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Best Dog Food for Diarrhea 2024
Written by Kevin Hughes
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 01/04/2024, edited: 01/04/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Throughout their lifetime, it’s highly likely that your dog will suffer from diarrhea at some stage. It’s extremely common, and although in some cases, it can develop suddenly and then up relatively quickly, it’s unpleasant for your dog. It’s not much better for a pet parent who has to watch their pup in discomfort, and clear up the resulting mess.
Diarrhea can be the unwelcome symptom of a number of different conditions. Often, it’s down to something your dog ate that upset their digestive system – we all know that our four-legged friends like to snaffle all sorts of ‘snacks’ when we’re not watching; even garbage. It can also be down to eating the wrong type of food, or having a food intolerance — our guide to diarrhea due to diet in dogs dives into this in deeper detail.
Long-term diarrhea can be an indicator of a more serious issue, and requires veterinary consultation to establish the underlying cause, and find potential treatment.
If your dog has diarrhea, it’s a challenge to know what to feed them. Typically, it’s no food at all for 12-24 hours — with plenty of fresh water available though, as diarrhea can cause dehydration — followed by small portions of something bland. Boiled or pre-cooked chicken with rice is suitable as a bland diet for dogs.
Beyond that, it can be difficult to know what to feed a dog with diarrhea, especially if it’s a frequent occurrence. Some dogs live with sensitive stomachs and are prone to diarrhea, so you need to find a permanent solution to the situation.
“Feeding dogs with chronic diarrhea can be challenging as various underlying causes such as allergies, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), drug therapy and systemic conditions can alter gut health and its absorptive capabilities,” notes Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants.
“Diets that are formulated with higher levels of dietary fiber and incorporate digestive enzymes and probiotics whilst minimizing known allergens are often beneficial in improving symptoms.”
Thankfully, there are products available that are formulated to aid digestive health. We’ve selected some of the best food for a dog with diarrhea here.
Overview
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Oatmeal
Best for dogs with food allergies
Some of the best food for dogs with diarrhea will be recipes with limited ingredients. Why? Because these contain fewer ingredients that can potentially upset a dog’s digestive system, and if your pup has food allergies, a food that has minimal ingredients only can reduce the risk of a reaction.
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet is exactly that — a dry dog food with limited ingredients. Its Lamb & Oatmeal recipe has a single source of protein (that’s the lamb), with the oatmeal providing carbohydrates. There are no extra fillers, corn, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It also contains natural probiotics, which can help treat diarrhea.
Formulated to help dogs who might be intolerant to certain foods and ingredients, it’s also available in Duck & Oatmeal flavor.
Our review of the full range of Wellness dog food is here.
Wellness Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Supports digestive function and immune function
- Includes natural probiotics
- Made in the USA
- All natural ingredients
Considerations & Concerns
- Limited recipe choice - only one other flavor option
- More expensive than other Wellness dog food products
What pet parents say about Wellness Simple
“My dog is EXTREMELY sensitive to all foods. (I’ve) tried prescription foods, expensive foods, cheap foods, and none of them worked. This is the only food my dog loves and can have a solid stool with. No more gas, diarrhea, puking, etc. It took me three years to find this food and (I’m) never going back!!! I (cannot) recommend this dog food enough!!!”
“I adopted my dog from some pretty terrible circumstances, after we had her for a few weeks she was throwing up every food that she had and was getting diarrhea quite frequently. The vet suggested a simple protein diet and it was very hard to find any food in the stores that had one simple protein. We have been using this food for over 2 years and we have had zero issues! (Her) coat is nice and soft and shiny (,) she no longer has skin allergies (,) she's not throwing up (,) she's not having diarrhea and she seems to be (overall) a healthy weight and a happy dog!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image from Chewy. Copyright Wellness Pet Company.
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food
Best vet recommended for all breed sizes
The Merrick product range numbers 100-plus recipes — you can read our overall review of the brand here — so they’ve got just about every breed need covered. For a dog living with diarrhea, we’ve zoned in on the Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food range.
It’s a reasonably limited range in terms of flavors, but does offer both wet and dry dog food recipes. In dry food, there’s Chicken & Brown Rice, Salmon & Sweet Potato, Lamb & Sweet Potato, and Salmon & Brown Rice. Wet food recipes are Chicken & Brown Rice, Turkey & Brown Rice, and Real Lamb.
Our pick as the best dog food for dogs with diarrhea here is the dry version of Chicken & Brown Rice. It has just nine ingredients, with real, deboned chicken as the primary ingredient, supported by rice, sweet potato and oatmeal. There’s no dairy, eggs or wheat, so it’s easy on delicate tummies.The Merrick range is backed by Dr. Georgia, who says: “Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.”
Merrick Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Both wet and dry food recipes
- Vet recommended
- Made in the USA
Considerations & Concerns
- Dry food recipes have a higher price point
- Available for adult lifestage only - no puppy option
What pet parents say about Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food Real Chicken & Brown Rice
“My 2 year old bulldog has many (sensitivities). Always had soft poop and frequent days of diarrhea. Finally he has normal poop now. It took me trying so many brands to give this
right. I tried this food because he always did well on a bland diet and this food is the most similar. Thank you Merrick!”
