Upset Stomach in Dogs: Signs and What To Do
At a glance
- The most common signs of an upset stomach in dogs are vomiting, diarrhoea, going off their food, low energy and a tender tummy
- Most mild upsets settle within one to two days with small and frequent meals and plenty of fresh water
- Boiled chicken or white fish with plain white rice is the standard bland diet, offered as several small meals a day. Alternatively feeding your pet their normal food but in small frequent meals 3-4 times a day can help their tummy recover quicker from many mild upsets too.
- A sudden change of food (especially those high in fat), scavenging, parasites and infections are common causes
- Constant vomiting, blood in vomit or stools, refusing food or water, or no improvement within 48 hours all need a vet to be contacted
How do I know if my dog has an upset stomach?
An upset stomach in dogs usually shows as vomiting or retching, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and low energy, and the right first step is small, frequent meals with fresh water always available. Most mild cases improve within one to two days at home. A dog that keeps vomiting, has blood in its vomit or stools, or is no better after 48 hours needs to see a vet.
Some signs are easy to miss. Loud tummy noises, extra lip-licking, drooling and smelly wind are all early clues. A dog with a sore stomach will sometimes stretch with their front legs out and bottom in the air, or yelp when you pick them up. Diarrhoea ranges from soft, loose stools (I like to describe this as a Mr Whippy-esque consistency) to watery ones that are impossible to pick up.
One sign needs immediate veterinary attention: repeated retching where nothing comes up, especially with a swollen or tight tummy. That can be ‘bloat’, which is an emergency, so call your vet straight away.
What causes an upset stomach in dogs?
Something the dog ate is a frequent trigger: a sudden change of food, a raid on the bin, or a rich treat their gut isn't used to. Dogs with a sensitive stomach are more prone to these upsets.
Bugs and worms picked up on walks, food allergies and stress (from fireworks to travel and kennels) are other common culprits. Less often, an upset stomach is down to something your vet needs to look at, like a swallowed toy or an underlying health problem.
What to give a dog with an upset stomach
The best thing to give a dog with an upset stomach is a plain bland diet: boiled chicken or white fish, with no skin, bones or seasoning, mixed with cooked white rice. It is easy to digest and low in fat, so the gut can recover without working hard. Plain white rice also helps firm up loose stools, which makes it useful when diarrhoea is the main symptom. Your dog's normal food, given in small meals, is a good alternative too (more on that below).
Never withhold food or water from a dog with an upset stomach. This used to be the advice, but vets strongly advise against it now.
When it comes to what to feed a dog with an upset stomach, little and often beats one big bowl. Offer several small meals through the day, spaced a few hours apart. Never force your dog to eat. If they refuse food or bring it back up after eating, call your vet. Keep fresh water down at all times, encourage them to drink little and often, and keep an eye on how much they drink. A bland diet isn't nutritionally complete, so use it for a few days only, until your dog's stools firm up.
Is rice good for dogs with an upset stomach?
Yes, plain white rice is one of the best foods for a dog with an upset stomach. It is low in fibre, which makes it easy to digest and good at binding loose stools. Brown rice is higher in fibre, which makes it harder to digest while the gut is irritated, so save it for when your dog is back to normal. Cook the rice in plain water: no butter, salt or stock.
What home remedies help settle a dog's stomach?
Plain tinned pumpkin is high in soluble fibre, the type that absorbs water and forms a gel in the gut, so it firms up loose stools and also eases mild constipation. Use pure pumpkin, never pie filling with sugar and spices, and start with a small amount: too much pumpkin makes diarrhoea worse.
Plain scrambled egg, fully cooked without butter, oil, milk or salt, is a gentle protein if you have no chicken or fish to hand. Skip it if your dog has ever reacted to egg. Homemade bone broth, with the fat skimmed off and every bone strained out, encourages a dog who has gone off their food to drink, which helps with hydration. Shop-bought broths often contain onion, garlic or salt, so stick to your own.
| Food | Best for | How to give it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiled chicken or white fish with white rice | Vomiting and loose stools | About 1 part protein to 2 parts rice, in several small meals | No skin, bones, butter or seasoning |
| Plain pumpkin | Loose stools or mild constipation | 1 teaspoon (small dogs) up to 1 tablespoon (large dogs) per meal, starting small | Pure pumpkin only, never pie filling; too much makes diarrhoea worse |
| Plain scrambled egg | A gentle protein swap for chicken | Small portions, fully cooked | No butter, oil, milk or salt; skip if your dog reacts to egg |
| Homemade bone broth | Low appetite and hydration | Fat skimmed and bones strained, poured over the bland diet | Shop-bought broth with onion, garlic or salt |
Can I feed my dog their normal food instead?
