Great alternatives to rice for a dog's bland diet include sweet potatoes, plain pasta, oatmeal, or boiled potatoes, often paired with lean protein like boiled chicken or turkey, and sometimes supplemented with plain pumpkin for extra fiber and digestion help. These options offer easily digestible carbohydrates that are gentle on the stomach, helping to firm stools and provide energy when a dog has an upset tummy.

What is a bland diet for dogs that don't like rice?

Mashed pumpkin works either with or in replace of rice. Just don't use canned pumpkin as it usually has other stuff added (you can find pure canned pumpkin in some places though).

What is a good substitute for rice for dogs?

Quinoa and ground flax seed are great substitutes for rice. My dogs love it.

What can I give my dog instead of rice for an upset stomach?

While chicken and rice is the old standby, chicken and sweet potato—or fish and sweet potato—is often a smarter choice for supporting the gut while being gentle and nourishing. You're not just filling their tummy—you're helping their gut heal, their microbiome rebalance, and their immune system stay strong.

What can I give my dog for a bland diet?

A classic bland diet vets often suggest is plain, lean, cooked ground beef or boiled ground turkey, mixed with an equal part of plain, cooked white rice. Make sure the meat has absolurely no added salt, oils, or seasonings. Pureed pumpkin can also be a good addition for fiber.

The Best Way To Treat Your Pet's Upset Stomach

Are scrambled eggs ok for a dog's bland diet?

Scrambled eggs or hard-boiled eggs—Yes, scrambled eggs are a bland diet for dogs when cooked without any oil, butter, or other ingredients. And hardboiled eggs also work well.

What food settles a dog's stomach?

For a dog with an upset stomach, feed a bland diet like boiled chicken or turkey with plain white rice, or add plain canned pumpkin or sweet potatoes, offering small meals and ensuring access to fresh water while avoiding fats, seasonings, and rich foods, but consult a vet if symptoms persist. A short fast (12-24 hours) might be recommended first, especially with vomiting, before slowly reintroducing food. 

Can rice irritate a dog's stomach?

Yes, rice can upset a dog's stomach, especially if they have sensitivities, it's not cooked well, or if it's given in large amounts or with seasonings, though plain, boiled white rice is often used for short-term mild digestive issues because it's bland and easy to digest for many dogs. However, some dogs struggle with grains or rice, and alternatives like pumpkin or sweet potato are often better for gut inflammation, while plain boiled chicken with rice is common but can trigger chicken allergies in some dogs. 

How much chicken and rice to feed a dog with a bland diet?

Combine the protein source with the carbohydrate source in a 1:1 ratio. For example, mix one cup of boiled chicken with one cup of cooked white rice. Serve small, frequent meals (4-6 times a day) instead of large meals. Adjust the portion size based on your dog's weight and appetite.

Are scrambled eggs and rice good for a dog with an upset stomach?

Depending on the dog, chicken, and rice, scrambled egg, pumpkin, or white fish could settle their stomach. What's most important is that the food contains limited ingredients and avoids anything they are sensitive to.

What can I put in my dog's food besides rice?

How to make dog food when you've run out

• Cooked potato (e.g. unseasoned, unflavoured mashed potato).
• Cooked, peeled sweet potato.
• Cooked, boneless, unsalted, lean meat (chicken, beef, or turkey).
• Additive-free cooked, tinned, or pureed pumpkin.
• Cooked swede (mashed or chopped).
• Broccoli.
• Carrots.
• Peas.

How long can a dog stay on a bland diet?

The bland diet should be fed for 4-5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm. Days 6-8: Mix the bland and regular diets in a 50/50 portion for a few days before switching back to the regular diet. The total amount fed should be about what your pet would normally eat.

What can I feed my dog in place of rice?

Because fecal quality is one of the most important factors by which dog owners judge the quality of a dog food, and the nutrient digestibility results were above the accepted industry standard, extruded sorghum and corn are good alternatives to rice as the primary cereal grain in dog foods.

What three meats should dogs avoid?

While many meats are safe, focus on avoiding fatty processed meats (bacon, sausage, ham), bones (especially cooked), and raw meat/eggs, as these pose risks like pancreatitis, choking/internal damage, and bacterial infections (Salmonella, E. coli) for dogs, often due to high fat, salt, or pathogens. Onions/garlic are also toxic in meat seasonings.

How to make homemade bland dog food?

An example of a simple homemade bland diet recipe is the following:

1. 1 cup of boiled hamburger, turkey, chicken, or cottage cheese mixed with.
2. 3 cups of boiled white rice.

Do dogs poop less on a bland diet?

Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment.

How to cook chicken for dog bland diet?

BASIC BOILDED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE

BOILDED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source.

What are signs of protein deficiency in dogs?

Signs Of Protein Deficiency In Dogs

Poor coat, skin and bristle hair. Anorexia (weight loss) Anemia (lack of healthy blood cells)

What's the best rice for dogs with an upset stomach?

For dogs with an upset stomach, white rice is typically recommended over brown rice. Its lower fiber content and higher starch make it easier to digest and more effective at binding loose stool, offering a gentle, temporary caloric source.

What food will firm up dog poop?

To firm up dog stools, add fiber-rich foods like plain canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or cooked carrots, which absorb water and add bulk, or try a bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice for easily digestible protein and starch; probiotics and psyllium husk also help regulate gut health, but always consult your vet for persistent issues.
 

How to reset dogs' gut?

A dog gut reset involves resting the digestive system (short fast), reintroducing easily digestible foods (like bland chicken and rice), adding probiotics/prebiotics, and incorporating fiber (veggies) to restore healthy gut flora, often needed after antibiotics or stress; always consult a vet first for persistent issues. Key steps include fasting, bland diet, supplements, exercise, and fresh foods to support the microbiome. 

Is scrambled egg good for a dog with an upset stomach?

Scrambled eggs are a good option for dogs with diarrhea because they are easy to digest and packed full of protein. Dogs who have been vomiting or eating stool may not be able to handle the high-fat content but scrambled egg is one of the best options out there.

What can dogs eat on a bland diet?

The most common foods on a bland diet are:

• boiled, skinless chicken or turkey (white meat like breast)
• poached white fish fillet.
• scrambled eggs.
• low-fat cottage cheese.
• white or brown rice (ensure it's soft and fluffy)
• pasta or boiled potatoes.

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