“I have 20lbs dogs (,) they have been on the same diet of food for 12 years. One of my dogs has a very sensitive stomach, if anything in his diet is changed he gets runny poo. I even have to be selective with what treats I give him. I was able to incorporate the Merrick real chicken and brown rice with no runny stools. The size is like the size of a pencil eraser (,) I appreciate that as my dogs are small. I would definitely think of buying this for my dogs with more research.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly
Vet recommended
The clue’s in the name with this choice — Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly. It’s got to be one of the best types of food for dogs with diarrhea, right? Well, it is in our eyes. We’re already big fans of Blue Buffalo as a dog food brand, as you can see from our review of the full range here. And, Dr. Georgia recommends Blue Buffalo too, saying that: “products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs. They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities.”
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly is a dry kibble that has been formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It includes prebiotic fiber, which can promote digestive health, and a limited selection of ingredients that are gentle on the tummy. The first ingredient is deboned chicken, followed by chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley and potatoes.
If your dog prefers wet food, there’s a True Solutions Blissful Belly Digestive Care Formula Wet Dog Food, that comes in a 12.5-oz can; available in a case of 12 or 24. Blue Buffalo’s Basics range also has recipes for skin and stomach care.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Formulated by vets and nutritionists
- Includes prebiotic fiber to promote digestive health
- Suitable for all breed sizes
Considerations & Concerns
- Only one dry food recipe, so limited choice
- Some buyers reported that their dogs didn’t like the food
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly
“No more stomach problems with this food! Our little guy was sick for one day every week! Wouldn't eat, listless, diarrhea (,) it was awful! Nothing showed up in any tests! Now he is putting on weight (a little too much!) But he is a happy little guy again! So glad we found Blissful Belly!!!”
“Our English bulldog had been on Blue Buffalo wilderness puppy and had tons of (issues) after the formula change. We switched to this and his gas/accidents/diarrhea cleared up within a couple days. It was a game changer for him and for us.”
“Ordered for a dog who has digestive issues. This sits well with her and her tummy. Nobody wants an uncomfortable pup so this has been helpful.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
Diamond has multiple dog food product lines, but when it comes to its best food for dogs with diarrhea, it’s worth taking a look at the CARE range. These are recipes formulated to help with certain health conditions, and in cases of diarrhea, Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula Adult Dry Dog Food is the best-positioned option.
Again, it’s a limited-ingredient recipe that’s easy to digest. Though its primary flavor is listed as chicken, its main ingredients are potatoes, egg product and potato product, so it’s gentle on the gut. Every serving includes prebiotics, and proprietary probiotics, to further support digestion and the immune system; omega fatty acids promote a healthy skin and coat.
There are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, nor fillers, gluten, corn and wheat, so it’s suitable for dogs who have certain food allergies, too.
Diamond Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Safe for longer-term use
- Includes prebiotics to help aid healthy digestion
- Made in the USA
Considerations & Concerns
- Only one flavor
- Diamond has had food recalls in the past, though not for this specific recipe
What pet parents say about Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
“My pup has had a sensitive stomach since he was a pup, ultimately being diagnosed with IBD. We adopted him from a rescue, where he was quite malnourished when we got him, because he kept having diarrhea and throwing up his undigested food. Diamond Pet turned that all around for him with this sensitive stomach formula, allowing him to reach a healthy weight, keep his food down, and even be able to enjoy the occasional treat! The kibble pieces are small and easy to chew and digest, and I love that the formula is made with real meat and vitamins. My pup also just really enjoys the taste, as he licks his bowl clean with each meal. I’m so happy that this product has helped my pup reach his full, silly, loving potential to be my best friend.”
“My dog has always struggled with a sensitive digestive system until now. This food has calmed his belly and he finally has solid poops on a consistent basis. He absolutely loves the flavor and does a little happy land shark celebration before and after every meal. Having a reliable food that doesn’t cause digestive distress is wonderful and the fact that he goes crazy for it is just an added bonus. No more bubble guts and diarrhea for this little guy which means we can spend more time playing and exploring and less time worrying about his digestion.”
Read more reviews on Petco.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Chicken & Sweet Potato Formula Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food
Best for small breeds
So far, all the dog food we’ve featured so far has been suitable for all breed sizes. But what about the little guys, huh? What if you’re searching for a dog food that’s targeted specifically at small breeds? You’re in luck — there are options out there, and one of our favorites is this: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Chicken & Sweet Potato Formula Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food.
The mini-sized kibbles are perfect for little mouths and smaller appetites, and there are two other flavor variations — Duck & Potato and Salmon and Sweet Potato — also formulated for small dog breeds.
It’s one of the best foods for a dog with diarrhea as it has a short list of ingredients, primarily chicken and sweet potatoes; the latter provides much-needed fiber to aid healthy digestion. It’s grain-free, and has no soy or gluten, and no artificial flavors and colors.
If you have a larger dog, don’t worry; there’s also a selection of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets available for all breed sizes.
Natural Balance Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Produced in the USA
- Backed by the Natural Balance ‘Buy with Confidence’ guarantee
- Limited ingredients
- Alternative flavors available for dogs who don’t like chicken
Considerations & Concerns
- Formulated for adult dogs only – no small breed puppy option
- On the pricier side, with the smallest bag (4lb) costing over $24
What pet parents say about Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet
“I tried this food a while back on a pet store employee's recommendation because my mini dachshund has allergies and a sensitive stomach. He has done the best on this food. No random throwing up and his skin is doing awesome.”
“My dog has a sensitive stomach. He can eat this without any gastrointestinal issues. We even use this as a treat and he loves it!”
“I started feeding my dog this after his vet recommended a grain free diet. My dog loves it. He seems to have less issues with having troubles going to the bathroom and his skin irritation seems to be getting better. It has only been a couple of weeks but it is showing a lot of promise.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc.
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