When a dog has an upset stomach, the right food can help, and the wrong food can make things worse. This guide covers the gentle foods vets commonly suggest, the ones to avoid, and the signs that mean food alone is not enough. It is general information, so check with your vet about your own dog, especially for puppies, small breeds, seniors, or dogs with conditions such as diabetes, pancreatitis, or kidney disease.
When bland food is appropriate
A short-term bland diet is usually used for mild, short-lived stomach upset in an otherwise bright dog, such as a little vomiting or loose stool. It is not a treatment for the underlying cause, and it is not a complete long-term diet.
Call your vet instead of starting home feeding if your dog is very lethargic, vomiting repeatedly, has bloody stool or vomit, has a painful belly, is a young puppy, or may have swallowed something harmful.
A short rest before feeding
Some vets suggest giving the stomach a brief rest from food after vomiting, then restarting with small amounts. This is not right for every dog. Puppies, toy breeds, and dogs with certain medical conditions can run into trouble if they go without food, so ask your vet how long, if at all, your dog should fast. Fresh water should stay available unless your vet says otherwise. If your dog cannot keep water down, see our guide on keeping a sick dog hydrated.
Common gentle foods
Foods commonly used in a short bland diet include:
- Plain cooked chicken or turkey: boiled, skinless, boneless, with no seasoning, oil, or butter.
- Plain white rice: cooked until soft. Often paired with the protein.
- Plain cooked potato or sweet potato: peeled and unseasoned.
- Plain canned pumpkin: 100% pumpkin, never pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices. Ask your vet about amounts.
- Plain eggs: cooked without oil or seasoning. Some dogs tolerate these well, but skip them if your dog is actively vomiting.
- Unseasoned broth: can help tempt a poor appetite. See beef broth for dogs for label tips.
Many sources describe mixing a lean protein with more starch than protein, but exact ratios and amounts vary by dog, so ask your vet what suits yours.
Foods to avoid
- Fatty, greasy, or fried foods, including bacon, sausage, and ham
- Butter, oils, and rich sauces
- Heavy seasonings, and anything containing onion or garlic, which are harmful to dogs
- Milk and other dairy, which many dogs digest poorly
- Bones and table scraps
- Anything new or unusual while the stomach is sensitive
How to feed
- Offer small portions rather than a full bowl, and spread meals through the day.
- Serve at room temperature or slightly warm. Warming can make food smell more appealing to a dog with a low appetite.
- Do not force food. If your dog refuses even bland food for a day or more, call your vet.
- Keep an eye on stool, vomiting, energy, and thirst, and write down changes.
What to feed after vomiting
After vomiting has stopped for a while, small portions of a bland food are a common next step. If vomiting returns when you offer food, stop and contact your vet. Ongoing or repeated vomiting leads to dehydration, which is a reason for a vet visit rather than more home feeding. See our sick dog care guide for the full list of warning signs.
Yakult, applesauce, and other human foods
Readers often ask about probiotic drinks like Yakult, or applesauce for diarrhea. These are not standard recommendations. Sweetened products can add sugar, some contain ingredients unsuited to dogs, and not all applesauce is plain. If you want to try a probiotic or a new food, ask your vet about a dog-appropriate option first. For mild diarrhea in particular, see home treatment for dog diarrhea.
Prescription digestive diets
Veterinary gastrointestinal diets are formulated to be easy to digest and nutritionally complete. If your dog has repeated stomach upsets or a longer-term issue, your vet may recommend one. Unlike a home-cooked bland diet, these can be used over longer periods under vet guidance.
Returning to normal food
Once stools are firm and your dog is eating well, many owners return to regular food gradually, mixing increasing amounts of the usual diet into the bland food over a few days. A slow switch is generally gentler on the gut than going straight back. A bland home diet lacks the balance of a complete dog food, so it should not become permanent.
When to see a vet
Contact your vet if:
- Vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a day or two, or keeps returning
- There is blood in vomit or stool
- Your dog is lethargic, painful, or not drinking
- Your dog is a puppy, senior, or has an existing condition
- You think they ate something toxic or an object
Stomach upset has many causes, and a vet can find out what is behind it.