Brenda Khan
Dogs occasionally suffer from gastrointestinal issues such as gastroenteritis, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. In such cases, a bland diet can help soothe their angry digestive tract and get them back on the road to recovery. A bland diet is a temporary feeding plan that consists of foods that are easy to digest and low in fat and fibre. It will help your dog's digestive system recover from issues like vomiting and diarrhoea. A typical bland diet for dogs includes lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, and ground beef, and carbohydrates such as plain white rice or potato, brown rice, barley, or whole wheat pasta.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To alleviate intestinal discomfort and provide nutrition to dogs with mild stomach issues such as gas, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. |
| Composition | 50% highly digestible lean protein (e.g. boiled chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, ground beef) and 50% carbohydrate (e.g. boiled rice, potato, pasta). |
| Preparation | Avoid oils, fats, salt, and flavourings. Use unseasoned, peeled, and cooked ingredients. Cool food and water before serving. |
| Feeding Frequency | Smaller portions more frequently. Start with 2 tablespoons to 1 cup of food every 4-6 hours until normal stool is produced. |
| Transitioning Back to Regular Diet | Gradually mix regular food with the bland diet over a period of time. |
| Precautions | Consult a veterinarian before starting a bland diet and for advice on the duration of the diet. Do not use as a long-term solution without veterinary guidance. |
| Additional Benefits | Commercially available therapeutic GI diets are complete, balanced, clinically tested, and often come with a palatability guarantee. |
| Risks of Home-Prepared Diet | May be incomplete, imbalanced, difficult to measure, and prone to bacterial contamination. |
| Other Considerations | Probiotics and fiber supplements can aid digestion. Plenty of water should be available. |
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What You'll Learn
- Lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, and ground beef
- Carbohydrates like rice, potato, pasta, and oatmeal
- Canned food diets, such as Hills a/d Urgent Care or Royal Canin Recovery
- Home-cooked bland meals vs. commercially available diets
- How to transition your dog back to their regular diet?
Lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, and ground beef
Lean proteins are an important part of a dog's diet and can help with the formation and maintenance of your dog's health. Chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, and ground beef are all excellent sources of protein for your dog. Here is some more information about each of these protein sources and how they can benefit your dog's tummy:
Chicken
Chicken is a common ingredient in many dog foods, and cooked chicken can be a healthy addition to your dog's diet. It is a good source of protein and can be substituted for or added to your dog's regular meal. Most sources recommend against raw chicken due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections, although some advocates of raw food diets may disagree. If you choose to feed your dog cooked chicken, be sure to remove the bones, as cooked chicken bones can splinter easily and pose a choking hazard or cause gastrointestinal tract punctures.
Turkey
Turkey is another lean protein that is safe for dogs to eat as long as it is cooked plain, without added salt, fat, or seasonings. Turkey is rich in protein, riboflavin, and phosphorus, and it can be a wholesome part of a homemade dog food diet under the guidance of a veterinarian. However, it is important to remove the turkey skin, as the high fat content can cause pancreatitis. Also, ensure that no cooked turkey bones are given to your dog, as they can be dangerous.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, amino acids, fatty acids, probiotics, and potassium. It has a very low lactose content, so even lactose-intolerant dogs can usually tolerate it well. Cottage cheese can be a good option for dogs with upset stomachs, but it should be given in moderation due to its high-fat content, which can contribute to excessive weight gain or obesity. Choose plain, low-fat cottage cheese and avoid those with added flavorings that may contain toxic ingredients for dogs, such as onion, chives, or garlic.
Ground Beef
Ground beef is a protein-packed, nutritious food that can be added to your dog's diet. It provides essential amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals. Both raw and cooked ground beef can be fed to dogs, but it is important to ensure the meat is sourced from a trusted place to prevent foodborne illnesses. When cooking ground beef for your dog, avoid adding any seasonings, as most spices are not good for dogs, including garlic and onion. Leaner ground beef is preferable, especially for chunkier dogs, and you can drain the fat or rinse the meat before feeding it to your dog.
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Carbohydrates like rice, potato, pasta, and oatmeal
Carbohydrates are an important part of a bland diet for dogs with tummy troubles. They provide a good source of energy and help with digestion. Carbohydrates that are commonly included in a bland diet for dogs include rice, potato, pasta, and oatmeal.
Rice is a staple in many dog foods and is well tolerated by dogs with upset stomachs. White rice, in particular, is easy to digest and gentle on the digestive system. It can be boiled or cooked and mixed with other ingredients such as chicken or turkey. Brown rice is also an option, offering more fibre and nutrients than its white counterpart.
Potato is another carbohydrate that can be easily digested and is a good source of energy for dogs. White potatoes are often used in a bland diet and can be boiled or cooked. They can be combined with other ingredients such as chicken or beef to provide a balanced meal for your dog.
Pasta is also a carbohydrate that can be included in a bland diet for dogs. Plain pasta noodles, preferably whole wheat, are a good option as they are easy to digest and provide energy. They can be boiled and mixed with other ingredients or served plain.
Oatmeal is a common ingredient in bland diets for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It is highly digestible, gentle on the digestive system, and contains natural prebiotic fibres. Oatmeal can be served plain or mixed with other ingredients, such as lamb or salmon, to provide a nutritious and tasty meal for your dog.
When feeding your dog a bland diet, it is important to ensure that the carbohydrates are plain and unseasoned. Avoid adding any oils, fats, salt, or flavourings as these can irritate your dog's stomach and slow down their recovery. It is also important to consult your veterinarian before making any dietary changes for your dog, especially if they have any existing health conditions.
