It seems obvious to say: A dog with diarrhea is not a pleasant situation for anyone involved (especially the pup!). But as a dog parent, you’ll run into this digestive issue a few times in your life.
But before you can learn how to stop diarrhea in dogs, you first need to learn what types of things can cause it.
Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs
When your dog has diarrhea, the first thing you probably wonder is, “what did they eat?!” But really, many things can cause dog diarrhea, from parasites and viruses, to stress and scraps on the street.
If you notice symptoms of an upset stomach, don’t panic. Keep an eye on how it progresses and changes in their behavior, and make sure to give them a lot of fresh water to replenish their fluids. You might also want to feed them a bland diet or temporarily stop feeding altogether to let their digestive tract recover.
If things don’t seem to improve in a day or two, it’s best to bring them to their vet to see what could be wrong.
Reducing Food For Dogs With Diarrhea
When trying to get your dog’s digestive system back on track, a good rule of thumb is to feed them a bland diet. That’s because these foods are less likely to make their stomach worse.
Depending on how your dog’s symptoms are progressing, it might also be a good option to withhold food for 24 hours and allow their digestive system to recover. But always talk to your vet to see if fasting is the right dog diarrhea treatment for your pup.
When your pup seems ready to eat again, start with a small amount of food first. This will both help them ease back into solid food and give you a chance to see how their body reacts.
The 7 Best Foods For Dogs With Diarrhea
So, wondering what to feed dogs with diarrhea? Here are the top 7 foods to try out.
1. Lean Protein
Low-fat proteins with zero seasoning are also easy to digest while also providing nutrition.Try lean protein sources like boiled chicken breast (no skin or bones), lean ground hamburger, or turkey.
2. Rice
Plain rice, plain and simple, is super easy to digest and won’t irritate or overwork your dog’s digestive system. Plus, its high fiber content helps your dog’s diarrhea become more solid.
Our Salmon and Sweet Potato Kibble with Brown Rice features both rice and sweet potato, two great ingredients for a dog with diarrheal
3. Potatoes
Cooked potatoes, including sweet potatoes, have starches that are easy for your dog to digest. They also provide fiber that can help firm up your dog’s stools to help remedy their diarrhea. But be sure you fully cook potatoes before feeding them—raw potatoes contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs.
4. Pumpkin
When you search “how to stop dog diarrhea,” a top result is usually canned pumpkin. Many dog parents reach for canned pumpkin when deciding what to give a dog for upset stomach and vomiting.
That’s because its high fiber content helps ease diarrhea, and its natural prebiotics promote healthy gut bacteria. Just be sure to buy canned pumpkin with no added seasoning or flavoring as that can slow their recovery.
You can also add a bit of canned pumpkin to your dog’s usual meals if their stomach upset is mild.
When your pup is ready for treats again, try our easy-to-digest Pumpkin and Salmon Jerky!
5. Oatmeal
Another food for dogs with diarrhea is plain oatmeal. Similar to other options on our list, its high fiber content will help firm up your dog’s stools. Just be sure to fully cook the oats and use only water (no seasoning or flavoring).
6. Carrots
Boiled carrots offer both fiber and vitamins that can help your dog recover from their tummy issues. Our Organic Grain-Free Chicken Dog Food With Carrots Kibble is a great option to incorporate carrots into your dog’s daily diet for good digestive health.
7. High-Quality Dog Food
Of course, you don’t have to wait until your dog is having poop issues to take care of their digestive system! Some dog food brands (like ours!) have recipes that support healthy digestion on a regular basis.
Depending on the cause of your dog’s diarrhea, your dog might also benefit from a food made for specific health conditions. For example, feeding a hypoallergenic food, grain free dog food or a novel protein food (food made from a type of protein your dog has not eaten before) may help dogs who suffer diarrhea due to allergies.