Yes. Feeding your dog their normal food, but in small, frequent meals 3–4 times a day, can help their tummy recover quicker from many mild upsets. It's what their gut is used to, so their digestion has nothing new to adjust to while it recovers. The same rules apply as with a bland diet: little and often, fresh water always down, and call your vet if they refuse food or bring it back up.
When should I take my dog to the vet for an upset stomach?
Trust your instincts: you know your dog best. Call your vet straight away if they are vomiting constantly, have very watery diarrhoea, have blood in their vomit or stools, stop eating or drinking, have a painful tummy, or seem generally unwell. Book an appointment too if the symptoms haven't improved within 48 hours, or sooner if they get drastically worse or your dog becomes unwell: lethargic, pale gums or whining. Collapse, or repeated retching with a swollen tummy, is an emergency. And if you think they've eaten something they shouldn't, like chocolate, grapes, raisins or anything sweetened with xylitol, call your vet even if they seem fine.
Puppies, older dogs and dogs with an existing health condition need a vet sooner, because they are more vulnerable. Sticky gums and sunken eyes are signs of dehydration and mean your dog needs to be seen. Anything persistent, severe or getting worse belongs with your vet.
How do I get my dog back onto their normal food?
If you have changed their diet to a bland one, move your dog back to their normal food over three to four days, once they have had at least a day of firm stools and no vomiting. Start with 75% bland diet and 25% normal food, then 50/50, then 25/75, then a full normal portion. If the upset returns at any stage, go back a step and slow down. The gut is still recovering even when your dog seems back to normal, so going straight back to a full bowl can bring the loose stools back.
How can I stop my dog getting an upset stomach again?
You can't prevent every upset, but a few habits help. Keep your dog's vaccinations and worming up to date, keep bins and food waste out of reach, and make any change of food gradually: mix the old food with the new over one to two weeks so the gut has time to adapt.
If your dog's stomach flares up again and again, it's worth a vet check to rule out anything underlying, such as a food allergy or underlying medical conditions. Day to day, a consistent, easily digestible food helps. Gently cooked fresh food, like Marleybones Pantry Fresh®, is made with real meat and vegetables plus chicory root, a natural prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in the gut. In our January 2026 survey of 1,056 subscribers, 71% reported better digestion and stools after switching. Single-protein recipes such as Lush Lamb suit dogs that react to chicken or beef. For extra support, the Gut Health Supplement combines MOS, a natural prebiotic, with chicory root, psyllium and pumpkin.
Every dog is different — build your personalised Marleybones feeding and health plan tailored to your dog's age, size, and health requirements.
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FAQs
How long does an upset stomach last in dogs?
Most mild upset stomachs in dogs clear up within one to two days with small, frequent meals and rest. If your dog isn't improving within 48 hours, or gets worse at any point, call your vet.
Can I give my dog scrambled egg for an upset stomach?
Yes. Plain scrambled egg, fully cooked without butter, oil, milk or salt, is easy to digest and a good swap for chicken or fish. Offer small portions alongside plain white rice, and skip it if your dog has ever reacted to egg.
What foods make a dog's upset stomach worse?
Fatty or rich foods, seasoned leftovers, and milk and other dairy all make an upset stomach worse. Keep anything containing onion or garlic away altogether, as both are toxic to dogs. Very fatty meals can also trigger pancreatitis, which is painful and needs a vet.
My dog has diarrhoea but is acting fine. What should I do?
A dog with mild diarrhoea who is still bright, eating and drinking can be managed at home with small bland meals and plenty of water. Keep a close eye on them. Call your vet if it lasts beyond 48 hours, turns very watery, contains blood, or your dog starts to seem unwell.
Can I give my dog human probiotics?
Ask your vet first. Vets use dog-specific probiotics as part of treating an upset stomach, and they can recommend one if your dog needs it.
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Sources
Last updated: 21 October 2026 · Reviewed by Molly Buckmaster BVM BVS MRCVS
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