Fun facts about a bland diet for dogs

A bland diet for dogs isn’t as dull as it sounds. As tough as pups might like us to think they are, they are rather sensitive when it comes to their tummies and digestive systems. Let’s find out a bit about why bland diet foods could help our doggos.

Key takeaways

• Bland diet dog foods are great for helping unwell pups or those recovering from gastrointestinal (GI) surgery
• While some dog food brands are purposefully for bland diets, other foods like boiled white rice and cooked chicken can also be used
• Always talk to your vet before doing anything to change you dog's diet

What is a bland diet for dogs?

A bland diet for your pup means one that is low in fiber and fat, but high in carbohydrate to make it highly digestible. Food with more carbohydrates is easier on the digestive system than one with lots of fats, flavors, and more complex foods to break down. It’s also more likely to be hypoallergenic for most dogs. Vets will recommend replacing their daily food with a bland diet rather than supplementing it with bland diet foods.

Why would I need to give my dog a bland diet?

They have gastroenteritis AKA an upset stomach

Just like us humans, if we catch a stomach bug the best thing for us to eat are plain, basic foods like rice and bread. Dogs can also suffer from an upset stomach also called gastroenteritis. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, swollen and tender abdomen. Sometimes, their vet will recommend waiting for the illness to pass. However, if they’ve been sick for a few days, they can easily become dehydrated, so it’s important to take them to the vet immediately.

Recovering from digestive system surgery

Any type of surgery is stressful on the body, but when it’s on the digestive system it can make things complicated when it comes to eating food. To make it as easy as possible, a bland food diet will be the most gentle thing for their tummies and intestines after an operation.

Stress-related diarrhea

Some pooches are more anxious than others, and a few can end up losing control of their bowels when they become stressed or scared. Older dogs or pups who have had gastrointestinal (GI) issues before will be more prone to this. However, a bland diet can help to prevent things from becoming too messy when things are stressful.

Helps with certain medical conditions

Just as with surgery, other illnesses can put a dog’s body under extra strain and stress. Giving them bland diet foods will help to reduce GI problems while the rest of their body heals. 

What are bland diet foods?

Prescription bland food products

Your vet will be able to recommend branded brand food for dogs that they’ll sell at their clinic. There are different types for different dog breeds and ages, so ask which could work best for your pup.

Carbohydrates at home

There are loads of bland diet recipes out there, but make sure you run them past your vet first.​ A go-to food most dogs can eat is boiled white rice in small amounts. Remember, never give a dog uncooked rice or brown rice as this will make their upset stomach worse. Talk to your vet about using the right portion size for your dog.

Proteins at home

Cooked chicken (off the bone), boneless fish, and lean ground beef are great examples of bland diet foods for dogs. Again, you’ll need to start with small amounts at first to get them used to their new bland diet and prevent any further tummy aches.

How long should I feed them a bland food diet?

This will depend on your doggo’s overall health. Old pups might have to switch to a bland diet permanently to relieve any potential complications or food allergies. For other pups, it might only need to be for a few weeks or months. Chat with your vet to come up with a bland diet food plan to suit what’s best for them.

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