What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea

What to Feed a Dog with Diarrhea

When your dog has diarrhea, the goal is to give the digestive system a break while providing easily digestible nutrition. The right foods can firm up stools, soothe the gut lining, and speed recovery. Here's what works — and what to avoid.

The Classic Bland Diet: Boiled Chicken and Rice

The most widely recommended home remedy for dog diarrhea is a simple bland diet:

• Boiled white rice — plain, no salt, no butter, no seasoning
• Boiled chicken breast — skinless, boneless, plain
• Ratio: 2 parts rice to 1 part chicken
• Serving size: Smaller, more frequent meals (3–4 times per day)

Feed this for 2–3 days, then gradually transition back to regular food over 3–4 days.

Other Safe Bland Food Options

• Plain boiled white potato (no skin, no seasoning) — good rice alternative
• Plain boiled sweet potato (no skin) — adds fiber
• Plain scrambled eggs (no butter, no oil) — easy to digest, high protein
• Plain boiled ground turkey (very lean, no seasoning)
• Cottage cheese (low-fat, plain) — for dogs that tolerate dairy
• Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) — excellent fiber source

Pumpkin: The Secret Weapon for Dog Diarrhea

Plain pumpkin is one of the most effective natural remedies for dog diarrhea. It's high in soluble fiber, which absorbs excess water in the intestines and helps firm up stools. It also works for constipation — making it a true digestive all-rounder.

• Small dogs: 1 teaspoon per meal
• Medium dogs: 2 teaspoons per meal
• Large dogs: 3–4 teaspoons per meal

🎃 Recommended: Pumpkin Powder for Dogs — Convenient powder form with pumpkin, pumpkin seed, and apple fiber. Supports firm stool and healthy digestion. 60 scoops per container.

Probiotics: Restore Gut Balance

Diarrhea disrupts the balance of healthy bacteria in your dog's gut. A probiotic supplement helps restore that balance and can significantly shorten recovery time. Give during the bland diet phase and for a few days after returning to normal food.

🥛 Recommended: Royal Canin Probiotics for Dogs — Digestive and immune health powder. Easy to mix into any food. Suitable for dogs of all ages and sizes.

Foods to Avoid When Your Dog Has Diarrhea

• ❌ Fatty foods (bacon, butter, oils, fatty meats)
• ❌ Dairy products (except small amounts of plain low-fat cottage cheese)
• ❌ Spicy or seasoned foods
• ❌ Raw meat (risk of bacterial contamination)
• ❌ High-fiber vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, beans)
• ❌ Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic — toxic to dogs
• ❌ Their regular kibble until stools firm up

How Long to Feed the Bland Diet

• Day 1: Fast for 12 hours (adults only), then introduce bland diet in small amounts
• Days 2–3: Continue bland diet, 3–4 small meals per day
• Days 4–6: Gradually mix in regular food (25% regular, then 50%, then 75%)
• Day 7: Back to normal food if stools are firm

When to Call the Vet

The bland diet approach works for mild, uncomplicated diarrhea. See our full guide on how to treat dog diarrhea at home for red flags that require veterinary care — including blood in stool, severe lethargy, or diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours.