What to Feed a Dog With an Upset Stomach: The Complete Guide + Easy Homemade Recipe

When your dog is dealing with vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, or simply showing no interest in food, it’s stressful — for both of you. An upset stomach is one of the most common issues dog parents face, yet most people scramble for answers when it happens.

Today we’ll walk through:

✔️ Exactly what to feed your dog during a stomach upset

✔️ What not to feed

✔️ Why rest is often the first step

✔️ A gentle, gut-healing homemade recipe

✔️ Science-backed ingredients that support digestion and recovery for sick dogs

✔️ A full FAQ from real-world dog parents

By the end, you’ll have a simple plan to help your dog recover safely and quickly.

First Things First: Let Their Belly Rest

Before any recipe or remedy, the most important step is allowing the digestive system to calm down.

If your dog has vomiting or diarrhea:

💧 Skip 1–2 meals to let the stomach and intestines settle

📞 Call your veterinarian, especially if vomiting is persistent

🚨 If your dog refuses food for more than 24 hours, or if they show symptoms like lethargy or blood in stool, they need to be examined

Why does rest matter?

When a dog is sick, and vomits or has diarrhea, the stomach lining, intestines, and even the esophagus often become inflamed. Eating too soon can:

• Cause pain

• Trigger more vomiting

• Delay healing
  
  

Think of it like spraining an ankle—walking too soon only worsens the injury. The gut needs the same courtesy.

Danger Signs - When You MUST Skip a Meal and Call the Vet

There are times when you 100% should call your vet.

Stomach issues are tricky. Some dogs are incredibly dramatic. A simply bout of nausea can send some dogs into a state where you'd think they were in mortal danger.

Others can have tremendous pain in their stomach and show very little discomfort. Remember that dogs, typically, hide pain and sickness.

However, if you see these, call your vet and ask if you should take your dog in ASAP:

😱 Drooling

😱 Constantly shifting positions, moving around from place to place, showing obvious signs of an inability to get comfortable

😱 Not eating + not pooping. Worse yet, trying to evacuate but nothing comes out

😱 More than one bout of vomiting or loose stool

😱 Yelping, crying, or showing signs of pain when touched - or avoiding touch

Story Time About the Worst Dog in the Galaxy

Grogu is a beagle. Grogu eats everything.

Grogu was a street dog who probably had to steal food to survive... but, Grogu is a beagle, and thus eats everything.

On this particular day, he decided to eat stones.

Why?

See above.

I didn't see him do it because he's sneaky, but after a normal day of eating, he woke up and refused his breakfast.

No problem, bellyaches happen to everyone.

However, as the hours passed, I noticed he was drooling.

Then he tried to go to the bathroom, but nothing came out.

I scooped him up and off we went to the emergency vet.

After doing an X-ray and an eco-abdominal scan, they found that he had something lodged in his intestines.

They pulled several rocks out of his actual ass.

But, this wasn't enough. They had to operate. He survived, thankfully, but it is a good lesson in NOT waiting. A day too long with a blockage and it can be too late.

For the record, three years later, and he has yet to pay me back for his expensive surgery.

The Best Homemade Food for Dogs With Upset Stomachs

Once your dog is ready to eat again, it’s time for gentle foods that soothe, hydrate, and support recovery.

This recipe focuses on:

• High hydration

• Easily digestible protein

• Gut-supportive nutrients

• Ingredients that calm inflammation

• Zero irritants
  
  

Let’s break down each part of the recipe and the science behind it.

1. Start With Liquids: Bone Broth for Hydration & Healing

Bone broth is the foundation of this upset stomach diet. It’s gentle, tasty, hydrating, and incredibly nutritious.

Why bone broth works so well:

🧬 Pre-digested amino acids
Slow cooking breaks down proteins, making them far easier for a weakened digestive system to absorb.

🦴 Collagen + gelatin repair the gut lining
Studies show these compounds support intestinal integrity, reduce inflammation, and help restore the stomach lining.

⚡ Rich in electrolytes (magnesium, calcium, potassium)
Vomiting and diarrhea cause electrolyte loss; broth replenishes them.

