Has your dog been battling a bout of vomiting or diarrhea? A bland diet for dogs can be a lifesaver. This gentle eating plan consists of easily digestible foods designed to soothe your dog's upset stomach and get them back to feeling their best. While it's not a cure-all, a bland diet for dogs is often the first step recommended by veterinarians for common digestive troubles. Let's talk about what this diet is, when to use it, and how it can help your dog get back on track.

Key Points

  • A bland diet is a temporary solution that promotes digestive healing for dogs battling vomiting, diarrhea, or other digestive issues.
  • Bland diets consist of easily digestible proteins (like boiled chicken) and carbohydrates (like white rice) to soothe the gut.
  • Gradually increase the portion size of the bland diet over 2-3 days, then slowly mix in their regular food over the next 3-5 days for a smooth transition.
  • If there are no changes to your dog's symptoms in 2-3 days, or if they worsen, please contact your veterinarian for further advice.

What is a bland diet for dogs?

A bland diet for dogs is a temporary eating plan made up of foods that are incredibly easy for your dog’s digestive system to process. Think of it as the equivalent of chicken noodle soup for a person with a stomach bug.

We recommend this approach often to help dogs with digestive or stomach upset. While a homemade bland diet can be beneficial for short-term use, it is important to consult a veterinarian to ensure it meets all nutritional needs.

The main goals of a bland diet for dogs are:

  • Reduce inflammation: A bland diet uses ingredients that won’t irritate the lining of your dog’s stomach or intestines.
  • Promote gut rest: These gentle foods require minimal work from the digestive system, giving it a chance to heal and recover. In other words, bland diets are very easy to digest.
  • Encourage normal stools: The ingredients in a bland diet help firm up loose stools and promote normal bowel function.

Typically, a bland diet for dogs is low-fat, low in fiber, and contains a single, easily digestible protein source combined with a simple carbohydrate.

Benefits of a bland diet for dogs

A bland diet offers several benefits for dogs suffering from digestive issues such as upset stomachs, diarrhea, and vomiting. Because the diet is easy to digest, it can help reduce the severity of these symptoms and promote faster healing.

Additionally, the nature of a bland diet can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, which is particularly beneficial for dogs with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. By providing a simple, soothing meal plan, a bland diet can help your dog feel better more quickly.

When should you feed your dog a bland diet?

If your dog is experiencing mild digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea, a bland diet may help soothe the stomach and intestinal tract, and get them back on track.

Identifying when this dietary change is needed can greatly influence your dog's recovery speed and comfort.

Signs that your dog might need a bland diet

  • Mild vomiting or diarrhea: If your dog has a few episodes of vomiting or loose stools, a bland diet can soothe their intestinal tract and help them bounce back.
  • Loss of appetite: Sometimes a bland diet's gentle nature can kickstart a dog's appetite again.
  • Post-surgery recovery: After certain surgical procedures, we may advise a bland diet to ease digestion while your dog heals.
  • Food sensitivities: In some cases, a bland diet can help determine if a food allergy or intolerance is causing digestive issues.
  • Stress-induced gastroenteritis: Dogs can develop gastrointestinal symptoms in response to stress, requiring a bland diet for relief. Common symptoms include diarrhea with or without blood.
  • Dietary indiscretion: Dogs often eat things they shouldn't, leading to stomach upset. This can lead to diarrhea or vomiting. Eating chicken bones for example can upset the stomach.

When should you feed your dog a bland diet?

If your dog is experiencing mild stomach upset like vomiting and diarrhea, a bland meal may help soothe the stomach and intestinal tract, and get them back on track.

Identifying when this dietary change is needed can greatly influence your dog’s recovery speed and comfort.

Signs that your dog might need a bland diet for an upset stomach

  • Mild vomiting or diarrhea: If your dog has a few episodes of vomiting or loose stools, a bland diet can soothe their intestinal tract and help them bounce back.
  • Loss of appetite: Sometimes a bland diet’s gentle nature can kickstart a dog’s appetite again.
  • Post-surgery recovery: After certain surgical procedures, we may advise a bland diet to ease digestion while your dog heals.
  • Food sensitivities: In some cases, a bland diet can help determine if a food allergy or intolerance is causing digestive issues.
  • Sensitive stomach: Dogs with a sensitive stomach may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, and a bland diet can help alleviate symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Stress-induced gastroenteritis: Dogs can develop gastrointestinal symptoms in response to stress, requiring a bland diet for relief. Common symptoms include diarrhea with or without blood.
  • Dietary indiscretion: Dogs often eat things they shouldn’t, leading to stomach upset. This can lead to diarrhea or vomiting. Eating chicken bones for example can upset the stomach.

When to start feeding a bland diet for your dog?

While it’s always recommended to consult your veterinarian for any digestive issues in your pet, as the causes and treatments can be complex, the following are some general guidelines for managing minor digestive upsets.

If your dog’s GI symptoms continue for more than 24 hours, it’s time to start a bland diet to soothe their digestive system.

Offer small, frequent meals throughout the day rather than one or two large ones. This approach is gentler on their stomach and helps promote better digestion.

Tip: As your dog starts feeling better, gradually mix their regular diet into the bland diet over the next 3-5 days to ease the transition back to their normal eating habits.

Preparing a bland diet

Preparing a bland diet for your dog is straightforward and can be done with ingredients you likely already have at home. Common components include boiled chicken, white rice, and baby food.

It’s important to choose ingredients that are easy to digest and low in fat. For example, you can boil chicken until it’s fully cooked and combine it with plain, cooked white rice.

Baby food can also be a convenient option, but make sure it doesn’t contain any harmful additives like xylitol, garlic, or onion. Adding probiotics and prebiotics to the diet can further support your dog’s digestive health.

