At Queen Creek Veterinary Clinic, we know that dealing with a dog who has diarrhea can be more than just messy, it can be worrying. Many of our pet parents call with the same question:
“What should I feed my dog when they’re having diarrhea?”
You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself staring at your dog’s food bowl and wondering what’s safe to serve. Digestive upset can happen quickly, but with the right support and dietary care, many dogs recover smoothly. That’s why our team put together this guide to help you know what to do, what to feed, and when to reach out for help.
Let’s walk through it together.
Understanding Why Dogs Get Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be triggered by a wide range of factors, from something as simple as a dietary mistake to more complex underlying health issues. Here at Queen Creek, we’ve seen many causes over the years, including:
- Getting into something they shouldn’t – trash, table scraps, or outdoor debris
- Sudden diet changes (even a new, high-quality food can cause issues if introduced too fast)
- Anxiety or stress (such as during fireworks, travel, or boarding)
- Parasites, including giardia, roundworms, or coccidia
- Bacterial or viral infections like parvovirus, distemper, or salmonella
- Food sensitivities or allergies that disrupt digestion
- Medication side effects, especially antibiotics or pain meds
- More chronic conditions such as pancreatitis, IBD, or Addison’s disease
- Toxin or foreign body ingestion
In some cases, diarrhea may resolve on its own within a day or two. Other times, it may indicate something that needs immediate medical attention.
Step 1: Should You Withhold Food?
In dogs who are acting normal, alert, hydrated, and not vomiting, a brief period of fasting (up to 12 hours) can allow the gastrointestinal system to rest. This approach can be especially helpful if the diarrhea was caused by something like a minor dietary indiscretion.
That said, fasting isn’t right for every dog. You should not withhold food if your dog is:
- A young puppy (especially under 6 months of age)
- A small or toy breed that may become hypoglycemic
- A senior dog
- Living with a chronic health condition like diabetes or kidney disease
If you’re unsure whether a fast is appropriate for your dog, just give us a call, we’ll guide you based on your dog’s age, health, and behavior.
And remember: water is never withheld. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times to prevent dehydration.
Step 2: Switch to a Bland Diet
After resting the gut, or if your dog shouldn’t fast, the next step is to serve a bland, soothing diet. The goal is to support the digestive tract without putting it under more stress.
Here’s what we aim for with a bland diet:
- Firming up loose stools
- Providing gentle nourishment
- Supporting hydration and recovery
- Avoiding irritants that worsen the upset
At Queen Creek Veterinary Clinic, we typically recommend one of the following bland diet options:
1. Boiled Chicken & White Rice
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- Boil the chicken and shred it, no seasoning or oils
- Mix with cooked white rice (avoid brown rice, as it’s harder to digest)
- Start with a 1:2 chicken-to-rice ratio in small portions
2. Ground Turkey & Rice
- For dogs who don’t tolerate chicken well
- Use lean, plain ground turkey, boiled or sautéed with no seasoning, and mix with rice
3. Lean Ground Beef & Rice
- Choose 90% lean or leaner beef
- Cook thoroughly and drain off any fat before serving
- Pair with plain white rice as above
4. Prescription Diets
In cases where home cooking isn’t enough, or the diarrhea is more persistent, we may recommend veterinary GI formulas such as:
- Hill’s i/d®
- Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat®
- Purina Pro Plan EN®
These diets are formulated to be highly digestible and include nutrients that support the healing of the digestive system. We carry these in the clinic and can help you choose the one best suited for your pet.
Step 3: Feeding Schedule and Portion Sizes
Instead of feeding one or two large meals, it’s best to offer small, frequent meals when your dog is recovering.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Start with 4–6 small meals per day
- Feed about 1 tablespoon per 10 pounds of body weight per meal
- Gradually increase the portion size if your dog is keeping food down and stool is improving
Once things start to return to normal, you’ll want to slowly reintroduce your dog’s regular food. We recommend doing this over the course of 5–7 days using this breakdown:
- Days 1–2: 75% bland diet, 25% regular food
- Days 3–4: 50/50 mix
- Days 5–6: 25% bland, 75% regular food
- Day 7: Full return to their regular diet
A slow transition helps avoid triggering another round of diarrhea.
Step 4: Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
One of the biggest concerns with diarrhea is fluid loss. Even mild diarrhea can lead to dehydration, especially in small dogs, seniors, and puppies.
Watch for signs of dehydration:
- Gums that feel sticky or dry
- Lethargy or weakness
- Loss of skin elasticity (skin doesn’t spring back when gently pinched)
- Dark yellow urine or reduced urination
In addition to offering water, you can also:
- Add a splash of unflavored Pedialyte to their water (ask us for proper dosing)
- Offer ice cubes if your dog refuses to drink
- Use a syringe or dropper to gently offer fluids if needed
For more severe dehydration, we can provide subcutaneous fluids here at the clinic or, in some cases, IV fluids if your dog needs more support.
Step 5: Add a Probiotic
When a dog has diarrhea, their gut bacteria often becomes unbalanced. Supplementing with a veterinary probiotic helps replenish good bacteria and supports the healing process.
Probiotics we commonly recommend include:
- Purina FortiFlora®
- Proviable®
- Visbiome Vet®
We carry these or can help you order the right one for your dog. Be sure to choose a product made specifically for pets, human probiotics aren’t the same.
