As a dog parent of four years, I've been through my share of 2 AM panic moments—hearing my Golden Retriever Biscuit's stomach gurgling loudly, finding an unexpected mess on the floor, or watching her turn away from her favorite food.
If you're reading this, you're probably in one of those stressful moments right now, wondering: "What can I give my dog for an upset stomach? Is this serious? Should I rush to the vet?"
I've been there, and I want to help you navigate this calmly. In this guide, I'll share 15 safe home remedies, explain the warning signs that require immediate vet attention, and walk you through a 48-hour recovery plan that's helped both my dogs bounce back.
⚠️ Important: This guide is for mild stomach upset. If your dog shows severe symptoms (bloody stool, persistent vomiting, extreme lethargy), please contact your vet immediately.
🐾 Quick Answer: What to Give a Dog for Upset Stomach
For mild stomach upset, follow these steps:
- Fast for 12-24 hours to let the stomach rest
- Offer small amounts of water or ice chips to prevent dehydration
- Start a bland diet (boiled chicken + white rice, 1:3 ratio)
- Feed small, frequent meals (4-6 times daily)
- Gradually transition back to regular food over 5-7 days
🚨 See a vet immediately if: bloody stool, vomiting for 24+ hours, severe lethargy, or refusal to drink water.
📖 What's In This Guide
Signs Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach
Before treating your dog, it helps to recognize what you're dealing with. Here are the most common symptoms of an upset stomach:
🤢 Vomiting
Including yellow bile or undigested food
💩 Diarrhea or Loose Stool
Soft, watery, or more frequent than normal
🍽️ Loss of Appetite
Refusing food or showing less interest
🔊 Stomach Gurgling
Loud rumbling or gurgling sounds
🌿 Eating Grass
May be trying to soothe their stomach
👅 Lip Licking & Drooling
Signs of nausea
😴 Lethargy
Less energy, sleeping more than usual
😣 Hunched Posture
May indicate abdominal discomfort
Why Is My Dog's Stomach Gurgling? (Borborygmi Explained)
If you've ever heard your dog's tummy making loud rumbling or gurgling noises, you're not alone—this is one of the most common concerns I hear from fellow dog parents.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, these sounds are medically called borborygmi (bor-boh-RIG-mee), and they're caused by gas and fluid moving through the intestines.
✅ Usually Normal When:
- Your dog is hungry (empty stomach = louder sounds)
- After eating, during normal digestion
- Your dog is acting normally otherwise
- Eating, drinking, and pooping normally
⚠️ Worth Watching When:
- Accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea
- Your dog refuses to eat
- The sounds are extremely loud or constant
- Your dog seems uncomfortable or in pain
Common Causes of Upset Stomach in Dogs
Understanding why your dog's stomach is upset can help you prevent future episodes. Here are the most common culprits:
- 🗑️ Dietary indiscretion — Eating garbage, table scraps, or something they shouldn't have
- 🔄 Sudden food changes — Switching dog food too quickly without proper transition
- ⚡ Eating too fast — Gulping food causes air swallowing and digestive issues
- 😰 Stress or anxiety — Travel, new environments, or routine changes
- 🦠 Infections — Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections
- 🍽️ Food allergies or intolerances — Reactions to specific ingredients
- ⚠️ Underlying conditions — Pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other health issues
🚨 When to See a Vet Immediately — Warning Signs
Before trying any home remedies, make sure your dog doesn't have any of these emergency symptoms. These require immediate veterinary attention:
🚨 GO TO THE VET IMMEDIATELY IF:
- Blood in vomit or stool (red, black, or tarry)
- Persistent vomiting (more than 24 hours or unable to keep water down)
- Severe watery diarrhea
- Bloated or distended abdomen
- Signs of severe pain (whimpering, can't get comfortable)
- Extreme lethargy or weakness
- Refusing to drink water
- Puppies or senior dogs (more vulnerable to dehydration)
- Symptoms lasting more than 48 hours
- Suspected toxin ingestion
🆘 Poison Emergency?
Contact ASPCA Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
Available 24/7 • Consultation fee may apply
15 Safe Home Remedies for Dog Upset Stomach
If your dog doesn't have any emergency symptoms, these home remedies can help them recover from mild stomach upset.
| Remedy | What It Does | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting | Lets digestive system rest | 12-24 hours for adults |
| Ice Chips | Prevents dehydration slowly | Let dog lick, not gulp water |
| Chicken + Rice | Easy to digest, gentle | 3:1 ratio rice to chicken |
| Pumpkin Puree | Regulates digestion | 1-2 tbsp for large dogs |
| Bone Broth | Hydrates + soothes | Unsalted, cooled to room temp |
| Probiotics | Restores gut bacteria | Dog-specific brands |
1 Fasting Period (12-24 Hours)
The first step is to give your dog's digestive system a complete break. Fasting allows the stomach and intestines to rest and heal.
