Quick answer
The safest home remedy for a mild dog upset stomach is a short rest for the gut, constant access to fresh water, then small, frequent meals of a bland diet such as boiled skinless chicken and white rice, returning to normal food over about a week. See a vet at once for blood, repeated vomiting, lethargy or a swollen belly.
Key takeaways
- Home care is only for mild cases: symptoms under 48 hours, a dog that is still drinking, alert and passing no blood.
- A bland diet of boiled lean chicken and white rice, with no oil, salt or seasoning, is the standard vet-recommended approach. Start with about 2 tablespoons per 10 lb (4.5 kg) of body weight every 2 to 3 hours.
- Most acute diarrhoea in dogs resolves quickly: in a UK study of over 2.2 million dogs, more than 80% of cases did not need a follow-up visit.
- Antibiotics and over-the-counter probiotics have not been shown to shorten simple acute diarrhoea in a clinically meaningful way.
- Retching without bringing anything up, especially with a swelling belly, can be bloat (GDV): this is an emergency.
Dog upset stomach symptoms
An upset stomach in dogs usually shows as vomiting, diarrhoea or both, often with a few quieter signs first. PetMD lists drooling, lip smacking or excessive licking; retching or gagging; loud gut noises, burping or gas; soft stools or straining; reduced appetite; and signs of tummy pain, such as a "prayer" stretch or crying out when picked up.
Common causes include eating something they should not (scavenging, table scraps, rubbish), a sudden change of food, eating too fast, stress, infections and parasites, and medications. Less often, an upset stomach is a sign of illness elsewhere, such as pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, which is why persistent or severe cases need a vet.
When to see a vet: the red flags
Home care is reasonable only if your dog's symptoms have lasted less than 48 hours, they are still eating and drinking, they are not lethargic, and there is no blood in the vomit or stool (PetMD). Anything outside that needs a vet. Some signs mean go now.
Read this graphic as text
Dog upset stomach
Vet now, or OK at home?
Home care is only for mild cases in an adult dog that is bright and drinking.
See a vet now
- Retching with nothing coming up, swelling belly
- Ate chocolate, grapes, raisins or sweeteners
- Lethargic or collapsed
- Cannot keep water down
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Puppy, senior or dog with a health condition
OK to manage at home
- Symptoms under 48 hours
- Still eating and drinking
- Alert, not lethargic
- No blood
Diarrhoea over 3 days, or any worsening: book a vet.
Based on PetMD, VCA and American College of Veterinary Surgeons guidance.
Share this graphic on your site
Free to use with credit. Copy this code:
| Red flag | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Retching with nothing coming up, restlessness, a swelling belly | Possible gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV or "bloat"), where the stomach fills and can twist. Large, deep-chested dogs are at higher risk. | Emergency vet now. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons links signs lasting over 6 hours with a higher risk of death. |
| Eaten chocolate, grapes, raisins or artificial sweeteners | These can be toxic to dogs | Emergency vet now, even before symptoms (VCA) |
| Lethargy, collapse, or too nauseous to drink | Risk of dehydration or serious illness | Emergency vet (VCA) |
| Blood in vomit or stool | Can signal significant gut inflammation or injury | Vet the same day (PetMD; VCA) |
| Puppy, senior dog or dog with a health condition | More vulnerable: PetMD notes puppies and seniors have weaker immune systems | Call your vet before trying home care or fasting |
| Symptoms lasting more than 48 hours, or diarrhoea over 3 days | Not resolving on its own | Book a vet visit (PetMD; VCA) |
A suspected swallowed object, such as a toy, sock or bone, is another reason to call your vet rather than wait.
Dog upset stomach home remedy: step by step
For a mild upset in a bright adult dog: rest the gut briefly, keep your dog hydrated, then reintroduce food gently.
- Keep fresh water available at all times. Small, frequent amounts are easier to keep down than a big gulp.
- Consider a short rest from food, only if your vet agrees. PetMD notes a 12-hour or even shorter fast is sometimes advised after a dog eats something it should not. Do not fast puppies under 3 months, seniors or dogs with health problems without your vet's advice.
- Start a bland diet in small portions (see the table below), every 2 to 3 hours on the first day.
- Increase portions gradually as stools firm up and vomiting stops.
- Blend back to normal food between days 3 and 5, so that most dogs are back on their usual food by day 7 (PetMD).
- Rest. Short toilet walks only, no rough play, and keep your dog cool, since heat adds strain.
