A bland diet for dogs is a short-term fix for an upset stomach, not a long-term meal plan. If your senior dog has an upset stomach, mild diarrhea, or is recovering from a bout of vomiting, a vet will often recommend a short course of “bland diet.” This comes before going back to regular food. Also, it’s simple and gentle on the digestive system. These bland diet recipes for senior dogs are easy to make with ingredients most people already have at home.
Here’s how to make it correctly, how long it’s safe to use, and when it’s not the right solution.
Quick note: This article is for general education and isn’t a substitute for veterinary advice. However, a bland diet is meant for short-term digestive upset. It is not a long-term diet, and it isn’t appropriate for every situation. See the warning signs section below.
Key takeaways:
- Use a bland diet for dogs only for a few days, and call your vet if symptoms continue.
- A bland diet is a simple combination of an easily digestible carbohydrate and a lean protein.
- Ratio: Most vets recommend roughly 2 parts carbohydrate to 1 part protein.
What a Bland Diet for Dogs Actually Is
A bland diet is a simple combination of an easily digestible carbohydrate and a lean protein. Plus, you cook it plainly, with no oil, butter, seasoning, or salt. It’s designed to be gentle on an irritated GI tract while your dog recovers. Still, it can’t provide complete, balanced nutrition long-term.
The Basic Bland Diet Recipe
Ratio: Most vets recommend roughly 2 parts carbohydrate to 1 part protein. Of course, your own vet may suggest a different ratio for your dog’s situation.
Step 1 — Choose a carbohydrate
- White rice — the most common choice; boiled or steamed, with no added butter or oil.
- Sweet potato — baked or boiled, cubed, unseasoned.
- Plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) — a good source of soluble fiber that helps regulate digestion.
Step 2 — Choose a lean protein
- Boiled, skinless chicken breast
- Boiled lean ground turkey
- Lean ground beef (drained well, all visible fat removed)
- Plain, boiled white fish
- Low-fat cottage cheese (a good option for dogs who need extra palatability)
Step 3 — Cook everything separately, plainly
Boil the protein and the carbohydrate in separate pots. Don’t cook the rice in the same water used to boil the meat. Otherwise, fat from the meat will cling to the rice and defeat the purpose of a low-fat meal. No oil, butter, salt, garlic, onion, or other seasoning of any kind.
Step 4 — Combine and cool completely
Next, mix the cooked carbohydrate and protein in your chosen ratio. Let the mixture cool fully before serving. You can optionally mix in a spoonful of plain canned pumpkin for extra fiber. You can also add a small amount of low-sodium broth. As a result, it’s more appealing to a senior dog with a reduced appetite.
Simple Example Recipe
- 1 cup boiled, shredded chicken breast (no skin or bones)
- 2 cups boiled white rice
- 1-2 tablespoons plain canned pumpkin (optional)
Mix everything together, let it cool, and serve small portions.
How to Feed It
- Offer small, frequent meals rather than one or two large ones. That’s because 4 to 6 smaller portions a day are easier on a recovering digestive system.
- If your dog vomits after eating, remove food and water for a few hours. Then reintroduce a small amount of both before trying a full meal again.
- Store homemade bland diet in the refrigerator and use it within 3 days. Always let it cool before serving. Never serve it hot.
Serve a bland diet for dogs in small, frequent meals.
How Long It’s Safe to Feed
A bland diet is meant to be short-term. That typically means 1 to 5 days, depending on what your vet recommends for your dog’s specific situation. It is not nutritionally complete or balanced on its own. In fact, it’s missing many of the vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids a dog needs for long-term health.
Talk to your vet if your dog’s stomach hasn’t settled after a few days. Do the same if you’re considering feeding a bland-style diet for longer. Ideally, involve a veterinary nutritionist if you want a genuinely long-term homemade option. That requires a properly formulated recipe, not just rice and chicken.
When a Bland Diet Isn’t the Right Answer
A bland diet for dogs is not right for every case, so check with your vet. Contact your vet instead of trying a bland diet at home if your senior dog shows any of the following:
- Repeated vomiting that doesn’t stop after withholding food briefly
- Diarrhea with blood, or vomiting with blood
- Signs of pain, bloating, or a distended abdomen
- Lethargy, weakness, or collapse
- Known ingestion of something toxic or a foreign object
- An existing condition like kidney disease, diabetes, or pancreatitis, where dietary changes need to be managed carefully by a vet
For dogs with pancreatitis in particular, even lean cooked meats need to be handled with care around fat content. Your vet may recommend a different approach entirely.
The Bottom Line
A simple bland diet of boiled lean protein and an easily digestible carbohydrate is a useful, low-cost way to help a senior dog’s stomach settle after mild digestive upset. It typically lasts just a few days. It’s not a substitute for a balanced everyday diet. It’s also not the right first move if your dog is showing more serious symptoms. In those cases, skip the home remedy and call your vet. Use a bland diet for dogs only for a few days, and call your vet if symptoms continue.
Further reading: Also, for more detail from veterinary organizations, see the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, AAFCO’s guidance on pet food labels, and the AAHA Senior Care Guidelines.
Finally, we last updated this guide in October 2026.