We all know that most dogs will eat anything in sight if given half a chance.
However, this also means that they are more likely to eat something nasty from time to time which can bring about an illness.
For instance, bacteria and certain viruses or bugs can induce the likes of diarrhea and/or vomiting for your dog.
When your dog is feeling this way, they are also less likely to have an appetite and the symptoms will usually continue until you have taken some kind of action.
But what’s any of this got to do with a bland diet for dogs?
Veterinarians will usually recommend a bland diet for dogs in such circumstances.
Just so you know, this bland diet is designed to soothe the digestive system and restore their stool to a solid state.
It’s true, a bland diet for dogs is used to help fix their stool problems and resolve issues with the intestine.
Unfortunately, most owners are unaware in terms of the ingredients in such a diet.
Let’s take a look at what you might find in a bland diet for dogs:
How to Make a Bland Diet for Dogs
Ideally, a bland diet for dogs will have 100% human-grade meats and zero hormones.
What’s more, it’s best to keep them gluten-free and try not to use ingredients containing lots of chemicals.
A bland diet for dogs most often consists of boiled lean meats like turkey and chicken.
Starch is also taken from potato or white rice, while the meat itself is chopped into small digestible chunks.
In terms of preparation, you simply boil this meat until it cooks and then add the starch mix afterward.
Seasonings and oil are not necessary and storage should always be kept at room temp.
On the other hand, you can actually buy a freeze-dried bland diet for dogs online which may suit those who wish to avoid cooking or making this themselves.
You should also know that this is merely one example of a meal you might use as a bland diet for dogs.
After all, there are so many variations you might use for this diet such as chicken and rice, beef and rice or turkey with starch and rice.
How to Feed Your Dog this Bland Diet
Now, it’s important to wait for some time when you find your dog vomiting or suffering from a bout of diarrhea.
In other words, allow a couple of hours to pass before giving them this bland diet.
You can also start by giving your dog some water and if they do not vomit for the next two hours, present them with the food.
That being said, don’t give them a whole bowl full and instead, feed them small spoons of the bland diet to ensure that they are able to keep this food down.
In case you might be asking yourself, this process should take place over the course of several hours during which you can give your dog a spoonful every thirty minutes.
After two or three days of this process, you should notice your dog has stopped vomiting or experiencing diarrhea.
Finally, it’s okay to start mixing this bland diet for dogs with their normal food and continue this process for two more days.
Can You Keep Your Dog on a Bland Diet Forever?
Unfortunately not.
You see, a bland diet for dogs is a temporary measure and does not consist of the nutritional qualities that your dog needs in the long term.
Sure, your dog will enjoy this diet but you need to ensure they are receiving the necessary calories and nutrients to keep them healthy.
With this in mind, you should only continue to use a bland diet for dogs until the unwanted symptoms have passed.
If the symptoms do not pass, you should take your dog to the local vet.
Final Thoughts
Making a bland diet for dogs is pretty straightforward but you always have the option of buying related products instead of actually making the food.
Either way, this diet is proven to improve the digestive system and help dogs overcome symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
When you think of it, this is a much safer alternative to medication and one that should cost you a lot less too.