When your dog has diarrhea and vomiting, it’s tough to see them feeling so yucky. Figuring out what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting can help them feel better fast. This guide is written for dog owners like you in the USA, and it’s super easy to follow. I’ll share safe foods, feeding tips, ways to keep your dog hydrated, and answers to questions you might have, all while keeping your pup’s health first.
- 1 Understanding Why Dogs Get Diarrhea and Vomiting
- 2 Why Diet Matters for Dogs with Diarrhea and Vomiting
- 3 Initial Steps Before Feeding
- 4 What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea and Vomiting: The Bland Diet
- 5 How to Prepare a Bland Diet
- 6 What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea and Vomiting: Hydration Tips
- 7 Foods to Avoid During Recovery
- 8 Transitioning Back to Regular Food
- 9 What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea and Vomiting: Supplements and Probiotics
- 10 When to Seek Veterinary Care
- 11 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 12 What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea and Vomiting: Long-Term Prevention
- 13 FAQs About what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting
- 14 Additional Resources
- 15 Conclusion: What to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting
Understanding Why Dogs Get Diarrhea and Vomiting
Diarrhea and vomiting can happen to dogs for lots of reasons. Maybe they ate something bad, got a tummy bug, or felt stressed. Before we talk about what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting, let’s look at some common causes:
- Food Problems: Eating old food, table scraps, or switching foods too fast.
- Bugs or Germs: Things like viruses or worms can upset their tummy.
- Bad Stuff: Eating things like chocolate, grapes, or cleaning supplies.
- Feeling Stressed: Moving to a new place or loud noises can bother them.
- Health Issues: Problems like tummy inflammation or kidney trouble.
If your dog keeps feeling sick for more than a day or two, or if it’s really bad, call your vet right away. For milder cases, changing their food can help a lot.
Why Diet Matters for Dogs with Diarrhea and Vomiting
When your dog’s tummy is upset, they need food that’s easy to digest and won’t make things worse. Feeding them the wrong stuff can make them sicker, but the right food can calm their belly. Let’s dive into what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting to help them get better.
Initial Steps Before Feeding
Before you give your dog any food, let their tummy rest a bit:
- No Food for a Bit: Don’t give food (but keep water handy) for 12–24 hours for grown dogs, or 6–12 hours for puppies. Check with your vet before doing this with a puppy or tiny dog.
- Watch Their Water: Vomiting and diarrhea can make dogs lose water fast. Give them small sips of water often.
- Check How They’re Doing: If your dog seems super tired, won’t drink, or has blood in their poop or vomit, get to a vet ASAP.
After this break, you can start giving them food slowly with a gentle diet.
What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea and Vomiting: The Bland Diet
A bland diet is like a hug for your dog’s tummy. It’s simple food that’s easy to digest and helps their poop get firmer. Here are some great choices:
1. Boiled White Rice
White rice is super gentle and helps make poop solid. Don’t use brown rice—it’s harder for a sick tummy to handle.
2. Boiled Chicken Breast
Plain chicken with no skin is a good protein that’s not greasy. Boil it well and cut it into tiny bits.
3. Plain Pumpkin Puree
Canned pumpkin (not the pie kind) is awesome for fixing digestion. Give a spoonful or two per meal, depending on your dog’s size.
4. Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
If your dog’s okay with dairy, a little low-fat cottage cheese can give them protein and good bacteria for their tummy. Use just a bit.
5. Boiled Potatoes
Plain boiled potatoes with no skin are another soft option. Mash them up to make them easier to eat.
| Food | Why It’s Good | How Much to Give (Small–Medium Dogs) |
|---|---|---|
| Boiled White Rice | Makes poop firm, easy to digest | ¼–½ cup per meal |
| Boiled Chicken | Gives protein, not fatty | 1–2 ounces per meal |
| Pumpkin Puree | Helps digestion, has fiber | 1–2 tablespoons |
| Low-Fat Cottage Cheese | Has good bacteria, protein | 1–2 tablespoons (if okay for your dog) |
| Boiled Potatoes | Soft and gentle | ¼ cup, mashed |
How to Prepare a Bland Diet
Making a bland diet is easy, but you gotta do it right:
- Cook Everything Well: Boil the rice, chicken, or potatoes until they’re totally done. Don’t add butter, salt, or anything else.
- Mix It Up: Use more rice than chicken—like two parts rice to one part chicken—so it’s balanced.
- Give Small Meals: Feed them 4–6 tiny meals a day instead of one big one to go easy on their tummy.
- Let It Cool: Make sure the food isn’t hot before giving it to your dog.
What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea and Vomiting: Hydration Tips
Keeping your dog hydrated is super important because they lose a lot of water when they’re sick. Here’s what to do:
- Fresh Water Always: Give small sips of clean water often so they don’t gulp too much and get sick again.
- Electrolyte Drinks: You can try a vet-approved drink like unflavored Pedialyte mixed with water to help them stay hydrated. Ask your vet first.