💦 High water content = fast rehydration

Add a small pinch of sea salt, and you have a natural electrolyte drink that supports recovery without upsetting the stomach.

2. Add a Lean, Low-Fat Protein (Critical Step!)

Most people online recommend chicken breast + rice, but they rarely explain why chicken breast works. The secret is:

👉 Dogs with upset stomachs often reject high-fat foods.

After surgeries, antibiotics, or GI illnesses — including simple nausea — the smell of fat seems to shut down the appetite centre in the brain. High-fat proteins (ground beef, pork, dark meat) often make symptoms worse.

Best protein choices:

🍗 Chicken breast (boiled or poached)

🐟 Tuna packed in water (gentle when combined with broth)

Why these proteins?

• Very low fat

• Easy to digest

• Mild smell, but enough to trigger hunger

• Less likely to trigger nausea
  

After 25 years of helping senior dogs, chicken and tuna consistently perform best during sensitive GI episodes. Turkey breast works as well.

3. Say Goodbye to Rice — Use Pumpkin Instead

Yes, rice is the “classic” recommendation online, but it’s outdated.

Problems with rice during GI upset:

🍚 Rice is inflammatory — not ideal when the belly is already irritated

🍚 High starch feeds bad gut bacteria

🍚 Can worsen diarrhea in some dogs

Instead, choose pumpkin.

Why pumpkin is superior:

🎃 High in soluble fiber → firms loose stools

💦 Over 90% water → great for hydration

🎃 Rich in vitamins A, C, and E

🎃 Naturally sweet aroma → stimulates appetite

🎃 Low sugar, low starch → gentle on digestion

Pumpkin is one of the fastest dietary ways to stabilise digestion AND encourage eating.

4. Add Probiotics to Rebuild Gut Health

An upset stomach almost always means the gut microbiome has been disrupted. Vomiting, diarrhea, illness, antibiotics — they all damage the fragile bacterial balance.

You can use:

🍶 Kefir

🥣 Plain Greek yogurt

💧 Liquid probiotics

💊 Probiotic capsules

Liquid probiotics are especially useful because:

• Dogs with upset stomachs often drink more water

• You can add probiotics directly to the water bowl
  
  

Why probiotics matter:

• Restore balance to the gut microbiome

• Improve digestion during and after GI upset

• Support immune function

• Reduce inflammation

• Improve stool quality
  
  

When paired with pumpkin, you also get pre-biotics, which feed the beneficial bacteria.

5. Include Digestive Enzymes for Faster Healing

Digestive enzymes may be the most overlooked part of upset stomach recovery — but they can make the biggest difference.

When the digestive system is inflamed, it struggles to break down food. Undigested food worsens nausea, gas, and diarrhea.

Digestive enzymes help by:

🔬 Breaking down proteins and fats

🔬 Increasing nutrient absorption

🔬 Reducing gut workload

🔬 Speeding recovery

🔬 Supporting better stool formation

If your dog has been vomiting or has diarrhea, enzyme support is essential to help them return to normal meals more quickly.

How Long Should You Use This Recipe?

Even when your dog seems better, the digestive system may still be healing.

Most vets recommend:

⏳ 7 days minimum

⏳ Up to 10 days if symptoms were severe

Don’t switch back to their regular meals too early — hidden inflammation can cause symptoms to return.

🥩 Full Recipe: Upset Stomach Dog Food

Ingredients (all depend on the size of your dog. Start small and add slowly):

🥣 50ml - 100ml homemade bone broth

🍗 25 - 150g boiled chicken breast or tuna in water

🎃 2–4 tablespoons pumpkin purée

🥛 1 tablespoon kefir or Greek yogurt

💧 Liquid probiotics or 1 capsule (OPTIONAL - added to their water bowl)

🔬 Digestive enzymes according to label

🧂 Pinch of sea salt (optional, for hydration)

Instructions:

1. Combine the broth with protein to create a soupy consistency.

2. Add pumpkin and mix gently.

3. Fold in kefir/yogurt.

4. Add enzymes.

5. Serve warm — never hot — to increase aroma and appetite.

6. Use liquid probiotics in your dog's water bowl. This is optional, but helps a lot
   
   

Feed small, frequent meals for the first day, then gradually increase.

