All Creatures Veterinary Clinic
General Information
A bland diet is a diet that is low in fiber, fat & protein but high in carbohydrates. 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.
Homemade Recipe
The most common bland diet is mixing 75% boiled white rice and 25% boiled lean chicken breast(without skin and bones) or lean ground beef (sirloin is best). Homemade bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 72 hours. You may warm each meal slightly. *For growing puppies or dogs w/ food allergies, special considerations may need to be taken for the homemade version of the bland diet. Your veterinarian/ technician will discuss this with you. We strongly recommend purchasing the below prescription diets for puppies, instead.
Feeding Instructions:
Dogs weight <5 pounds: Feed a total of about ½ cup, split into smaller amounts throughout the day.
Dogs weight 5 – 15 pounds: Feed a total of about ½ - ¾ cup, split into smaller amounts throughout the day.
Dogs weight 16 – 30 pounds: Feed a total of about 1 - 1 ½ cups, split into smaller amounts throughout the day.
Dogs weighing 31 – 50 pounds: Feed a total of about 1 ½ - 2 cups, split into smaller amounts throughout the day.
Dogs weighing 51 – 75 pounds: Feed a total of about 2 - 3 cups, split into smaller amounts throughout the day.
Dogs weighing 76 – 99 pounds: Feed a total of about 3 - 4 cups, split into smaller amounts throughout the day.
Dogs weighing >100 pounds: Feed a total of 4 – 5 cups, split into smaller amounts throughout the day.
Take your total amount & break it into 4 – 6 meals per day (i.e., if your total per day is 3 cups, then feed your dog ½ cup 6 times a day, allowing about 2 hours between each meal). Stools should almost be returned to normal by day 7 (if not, please call us for further instructions). The bland diet should be fed strictly (no other treats, table scraps or bones) for entire regimen.
Transition Back to Normal Diet
Once stools are back to normal & have been for at least 24 hours, begin reintroducing your dog’s normal diet. Begin mixing normal diet with the bland diet... Each day that passes, you will reduce the amount of bland diet & increase the amount of regular dog food, but still keeping up with the total per day & the frequency guidelines. Continue restricting treats, table scraps & bones until 1 week has passed without signs of diarrhea. If soft stools are not starting to resolve w/in 72 or worsen, please call us.
The “typical” bland diet regimen lasts about 10 days; however, this timeline may be adjusted to meet the individual patient’s needs. IF LOOSE STOOLS ARE NOT RESOLVING, PLEASE CALL US.
Keep plenty of fresh & clean water available at all times