What to feed a dog with an upset stomach
Feed plain boiled skinless chicken breast (or very lean boiled mince) with plain boiled white rice. PetMD suggests a 1:1 ratio of boiled meat to rice, and VCA stresses no spices, oils or flavourings of any kind. Fat is the main thing to avoid, so boil rather than fry or roast, and drain well.
How much bland diet should I feed my dog?
PetMD's starting amount is 2 tablespoons of the mixture per 10 lb (about 4.5 kg) of body weight, every 2 to 3 hours on day one, noting that it is better to offer too little than too much (PetMD). Here is that guidance converted by weight:
| Dog's weight | Starting portion of bland diet (every 2 to 3 hours, day one) |
|---|---|
| 5 kg (11 lb) | about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) |
| 10 kg (22 lb) | about 4 tablespoons (60 ml) |
| 20 kg (44 lb) | about 9 tablespoons (135 ml), just over half a cup |
| 30 kg (66 lb) | about 13 tablespoons (195 ml), about three-quarters of a cup |
| 40 kg (88 lb) | about 18 tablespoons (270 ml), just over a cup |
These are starting amounts for an adult dog with a mild upset, not a prescription. If vomiting returns after a meal, stop and call your vet. A bland diet is meant for a few days only: PetMD notes most vets recommend three to five days after an episode of mild diarrhoea.
Read this graphic as text
What to feed a dog with an upset stomach
The 7-day bland diet plan
Boiled lean chicken and white rice, 1:1. No oil, salt or seasoning. Fresh water always.
Day 1
Small bland meals every 2 to 3 hours
Day 2
Increase portions gradually if stools firm and no vomiting
Days 3 to 5
Start blending in regular food
Day 7
Most dogs back on their usual food
Day 1 starting portion Better too little than too much. Vomiting again? Call your vet.
2 tbsp per 10 lb
10 lb is about 4.5 kg. 2 tablespoons is about 30 ml.
Plan and portions from PetMD. For adult dogs with a mild upset only.
Share this graphic on your site
Free to use with credit. Copy this code:
Ayurvedic home remedies
In Ayurveda, an upset stomach means agni, the digestive fire, has been overwhelmed. The classic answer is langhana, a short, light rest for the gut, followed by the gentlest foods: the same rhythm as your vet's bland-diet plan.
Sizes: small up to 10 kg (22 lb), medium 10 to 25 kg (22 to 55 lb), large over 25 kg (55 lb).
-
Rice kanji (manda and peya). Ayurveda's first food after a fast: the starchy water of soft-boiled rice, then a thin gruel. Boil 1 part white rice in 8 parts water until very soft, then cool.
How much: small 2 to 4 tablespoons, medium ¼ to ½ cup (60 to 120 ml), large ½ to 1 cup (120 to 250 ml), every 2 to 3 hours on day one, before or alongside the bland diet.
Safety: no salt, ghee or spices, and it never replaces fresh water. -
Ginger (ardraka; shunthi when dried). Called vishvabheshaja, the "universal medicine", and Ayurveda's classic herb for kindling agni and settling nausea.
How much: finely grated fresh ginger or dried ginger powder in food: small a pinch (about ⅛ teaspoon), medium ¼ teaspoon, large ½ teaspoon, once or twice a day for a day or two.
Safety: skip it for dogs on blood thinners or other medication, or before surgery, unless your vet agrees. -
Plain pumpkin. A soft, sweet, easily digested food of the kind Ayurveda favours when agni is low; its fibre helps firm loose stools (PetMD).
How much: plain cooked or 100% canned pumpkin: small 1 to 2 teaspoons, medium 1 tablespoon, large 2 tablespoons, mixed into the bland diet once or twice a day.
Safety: never pie filling, which can contain sugar, nutmeg or xylitol. -
Takra (thin buttermilk). Ayurveda praises takra as the best food for a weak, irregular gut. Whisk 1 part plain curd into 3 parts water.
How much: small 1 to 2 teaspoons, medium 1 tablespoon, large 2 tablespoons, once a day as stools firm up.
Safety: plain and unsalted only; stop if stools loosen, as some dogs do not tolerate dairy.
Never give: garlic, onion, grapes or raisins, xylitol, nutmeg, macadamia nuts, chocolate, essential oils by mouth or human medicines. For puppies, pregnant dogs, dogs on medication, or any red flag above, call your vet before trying home remedies.
Why do dogs eat grass when their stomach is upset?
Grass eating is very common in dogs and is usually not a sign of illness. In a study by Sueda, Hart and Cliff (2008), 79% of 47 owners surveyed at a veterinary hospital said their dog had eaten plants. In a larger online survey of 1,571 plant-eating dogs, fewer than 1 in 10 were reported to frequently seem unwell beforehand, and only 22% frequently vomited afterwards.