🤓Nerd Alert

Bone Broth

• Contains gelatin + collagen, shown to support intestinal integrity and reduce inflammation.

• Amino acids like glycine and glutamine help repair gut lining.

• Hydration + electrolytes support recovery from fluid loss.
  

Pumpkin

• Soluble fibre increases water absorption in the colon → firmer stools.

• Acts as a prebiotic for beneficial gut bacteria.

• Naturally low sugar and soothing to the digestive tract.
  

Lean Proteins

• Low-fat proteins reduce nausea signals in the brain.

• Easier to digest when gastric motility is slowed by inflammation.
  

Probiotics

• Support immune activity, which is 70% located in the gut.

• Help restore microbiome balance disrupted by illness or antibiotics.

• Reduce inflammatory gut markers in multiple studies.
  

Digestive Enzymes

• Improve nutrient absorption

• Lessen digestive workload

• Support faster GI recovery

⭐ FAQ: Feeding Dogs With Upset Stomachs

1. How long should my dog fast before eating again?

Usually 12-hours for adults. Puppies should not fast without veterinary guidance. If your dog still doesn't want to eat after 24-hours, call your vet immediately.

2. Can I give my dog rice?

No. Rice is starchy, can ferment in the gut, and may worsen inflammation or diarrhea.

3. How much pumpkin should I give?

Start with:

• Small dogs: 1 tsp–1 tbsp

• Medium dogs: 1–2 tbsp

• Large dogs: 2–4 tbsp

4. Can I use canned broth?

Canned, no.

If you have real bone broth that was made commercially in small batches, something like Borough Broth, then sure.

Homemade is always superior, but if you don't have time, or you're on the move, or you just want an excellent back up, try Borough Broth (no, we don't make any money from this product).

You can make a quick broth with nothing more than a few bones and some vegetable scraps. Normally broths should simmer for 12 - 24 hours, but you can make a quicker version that simmers for around two hours.

Then, keep it going for the full cooking time to use over the next few days.

5. What if my dog won’t eat at all?

Let their belly rest. Skip a meal. If after they are still unsure about eating, try:

• Warming the broth

• Offering broth alone

• Adding kefir for aroma

• Hand-feeding small portions
  
  

If they still refuse food after 24 hours → call your vet.

6. Can I feed this long-term?

No — this is a temporary recovery diet only. Use for 7–10 days.

7. Can I use sweet potato instead of pumpkin?

Pumpkin is better because it is:

• Lower starch

• Less sugar

• More hydrating
  
  

But sweet potato can work in a pinch.

8. Should I use probiotics every day afterward?

Yes. Dogs benefit from daily probiotics, especially after any GI upset. After a stomach issue or bout of antibiotics, continue with extra probiotics for 10-days. Then, continue with at least a small amount daiy forever.

9. What causes upset stomach in dogs?

Common triggers include:

• Eating something strange

• Eating poop

• Infections

• Stress

• Antibiotics

• Eating too fast

• Eating grass or foreign objects
  

10. When is an upset stomach an emergency?

Seek vet care immediately if you see:

• Blood in vomit or stool

• Severe lethargy

• Repeated vomiting

• Dehydration

• Distended belly

• Pale gums

• Drooling

• Constant signs of discomfort - changing positions often
  
  

Final Thoughts

Helping your dog through an upset stomach doesn’t have to be stressful. With rest, hydration, lean protein, pumpkin, probiotics, and enzymes, most dogs recover quickly and comfortably.

This simple recipe works beautifully for:

• Senior dogs

• Dogs recovering from surgery

• Dogs on antibiotics

• Dogs with temporary vomiting/diarrhea

• Picky eaters after illness
  
  

Your dog’s belly will thank you — and they’ll be back to begging for treats in no time.

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All information comes from 25+ years experience, interviews with forward-thinking veterinarians, and from scientific research.

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