When your dog needs a special diet for stomach problems
A dog with a bad stomach often needs a little help to get better faster. You can do this yourself by giving your dog food that is easy and gentle on the stomach to digest. This type of food is called a sparing diet. There are different foods for this but you can also choose to make your own sponge food! Here we explain the different types available and when it is appropriate to give your dog a bland diet.
Commercial pet food
All the major food brands have pet food, often available as dry food and as wet food. In cases of acute vomiting or diarrhoea there is always a risk of dehydration, in which case soft food may be preferable as it contains more liquid. If the dog has to eat it for a long time or for the rest of its life, it may be easier to give it as a dry food. If you have a puppy, it is particularly important to check that the food is intended for puppies.
Homemade pet food
Spare food can be made at home, it's actually very simple. Boiled rice, boiled white fish or boiled uncooked chicken are some examples of special diets that you can make at home yourself. However, keep in mind that this type of unhealthy diet is not a balanced diet in the long run. Therefore, if your dog needs a bland diet for a long time, or if you have a young growing dog, it is better to choose a commercial alternative as it contains everything the dog needs.
When can I give my dog a special diet?
You can give your dog a bland diet if they have vomiting and/or diarrhoea while their general condition is not affected. Skonkost is gentle on the stomach and easy to digest which can help the digestive tract recover more quickly.
When can I not give my dog a bland diet?
Often vomiting and diarrhoea can be treated at home, but there are certain symptoms you need to know about that indicate when you need to visit a vet with your dog. These are:
The dog has blood in the stool or vomiting. Except for small streaks of bright blood in the diarrhea of an otherwise healthy dog.
The dog has frequent vomiting, in which it is not allowed to retain food or water.
The dog has an affected general condition
the dog has a loss of thirst and appetite
the dog shows signs of pain
If you are unsure whether or not to give your dog a bland diet, it is always best to contact a vet for advice.
