Brought to You by Dobbins Village Veterinary Hospital
At Dobbins Village Veterinary Hospital, one of the most common concerns we hear from dog parents is:
“What should I feed my dog when they have diarrhea?”
We completely understand how stressful it is when your dog isn’t feeling well, especially when it comes to digestive upset. Diarrhea can be messy, uncomfortable, smelly, and sometimes concerning enough for a call to the vet. The good news is that the right diet can play a key role in helping your dog recover. As veterinarians, we’re here to guide you step by step through what to feed your dog, when to worry, and how to help your pet feel better as quickly as possible.
Why Dogs Get Diarrhea
Before we dive into diet, it’s helpful to understand why dogs develop diarrhea in the first place. Some of the most common causes we see include:
- Dietary indiscretion (eating something they shouldn’t, like trash, table scraps, or foreign objects)
- Sudden change in diet
- Stress or anxiety (also known as stress colitis)
- Food intolerance or allergies
- Parasites, such as giardia, coccidia, roundworms, or hookworms
- Bacterial or viral infections, such as parvovirus, distemper, or salmonella
- Chronic or Inflammatory Disease, such as IBD, pancreatitis, or Addison’s disease
- Medication side effects or allergic reaction to medications
- Foreign Body Ingestion or Toxin Ingestion
Mild, temporary diarrhea can often be managed at home, but persistent or severe diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours, or diarrhea with additional symptoms, may require veterinary attention quickly.
Step 1: Should You Withhold Food?
In cases of mild, acute diarrhea where your dog is otherwise acting normal (bright, alert, drinking water), it’s often helpful to withhold food for up to 12 hours to give the digestive tract a chance to rest. This is especially helpful when diarrhea is caused by something simple like dietary indiscretion.
However, fasting is not appropriate for every dog.
Do not withhold food if your dog is:
- A puppy (especially under 6 months)
- A small breed prone to low blood sugar effects during fasting
- A senior dog or one with chronic illness, such as diabetes with insulin treatments
If you’re unsure whether fasting is safe for your dog, please call our clinic, we’re always happy to help guide you.
Hydration is key: Even if you withhold food, always ensure your dog has plenty of fresh water to prevent dehydration.
Step 2: Transition to a Bland Diet
Once your dog’s stomach has had time to settle (or if fasting isn’t advised), the next step is to offer a bland, easy-to-digest diet. This supports the digestive system without adding further irritation.
The Goals of a Bland Diet:
- Help firm up stool
- Provide gentle nutrition without aggravating the gut
- Replenish lost fluids and electrolytes
Vet-Recommended Bland Diet Options:
1. Boiled, Boneless & Skinless Chicken & White Rice
This classic combination is easy on the stomach.
- Use plain, boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, boiled and shredded.
- Pair with fully cooked white rice (avoid brown rice, it’s harder to digest).
- Start with small portions (about 1:2 ratio of chicken to rice).
2. Boiled Ground Turkey & Rice
For dogs sensitive to chicken, lean ground turkey is an excellent alternative. Pair with white rice.
3. Boiled Lean Ground Beef & Rice
Use extra-lean ground beef (well-drained of fat) if other proteins aren’t tolerated. High-fat meats can worsen diarrhea.
4. Prescription Gastrointestinal Diets
For more severe or chronic cases, we may recommend a veterinary prescription diet specially formulated for sensitive stomachs, such as:
- Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d® or a/d
- Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat®
- Purina Pro Plan EN®
These diets are carefully balanced to:
- Soothe the digestive system
- Improve stool quality
- Support the gut microbiome
We can help you select the best option based on your dog’s needs.
Step 3: Feeding Guidelines – How Much and How Often
When feeding a dog recovering from diarrhea:
- Start with small, frequent meals – around 4–6 small portions per day instead of 1–2 large meals.
- Begin with about 1 tablespoon per 10 pounds of body weight and gradually increase as tolerated.
- As your dog’s stools return to normal, gradually mix their regular food back in over 5-7 days to avoid re-triggering diarrhea. This should be done as a slow progression of bland diet to regular food ratio, with the bland diet being 75% of the ratio for days 1-3, then 50% on days 4-5, and 25% on days 6-7.
Step 4: Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Diarrhea leads to fluid and electrolyte loss, which can be dangerous, especially for puppies, small dogs, or seniors.
- Always ensure fresh, clean water is available.
- Consider offering unflavored Pedialyte (with vet guidance) to help with electrolyte balance.
- For more serious dehydration, our clinic can provide subcutaneous or IV fluids to help your dog recover safely.
Step 5: Probiotics and Gut Support
Adding a dog-safe probiotic can help restore healthy bacteria in the gut, which is often disrupted during diarrhea. These can help shorten recovery time and improve stool quality. We often recommend veterinary probiotics such as:
- FortiFlora®
- Proviable®
- Visbiome Vet®
Foods and Ingredients to Avoid During Diarrhea
While your dog’s gut is healing, it’s crucial to avoid:
- Fatty or fried foods
- Dairy products (even if they usually tolerate them)
- Spicy or seasoned human food
- High-fiber foods (like pumpkin) in the early stages, fiber can help later but may worsen acute diarrhea initially
- Treats, chews, or table scraps that could irritate the stomach
Step 6: When to Call the Vet
While some cases of diarrhea are minor, others can be a sign of something more serious. Please call us at Dobbins Village Veterinary Hospital if you notice:
- Diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours
- Vomiting along with diarrhea
- Blood in the stool (bright red or black, tarry stool)
- Lethargy, weakness, or collapse
- Refusing to eat or drink
- Pre-existing medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, immune disorders)
Our veterinary team can perform diagnostic tests to determine the cause of diarrhea such as a physical exam, fecal analysis, bloodwork, x-ray, ultrasound, or CT imaging, or consideration of a dietary trial to get to the root of the issue and start appropriate treatment.
Managing Chronic or Recurring Diarrhea
If your dog experiences frequent or long-term diarrhea, it may signal a chronic gastrointestinal disorder such as:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Pancreatitis
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
- Addison’s Disease
- Chronic Idiopathic Hepatitis
- Liver or kidney disease
- Foreign Body Ingestion
Our team can help you create a long-term management plan including specialized diets, medications, supplements, and regular checkups.
Final Thoughts: We’re Here to Help You and Your Dog
At Dobbins Village Veterinary Hospital, we understand how distressing it can be when your dog has diarrhea. Our compassionate veterinary team is here to provide guidance every step of the way, from recommending the right foods to performing diagnostics when needed.
Remember:
- Mild diarrhea can often be managed with simple dietary changes and rest.
- If you’re ever unsure, we’re just a phone call away.
- We’re dedicated to helping your dog get back to wagging, playing, and feeling their best.