PET TALK: Gastrointestinal (GI) upset and the need for a bland diet

Hey pet parents, today we are going to talk about Gastrointestinal (GI) upset and the need for a bland diet.

If you remember, symptoms of chocolate toxicity start after 4-6 hours after ingestion.

Your pet will have soft stools to diarrhea based on the amount of GI upset- loose stools, gas, and nausea.

If the GI system is unable to calm down, you will be forced to rush into ER. If my sensitive stomach dog has soft stools for more than 2.5 potty breaks and each stool sample is getting softer each time, I start her on a bland diet.

A bland diet is not a substitute for a high-quality dog food; it is only used when there are issues with the stomach and /or GI tract. 

There are commercial brands that may be bought with a prescription through your veterinarian but that is $4-6 a can or you can make your own homemade bland diet.

A bland diet does not mean micromanage. It is boiled, skinless, white chicken. Cooked white or brown rice, no salt or butter added. It is a 50/50 mixture to be fed 3-7 days.

No carrots, blueberries, or herbal supplements.

Never feed your pet Rotisserie chicken since it has up to 70-460 mg of sodium per serving.

No cold cuts, chicken tenders, or part of your chicken sandwich.

No treats. No human food other than chicken and rice.

A probiotic, non-human grade, is the only thing that may be added. I use Fortiflora.

Make life easy, buy frozen chicken.

Cook in instant pot, crockpot, or use stove (boil). Drain chicken. 

Never use the chicken water since it has too much fat and will increase the GI upset.

For canned chicken, no salt or low salt, rinse and squeeze excess water. Place it in oven or air fryer to dry out.

Place the meat and rice in separate bowls. Spoils quickly if mixed. Refrigerate when not in use.

Feed the 50/50 mixture, use water if dry. No broth. Mix to eatable consistency. Feed up to 3-4 times daily.

Transition back into your pet’s regular dog food the same amount of time that you fed the bland diet.

If your pet is allergic to chicken, boil lean ground hamburger.

Hope this helps. 

– Charlotte