Bland Diet for Dogs With Diarrhea: What to Feed & When to Call the Vet

There is hardly anything that frightens dog owners more than vomiting or diarrhea. It is not only uncomfortable to your pet but can be messy and stressful at home. One of the easiest and most effective ways of treating a mild stomach problem in dogs is a bland diet in cases of diarrhea and vomiting. When you feed your dog soft, low-fat food, such as boiled chicken and rice, you allow your dog a break to rest and heal its digestive system.

This guide will tell you all you need to know: what a bland diet is, when to put your dog on it, safe recipes, and how to wean your dog off the bland diet.

What Is a Bland Diet for Dogs?

A bland diet is a short-term feeding method that employs bland, easily digestible foods. In contrast to normal meals, bland diets do not include fats, oils, and spices that may irritate the digestive system.

The reason is straightforward: to nourish without straining your dog's stomach and intestines. This diet is:

● Low-fat to reduce strain on digestion

● High-carbohydrate to give energy without irritation

● Unseasoned to avoid stomach upset

For example, boiled chicken and white rice is one of the most common combinations. Other proteins and carbs can be applied, but they should be plain and mild.

As long as you have ever wondered how old your dog actually is, you will understand that age is a factor in recovery. This diet is usually beneficial to senior dogs than for younger and more resilient dogs.

When to Use a Bland Diet

Dogs with diarrhea and vomiting respond best to a bland diet in mild cases and may allow the stomach to heal. Nevertheless, when your dog exhibits more serious symptoms, including lethargy, bloody stool, or failure to eat for over a day, you should call your vet at once. Puppies are especially prone to dehydration as they can dry out very fast. Being attentive to the feeding habits of puppies will enable you to determine whether a bland diet is sufficient or a veterinary attention is required.

Why Bland Diets Work

The digestive system needs rest and gentle care when it’s upset. A bland diet in dogs with diarrhea is helpful because:

● It rests the stomach by not consuming heavy fats, oils and spices that are hard to digest.

● It helps in hydration in combination with small and frequent amounts of fresh water or an electrolyte solution.

● It helps in replacing the lost nutrients due to frequent cases of diarrhea or vomiting.

● It reduces irritation by concentrating on soft and mild foods that are not hard.

With a bland diet, hydration, and rest, the dog can recover safely and gain strength by alleviating the pressure on the digestive system and avoiding additional irritation.

Ingredients in a Bland Diet

The key to success is choosing the right ingredients. A balanced bland diet always includes one protein source and one carbohydrate source:

Protein Options:

● Boiled chicken breast (skinless)

● Lean ground turkey

● Lean ground beef (90% or more)

● Low-fat cottage cheese

● Boiled venison or bison

Carbohydrate Options:

● White rice (most common)

● Rolled oatmeal

● Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes

● Brown rice

Some owners include probiotics as a way of replenishing good gut bacteria. This may be particularly helpful in case your dog is sensitive to the stomach. For example, probiotics can give additional support to your dog if it has problems with food changes or a sensitive stomach.

If your dog does not accept plain food, you might have to change the recipe.

Things to Consider Before Feeding

A bland diet does not always work perfectly on dogs with diarrhea and vomiting. These are some of the things to remember before you begin:

● Short-term only: This is not a complete diet. Over a week of feeding, it can lead to deficiencies.

● Puppy hazards: Young dogs are not able to fast for long. Vomiting or diarrhea should be addressed by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

● Underlying conditions: If your dog has ingested something harmful such as a toy or sock, bland food will not help the situation.

● Slow recovery: Older dogs take longer to recover. Read up on how to take care of senior dogs to help them be healthier.

● Vomiting: Vomiting that lasts longer than 8 hours is a sign that you should call your vet.

There are instances where dogs eat grass and vomit. Although this might not sound dangerous, it can be an indication of more serious digestive problems.

Simple Bland Diet Recipe

Here’s a practical way to prepare a bland diet for dogs with diarrhea and vomiting:

Ingredients (based on weight):

● 20-lb dog: ½ cup protein + ½ cup carbohydrate

● 40-lb dog: ⅔ cup protein + ⅔ cup carbohydrate

● 60-lb dog: ¾ cup protein + ¾ cup carbohydrate

● 80-lb dog: 1 cup protein + 1 cup carbohydrate

Storage and Serving:

● Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.

● Heat food a little before feeding (do not serve cold food).

● Begin with small portions: 1/4 to 1/2 of their usual amount.

● If tolerated, gradually increase serving size.

This easy recipe can be followed and is effective even with dogs that have sensitive stomachs.

Duration of Bland Diet

Dogs with diarrhea or vomiting should be put on a bland diet that should be maintained for 3-5 days or until the condition improves significantly. In this, make the portions small and frequent so as not to upset the stomach.

When the stools of your dog start to harden and the vomiting has ceased, you can resume feeding your dog with the normal food, but in small quantities. Put a little of their usual food with the bland food and gradually add the normal food to the bland food over 3-4 days. This gradual transformation prevents sudden digestive upset.

If the symptoms recur at this point, e.g., loose stools, loss of appetite, or vomiting, it is best to cease and call your vet to receive further instructions.

For dogs with chronic digestive problems or tummy upsets, the bland diet may take a longer duration under professional care. In this case, dog nutrition, including easily digestible proteins, balanced fiber, and proper hydration, can go a long way to long-term gut health.

Making Feeding Easier With Smart Solutions

The busy owners may find it difficult to feed a recovering dog with small meals throughout the day. Smart pet feeders are useful there. With these devices, you can:

● Plan several small meals every day.

● Ensure consistency, even when you are not at home.

● Minimize stress to you and your pup.

The WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder is one of the most useful tools.

It allows you to program the feeding schedules, portion control and even record your voice to soothe your dog. This will make it much easier to adhere to a bland diet for dogs with diarrhea during recovery.

When to Call the Vet

Although a bland diet may help dogs with diarrhea and vomiting, it is not always sufficient. Immediately call your veterinarian in case you see blood in stool or vomit, extreme lethargy, water intake refusal, or if the symptoms persist for more than two to three days. Early veterinary care will make sure that any underlying severe condition is treated before it becomes severe.

Final Thoughts

A bland diet is an easy and effective short-term fix to tummy troubles in dogs with diarrhea and vomiting. It soothes the gastrointestinal tract, assists in hydration, and provides your pet with the most favorable opportunity to recover. Remember that you should visit a vet if the symptoms do not go away or get worse. Learning the basics of proper dog nutrition will help you ensure that your pup remains healthy, not only during stomach upsets.