What to Feed a Dog With Diarrhea: A Complete, Vet-Guided Meal Plan for Fast Relief

When your dog suddenly has loose stools, the first thing you want to know is what feed dog diarrhea safely. It feels urgent, especially when your dog has diarrhea multiple times a day or refuses food. 

The good news: most mild digestive upsets improve within 24–48 hours with the right diet, hydration, and careful monitoring. The right approach prevents dehydration, protects the gut, and reduces irritation without adding unnecessary ingredients that complicate recovery.

This guide explains exactly what to feed dog diarrhea, how much to give, when to switch foods, and how to tell the difference between simple stomach upset and a veterinary emergency.

Why Dogs Get Diarrhea

Diarrhea is not a disease. It is a symptom, often the body's way of quickly removing irritants or reacting to inflammation in the gut.

Common reasons why a dog has diarrhea include:

• Sudden diet change

• Food intolerance

• Stress (travel, new environment, separation)

• Mild bacterial imbalance

• Eating garbage or fatty food

• Parasites

• Reaction to medication

• Viral infections

• Chronic digestive conditions

When thinking about what feed dog diarrhea, understanding the trigger helps decide whether you need simple dietary management or a vet visit.

Should You Feed a Dog During Diarrhea?

Most dogs benefit from a short fasting period before introducing a bland diet.

General guideline from veterinarians:

• Adult dogs: 12–24 hours fasting

• Puppies: Do NOT fast,  instead, feed small, frequent meals because puppies dehydrate very fast

After the fasting phase, you begin offering gentle, easy-to-digest meals. These foods help the gut reset and bind stool without causing irritation.

What Feed Dog Diarrhea: The Most Effective, Vet-Approved Foods

This section gives a complete list of the best good food for dogs with diarrhea, how to prepare them, and how much to serve. All foods in this list are recommended repeatedly by veterinarians and canine nutritionists.

1. Boiled Chicken and White Rice (The Gold Standard)

This is the most recommended answer when owners ask “my dog has diarrhea what do I do?”

Why it works:

• Chicken is lean and easy to digest

• White rice contains starch that firms stool

• No fiber or fat that could irritate the gut

Preparation:

Boil skinless chicken breast. Shred or finely chop. Mix 1 part chicken with 2 parts rice.

Serving: 

Give 2–3 spoonfuls per 10 kg body weight, 3 times per day.

This meal is often listed first in guides on what feed dog diarrhea because it works for both acute diarrhea and mild upset stomach.

2. Plain Boiled Pumpkin or Canned Pumpkin

A highly effective natural fiber source. Pumpkin is backed by vets for diarrhea dogs cure because it absorbs excess water in the intestines.

Use only plain pumpkin, not pie filling.

Serving:

1 teaspoon per 10 kg dog, mixed into food.

Pumpkin supports gut motility, making it one of the best foods for how to cure dog diarrhea naturally.

3. Boiled Potatoes (No Salt, No Butter)

Potatoes provide easily digestible carbohydrates without upsetting the stomach.

Why they help:

• Soft texture

• Low fiber

• Contains potassium, which helps restore electrolytes

Serve mashed or cubed, completely plain.

Dogs with sensitive stomachs often tolerate potatoes well, so they are a safe option when considering what feed dog diarrhea during recovery.

4. Plain Scrambled Eggs or Boiled Eggs

Eggs are gentle on the stomach and provide high-quality protein. Keep them simple:

• No oil

• No salt

• No seasoning

Great for dogs who refuse chicken or rice.

5. Boiled Turkey (Extra Lean)

Lean turkey is another excellent protein choice, especially for dogs allergic to chicken. Mix with rice or potatoes for a complete bland meal.

6. Prescription Gastrointestinal Diets

If diarrhea persists more than 48 hours, switch to a vet-formulated diet like:

• Hill’s i/d

• Royal Canin Gastrointestinal

• Purina EN

These diets contain specialized fibers, electrolytes, and gentle proteins.

Vets often recommend them for complicated cases where owners ask how to cure dog diarrhea more quickly and safely.

7. Bone Broth (Hydration Support)

Great for dogs with low appetite.

Benefits:

• Keeps dogs hydrated

• Contains collagen that soothes the intestinal lining

• Encourages eating

Serve warm and plain.

8. Probiotics

Not a “food,” but essential when deciding what feed dog diarrhea because diarrhea often results from bacterial imbalance.

Look for probiotics containing:

• Enterococcus faecium

• Lactobacillus acidophilus

• Bifidobacterium animalis

These strains help normalize gut movement and improve stool formation.

Dog Upset Stomach Diet: A 3-Day Feeding Plan

This plan helps you decide what feed dog diarrhea each day until stools normalize.

Day 1: Liquid & Light Meals

• Small portions of rice water (boil rice and strain)

• Bone broth every few hours

• Very small chicken-and-rice meal in the evening

Day 2: Introduce Bland Meals

Feed 3–4 small meals of:

• Chicken & rice

• Pumpkin

• Boiled potatoes

• Lean turkey

Continue fluids in between.