- Broth: A little plain, low-salt chicken broth can make them want to drink and give them a tiny boost.
| Hydration Option | How to Use It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Water | Small sips often | Always available |
| Electrolyte Drink | Dilute with water | Ask vet before using |
| Chicken Broth | Low-salt, plain | Just a little to encourage drinking |
Tip: If your dog won’t drink or keeps vomiting water, call your vet right away—they might need fluids at the clinic.
Foods to Avoid During Recovery
Some foods can make your dog’s tummy worse. Don’t give these until they’re all better:
- Greasy Stuff: Things like bacon, cheese, or fatty meat are hard to digest.
- Dairy (Sometimes): Cottage cheese might be okay, but milk or ice cream can upset their stomach.
- High-Fiber Foods: Raw veggies or whole grains are too rough right now.
- Sugary Treats: Candy or sweet human snacks are bad for digestion.
- Table Scraps: Anything with spices or sauces is a no-no.
| Foods to Skip | Why They’re Bad |
|---|---|
| Greasy Meats | Too hard on tummy |
| Milk | Can cause more diarrhea |
| Raw Veggies | Too rough to digest |
| Sugary Snacks | Messes up digestion |
| Spiced Food | Irritates the stomach |
Transitioning Back to Regular Food
When your dog stops vomiting and their poop looks normal for a couple of days, you can start giving them their usual food:
- Mix Foods: Start with mostly bland food and a little of their regular kibble—like 75% bland, 25% regular.
- Go Slow: Over 3–5 days, change to half-and-half, then mostly regular food, and finally all regular food.
- Keep an Eye Out: If they start feeling sick again, slow down and stick with the bland diet longer.
What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea and Vomiting: Supplements and Probiotics
Probiotics are like little helpers for your dog’s tummy, getting good bacteria back in there. Here are some ideas:
- Probiotics for Dogs: Stuff like Purina FortiFlora is made for dogs and easy to sprinkle on food.
- Plain Yogurt: If your dog’s okay with dairy, a tiny bit of plain yogurt can help their tummy.
- Fiber Help: Something like Metamucil might firm up poop, but only use it if your vet says it’s okay.
Talk to your vet before adding anything new to make sure it’s safe for your pup.
| Supplement | What It Does | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Probiotics | Adds good bacteria | Sprinkle on food (vet-approved) |
| Plain Yogurt | Gives probiotics | Small amount, if dog likes dairy |
| Fiber Supplement | Firms up poop | Only with vet’s okay |
When to Seek Veterinary Care
A bland diet can fix mild tummy troubles, but sometimes you need a vet:
- If they’re sick for more than a day or two.
- If you see blood in their poop or vomit.
- If they’re super tired, weak, or won’t drink water.
- If they might’ve eaten something bad, like chocolate or cleaning stuff.
- If they’re a puppy, an old dog, or have other health problems.
Your vet might do tests or give medicine to help them feel better.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When you’re trying to figure out what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting, don’t make these mistakes:
- Feeding Too Early: Giving food before their tummies are ready can make it worse.
- Giving Too Much: Big meals can upset their stomach again.
- Forgetting Water: They need to stay hydrated, or they’ll get sicker.
- Using Human Medicine: Don’t give stuff like Pepto-Bismol unless your vet says it’s okay.
| Mistake | Why It’s a Problem |
|---|---|
| Feeding Too Soon | Hurts tummy more |
| Big Meals | Overwhelms stomach |
| No Water | Can cause dehydration |
| Human Meds | Might be toxic |
What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea and Vomiting: Long-Term Prevention
To keep your dog from getting sick again:
- Stick to One Food: Don’t switch their food too fast. If you need to change it, mix old and new food over a week or so.
- No Table Scraps: Human food often causes tummy trouble.
- Regular Vet Visits: Checkups can catch problems early.
- Safe Home: Keep things like garbage or toxic stuff where your dog can’t get them.
| Prevention Tip | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Same Food | Keeps tummy happy |
| No Scraps | Avoids upset stomach |
| Vet Visits | Finds issues early |
| Safe Home | Stops bad snacks |
FAQs About what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting
Can I give my dog rice water for diarrhea and vomiting?
Yup, rice water is great—it’s the starchy stuff left after boiling rice. It calms their tummy and keeps them hydrated. Just strain it and give a little at a time.
How long should I keep my dog on a bland diet?
Usually 3–5 days, or until they’re all better. Then slowly mix in their regular food so they don’t get sick again.
Is it okay to give my dog human medicines?
Nope, don’t do it unless your vet says it’s okay. Some human medicines are really bad for dogs.
What if my dog won’t eat the bland diet?
If they don’t eat for more than a day, call your vet. They might need help to feel hungry or a check to see what’s wrong.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about keeping your dog healthy? Check out:
- American Kennel Club – Dog Health
- ASPCA – Pet Nutrition
- Talk to your vet for advice just for your dog.
How Long to Feed a Dog a Bland Diet After Diarrhea
Conclusion: What to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting
Figuring out what to feed a dog with diarrhea and vomiting is a big step to helping your pup feel better. By giving them gentle foods, keeping them hydrated, and staying away from bad stuff, you can get them back to wagging their tail. Keep an eye on them, and call your vet if things don’t improve. With a little care, your dog will be their happy self again soon!