Revised and Updated: March 14, 2021
If you have a dog, at some point you're going to have to deal with vomiting or your dog's diarrhea. It's awful for them and for you!
Every dog suffers from diarrhea at some point in their lives. Diarrhea is normally caused by digestive issues, so the right food is important when your pet is suffering from this condition.
These homemade dog food recipes will not cure diarrhea, but it will help your dog recover.
Diarrhea results from an upset stomach. In most cases, your dog ate something that wasn't good for him, but he could also have an allergic reaction, stress, or bacteria.
Diarrhea is how the body gets rid of toxins and cleanses itself.
What to Do When Your Dog Has Diarrhea
Dogs with upset stomachs, diarrhea or vomiting need lots of care and attention.
Here's what you can do to make them more comfortable and soothe their upset stomach.
Fast Your Dog
The AKC suggests withholding food for 12-14 hours while giving them plenty of fresh water.
Water consumption may relieve dehydration. We only recommend fasting for healthy adult dogs.
Dogs under one year of age and geriatric dogs are at risk of developing hypoglycemia/low blood sugar so they’ll need to eat, even a bland diet.
Also, if your dog has a chronic illness (like diabetes), they shouldn't fast unless their vet tells you otherwise.
Feed Your Dog a Bland Diet
After you fast, you can start giving your dog this bland diet: three parts of plain cooked rice and one part of boiled, unseasoned, boneless chicken.
What is a “bland” diet?
The “bland diet” is a home remedy that vets have recommended to clients for years, and it helps dogs with stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting.
Best Food for Dogs with Diarrhea
A bland diet is best for your dog's diarrhea. These kinds of diets don't have any kind of science to back them up, so it's hard to know if they really work.
Pet parents and vets alike use this approach, and it really works. Queasy dogs might just find the diet very appealing and eat it more than their regular kibble when feeling icky.
The bland diet is not well balanced and is not suitable for long-term feeding. It’s for a short-term solution (usually 2-4 days).
Once the gastrointestinal signs have ceased, pets should return to a well-balanced diet.
Who Should Not Use a Bland Diet
This diet isn't for pets with chronic (i.e. long-term or repeat) diarrhea or vomiting. Those pets may have problems that need to be dealt with through discussions with your veterinarian.
This diet is not ideal for dogs with true food allergies, or inflammatory bowel disease. However, if you know what your dog is allergic to and choose an appropriate protein source, you may work around this.
When is it appropriate to use this diet?
This diet is only recommended for mild stomach upset. This type of thing usually results from serious dietary mistakes, like a dead mouse found on a roadside, or mild cases of gastroenteritis.
You should use this diet if:
- Your dog usually has regular stools, but has suddenly developed diarrhea.
- The diarrhea hasn’t persisted for over 2-3 days.
- Your dog is still bright, alert and playful despite the diarrhea upset
- Your dog can keep food down without vomiting.
Vomiting can be an indicator of more serious issues. While an isolated episode is not a big deal, a veterinarian should address any persistent vomiting.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we take part in). As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Bland diet recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups white rice
- ¾ lb (400 grams) extra-lean ground beef or chicken
Notes:
You can scale this recipe up or down depending on your dog's size. The above amounts are enough for about 4 meals for a medium-sized dog.
The goal is to keep the rice-to-protein ratio of 50:50 and 75:25.
Directions:
Put your rice in water and let it soak. Not sure how much water to use? Try the “first knuckle” trick.
Fill your pot with rice, then cover it with enough water that when you put your hand flat into the pot of water and rice, the water comes up to your first knuckle.
Turn the heat down to low, then cover and simmer the rice for 10-15 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed.
Prepare your Protein
If you're cooking with ground beef, all you have to do is trim off as much fat as possible and cut into bite-sized cubes. If your using chicken, cut it into smaller cubes.
Bring another pot of water to a boil. Add your protein and let it boil for 5-10 minutes.
When you boil the protein, fat should rise to the top and float on the surface. Once it's ready, pour through a colander to get rid of the water and fat.
Mix the rice with the protein and allow it to cool.
Seasoning isn't necessary! Your pup will love this plain.
The finished product keeps well in the fridge. Sometimes it’s easiest to cook a big batch in advance and eat as needed.
Feeding Instructions for Bland Diet
The total daily amount of food is about equal to the daily amount of kibble they normally eat.
Divide the daily amount into 3 - 4 small meals throughout the day. Small, frequent meals are easier to digest than one or two enormous meals.
Your dog can start this diet any time your dog feels a little gastrointestinal upset, no transition needed.
If your dog’s signs resolve within 2-3 days, transition your dog back to their regular kibble. This transition can be a lot easier than you think. Just feed 50% bland food, 50% regular kibble, and then let it rest for an extra day or two.
You should contact your veterinarian if signs of diarrhea persist for more than a few days or if persistent vomiting occurs.
