Gastrointestinal (GI or GIT) disease, or gastroenteritis, is a common illness in dogs. This causes stomach upset, often leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and/or changes in appetite.
In these cases, you can feed your dog a bland diet and let him recover at home. But knowing when to feed your dog a bland diet and when to see a veterinarian can be difficult. Here’s what you need to know about bland diets for dogs.
Important points
- A bland diet is an easy diet for dogs with gastrointestinal issues.
- There are commercially available bland dog diets as well as homemade diets.
- Homemade bland diets are great for short-term use, but chronic gastrointestinal problems require commercially available foods.
What is a bland diet for dogs?
For dogs that are not feeling well, a bland diet is a better option. The digestive system requires Getting nutrients from food can help resolve the symptoms of an upset stomach, and feeding a bland diet can help even sick puppies eat. These meals may be homemade or commercially available as kibble or wet food.
Providing a bland diet to a dog with gastroenteritis will also aid digestion. A bland diet should have some of the following characteristics, depending on what works best for your dog’s specific symptoms and underlying diagnosis.
highly digestible
Easily digestible food makes it easier for your dog to absorb the nutrients it needs. It’s best to use high-quality ingredients and avoid overly processed foods.
Highly digestible food can be dog grains, but those that are specifically labeled for gastroenteritis sufferers. These include Hills® i/d Digestive Care or Royal Canin® Gastrointestinal.
Typical lean proteins used in a dog’s bland diet include chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, and ground beef. These proteins are usually well tolerated by dogs with upset stomachs, as opposed to other proteins that your dog’s system is not used to.
Carbohydrates like white rice, potatoes, brown rice, barley, and even whole-wheat pasta are often added to bland meals. These carbohydrates help bulk up the meal, but they also draw water from the intestines of dogs with diarrhea or loose stools.
Fresh vegetables aren’t necessary for a bland diet, but vegetables such as pumpkin can add fiber. Make sure these (and all other ingredients) have no added sodium or flavorings.
low fat
Low-fat foods are the best option for dogs dealing with stomach upset due to pancreatitis or chronic (long-term) gastrointestinal disease. Once your dog responds well to these types of diets, we recommend continuing this type of diet to avoid recurrence.
high fiber
High-fiber foods help your digestive system move things through your digestive tract. High fiber foods are great for dogs with diarrhea and other problems.
hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic or new protein diets can help dogs with stomach upset due to food allergies. Hypoallergenic diets may be new (novel) protein or hydrolyzed diets.
New protein-restricted ingredient diets are unlike anything the immune system has seen before and are usually made up of less common proteins such as rabbit or deer meat. Options include Hills d/d and Royal Canin Selective Protein.
high in calories
Calorie-dense (high energy) food is essential for dogs recovering from major illness, surgery, or any condition that affects their appetite.
Canned diets like Hill’s A/D Urgent Care and Royal Canin Recovery require your dog to eat only a small amount of food to get the energy they need for the day. This is expected to reduce symptoms such as vomiting.
Veterinary diets or bland diets for dogs: Which is best?
Historically, when dogs suffer from gastrointestinal disease, The most popular choice for pet parents was dog-friendly homemade meals. However, after research by veterinary nutritionists, an excellent commercial diet has been developed to help dogs with stomach problems.
Feeding homemade bland meals such as chicken and rice or beef and potatoes is an option, but it is often more beneficial to get these ingredients in kibble or canned food. Compared to home-cooked chicken and rice, prescription food for dogs with stomach upsets provides bland ingredients in addition to the vitamins and minerals needed for a complete, balanced diet. You can.
These bland diets for dogs with chronic (lasting months to years) gastrointestinal diseases, such as pancreatitis or gastroenteritis, are safe to feed long-term or for the rest of your puppy’s life.
Compared to home-cooked chicken and rice, prescription food for dogs with stomach upsets provides the vitamins and minerals a complete, balanced diet provides, plus the necessary bland ingredients. give it to the dog.
In contrast, long-term use of home-cooked meals can lead to nutritional deficiencies and further disease. It can also cause food aversions when your dog feels better and should start eating regular dog food again.
However, in the short term (days or weeks) or to compensate for your dog’s lack of appetite, feeding your dog a bland home-cooked diet is an option, as long as your veterinarian provides guidance. Completely safe.
What is the best diet for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Dogs with sensitive stomachs benefit from special diets.
A sensitive stomach is often not associated with a medical condition. These dogs are more prone to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite after eating new foods. Things you shouldn’t have, like trash.
Stomach sensitivities are also common in puppies and older dogs with weakened immune systems, but stomach sensitivities can occur in dogs of any age.
The best dog foods for sensitive stomachs contain highly digestible proteins and carbohydrates, as well as fiber and probiotics. Common options include:
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leech sensitive stomach and sensitive skin Dog food is a great option that comes in a variety of flavors and for different life stages (adult, puppy, senior).
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food for dogs® We produce freshly made dog foods including chicken and rice, lamb and brown rice, and turkey and whole wheat macaroni. These diets are balanced with the vitamins and minerals your dog needs for good health, while being less taxing on the digestive system.
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Purina® Pro Plan® Sensitive Skin and Stomach Flavors include lamb and oatmeal, salmon and rice, and turkey and oatmeal. Oatmeal is highly digestible, gentle on the digestive system, and contains natural prebiotic fiber, making it a popular ingredient in bland diets for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
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royal canin digest care There are wet and dry options. Dogs of various sizes (small dogs, Mediumand big). Contains probiotics to aid healthy digestion.
how to feed a dog
When your dog is eating a bland diet, it’s usually because he or she isn’t feeling well and may need a little encouragement. To create more appealing meals, try the following:
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feed by hand
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Feed your dog in a quiet and calm area
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soak food in water
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Delivery by syringe
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Add low-fat, low-sodium soups to your food
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add lean meal topperspumpkin, or probiotics
Ask your veterinarian whether these methods are best for your dog. Be careful when adding anything to a bland meal, as too many additives can cause further stomach upset.
Your veterinarian may also recommend offering your dog smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. If you’re feeding your dog a bland, home-cooked diet like chicken and rice, ask your veterinarian about portion sizes.
How long does a dog’s diet need to be treated for gastroenteritis?
Deciding how long a dog with a digestive disorder should be fed a special bland diet depends on the underlying cause and how quickly it recovers.
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If your dog recovers quickly (usually within 48 hours), you can put him back on his regular diet.
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If symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, contact your veterinarian. People may be asked to continue eating a bland diet until several days after symptoms have subsided.
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If your dog’s digestive problems are due to a diagnosed underlying condition, a bland diet will likely need to be continued long-term, possibly for life.
How else can I help my dog with an upset stomach?
If your dog’s symptoms worsen or if he is not eating well, it may be helpful to admit him to the hospital for supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and anti-nausea medications.
Make sure your dog is drinking enough water and consider keeping a food log to remember how much he eats and what symptoms he experiences. This will be helpful if you decide to visit your veterinarian for treatment.
It’s always a good idea to limit your dog’s food intake at this point. Don’t give treats or table scraps. This will worsen gastrointestinal disorders.
If you take the time to replenish your dog with a gentle diet, your dog with digestive issues should feel better quickly.
