Home Remedies for a Dog With an Upset Stomach

Home Remedies for a Dog With an Upset Stomach: A Vet-Reviewed Guide

It was a quiet Tuesday evening when Sarah noticed her beloved Golden Retriever, Leo, wasn’t his usual, food-obsessed self. He had turned his nose up at dinner and was now licking his lips and looking miserable. A few minutes later, he had a small bout of diarrhea in the backyard. Sarah’s heart sank with worry. She knew it was likely a mild issue, but seeing him uncomfortable was awful. She found herself immediately searching for safe, effective home remedies for a dog with an upset stomach.

Sarah’s situation is one that every dog owner has faced. A minor digestive upset is one of the most common canine ailments, often caused by eating something they shouldn’t have or a sudden diet change. While many cases can be managed at home, it’s crucial to know the right steps to take—and when to seek professional help.

Consequently, this definitive guide is here to be your trusted resource. We will walk you through the vet-approved steps for safely treating mild digestive upset at home, starting with the most important rule of all: knowing when not to. Therefore, you can confidently use these home remedies for a dog with an upset stomach and help your best friend feel better fast.

The Critical First Step: When to Skip Home Remedies and Call the Vet IMMEDIATELY

Before we discuss any home treatments, this is the most important section of this article. Home remedies are only appropriate for mild, infrequent cases of vomiting or diarrhea in an otherwise healthy adult dog.

You must skip the home remedies and call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately if you observe any of the following:

• Your dog is a puppy, a senior, or has a pre-existing condition: Young puppies and old dogs can become dangerously dehydrated very quickly. Dogs with conditions like diabetes or kidney disease also need immediate professional care.
• Frequent or severe vomiting/diarrhea: If your dog is vomiting multiple times or has profuse, watery diarrhea, home care is not enough.
• Vomiting or diarrhea containing blood: This is always a sign that requires immediate veterinary attention.

• Signs of extreme pain or lethargy: If your dog is crying, whining, has a bloated or hard abdomen, is weak, or collapses, it is a medical emergency.
• You suspect they ingested a toxin or foreign object: If there is any chance your dog ate something poisonous (like xylitol, certain plants, or chemicals) or swallowed a toy or sock, do not wait.

When in doubt, always make the call. It is far better to be safe than sorry.

First-Line Home Remedies for a Dog With an Upset Stomach: The 12-24 Hour Fast

Once you have determined your dog’s situation is mild and does not require an immediate vet visit, the first step is to give their gastrointestinal (GI) tract a rest.

• What to do: Withhold all food for a period of 12 to 24 hours. For a small dog, 12 hours is usually sufficient. For a larger, healthy adult dog, you can go up to 24 hours.
• Why it works: Fasting allows the inflamed stomach and intestines to calm down and reset without the work of digesting food.
• Crucial Note: During the fast, you must continue to provide free access to fresh, clean water. An upset stomach can lead to dehydration, so encouraging small, frequent sips of water is very important.

The Bland Diet: The Cornerstone of Home Remedies for a Dog With an Upset Stomach

After the fasting period, you should not immediately return to their regular food. Instead, you will introduce a simple, highly digestible “bland diet.” This is the most effective of all home remedies for a dog with an upset stomach.

What to Include in a Bland Diet

The classic bland diet consists of two simple ingredients:

1. A Lean Protein: This should be boiled, boneless, skinless chicken breast. You can also use lean ground turkey or low-fat cottage cheese. The key is that it must be cooked plain, with no oils, butter, or seasonings.
2. A Simple Starch: Plain, boiled white rice is the standard choice. You can also use plain, cooked sweet potato. Avoid brown rice, as its higher fiber content can be harder to digest for an already irritated stomach.

How to Prepare and Serve the Bland Diet

• The Ratio: The ideal ratio is approximately 1 part lean protein to 2 parts starch. For example, 1/3 cup of boiled, shredded chicken mixed with 2/3 cup of cooked white rice.
• Serving Size: Start by offering a very small meal—about a quarter of their normal meal size. If they keep this down successfully, you can offer another small meal a few hours later.
• Duration: Continue feeding small, frequent meals of the bland diet for 1-2 days, or until their stool is firm and normal.

Other Soothing Home Remedies for a Dog With an Upset Stomach

In addition to the bland diet, you can incorporate these other helpful remedies.

100% Pure Canned Pumpkin: The Fiber Superstar

A spoonful of 100% pure canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices) is a fantastic addition.

• Why it works: Pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber. This fiber can help absorb excess water in the gut to firm up loose stools, and it can also help with constipation. It’s a digestive “normalizer” and one of the best home remedies for a dog with an upset stomach.

Probiotics to Support Gut Health

A bout of diarrhea can disrupt the healthy balance of bacteria in your dog’s gut.

• What they are: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help restore a healthy gut microbiome. You can get a probiotic supplement specifically formulated for dogs from your veterinarian or a pet supply store. This is a great tool to use after an upset stomach to support long-term digestive health.

How to Transition Back to Their Regular Food

Once your dog’s stomach has been calm and their stool has been normal for a full day, you can begin to transition them back to their regular food. Do not do this all at once.

1. Day 1: Mix 75% bland diet with 25% regular food.
2. Day 2: Mix 50% bland diet with 50% regular food.
3. Day 3: Mix 25% bland diet with 75% regular food.
4. Day 4: Return to 100% regular food.

This slow transition gives their GI system time to readjust.

A Case Study Resolved: How Sarah and Leo Navigated the Upset

Let’s return to Sarah and Leo. Seeing that Leo was otherwise alert and hadn’t vomited, she felt confident trying home care. She withheld his food for the rest of the evening but made sure his water bowl was full.

The next morning, she boiled a plain chicken breast and some white rice. She offered Leo a small meal of the bland diet, which he eagerly ate. She gave him a few more small meals throughout the day. By the next morning, his stool was already looking much firmer. She continued the bland diet for another day and then slowly transitioned him back to his regular kibble over the next three days. Sarah felt empowered. She had successfully used home remedies for a dog with an upset stomach to help her best friend feel better.

The Final Verdict: A Safe and Effective Approach for Mild Cases

Using home remedies for a dog with an an upset stomach is a valuable skill for any dog owner. By following the “fast and bland diet” protocol, you can safely and effectively manage mild cases of digestive upset. However, the most important part of this skill is knowing its limits and recognizing the signs that warrant an immediate call to your veterinarian.

Your dog’s health is in your hands. Always consult your veterinarian if you are ever in doubt about your pet’s condition. What are your go-to tips for a dog’s upset tummy? Share your experiences in the comments below!