What are the best natural remedies for a dog's upset stomach?
At a glance
- Most mild upset stomachs in dogs resolve within 24 to 48 hours with rest and dietary adjustments.
- A short fast of 12 to 24 hours lets the gut reset — always keep water available.
- Plain cooked chicken and white rice is the most widely used bland diet for dogs.
- Pumpkin puree (plain, not pie filling) adds soluble fibre that helps firm up loose stools.
- Probiotics support beneficial gut bacteria and can shorten the duration of diarrhoea.
- Symptoms lasting more than 48 hours, or including blood, require veterinary assessment.
What are the best natural remedies for a dog's upset stomach?
The best natural remedies for a dog's upset stomach are a short fast followed by a bland diet, plain pumpkin puree, bone broth, and a quality probiotic. These approaches work by reducing the burden on the digestive system and supporting the gut's own recovery process. Most mild cases — loose stools, mild vomiting, or a gurgling belly — clear up within 24 to 48 hours using these methods at home.
Understanding what's behind the upset helps you pick the right remedy. A dog that has eaten something unfamiliar needs a different response to one whose stomach reacts to stress or a food change. A dog's gut health depends on a stable balance of bacteria, consistent nutrition, and low dietary stress — and most natural remedies work by restoring exactly that balance.
Which specific remedies actually work, and how do you use them?
Here are the remedies with the strongest practical evidence, and how to apply each one.
Short fast
Withholding food for 12 to 24 hours gives the gut a chance to settle. Always keep fresh water available. Skip the fast for puppies, elderly dogs, or dogs with known health conditions — they need to eat regularly to maintain blood sugar.
Bland diet
Plain boiled chicken (skinless, boneless) and white rice is the go-to. The ratio is roughly one part chicken to three parts rice. Feed small amounts every few hours rather than a full meal. Stick with it for 2 to 3 days, then gradually reintroduce normal food over 3 to 5 days.
Plain pumpkin puree
Pumpkin is high in soluble fibre, which absorbs excess water in the gut and helps firm up loose stools. Use plain tinned pumpkin, not spiced pie filling. Dose is 1 to 4 teaspoons depending on your dog's size, mixed into their bland meal. It works in the opposite direction too — the fibre also helps with mild constipation.
Bone broth
Plain, unseasoned bone broth (no onion, no garlic, low sodium) soothes the gut lining and encourages a dog that has gone off food to eat. It provides easily absorbed nutrients without taxing the digestive system. You can pour it over the bland diet or offer it separately.
Probiotics
Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria directly into the gut. Studies in dogs show that strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis can reduce the duration of diarrhoea. Use a dog-specific probiotic rather than human varieties, as the bacterial strains differ. Plain live yoghurt works as a mild alternative — a tablespoon for a medium-sized dog — though a dedicated supplement delivers a higher and more targeted dose.
Slippery elm bark
Slippery elm bark is a traditional herbal remedy that coats and soothes the lining of the gut. It is available in powder form from health food shops and can be mixed into food. Use with caution alongside medications as it can slow their absorption.
| Remedy | Best for | How to use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short fast | Vomiting, nausea | 12 to 24 hours, water only | Not for puppies or unwell dogs |
| Bland diet | Loose stools, vomiting | Chicken and rice for 2 to 3 days | Small, frequent meals |
| Plain pumpkin | Loose stools, constipation | 1 to 4 tsp mixed into food | Plain only, no pie filling |
| Bone broth | Appetite loss, gut irritation | Poured over food or offered separately | No onion, garlic, or salt |
| Probiotics | Post-diarrhoea recovery | Daily supplement or live yoghurt | Dog-specific strains preferred |
| Slippery elm bark | General gut irritation | Powder mixed into food | May affect medication absorption |
Does everyday diet affect how often a dog gets an upset stomach?
Yes, significantly. A dog's daily diet is the single biggest driver of long-term gut stability. Diets built around highly processed ingredients, fillers, and artificial additives place consistent stress on the digestive system. Dogs on those diets tend to have more frequent and more severe digestive upsets.
The quality and digestibility of protein matters most. High-quality protein from named meat sources is broken down more efficiently, which means less fermentation in the large intestine and less gas, bloating, and loose stools. Fibre type is equally important — soluble fibre from ingredients like chicory root feeds the beneficial gut bacteria that regulate digestion and protect the gut wall. Insoluble fibre adds bulk and keeps transit time regular.
Marleybones includes chicory root as a prebiotic in its vet-developed recipes, alongside other gut-supportive ingredients like chia seeds and linseeds. The meals are slow-cooked in-pack from fresh ingredients, with no preservatives and no fillers, which reduces the dietary triggers that commonly cause recurring digestive upsets.
When switching foods, always transition gradually over 7 to 10 days. Swapping too quickly is one of the most common causes of upset stomachs in otherwise healthy dogs. If your dog has a history of digestive sensitivity, the right food choice makes a measurable difference to how often flare-ups occur.
When should a natural remedy not be enough?
Natural remedies are appropriate for mild, short-lived symptoms. They are not appropriate if your dog shows any of the following:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than 48 hours
- Blood in vomit or stools
- Lethargy, pain, or a distended abdomen
- Signs of dehydration — dry gums, sunken eyes, skin that doesn't spring back when pinched
- Symptoms in a puppy under 12 weeks, a senior dog, or a dog with a known health condition
Contact your vet promptly if any of these apply. Waiting can make some conditions significantly worse. This is especially important with puppies, where dehydration from diarrhoea can become dangerous within hours.
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 resolve within 24 to 48 hours with rest and a bland diet. If symptoms persist beyond 48 hours or worsen at any point, contact your vet.
Is it safe to give a dog human probiotics?
Human probiotics are not harmful in small amounts, but they contain different bacterial strains to those studied in dogs. A dog-specific probiotic delivers strains shown to benefit canine gut health. Plain live yoghurt is a reasonable short-term alternative.
Can I give my dog plain white rice for an upset stomach?
Yes. Plain white rice is easily digestible and forms the base of the standard bland diet for dogs. Pair it with plain boiled chicken at a ratio of roughly three parts rice to one part chicken. Continue for 2 to 3 days, then transition back to normal food gradually.
What foods make a dog's upset stomach worse?
Fatty foods, dairy (except small amounts of live yoghurt), spiced or seasoned food, raw vegetables in large amounts, and anything containing onion or garlic all make an upset stomach worse. Stick to plain, easily digestible ingredients until the gut has settled.
Can stress cause an upset stomach in dogs?
Yes. The gut and brain are directly connected through the enteric nervous system. Stressful events such as fireworks, travel, kennels, or a change in routine commonly trigger loose stools or vomiting in dogs. Probiotics and a consistent, easily digestible diet help reduce the gut's sensitivity to stress over time.
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