What Not to Feed While Your Dog Recovers
Avoid giving your dog the following while they’re dealing with diarrhea:
- Fatty or greasy food (like sausage, bacon, or hamburger)
- Dairy products (even yogurt, unless it’s part of a probiotic)
- Seasoned or spicy food
- Raw food or treats that contain high fat or added flavors
- High-fiber foods like pumpkin in the early stages (can be helpful later, but not at first)
Stick to bland, simple ingredients until your dog has fully recovered.
When to Call Queen Creek Veterinary Clinic
If your dog’s diarrhea doesn’t improve, or if other symptoms show up, it’s important to seek veterinary care. Call us right away if you notice:
- Diarrhea lasting more than 24–48 hours
- Vomiting along with diarrhea
- Blood in the stool (bright red or black, tar-like)
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Lethargy, shaking, or collapse
- Underlying medical conditions that complicate the illness
- Any symptoms in puppies, seniors, or immunocompromised pets
We can perform diagnostics such as fecal testing, bloodwork, imaging, or even dietary trials to help get to the root of the issue. Once we identify the cause, we’ll guide you through treatment with clarity and compassion.
What If It Keeps Happening?
Recurring diarrhea isn’t something to ignore. If your dog has frequent bouts of GI upset, it may be a sign of:
- Food sensitivities or allergies
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Addison’s Disease
- Liver or kidney disease
- Partial GI obstruction or foreign body
The good news? Our team is here to help manage these conditions through long-term care plans that include dietary adjustments, medication, supplements, and routine monitoring.
Final Thoughts from the Queen Creek Veterinary Clinic Team
At Queen Creek Veterinary Clinic, we’re more than just your pet’s doctor, we’re your partner in keeping them happy and healthy. We understand how upsetting diarrhea can be and we’re here to support you with practical advice and expert care.
Here’s what to remember:
- Mild cases can often be treated at home with rest, hydration, and a bland diet
- Ongoing or severe symptoms deserve veterinary attention
- You never have to guess, just give us a call and we’ll help you every step of the way
Let’s get your pup back to wagging tails and regular routines as soon as possible.
Dental health is a cornerstone of your pet’s overall wellness, but it’s one of the most commonly overlooked areas of care. Dogs and cats are just as vulnerable as humans to plaque buildup, tartar, gum disease, and painful oral infections. The difference? They can’t tell you when it hurts. With routine home dental care and regular veterinary cleanings, you can help prevent these problems, and even extend your pet’s life by 2–3 years compared to pets with untreated dental disease.
What a Professional Cleaning Involves
A veterinary dental cleaning is much more thorough than anything you can accomplish at home. Your veterinarian scales tartar from above and below the gumline, polishes the teeth to prevent new buildup, and performs a detailed oral exam. During this process, problems like fractured teeth, deep gum disease, or even tumors can be identified, issues brushing or anesthesia-free cleanings simply cannot uncover.
Free Dental Evaluations
We make it easy to start. Our trained veterinary technicians provide complimentary dental evaluations to assess your pet’s teeth and gums and to assign a dental grade. If severe dental disease is identified, a veterinarian will need to examine your pet. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, and a doctor’s exam fee will apply. Sometimes, the appointment may also need to be rescheduled so a doctor can create a complete treatment plan.
Why It’s So Important
By the time they reach 3 years of age, more than 80% of pets already have some form of dental disease. Left untreated, bacteria in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream, causing heart disease, liver failure, kidney problems, and other systemic issues. To protect pets, we include dental cleanings in our Preventative Care Wellness Plans, which are offered with low monthly payment options to make them accessible.
When Your Pet Needs a Dental Visit Now
Certain warning signs mean your pet shouldn’t wait for their next annual exam. Contact us if you notice:
- Persistent foul breath
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Yellow or brown tartar buildup on teeth
- Loose, broken, or missing teeth
- Difficulty chewing, dropping food, or favoring one side of the mouth
- Blood in the water bowl or on toys
- Weight loss or decreased appetite
- Avoidance of dry food, treats, or chews
- Excessive drooling
- Pawing at the face or rubbing the mouth
- Swelling around the jaw or muzzle
How Often to Schedule Cleanings
The frequency of cleanings depends on several factors – age, breed, diet, and overall health. General guidelines include:
- Dogs and cats over 3 years: Once per year.
- Small breed dogs: Every 6–9 months due to faster tartar buildup.
- Pets eating wet food diets: Every 6 months, since soft food doesn’t provide the natural cleaning effect of kibble.
- Senior pets (6+ years): More frequent cleanings, as gum disease risk increases with age.
- Pets already diagnosed with dental disease: Cleanings may be recommended more often.
Daily Dental Care at Home
Professional care is essential, but daily habits help maintain oral health in between visits:
- Brush your pet’s teeth three or more times per week with veterinary-safe toothpaste.
- Provide dental chews like Oravet or Greenies.
- Add Plaque Off powder to your pet’s food daily, it binds to tartar and helps reduce buildup.
- Use approved dental wipes or water additives to support oral hygiene.
- Keep up with regular wellness visits to track changes in your pet’s mouth.
Bottom Line
Most pets need annual dental cleanings, though some require them more frequently. With proper dental care, your pet enjoys more than fresh breath, they gain a healthier, longer, and happier life.
Call us at 480.987.8000 or request an appointment online to schedule your pet’s next cleaning.
For service details and pricing, visit our dental page here: https://qcvetclinic.com/pet-dental/.