Having diarrhea is no fun—and it may be even worse when your dog has it. Watching your pet suffer is painful, and the clean-up can be rough.
Diarrhea or loose stools in dogs can be caused by many factors, including:
- food allergies
- eating something bad
- sudden food changes
- eating low-quality dog food
- eating human food not meant for dogs
- overeating
- stress
- and more
In most cases, pet parents may be left stumped as to what caused an episode of diarrhea. Fortunately, most cases of diarrhea get better in a day or two on their own. If other symptoms arise (vomiting, blood in the stool, lethargy) be sure to consult with a vet.
Whether it’s a one-time incident or a chronic condition, if your dog is experiencing diarrhea, it is still a good idea to take a look at their diet and what they have eaten recently. Some dogs respond well to fasting or to a diet with a different amount of fiber. Some dogs may benefit from probiotics as a part of a gut-supportive diet.
Foods that Can Help Your Dog’s Diarrhea
- Mild diarrhea can be managed at home by feeding a bland diet such as boiled chicken, low-fat hamburger, and white rice or cooked pasta to give the dog’s GI tract a rest.
- Boiled ground turkey with rice is a suitable option for dogs with diarrhea, especially for those who have chicken sensitivities.
- Boiled extra-lean ground beef (at least 90% lean) with rice works well as a bland diet for dogs with diarrhea that do not tolerate poultry.
Tips for Recovery and Transitioning Back to Normal Food
- Small and frequent meals (4–6 per day), starting with 1 tablespoon per 10 pounds of body weight per meal, are recommended when feeding a dog recovering from diarrhea; this helps ease digestion and monitor stool quality.
- During recovery from diarrhea, fatty meats, dairy products, seasoned or spicy foods, store-bought treats with additives or dyes, high-fiber ingredients (like pumpkin), and raw food diets or bones should be avoided as they can worsen symptoms or delay healing.
- When transitioning a dog off a bland diet for diarrhea, gradually reintroduce regular food over 5–7 days (starting with 75% bland/25% regular and ending with 100% regular food once stools are firm) to avoid recurrence of GI upset.
What is the best dog food for diarrhea or the best dog food for loose stool?
For dogs experiencing chronic or recurrent tummy troubles, switching to a gently cooked diet, particularly one formulated by an experienced veterinary nutritionist, can be an excellent choice.
- Gently cooked diets typically have soluble fibers (which function as food for beneficial bacteria) and may also have naturally occurring beneficial bacteria.
- They are also highly digestible so it’s no surprise that many pet parents report that a change to a gently cooked diet solved or reduced their pet’s diarrhea problems and that their dog now has firmer stools and goes to the bathroom less frequently.
- When you choose a food that’s prepared in small batches, with high-quality, individually prepared ingredients and no artificial fillers, you can see exactly what your pup is getting.
- Homemade dog food is one option. If you’d rather not spend time preparing your dog’s food, consider a made-from-scratch, small-batch dog food delivery service that emphasizes quality and purity.
At Nom Nom, our recipes are all prepared with whole ingredients and no artificial ingredients or fillers. They are carefully balanced with the right amount of protein to help maintain muscle mass, strength, and support all the essential functions of the body. All of our gently cooked dog food recipes also include healthy oils, such as fish oil or sunflower oil, to promote healthy skin and combat allergies.
On our Recipes page, you can see the full ingredient list for each recipe, and pick the one you think your pet will like best. It may also be helpful to order a Sampler Pack so your pup can sample all of our recipes (unless you are doing an elimination trial).
If you’re looking for foods to stop diarrhea from continuing to occur in your dog, a gently cooked diet is a great option that has the potential to make a world of difference in your pet’s health. Many of our customers whose pets suffer from diarrhea have seen great success with NomNomNow. You can read some of their stories here:
“She doesn’t have any stomach issues anymore. No more vomiting and diarrhea. She has so much energy now.”
“His allergies have cleared up, his itchy belly has gone away. His stools are smaller and the diarrhea is gone.”
“Her stools are firmer and she hasn’t been throwing up. She seems so much healthier. And she loves the food so much. She’ll lick the empty bowl.”
FAQs
What is the best food for dogs with diarrhea?
The best foods for dogs with diarrhea include plain rice, simple lean proteins like plain chicken, potatoes, pumpkin, porridge oats, carrots, and specially-formulated dog foods. These foods are easy to digest and help soothe the gastrointestinal system.
Is pumpkin better than rice for dog diarrhea?
Pumpkin is a great alternative to rice for treating dog diarrhea due to its higher soluble fiber content which helps slow GI transit time and soothes irritated bowels.
What food will firm up dog poop?
Adding cooked carrot, sweet potato or squash to a dog’s meal can help firm up their stool quickly if feeding amounts and treats are managed.
What stops diarrhea quickly in dogs?
Mild diarrhea can be managed at home by feeding a bland diet such as boiled chicken, low-fat hamburger, and white rice or cooked pasta to give the dog’s GI tract a rest.