📋 Fasting Guidelines:
- Healthy adult dogs: 12-24 hours
- Puppies (under 6 months): No more than 12 hours (risk of low blood sugar)
- Senior dogs or dogs with health conditions: Consult your vet first
- During fasting: Water is still okay (small amounts)
2 Small Amounts of Water (Ice Chip Trick)
Dehydration is a real concern with vomiting and diarrhea, but drinking too much water at once can trigger more vomiting.
The ice chip trick: Instead of a full bowl of water, offer your dog ice chips to lick. This delivers hydration slowly and is less likely to upset the stomach further.
⚠️ Warning: If your dog can't keep even small amounts of water down, or refuses to drink at all, contact your vet—this is a sign of a more serious problem.
3 The Bland Diet (Chicken + Rice)
This is the gold standard for dog stomach upset, recommended by veterinarians including those at the American Kennel Club.
🍚 Bland Diet Recipe
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Plain white rice (not brown rice)
Ratio: 3 parts rice : 1 part chicken
Instructions:
- Boil chicken in plain water until fully cooked (no seasoning!)
- Shred or cut into small pieces
- Cook white rice until soft
- Mix together in 3:1 ratio
- Cool to room temperature before serving
Portion size: Start with about 1/4 of your dog's normal meal amount. Feed 4-6 small meals throughout the day instead of 1-2 large ones.
4 Other Safe Foods for Upset Stomach
🎃 Pumpkin Puree
Must be 100% pure pumpkin (NOT pie filling!). Rich in fiber, helps regulate digestion.
Dose: 1-2 tsp (small dogs) to 1-2 tbsp (large dogs)
🍖 Bone Broth
Soothing, hydrating, and easy to digest. Use unsalted, homemade or dog-specific brands.
Tip: Pour over rice for added flavor
🍠 Cooked Sweet Potato
Peeled, boiled, and mashed. High in fiber and vitamins.
Tip: Alternative to pumpkin
🍌 Banana (Small Amount)
High in potassium, helps restore electrolytes. Easy on the stomach.
Dose: A few small pieces mashed
🥣 Plain Yogurt (Small Amount)
Contains probiotics. Must be plain, unsweetened, no xylitol.
Note: Skip if lactose intolerant
🥣 Plain Oatmeal
Cooked, plain oatmeal. Gentle fiber source, easy to digest.
Tip: Good alternative to rice
5 Probiotics for Gut Health
Probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria in your dog's gut, especially after digestive upset or antibiotic treatment.
Look for probiotics specifically formulated for dogs. Your vet can recommend a trusted brand. Plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures can also provide some probiotic benefits (if your dog tolerates dairy).
6 Keep Your Dog Comfortable During Recovery
Recovery isn't just about food—your dog needs comfort and rest too.
- Quiet rest area: Minimize activity and excitement
- Keep them warm: Dogs with upset stomachs can feel chilly. A cozy dog pajama can help them stay comfortable while they heal.
- Fresh water available: Even if fasting from food
- Easy bathroom access: They may need to go out more frequently
Foods to Avoid When Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach
Just as important as knowing what to feed is knowing what to avoid:
The 48-Hour Recovery Plan
Here's a practical timeline to follow when your dog has an upset stomach:
📅 Day 1 (Hours 0-24)
Hours 0-12: Fasting Period
- No food
- Small amounts of water or ice chips only
- Monitor symptoms closely
- Note: Contact vet if symptoms worsen
Hours 12-24: Begin Bland Diet
- Start with 1/4 of normal portion size
- Chicken + rice (3:1 ratio)
- Feed every 4-6 hours (small meals)
- Monitor if food stays down
📅 Day 2 (Hours 24-48)
- Continue bland diet
- Increase to 1/2 normal portion
- Can add 1 tbsp pumpkin puree if desired
- Stool should start firming up
- Energy level should improve
- If no improvement by end of Day 2 → call vet
📅 Days 3-7: Transition Back to Normal Food
- Day 3: 75% bland diet + 25% regular food
- Day 4-5: 50% bland diet + 50% regular food
- Day 6-7: 25% bland diet + 75% regular food
- Day 8: Back to 100% regular food
My Experience: How Biscuit Recovered from a Thanksgiving Disaster
I want to share a real experience that taught me exactly how to handle a dog's upset stomach—and why staying calm makes all the difference.
What Happened
Last Thanksgiving, while we were cleaning up after dinner, my Golden Retriever Biscuit managed to sneak some turkey skin and gravy off a plate left too close to the counter edge. At the time, I didn't think much of it—she seemed fine that night.
