Pet parents are frequently concerned about their dog’s stomach upset and diarrhea, even though this condition typically resolves itself within days or a bland diet may help temporarily soothe their tummies.
Bland diets typically consist of an equal ratio of starchy carbohydrates and proteins (such as chicken and rice) plus any optional add-ons.
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Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice is an obvious choice when it comes to creating a bland diet for their pet, but there are other choices as well. Some pet parents opt for freeze-dried food like Under the Weather that is free from meat byproducts and gluten, and can be kept handy in case of emergency situations.
Other food choices might include boiled white fish, mashed potatoes (without butter or oil), scrambled eggs, bananas and squash. The key is to maintain an optimal ratio between starchy carbohydrates and proteins while adding items that help soothe your stomach.
If you plan on feeding your dog a bland diet long-term, it is crucial that you consult with a veterinarian or canine nutritionist about an ideal recipe. An unbalanced diet for more than several days could result in vitamin and mineral deficiency leading to serious medical complications that require professional veterinary advice.
Meat-Only Baby Food
Meat can be an exciting and educational food experience for babies as they begin exploring the food world, not to mention being an excellent source of iron during this crucial stage.
Babies can start eating meat as early as six months and often start out grabbing larger pieces, like chicken or turkey drumsticks, ribs or steak that are easier for small hands to hold without becoming choking hazards. As they gain their pincer grip by nine months old, their transition will include smaller items like 2-3 inch adult finger size strips or meatballs as their palate expands further.
Companies such as Gerber offer organic versions of purees and meats that are easy for babies to open, clean up after, store and consume. While these options contain preservatives that could potentially increase sodium intake; alternatively you could make homemade purees and meats to avoid preservatives altogether.
Fruits and Vegetables
Introduce fruits and vegetables into their bland diet to help make them feel fuller more quickly, just be sure they don’t contain sugar or syrup! Use as add-ons with meat and rice meals, or combine into their boiled chicken or rice meal as one meal.
Foods formulated specifically to soothe an upset stomach should only be fed for short-term periods; otherwise they could worsen symptoms. Bland meals should only be fed until any upset stomach symptoms have subsided and proper nutrition has been provided again.
Puppies require special care from veterinarians when being fed a bland diet as their nutritional needs can differ from that of adult dogs and they could require medications or more severe treatments than an adult dog. They should visit a vet as soon as possible in case any digestive upset arises and for best results they should see one as soon as possible for advice and treatment options.
Eggs
An egg-based diet may be suitable for dogs that have recently consumed something that didn’t sit well with them, although not all will react as expected. Before feeding your pup any eggs, consult with their veterinarian as some individuals may have allergies or digestive issues which would prohibit this option from working effectively.
No matter if you make or purchase their diet, it’s crucial to monitor when and how often your dog consumes this diet, how they respond and the length of time they remain on it. This will allow you to identify when it is safe to introduce regular food again as well as how much to introduce back.
Bland diets should only be fed temporarily; they shouldn’t be seen as a long-term solution to digestive issues. This is especially true of puppies, who require specific nutritional requirements every day for growth and development as well as to maintain an immune system healthiness. Always seek professional veterinary advice if experiencing GI upset in puppies.
