9 Best Foods for Dogs With Diarrhea or Upset Stomach

Dogs are a part of our family, and we want them to be healthy and happy. That is why feeding them the right food when they are sick is important. Feeding a dog with diarrhea or an upset stomach can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can give your dog many different foods if they have diarrhea or an upset stomach.

Read through the following sections and learn what causes upset stomachs and diarrhea in dogs and what to feed a dog with diarrhea and other stomach issues. 

What Causes Upset Stomachs and Diarrhea in Dogs?

Before we get to what to feed dog with an upset stomach, you need to understand what causes upset stomachs and diarrhea in dogs. Take  a look at the list below.

• Dietary adaptations. Like humans, a change in food can trigger an upset stomach in dogs.
• Food allergy. Some dogs, just like humans, can develop food allergies. Contact your veterinarian if you feel this may be the situation with your dog.
• Funky food. Your dog ate something that upset their stomach. Dogs are curious and usually the mouth or consume things they shouldn’t.
• Antibiotics. Antibiotics can induce stomach distress and diarrhea. Call your vet if your dog develops diarrhea or vomiting while taking antibiotics since it may be unable to keep the medication down.
• Kenneling. There are numerous causes of diarrhea in boarded dogs, including many of those listed above.
• Anxiety. Dogs’ unsettled stomachs may be caused by separation anxiety, changes in lifestyle, or environmental stressors. The neurological system controls the stomach of a dog.
• Medications. Some medications are only supposed to be taken with meals, while others must be taken on an empty stomach.

What To Feed A Sick Dog With Diarrhea

All these homemade dog food for diarrhea food types listed below should be served unseasoned and plain

1. White Rice 

 

Most vets always recommend using white rice as the remedy for diarrhea caused by dehydration because white rice can be easily digested. Rice’s soluble fiber content helps to keep stools regular by soaking up excess water as it travels through the digestive system.

White rice has fewer  nutrients than brown rice, but its bland flavor makes it easier for sensitive  stomachs. Stick to plain boiled rice and save the additional stuff for  yourself; butter, oils, and added seasonings might upset your puppy’s stomach and make the situation severe.

2. Boiled Chicken Meat

 

Many vets advise feeding chicken to dogs with diarrhea, but only if they haven’t vomited in the  past six hours. The chicken should be boneless and skinless with no added seasonings. Shredded chicken is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs and can stimulate their appetites tremendously.

Healthy food for a dog that’s feeling under the weather is plain, unseasoned, cooked, shredded chicken. It’s easy to digest and full of the vitamins, minerals, lipids, and amino acids your dog  needs.

Chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days, and it  can be frozen and eaten within two to six months. To prevent your dog from  choking on this unexpected treat, ensure the chicken is fully cooked and sliced or shredded into small, bite-sized pieces. 

 3. Pumpkin

Another tip on what to feed a sick dog with no appetite is pumpkin. Likeablepets  Proposes pumpkin for settling an upset stomach and stopping diarrhea. Due to its high soluble fiber and water content, pumpkin can slow down digestion and  satiety by delaying stomach emptying (and the number of episodes of diarrhea).

It gives instant energy and is easier to absorb. Pumpkin is an excellent supplement to your dog’s diet

and can aid with moderate constipation. Depending on the size of your dog, your vet may suggest giving them one to four teaspoons of pumpkin. Unseasoned canned  pumpkin is a time-saving alternative to cooking fresh pumpkin. You may have to make another trip to the vet if you feed your dog pumpkin pie filling from a can since the sugar and spices in it may upset your dog’s stomach and lead to other health problems.

 4. Sweet Potato

Due to their high sugar and starch content, dogs should limit their potato consumption to special occasions. Similar to pumpkins, sweet potatoes are good for your digestive system. Foods like sweet potatoes and pumpkin are great for dogs since they are high in fiber and help keep their digestive systems in check.

Peeled, cooked, unseasoned, and unsalted pumpkin contains vitamin C, niacin, folate, iron, vitamin B6, magnesium, dietary fiber, vitamin A, riboflavin, thiamin, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, copper, and  vitamin E plus.

If you don’t know what to feed a sick dog with no appetite, give your dog sweet potatoes and it  will get a nutritious boost from the nutrients mentioned above. Keep your dog away from uncooked potatoes at all costs. Some dogs are allergic to the chemical solanine found in raw potatoes.

 

5. Boiled and Mashed Carrots

Carrots are good for dogs, but only if you cook and mash them first. Carrots are high in potassium and fiber and have substantial quantities of vitamins  C and K. Carrots, once cooked, become mushy, flavorless, and nutritionally dense, making them a great treat for dogs with gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

6. Boiled Egg

You could be asking , “is scrambled egg good for dogs with diarrhea”. Yes, Eggs are a great source of protein and minerals, making them a healthy food option. Mix white rice with mashed hard-boiled eggs or scrambled eggs. Don’t season it with salt or anything else. Do not give your dog any raw eggs. Salmonella is one example of a bacterium that can be found in raw eggs and causes food poisoning.

8. Bone Broth

Another homemade dog food for diarrhea is Bone broth. This is an extremely gentle liquid meal that is well tolerated by irritated dog stomachs. In addition to being a healthy and tasty solution to entice picky eaters or dogs with lower appetites to finish their dry food, it also adds moisture and flavor to the food.

While the gelatinous marrow in bone broth is beneficial to canines, the cooked bones can be fatal. Before serving, strain the soup to get rid of any remaining bones. Avoid an unnecessary trip to the emergency department by straining the broth to remove any hidden tiny bones.

9. Baby Food

Dogs in the care of veterinary emergency facilities are sometimes fed baby food. Baby food is a fantastic way to administer oral medications because it is soft and easily digested. Stage II meat-based baby foods, such as lamb, chicken, and turkey, are fine to feed as long as they don’t contain garlic or onion powder, as recommended by vets.

8. Oatmeal

Soluble fiber, abundant in oatmeal, slows down the rate at which food passes through your stomach, which helps keep diarrhea at bay. It works wonderfully for senior dogs battling diarrhea.

9. Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that keep harmful bacteria from colonizing the digestive tract. Fortiflora, a probiotic for animals developed by Purina that  veterinarians approve, boosts the population of good bacteria in the intestines. The Fortiflora supplement is marketed as a powder that can be added to drinks and snacks.

Diarrhea and upset stomach in dogs

Dogs frequently get diarrhea and stomach distress. If you own a dog, you know they frequently  consume items they shouldn’t. It is typical for a dog’s digestive tract to become sensitive and purge itself through vomiting or diarrhea.

Almost all dogs will eventually experience vomiting and diarrhea. Depending on your dog’s food, age, and temperament, this issue’s frequency, degree, and severity will vary.

Often, upset stomach and diarrhea are acute, a sudden reaction to whatever the dog ate. Digestive difficulties that are persistent or recurrent may signal a serious condition. Also check out can dogs eat cucumbers?

The Bottom Line

Contact your vet immediately if your dog frequently vomits or has diarrhea to rule out the potential of a persistent illness. If the problem is only temporary, consider these 9 foods to help your dog recover from an upset stomach, increase hydration, and feel better.