The Scary Night
Around 2 AM, I woke up to the sound of Biscuit's stomach gurgling—loudly. It sounded like a washing machine. By morning, she refused her breakfast (which, for a food-obsessed Golden, was alarming). By noon, she had diarrhea—not watery, but definitely soft.
I started panicking. Was this serious? Did I need to rush to the emergency vet on a holiday weekend?
What the Vet Said
I called my vet's emergency line. The vet asked key questions:
- "Is there any blood in the stool or vomit?" — No
- "Is she still drinking water?" — Yes, a little
- "How's her energy level?" — Subdued but not completely flat
Based on my answers, she said I could safely monitor Biscuit at home for 24-48 hours and gave me a clear protocol to follow.
What I Did
- Fasted her for 12 hours — No food, only small sips of water
- Prepared the bland diet — Boiled chicken breast + white rice (3:1 ratio)
- Fed small portions — About 1/4 cup every 4 hours
- Added pumpkin on Day 2 — 1 tablespoon mixed into her food
- Kept her warm and rested — She wore her warm dog sweater and stayed on her favorite blanket (dogs with upset stomachs can get chilly)
The Result
- 12 hours: Diarrhea stopped
- 24 hours: She was asking for food again (a good sign!)
- 48 hours: Completely back to normal, tail wagging, trying to steal food again
What I Learned
💡 Key Takeaways from My Experience:
- Not every stomach upset requires an emergency vet visit
- But knowing the warning signs (blood, persistent vomiting) is crucial
- A phone consultation with your vet can save stress and money
- Keep chicken breast, white rice, and canned pumpkin on hand
- The bland diet really works—it's not just an old wives' tale
How to Prevent Future Stomach Problems
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here's how to reduce the chances of stomach upset:
🔄 Transition Food Gradually
Switch dog food over 7-10 days, mixing increasing amounts of new food with old
🚫 No Table Scraps
Avoid feeding human food, especially fatty, spicy, or seasoned items
🗑️ Secure the Trash
Use a dog-proof trash can or keep it in a cabinet
🐌 Use a Slow Feeder
Prevents gulping food too fast, reducing air swallowing
💊 Regular Deworming
Keep up with your vet's recommended parasite prevention schedule
😌 Reduce Stress
Maintain routines; introduce changes gradually
FAQ: Common Questions About Dog Upset Stomach
Q: Can I give my dog Pepto-Bismol or Pepcid?
I don't recommend giving any human medication without consulting your vet first. While some human medications can be safe for dogs at proper doses, Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates (similar to aspirin) which can be harmful to some dogs. Your vet can advise on safe options and correct dosing for your specific dog.
Q: How long should I wait before going to the vet?
For mild symptoms (occasional soft stool, slightly reduced appetite) with an otherwise alert and hydrated dog, you can monitor at home for 24-48 hours. However, if you see blood, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea, extreme lethargy, or if your dog refuses water—don't wait. These warrant immediate veterinary attention.
Q: Is it normal for my dog to eat grass when their stomach is upset?
Yes, this is common behavior. Some experts believe dogs eat grass to induce vomiting when they feel nauseous, while others think it may help add fiber or simply be a natural instinct. Occasional grass eating isn't concerning, but if it's frequent and accompanied by other symptoms, it's worth mentioning to your vet.
Q: My dog's stomach is gurgling but they're acting normal. Should I be worried?
If your dog has a rumbly tummy but is otherwise eating, drinking, pooping normally, and has good energy—it's probably just normal digestion sounds or mild hunger. Try offering a small bland meal and see if it settles. However, if the gurgling is accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea, that's when you should pay closer attention.
Q: Can I give my dog ginger for an upset stomach?
Small amounts of ginger may help some dogs with nausea, but it's not suitable for all dogs (especially those on blood thinners or with certain conditions). If you want to try it, consult your vet first and start with a very small amount. Pumpkin puree is generally a safer and more effective first choice for most dogs.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a dog's upset stomach is stressful, but the good news is that most mild cases resolve within 24-48 hours with proper home care.
Remember the key steps:
- First, rule out emergencies — No blood, no severe symptoms
- Let the stomach rest — 12-24 hour fast
- Hydrate carefully — Small amounts of water or ice chips
- Start bland diet — Chicken + rice, small frequent meals
- Transition gradually — Back to normal food over 5-7 days
Keep canned pumpkin, chicken breast, and white rice stocked in your kitchen—you never know when you'll need them. And when in doubt, a quick call to your vet can provide peace of mind and guidance.
I hope this guide helps you navigate your dog's stomach troubles with confidence. Here's to many happy, healthy meals ahead! 🐾
Keep Your Pup Comfortable During Recovery
Dogs with upset stomachs often feel chilly. Our cozy dog clothing helps them stay warm and comfortable while they heal.
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