A little grass in an otherwise well dog is rarely a concern. Avoid sprayed lawns, and if your dog eats grass frantically, vomits repeatedly or seems unwell, watch for the red flags above.
Do probiotics and digestive enzymes help a dog's upset stomach?
For a simple bout of acute diarrhoea, the best current evidence says probiotics and similar products do not shorten it by a clinically meaningful amount, and digestive enzymes do not improve digestion in healthy dogs. They may still help with longer-term gut support.
| Option | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics for acute diarrhoea | A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis for European treatment guidelines found these products did not shorten acute diarrhoea in a clinically significant way, based on very low to moderate certainty evidence (Scahill and colleagues, 2024). An earlier review called the effect "very limited and possibly clinically unimportant" for acute gut disease (Jensen and Bjørnvad, 2019). |
| Antibiotics for acute diarrhoea | High certainty evidence showed no clinically relevant benefit in mild or moderate cases (Scahill, 2024). Yet in a UK study of 2,250,417 dogs, 38.2% of acute diarrhoea cases were given antibiotics (O'Neill and colleagues, 2025). |
| Digestive enzymes in healthy dogs | In 14 healthy adult Beagles, adding plant- or animal-derived enzyme supplements did not improve digestibility of a standard dry food, and the authors did not recommend routine use (Villaverde and colleagues, 2017). Enzymes are essential, however, for dogs diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, under vet care. |
| Ginger | A traditional digestive herb in Ayurveda. In a laboratory study in dogs, ginger extracts reduced vomiting caused by a chemotherapy drug, though less effectively than a standard anti-sickness medicine (Sharma and colleagues, 1997). No trials in everyday dog tummy upsets. |
| Triphala | A classic Ayurvedic blend of three fruits (amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki) used for digestion. Reviewed evidence is mostly from human and laboratory studies, including effects on gut bacteria (Peterson and colleagues, 2017). No published trials in dogs. |
Read this graphic as text
Dog upset stomach remedies
What the evidence supports
For a simple tummy upset, time and a bland diet do most of the work.
Bland diet and time Standard vet advice
Over 80% of acute diarrhoea cases needed no follow-up visit (UK study of 2,250,417 dogs).
Probiotics For acute diarrhoea
No clinically significant shortening (2024 meta-analysis).
Antibiotics Mild or moderate cases
No clinically relevant benefit (high certainty evidence).
Digestive enzymes Healthy dogs
No digestibility gain in 14 healthy dogs. Essential only for diagnosed EPI.
Ginger, Triphala Ayurvedic herbs
Traditional use; lab and human studies. No trials in everyday dog tummy upsets.
Scahill et al. 2024; O'Neill et al. 2025; Villaverde et al. 2017; Sharma et al. 1997; Peterson et al. 2017. Meter is our reading.
Share this graphic on your site
Free to use with credit. Copy this code:
The reassuring part is how often time and a bland diet are enough. In the UK study above, about 1 in 12 dogs (8.2%) were seen by a vet for acute diarrhoea each year, and more than 80% of cases did not need a follow-up visit (RVC VetCompass). A separate analysis of UK records found that prescribing antibiotics or gut nutraceuticals at the first visit made no difference to whether the diarrhoea resolved (Pegram and colleagues, 2023).
Where GoodGut+ fits
GoodGut+ is not for the middle of an acute episode. Its place is afterwards: as daily support for dogs with a sensitive stomach, recurring soft stools or gas, once your vet has ruled out a medical cause.
For dogs with sensitive digestion who need everyday support, not emergency care. Digestive enzymes and prebiotics with Ayurvedic herbs such as Triphala, ginger, fennel and cumin, plus milk thistle for the liver. Rated 4.7 stars by customers. Follow the dosage on the pack.
See GoodGut+AyurPet's take
When your dog is actively sick, do not reach for a supplement, including ours. Water, a short rest, a bland diet and a sharp eye for red flags are what the evidence supports.
We made GoodGut+ for the dogs whose stomachs are always a little delicate: the ones with frequent soft stools, gas, or flare-ups after a change of food. We think a gentle, daily, food-based approach is worth trying for those dogs, after a vet check, and we would tell you to stop if you see no change.
Itchy paws can travel with a sensitive gut; read our guide to dog paw licking. For one of the herbs in GoodGut+, see milk thistle for dogs, and for a wider view, our guide to Ayurveda for dogs.
