A bland diet is one that is easy to digest and won’t further upset your pet’s stomach. Any pet that has had vomiting or diarrhea or who just isn’t eating well can benefit from a bland diet. The goal is to use easily digested, low-fiber, low-fat foods. If you have kids, you might be familiar with the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast). Although we aren’t going to use quite the same ingredients, the concept is the same no matter who has a tummy ache.

If you would like to use a pre-made prescription diet, we offer canned food specifically formulated for pets with gastric upset, including i/d, EN Gastroenteric, and Low Residue. These foods also come in a dry food for long-term feeding, but the canned versions are initially easier to digest. If your pet won’t eat the canned foods, you can use a homemade menu instead. Feed equal amounts of carbohydrate and protein, choosing from the list below. Do not feed high-fat meats, dog treats, or cheeses, or give rawhides or chew-bones while your dog has an upset stomach.

Carbohydrates

• Cooked white rice (no brown rice)
• Cooked plain pasta (no whole wheat, no sauce)
• Cooked white potato (no skin, no sweet potatoes)
• White bread (no whole wheat, multi-grain, or low-carb varieties)

Protein

• Cooked white meat chicken (no skin, sauces, or spices)
• Lean ground beef (fat rinsed off)
• Baby food, plain-meat varieties (no fruits, vegetables, or onion)
• Low-fat cottage cheese

Continue to feed your dog the bland diet until he or she feels 100% better, usually about 3-5 days. Once the vomiting has stopped and/or the stools are normal, you can start to gradually mix your pet’s regular food into the bland diet. Over the course of a few days, you can return your pet to their normal food. If there is any vomiting or diarrhea, please call the office immediately.

If while using these diets your pet’s symptoms worsen or do not improve in 24 hours, please contact the office.