Recipe: Chicken and Rice Dog Food for Upset Stomach
A diet change can help your dog's upset stomach.
Chicken and Rice Dog Food is one of the most commonly recommended recipes for sick dogs. You'll make this recipe with three easy-to-digest ingredients that soothe an irritated stomach.
You need to start with small amounts and gradually get him used to eating again.
Start slowly with 4-5 small portions of this food for the first day.
You can give three to four portions the second day, if your dog seems to eat less.
By day three, your dog should be back on his normal diet.
If the symptoms get worse, reduce the portion size and space out feeding times. Basically, a little food goes a long way when your dog has an upset stomach.
Vomiting and diarrhea are two of the most common signs of upset stomach in dogs. If your dog continues to throw up or have diarrhea for over 48 hours, see a veterinarian.
If your dog's symptoms keep getting worse, seek veterinary treatment.
Chicken and Rice Dog Food for Upset Stomach
It won't hurt your dog to eat less for a few days. Don’t worry so much about how many calories he needs a day, but focus on getting some good stuff into his system to help him get back on track.
Chicken and Rice Dog Food for Upset Stomach
A change of diet can help soothe a dog's upset stomach.
This recipe uses three ingredients that soothe irritated intestines.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dry white rice
- 1 cup boneless, skinless chicken ( cubed into appropriate dog size bites)
- 1 tablespoon canned 100% pumpkin
- 1 ¾ cup water
Directions:
Boil the water. Cut the raw chicken into pieces that are appropriately sized for your dog.
Add the chicken and rice to the boiling water.
Simmer the ingredients until the chicken is fully cooked. This should take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Once the food has cooled, add the pumpkin and mix until it is thoroughly combined.
You can feed it to your pup immediately.
Storing your Dog's Diarrhea Recipe
Storing leftovers in the fridge or freezer will keep them fresh for 3 months. Remember, this recipe has no preservatives, so it won't last as long as commercial dog food.
Variation on Dog's Diarrhea Recipe
There are several variations for a dog's diarrhea recipe. Pumpkin is great for helping a dog with diarrhea.
Pumpkin is a great natural remedy for diarrhea in dogs. Pumpkin is a natural laxative and helps dogs with frequent diarrhea.
It soothes the digestive tract and promotes bile flow, which helps break down fats and proteins.
Pumpkin fiber helps with regular bowel movements by absorbing water in the colon.
Pumpkin Recipe for Dog's Diarrhea
- ½ canned 100% pure pumpkin
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 1 tablespoons live culture plain yogurt
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
Directions:
This limited ingredient dog food recipe is very easy to prepare.
First, cook the rice according to the instructions on the box. While the rice is cooking, boil the chicken.
When the chicken is fully cooked, shred it into bite-size pieces appropriate for your dog.
Now mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. That’s it! It’s that simple.
Once it's cooled, your dog can eat the homemade dog food for diarrhea.
This is not a recipe to give long term. It's not a balanced recipe for dogs, so nutritionally and your dog will get sick if you give feed this for longer than a week.
13 Bland Foods you Can Give your Dogs when they have Diarrhea
These bland foods can help soothe your dog's upset stomach.
Diarrhea and upset stomach are very common in dogs. If you have a dog, you know he enjoys eating things he shouldn't.
It’s normal for their digestive system to get sensitive and throw up or experience diarrhea.
Nearly every dog gets nausea and diarrhea. The frequency, extent, and intensity of this issue depends on your dog's diet, age, and temperament.
An upset stomach or diarrhea usually results from something the dog ate. Chronic digestive issues could show a bigger problem.
If your dog has frequent vomiting or diarrhea, contact your vet immediately to rule out a chronic illness.
If the problem is just temporary, have your dog try these 13 bland foods that can help soothe an upset stomach, boost hydration, and make your dog feel better.
- White Rice
- Quinoa
- Brown Rice
- Pumpkin (either 100% pure canned pumpkin or pureed pumpkin)
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Mashed cooked carrots
- Mashed boiled potatoes
- A boiled egg
- Oatmeal
- Cottage Cheese
- Low-fat plain yogurt
- Watermelon
- Banana
What Can I Give My Dog for Diarrhea: Supplements that Help
Besides a bland diet, supplements added to your dog's food can aide in correcting your dog's diarrhea. Supplements can also help to harden your dog's stool.
Slippery elm is one of the most popular herbal treatments for dogs with diarrhea.
Some dog owners mix slippery elm tea with food and feed it to their pets, others use slippery elm tea bags.
As an alternative, there is something called slippery elm capsules, which may be more appealing to dog owners.
What is Slippery Elm for Dogs?
Slippery elm is an herbal remedy that's been used for centuries.
When it's combined with water, the bark of this massive, large-leaved deciduous tree makes a lubricating gel.
Benefits of Slippery Elm for Dogs
Slippery elm is approved by holistic veterinarians for use on pets, including dogs and cats.
The slippery elm's solution is thought to soothe inflamed mucous membranes and coat them. This could be because of tannins, an anti-inflammatory component in slippery elm bark, as well as the lubricating properties of the gel.
Thanks to slippery elm’s ability to reduce inflammation, some veterinarians recommend it to help ease diarrhea symptoms in dogs.
Slippery elm may help dogs with:
Gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, colitis, gastroenteritis, and IBS.
How to Prepare Slippery Elm for Dogs
Once your vet says it's okay, you can buy slippery elm bark powder in bulk, capsules, or tablets.
Mix it with water before giving it to your dog in their food.
How much Slippery Elm should I give my Dog?
Dogs take slippery elm in different amounts.
Many dog owners give their dogs 100 milligrams per 10 pounds, and many inflammatory conditions require giving slippery elm multiple times daily.
It’s always best to talk to your veterinarian before giving any medication to your pet. They can give you the right dosage based on your dog’s needs, health, size, and age.
Purina Forti-Flora Dog Probiotic
Purina FortiFlora Canine Nutritional Supplement is one of the most popular dog probiotics.
Both my dogs Ruby and Callie have used this for diarrhea or gastrointestinal distress such as loose stools or diarrhea. The supplement can be used safely on pregnant, lactating bitches and puppies.
We recommend this product for diarrhea, but not as a long-term solution for your dog.
Call Your Vet
Just to be safe, let your vet know your pup has diarrhea. It’s a common problem for dogs, but the vet will ask you questions to figure out the cause and whether they need treatment.
Your vet will probably ask you these questions:
- When it started?
- How many bowel movements your dog has had?
- What the poop looks like (especially, is there blood in it?)?
- How your dog is behaving (fever? in pain? Vomiting?)?
- Whether your dog has recently eaten something toxic?
Sometimes diarrhea and loose stool could also be the symptom of a more serious health concern. Before calling your vet, make note if your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Bloating
- Lethargy
If your pet is experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s best to contact your veterinarian right away. Multiple symptoms show that there's something more than just a minor tummy upset going on.
If your dog has had a loose stool over 48 hours, a visit to the veterinarian is a must.
Your dog can become dehydrated if he has diarrhea for over 2 days. You’ll want to make sure your dog has plenty of water.
If the loose stool is the only symptom, then a couple of meals of this homemade dog food for diarrhea may help to settle the stomach and firm up the stool. You can feed a small amount a few times per day to support your dog’s digestive system.
Watch your Dog for Dehydration
If your dog is throwing up and/or having diarrhea, check them for signs of dehydration.
Avoid Physical Activity with your Dog
Physical activity should stop until your dog behaves normally. That includes long walks, running, chasing, jumping, or playing with another dog. Strenuous exercise will slow your dog's recovery and could make him worse.
Slowly Reincorporate Regular Food
With the support of your veterinarian, you can slowly introduce your dog’s regular food back into his normal food. The transition can be done over 3 days.
For example, ¼ cup dog food and ¾ cup bland food diet, then the second day you’ll do ½ and ½, the third day will be ¾ cup dog food and only ¼ cup bland food diet.
The bottom line, diarrhea and upset stomach are common issues for dogs. It will usually resolve in about a week or less. Hang in there.
Printable Recipe Card
Notes: All recipes are on this recipe card - 3 of them are in the "Notes" section of the recipe card.
4 Best Recipes for Dogs Diarrhea
4 Best Recipes For Dog's Diarrhea ( 3 recipes in the Notes Section).
Ingredients
- ½ cup canned pumpkin
- ½ cup UNCOOKED white rice
- 2 tbsp. live culture plain yogurt
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast
Instructions
- Prepare the rice as per the package. If using boxed rice or if using regular rice. Rinse the rice, place it into a pot and cover ( up to your knuckles) and simmer.
- Simmer for 10-20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Prepare the chicken by boiling it.
- Cut chicken into cubes.
- Add pumpkin, yogurt and chicken to the rice. Stir until mixed.
Notes
Recipe # 2
Ingredients:
1 cup dry white rice
1 cup boneless, skinless chicken (cubed)
1 tbsp. canned pumpkin
1 ¾ cup water
Directions:
Boil the water. Cut the raw chicken into pieces that are appropriately sized for your dog.
Add the chicken and rice to the boiling water.
Simmer the ingredients until the chicken is fully cooked. This should take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Once the food has cooled, add the pumpkin and mix until it is thoroughly combined.
You can feed it to your pup immediately.
Recipe # 3
Ingredients:
1 and ½ cups white rice
400 g extra-lean ground beef or chicken breast
Directions:
Put your rice in water and let it soak. Not sure how much water to use? Try the “first knuckle” trick. Fill your pot with rice, then cover it with enough water that when you put your hand flat into the pot of water and rice, the water comes up to your first knuckle.
