential to avoid the following foods, particularly when your dog is experiencing digestive distress:
- Foods prepared with garlic, oils, or seasonings.
- Milk or dairy products, as many dogs are lactose intolerant and may experience vomiting or diarrhea.
- Processed meats like ham, bacon, or pepperoni, which are often high in fat and salt content.
It is important to reiterate that these bland diet foods are not a substitute for professional veterinary care. However, implementing a bland diet can help alleviate your dog’s intestinal discomfort while offering them palatable food options. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your dog’s diet.