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Canned food diets, such as Hills a/d Urgent Care or Royal Canin Recovery
Hills a/d Urgent Care is a clinically tested and specially formulated diet for dogs recovering from surgery, illness, or injury. It is soft, moist, and thixotropic, meaning it becomes more liquid with stirring, providing flexibility in feeding methods. For example, it can be fed by hand, bowl, spoon, syringe, or tube. It also contains increased levels of B vitamins and zinc to support your dog's recovery.
Royal Canin also offers a range of digestive care diets for dogs with sensitive stomachs. These diets are available in both wet and dry options and for dogs of different sizes. They contain probiotics to aid in healthy digestion.
It is important to note that a bland diet should not be a long-term solution. While it can help alleviate your dog's intestinal discomfort and provide them with necessary nutrition during recovery, you should gradually transition them back to their regular food. Always consult your veterinarian before starting and when transitioning your dog off a bland diet to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your dog's specific needs.
Additionally, remember to provide your dog with plenty of water, as proper hydration is crucial for their recovery. Smaller portions of food given more frequently can also help ensure their digestive system is not overloaded.
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Home-cooked bland meals vs. commercially available diets
A bland diet is a temporary feeding plan that consists of foods that are easy to digest and low in fat and fibre. It helps dogs recover from digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhoea. A bland diet should consist of around 50% protein, like boiled chicken, and 50% carbohydrate, like boiled rice. Other sources of protein include turkey, cottage cheese, and ground beef. Carbohydrates can also include potato, brown rice, barley, or whole wheat pasta.
Home-cooked bland diets are best for short-term use, while chronic gastrointestinal issues require a commercial food option. Commercially available diets for dogs with upset stomachs include canned food and kibble options. Canned food diets, such as Hills a/d Urgent Care or Royal Canin Recovery, provide dogs with their energy requirements from a small amount of food, which can help reduce symptoms such as vomiting. Prescription diets for dogs with stomach upset provide bland ingredients along with the vitamins and minerals needed for a complete and balanced diet.
Home-cooked bland diets, such as chicken and rice, are easy to prepare and can be packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fats, and amino acids. They can also be used to perk up a dog's poor appetite. However, long-term use of home-cooked diets can result in nutritional deficiencies that can cause further illness. It may also create a food aversion when the dog is feeling better and needs to start eating their regular dog food again.
When feeding a home-cooked bland diet, it is important to consult a veterinarian about portion sizes and how long the dog should be on the diet. Determining how long a dog with gastrointestinal issues should be on a special bland diet depends on the underlying cause and how quickly they recover. If symptoms last longer than 48 hours, a veterinarian should be consulted.
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How to transition your dog back to their regular diet
A bland diet can help alleviate a dog's intestinal discomfort and provide them with the nutrition they need to recover. It usually consists of foods that are easy to digest and low in fat and fibre. Boiled chicken and rice is a popular option, with chicken providing protein and rice aiding digestion. Other lean proteins that can be included are turkey, cottage cheese, and ground beef. Carbohydrates such as plain white rice, potato, brown rice, barley, or whole wheat pasta can also be added. It is important to note that a bland diet should not be a long-term solution, and dogs need to transition back to their regular diet once their symptoms have resolved.
When transitioning your dog back to their regular diet, it is important to do so gradually to avoid upsetting their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Here is a suggested schedule:
Day 1: Start by mixing three parts of the bland diet with one part of the regular diet for each meal.
Day 2: If there is no return of symptoms, make each meal a 50:50 mix of bland and regular food.
Day 3: If your dog is doing well, you can increase the regular diet to three parts and the bland diet to one part for each meal.
Day 4: If all is still well, your dog can return to full regular feedings.
It is important to note that this is a general guide, and the transition period may vary depending on your dog's sensitivity. If your dog has a super sensitive stomach, it is recommended to make changes every two days instead of daily, which will result in a full transition in a week. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor your dog's stool during the transition. If you notice any signs of GI upset, such as loose stool or diarrhoea, slow down the transition process or consult your veterinarian.
Some additional tips for transitioning your dog back to their regular diet include:
- Start adding small amounts of kibble to the bland diet, gradually increasing the amount over time.
- Reduce the number of meals first while still providing the same amount of bland food per day, then slowly introduce the new food.
- Ensure your dog is drinking enough water.
- Consider keeping a food journal to record how much they are eating and any symptoms they are experiencing.
- Avoid giving your dog treats or table scraps during the transition, as this can worsen GI upset.
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Frequently asked questions
A bland diet for dogs consists of foods that are easy to digest and low in fat and fibre. It is a temporary solution to help alleviate intestinal discomfort and provide nutrition to dogs with upset stomachs.
The most common foods in a bland diet are boiled, skinless chicken or turkey (white meat like breast) and boiled white rice. Other sources of protein such as beef or fish can be included, and some carbohydrates like potato, brown rice, barley, or whole wheat pasta can be added to bulk up the diet.
The amount of food depends on the size of the dog. Generally, it is recommended to feed 2 tablespoons to 1 cup of food every 4 to 6 hours until the dog's stool returns to normal. Smaller portions of food given more frequently can help ensure the dog's digestive system is not overloaded.
The length of time a dog should remain on a bland diet depends on the underlying cause of the GI upset and how quickly they recover. It is important to consult a veterinarian, as prolonged stomach issues could be a sign of a more serious health problem.