Frequently asked questions
What can I give my dog for an upset stomach at home?
For a mild upset in an adult dog that is still bright and drinking: fresh water, a short break from food if your vet agrees, then small meals of boiled skinless chicken and white rice with no oil or seasoning. Never give human medicines without asking your vet first.
How long does a dog's upset stomach usually last?
Most mild cases improve within one to three days. See a vet if symptoms last more than 48 hours, if diarrhoea continues beyond three days, or at any point if your dog gets worse, is lethargic or passes blood.
Should I starve my dog if they have an upset stomach?
Not without advice. A short fast of 12 hours or less is sometimes recommended after a dog eats something unsuitable, but always keep water available, and never fast puppies under 3 months, seniors or dogs with health conditions without talking to your vet.
How much chicken and rice should I give my dog?
Start with about 2 tablespoons per 10 lb (4.5 kg) of body weight, every 2 to 3 hours on day one, using a 1:1 mix of boiled lean chicken and white rice. Increase gradually, then blend back to normal food from days 3 to 5.
Is my dog eating grass because their stomach hurts?
Usually not. In one survey of 1,571 plant-eating dogs, fewer than 1 in 10 frequently seemed ill before eating plants and only 22% frequently vomited afterwards. Grass eating is common, normal behaviour; watch for other signs of illness instead.
Do probiotics help a dog with diarrhoea?
For simple acute diarrhoea, a 2024 meta-analysis found probiotic and similar products did not shorten it in a clinically significant way. Some vets still use them, and they may help in other situations, but they are not a substitute for a bland diet and veterinary care when needed.
When is vomiting in a dog an emergency?
Go to a vet immediately if your dog is retching without bringing anything up, has a swollen belly, vomits blood, cannot keep water down, is lethargic, or may have eaten something toxic such as chocolate, grapes, raisins or artificial sweeteners.
If you are ever unsure, call your vet: digestive upsets are common, but some causes are serious, especially in puppies, seniors and dogs on medication. You can also book an online vet consultation.
How we researched this: written by the AyurPet research team from peer-reviewed studies and veterinary sources listed below; last reviewed October 2026.
References
- Morrison BJ, reviewed by Kleszynski B. Upset stomach in dogs: signs and what to do. PetMD. 2025. www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/upset-stomach-dogs
- PetMD. What to feed a dog with diarrhea. PetMD. n.d.. www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/what-to-feed-a-dog-with-diarrhea
- VCA Animal Hospitals. What to do if your pet has an upset stomach. VCA Animal Hospitals. n.d.. vcahospitals.com/resources/conditions-dog/stomach-digestion/what-to-do-if-your-pet-has-an-upset-stomach
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Gastric dilatation-volvulus. ACVS. n.d.. www.acvs.org/small-animal/gastric-dilatation-volvulus
- Sueda KLC, Hart BL, Cliff KD. Characterisation of plant eating in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2008. doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2007.05.018
- Scahill K, Jessen LR, Prior C, et al.. Efficacy of antimicrobial and nutraceutical treatment for canine acute diarrhoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis for European Network for Optimization of Antimicrobial Therapy (ENOVAT) guidelines. The Veterinary Journal. 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38049062/
- Jensen AP, Bjørnvad CR. Clinical effect of probiotics in prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disease in dogs: a systematic review. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2019. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6766488/
- O'Neill DG, Prisk L, Brodbelt DC, Church DB, Allerton F. Epidemiology and clinical management of acute diarrhoea in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. PLOS ONE. 2025. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12156985/
- RVC VetCompass. Acute diarrhoea in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK (infographic). Royal Veterinary College. 2025. www.rvc.ac.uk/Media/Default/VetCompass/250529%20VetCompass%20Diarrhoea%20infographic.pdf
- Pegram C, Diaz-Ordaz K, Brodbelt DC, et al.. Target trial emulation: do antimicrobials or gastrointestinal nutraceuticals prescribed at first presentation for acute diarrhoea cause a better clinical outcome in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK?. PLOS ONE. 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10550114/
- Villaverde C, Manzanilla EG, Molina J, Larsen JA. Effect of enzyme supplements on macronutrient digestibility by healthy adult dogs. Journal of Nutritional Science. 2017. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5465853/
- Sharma SS, Kochupillai V, Gupta SK, Seth SD, Gupta YK. Antiemetic efficacy of ginger (Zingiber officinale) against cisplatin-induced emesis in dogs. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1997. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9254112/
- Peterson CT, Denniston K, Chopra D. Therapeutic uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic medicine. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2017. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5567597/