The key ingredients in a bland diet for dogs

A successful bland diet for dogs relies on a few simple, carefully chosen ingredients. Let’s break down the main components:

  • Proteins: Boiled or shredded lean meats like chicken breast, turkey white meat, and lean ground beef are ideal. These proteins should be cooked without added fats or seasonings.
  • Carbohydrates: Easily digestible carbs such as cooked white rice and sweet potato starch form the base of a bland diet. You can also use cooked pasta as a source of carbs. These provide energy while being gentle on the stomach.
  • Fiber: Although a bland diet is low in fiber, incorporating dietary fiber from sources like pureed or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) and bananas can aid digestion without causing distress.

There are various bland diet recipes that you can prepare at home, ensuring they are gentle on your dog's stomach and provide the necessary nutrients for recovery.

White rice in a bland diet for dogs
Cooked white rice is a common ingredient in bland diets

Simple bland diet recipe

The following is an example of a bland diet that we recommend to feed your dog. This is for a medium-sized dog, so please adjust for your dog’s size.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked white rice (or brown rice, if preferred)
  • 1/2 cup cooked, lean protein (skinless, boneless chicken breast, ground turkey, ground beef)
  • Optional: 1/4 cup plain canned pumpkin (for dogs with diarrhea)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato

Instructions:

  1. Cook the protein: Boil or poach the chicken until fully cooked, or cook the ground meat until browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Cook the rice: Follow package directions for white or brown rice, ensuring it’s fully cooked and very soft.
  3. Prepare the sweet potato (if using): Peel and cube a sweet potato. Boil or steam it until very tender, then mash it.
  4. Combine ingredients: Mix the cooked rice, protein, and optional pumpkin. If desired, add the mashed sweet potato.

Serving size:

  • Divide the total amount of food into several small meals (around 4-5) to feed your dog throughout the day.
  • Start with a very small portion size (e.g., 2-3 tablespoons per meal) and gradually increase the amount if tolerated.

Notes:

  • Adjust for your dog’s size: Scale the recipe up or down slightly depending on their breed and ideal weight.
  • Avoid salt and seasonings: Resist the urge to add any seasonings, rubs, oils, or other ingredients.
  • While homemade bland diets can be effective for short-term use, they may lack essential nutrients for long-term feeding, so always consult a veterinarian.

Tip: Does all this sound like too much work? Go to your vet’s office and pick up some cans of a bland veterinary gastrointestinal diet. It serves the same purpose and has additional ingredients to help your dog’s digestive issues.

Safety Note About Homemade Bland Meals

While homemade bland meals can be a convenient and cost-effective option, it’s important to remember that they may not provide all the necessary nutrients for your dog’s long-term health. These meals should only be used for a short period, typically 1-2 weeks, and always under the guidance of a veterinarian. Ensure that the ingredients you use are fresh, wholesome, and handled safely to avoid any risk of contamination. This approach will help your dog recover while minimizing the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Supporting Your Dog’s Digestive Health

In addition to feeding a bland diet, there are several other ways to support your dog’s digestive health. Ensuring your dog has a balanced diet, regular exercise, and access to clean water are all crucial steps. Additionally, incorporating supplements like probiotics and prebiotics can further enhance their digestive well-being.

Probiotics and prebiotics for Dogs

Probiotics and prebiotics are valuable supplements that can help support your dog’s digestive health. Probiotics contain live bacteria that populate the gut with healthy microorganisms, while prebiotics provide a food source for these beneficial bacteria. Together, they promote a healthy digestive system and can help reduce the symptoms of digestive issues.

Probiotics are available in various forms, including capsules, powders, and treats. Prebiotics can be found in foods like canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and bananas. Before adding any supplements to your dog’s diet, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian to ensure they are appropriate for your pet’s specific needs.

By following these guidelines and working closely with your veterinarian, you can support your dog’s digestive health and promote a speedy recovery from digestive issues.

How long should you feed a bland diet to your dog?

In most cases, you’ll want to feed a bland diet for 2-3 days. If your dog’s symptoms improve during that time, you can start to transition your dog back to their regular food over the next 3-5 days. Senior dogs may require additional time on a bland diet due to their sensitive digestive systems and existing health conditions.

Bland diets are not designed for long-term use as they are not properly balanced. They lack the full range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your dog needs for optimal health. Your primary goal should be to get your dog back on their regular, nutritionally balanced dog food as soon as possible.

Tip: If diarrhea, vomiting, or other digestive issues continue or worsen after a few days of the bland diet, please consult your veterinarian.

FAQs

Is scrambled eggs a bland diet for dogs?

Yes, plain scrambled eggs (cooked without seasonings, butter, or oil) can be part of a bland diet for dogs. They offer a gentle and easily digestible protein source.

What bland foods can I feed my dog?

Common bland food options for dogs include boiled chicken or ground beef, low-fat cottage cheese, white rice, boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes, plain canned pumpkin (for diarrhea), and plain cooked oatmeal. Baby food can also be an option to feed your dog but make sure it doesn't contain anything harmful such as xylitol, garlic, or onion.

What is a good alternative to chicken and rice for dogs?

If your dog has an allergy or sensitivity to chicken, other bland diet alternatives include ground turkey, white fish, boiled or scrambled eggs, or even a veterinarian-recommended prescription bland diet.


In conclusion, a bland diet for dogs is an effective short-term solution to alleviate digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea. By opting for easily digestible ingredients such as boiled chicken and white rice, pet parents can help soothe their dog's stomach and facilitate a quicker recovery. Once symptoms improve, gradually transition your dog back to their regular diet.

Please speak with your veterinarian before starting this dietary change to ensure it's the right approach for your dog's specific needs.