Day 3: Increase Quantity Gradually

• Slowly increase meal size

• Add probiotics

• Continue bland meals even if stool improves

Most mild cases resolve here. If not, check the final section on when your dog needs a vet.

Best Food for Dog With Diarrhea: What to Avoid

When planning what feed dog diarrhea, avoiding wrong foods is just as important as choosing the right ones.

Do NOT feed:

• Milk or dairy

• Raw meat

• High-fat foods (butter, fried chicken, meat scraps)

• High-fiber kibble

• Bones

• Human snacks

• Anything spicy or oily

• Kibble mixed with table food

These foods irritate the digestive tract and worsen loose stool.

When to Worry: Signs Your Dog Needs a Veterinarian

If your dog has diarrhea along with the following symptoms, seek immediate vet care:

• Blood in stool

• Black, tarry stool

• Vomiting + diarrhea

• Extreme lethargy

• Fever

• Not drinking water

• Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours

• Puppy diarrhea (always urgent)

• Chronic diarrhea in senior dogs

Puppy diarrhea is especially dangerous. If you are searching how to stop puppy diarrhea, know that puppies dehydrate four times faster than adult dogs.

How to Stop Puppy Diarrhea Safely

Puppy care differs because they cannot tolerate fasting.

Feed:

• Very small, frequent bland meals

• Hydration with electrolyte solution

• Pumpkin for stool binding

If diarrhea lasts more than 12 hours, call a vet because puppies decline quickly.

Complete Feeding Chart: What Feed Dog Diarrhea by Size

Adjust if your dog has allergies or chronic conditions.

How Long to Use the Bland Diet

Use bland meals for:

• 2–3 days for mild diarrhea

• 5–7 days for sensitive stomachs

• Longer if vet recommends

Switch back to regular food slowly:

• 75% bland + 25% regular (Day 1)

• 50/50 (Day 2)

• 25% bland + 75% regular (Day 3)

A slow transition prevents relapse.

What Feed Dog Diarrhea: Foods That Heal vs. Foods That Harm

Foods That Heal:

• Chicken

• White rice

• Pumpkin

• Turkey

• Potatoes

• Bone broth

• Probiotics

Foods That Harm:

• Red meat

• Raw diets

• Dairy

• Fatty treats

• Bones

• High-fiber kibble

• Human oily food

This comparison helps you choose quickly when thinking about what feed dog diarrhea in urgent situations.

Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea (Safe Options Only)

These are veterinarian-approved home strategies:

1. Rice Water

Boil rice → strain → give liquid.

2. Pumpkin

Absorbs excess water in stools.

3. Electrolyte Solution

Use only vet-approved versions, not sports drinks.

4. Boiled Lean Protein

Chicken or turkey helps rebuild strength. 

These remedies improve symptoms for most mild cases of diarrhea.

Conclusion

Choosing what feed dog diarrhea correctly is the fastest way to help your pet recover. 

Stick to gentle, bland meals such as chicken-and-rice, pumpkin, potatoes, turkey, bone broth, and probiotics. Avoid dairy, fatty foods, bones, and anything salty or seasoned. 

Hydrate consistently and monitor stool closely. If your dog has diarrhea longer than 48 hours, or if your puppy has diarrhea at all, contact a veterinarian.

If you want fast help from trusted pet experts and high-quality dog services, visit Dogs In Town.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What should I feed my dog when they have diarrhea?

The safest options are chicken-and-rice, pumpkin, boiled potatoes, turkey, bone broth, and probiotics. These foods are recommended in every veterinary guide on what feed dog diarrhea.

2. How long should I feed bland food for dog diarrhea?

Most dogs need 2–3 days of bland meals. Continue until stool becomes firm.

3. Should I give my dog their regular kibble during diarrhea?

No. Kibble can irritate an upset gut. Switch to bland meals until symptoms resolve.

4. What if my dog has diarrhea but is still acting normal?

This is usually mild gastrointestinal upset. Use chicken-and-rice and pumpkin for 24–48 hours. If not improving, visit a vet.

5. How do I stop puppy diarrhea fast?

Feed small, frequent bland meals, offer electrolytes, and call a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.

6. Can stress cause diarrhea in dogs?

Yes. Travel, visitors, grooming, boarding, and new environments can trigger diarrhea.

7. What is the best food for dogs with diarrhea at night?

Feed a small, warm portion of chicken-and-rice or boiled potatoes. Avoid large meals before bedtime.

8. What should I do if my dog has diarrhea for 3 days?

Visit a vet. Prolonged diarrhea leads to dehydration and nutrient loss.

9. When is dog diarrhea an emergency?

If there is blood, vomiting, fever, dehydration, or if your dog becomes weak.

10. What natural remedy helps dog diarrhea?

Plain pumpkin, rice water, bone broth, and probiotics help restore healthy digestion.