Turn the heat down to low, then cover and simmer the rice for 10-15 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed.
Prepare your protein.
If you're cooking with ground beef, all you have to do is trim off as much fat as possible and cut into bite-sized cubes. If your using chicken, cut it into smaller cubes.
Bring another pot of water to a boil. Add your protein and let it boil for 5-10 minutes.
When you boil the protein, fat should rise to the top and float on the surface. Once it's ready, pour through a colander to get rid of the water and fat.
Mix the rice with the protein and allow it to cool.
Seasoning isn't necessary! Your pup will love this plain.
The finished product keeps well in the fridge. Sometimes it’s easiest to cook a big batch in advance and eat as needed.
Sharon says
I mix canned pumpkin with dry kibble for my dogs meals
Ruby Doodle Dog says
That's great. Pumpkin is a wonderful source of fiber and excellent for maintaining digestive regularity.
Sue says
You mention that rice, vegetables and chicken is not a balanced meal. I feed my dogs this mix so how can i improve it to make it balanced please?
Thank you
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Hi,
These rice and chicken are when your pup has diarrhea. They are not balanced meals. If you want to try to balance the meal I would swap rice for quinoa, the chicken is fine. To balance a dogs meal you'll want to have 50 - 70 % animal proteins, which includes muscle meats such as lean beef, poultry, lamb, lean pork, duck, venison, rabbit, goat, kangaroo. You don't need to add all of these, you can choose up to 4.
Some suggestions for fish includes salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring. Canned drained fish is OK, but only when packed in water, no sodium added preferred.
Liver should be pretty much be included in almost every recipe and makes up 5-10% of the secreting organs need for a balanced diet. Other organ meats are kidney, spleen, thymus, ovaries, testicles, brain and pancreas.
A calcium supplement is REQUIRED. By adding an egg with eggshells ( you're aiming for 1/2 tsp powdered eggshell per pound of food).
Fish oil should be included several times a week either by supplement or adding an oily fish like sardines, salmon, mackerel, herring per pound of food.
Non-protein vegetables should include both starchy and non-starchy vegetables. Starchy includes the sweet potato, carrots, squash, pumpkin and even peas.
Non-starchy veggies are the leafy greens, chard, green beans, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, green pepper, zucchini and summer squashes.
Lastly, you'll want to include a multi-vitamin, mineral and green blend supplements.
Hope that helps.
Aly says
I have been making and feeding homemade food to my 11 year old Bouvier for 4 years. Her kidney function was declining and I talked to a canine nutritionist that gave me a formula. 4 years later and her latest blood work was almost normal. She is fed a diet that consists of whole chicken, hearts/gizzards and liver and mixed vegetables and squashes. I add brown rice as she has aged and increased the vegetable to meat proportion. A senior dog needs less protein. I use a pwdered seaweed supplement for the calcium. She loves it and has done very well. Thanks for your thoughts on the constipation/diarrhea formula.
Taylor says
Do we feed them just the chicken and rice or add it to their dog food?
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Hi,
When my dogs have diarrhea I remove their dog food and just go plain - chicken, rice and pumpkin for a few days.
Best of luck!
Ruby
Melissa says
Don't waste the leftover canned pumpkin, freeze it in amounts appropriate for your dog. Pull some out when needed, thaw and give to your dog. I warm my pup's pumpkin ?
Karen says
You might substitute hamburger Buffalo or venison for chicken
. The diarrhea could be a result of an allergy to chicken. Chicken is easily a high allergy food
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Definitely agree with you....
Leslie PIGEON says
What if my dog doesn't like rice. What is an alternative
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Quinoa is a great alternative to rice.
Bennett says
Can I use ground turkey
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Definitely...I love using ground turkey...
Teri says
Hi ... great article. My 3 mo old puppy has diarrhea. 🙁 Question about method to determine how much water to use when cooking rice: I'm to put my hand FLAT into the bottom of the pot? This is not making sense to me. Did you perhaps mean that I'm to put my hand vertically into the pot and see where the water measures? Thank you! ~Teri
Ruby Doodle Dog says
Hi....Great question....what I do is to put in the rice, then I add water ( I place my hand on the top of the rice and put in enough water to cover up to my top knuckles ( top of fingers), if that makes sense.
Fran says
I have a question! I have a 7 year old bulldog and has an upset tummy has had some vomiting. I am willing to make some of these receipts but I need to know how much to feed him?
Thank you
Terri says
Super great recipes on how to help a sick dog. I tend to always go back to the simple chicken breast and rice for a few days. So far it's done the trick. Although, I've been looking at adding bone broth to my dog's daily diet to boost his overall health.
I'm sharing these recipes with my dog friends. 😊💖🐶
Cass says
Do we feed the same amount as their regular kibble?