Bland Diet For Dogs (The Comprehensive Guide!)

If your dog has an upset stomach, your vet may suggest a bland diet. But, what is a bland food diet? This post has all the tips to get you and your pup through the bland diet.

A bland diet is often prescribed by vets for a variety of reasons. This could be simply because your pup doesn’t feel so good, it could be because they don’t want to eat, it could be because they are on medications, and on and on.

A bland diet for dogs consists of foods similar to what humans would eat if they didn’t feel so hot. Think everything unflavored – rice, toast, boiled chicken, banana, etc.

The advantage of a bland food diet for dogs is that it allows the stomach to rest while it heals from whatever is upsetting it. Without added seasoning or flavors, the stomach is just getting what it needs without any irritants.

Whenever Rhubarb is not feeling great (usually when we switch foods), I have to switch to a bland diet for a couple of meals until her stomach gets back on track. So if you and your pup are in the same boat, here is everything you need to know about feeding a bland diet.

Please remember this is not a self-prescription. If your dog has symptoms always take them to the vet!

Ingredients for A Bland Food Diet

A bland diet has a base of chicken and rice with a specific ratio. This is typically about 3 parts plain rice to 1 part plain chicken. This chicken and rice will replace your dog’s regular food at each meal for a short time until they are back to their normal selves.

Chicken: For a chicken and rice diet for dogs, it’s super important to use plain, unseasoned chicken breast. This can be cooked by boiling or in the oven. You can also use canned chicken whose only ingredients are chicken and water (ensure there are no added salts or spices). Or try another poultry, like turkey.

Rice: Rice acts as the base of the meal. It provides carbohydrates for energy, and should be made with just water making it very easy on the stomach.

Add-Ins: A bland diet for dogs with diarrhea can be helped further by adding some high-fiber bland ingredients. This can be pumpkin puree, banana, or plain sweet potato.

What is the Brat Diet for dogs? Similar to the bland food diet, but with slight variations in ingredients. “BRAT” is an acronym that stands for Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast.

How to make Chicken and Rice For Dogs

Making rice and chicken for dogs is pretty straightforward. Just make sure everything is cool enough before serving!

Step 1: To Boil Chicken
Add chicken breast to a pot of boiling water and cook until no longer pink in the middle, about 20 minutes. Let cool fully, then chop into small pieces.

Step 2: To Boil Rice
Cook according to package instructions, leaving out all salt and butter. Let cool fully before serving.

Bland Diet Because of Medicine?

If your pup has diarrhea or is vomiting after just finishing antibiotics that are supposed to help them and you are wondering why they are sick still, here’s why! Antibiotics kill bad bacteria in the gut but they also kill good bacteria. That good bacteria is what keeps the stomach in check. When it is destroyed, it takes the stomach time to build up the good bacteria again, hence why a bland diet is needed for a little bit.

How much bland food should you feed your dog?

When feeding your dog a bland diet, you have to keep in mind their daily calorie needs and how often they should be eating. The meals should be spread further out and more frequent as smaller meals are easier on the stomach.

Servings Size:

• Small dogs (less than 15 pounds): Feed 1/2 cup to 3/8 cup
• Medium dogs (15-51 pounds): Feed 1 cup to 2 cups
• Large dogs (51 pounds and up): Feed 2 cups to up to 5 cups

Feeding Times: For feedings, spread the total quantity of the meal out between 4 to 6 meals throughout the day. This will make it even easier on their stomach.

How Long To Feed A Bland Diet: A long term bland diet for dogs is not generally recommended. Your vet will likely tell you how long to feed the bland diet for your dog (usually until symptoms like diarrhea and upset stomach subside).

Tips For Feeding A Bland Diet

Time Frame: Depending on your dog’s diagnosis and vet’s recommendations, a bland diet will typically need 10 days to run its course. This should be enough time for your pup’s stomach to heal and for them to show improvement. If their symptoms get worse or they do not improve, always consult your vet.

Transitioning Back To A Normal Diet: If your dog begins to show improvement, then you can begin to transition back to normal food. After 5 to 6 days, slowly reduce the bland food in each meal and replace it with your dog’s normal food. Continue this until they are fully back to their normal diet.

More Tips For Feeding With A Bland Diet

When feeding your dog a bland diet, it can get confusing. These other articles can help make it a little easier!

• Bland Treats for Sensitive Stomachs make a great reward while your dog is on the bland food diet!
• Dog Calorie Needs to help you figure out exactly how much chicken and rice to feed based on your dog’s size.
• Bone Broth For Dogs has tons of good nutrients and is an easy way to encourage hydration which is commonly an issue for dogs with diarrhea.
• Kefir For Dogs is a probiotic that should be given in very small amounts while on a bland diet. But, it can help boost the good bacteria in their gut to ensure their stomach gets back on the right track.
• Eggs are dog-friendly, and in the bland diet for dogs scrambled eggs can be a healthy addition!