Bland Diets for Canines

Dogs with loose stools, vomiting spells and appetite loss benefit when they start eating a bland diet. Veterinarians recommend bland diets for dogs when they have intestinal issues or when they have upcoming surgery. Because bland diets lack significant nutrients, you should only feed your dog this way temporarily. Once surgery is complete or digestive problems clear, your dog can return to a balanced and nutritionally sound diet.

  1. Home-Cooked Foods

    • Preparing your dog's food at home rather than purchasing diet dog foods is the most economical way to feed your dog a bland diet. Because dogs are carnivorous, most dog foods contain large amounts of meat products. If your dog has stomach or intestinal problems, limiting his consumption of meat will make the food easier for him to digest. By cooking your dog's food, you are also limiting the amount of toxins entering his body from heavily processed dog foods.

    Adding Fillers

    • Make the dog food that you already have bland by adding fillers. Brown rice and oatmeal are a good choice for dogs suffering with digestive problems because they contain fiber. White rice and pasta are also filler foods that you can use. If your dog does not have digestive issues, boiled, low-fat chicken or turkey breasts can be cooked without seasonings, blended and added to your dog's meal.

    Cottage Cheese and Yogurt

    • Both cottage cheese and yogurt are bland foods that will diminish the strong flavor of regular dog food when mixed with it. Add one to three tablespoons of yogurt or cottage cheese to your dog's food at each feeding. You can also mix cottage cheese, yogurt and rice together and add the mixture to your dog's meal. Start with small amounts to familiarize your dog with the new taste.

    Baked Potatoes and Vegetables

    • Baked potatoes and yams are foods that you can boil, blend and add to your dog's food. You can also boil broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and carrots, blend them, and mix them in with each dish to enhance the nutritional value. If your dog responds well to eating this way, continue to add nutritious foods to his meals once he completes his bland diet.