He may not really be part goat, but your dog might not care when he's having fun raiding the trash can, chomping on a toy or tearing apart the couch. This type of indiscriminate eating is a major cause of digestive problems, although surgery, stress and illness also can upset your dog's stomach. A mild diet, along with your veterinarian's good advice, can help get your best friend feel better.
Cooked white rice is the basis of most mild dog diets. Substitute potatoes if you don't have rice on hand or your dog doesn't want to eat the rice. Cottage cheese also can be used in place of rice. For example, prepare a mild meal for your dog by mixing together 1 C. of either rice, boiled potatoes or cottage cheese with 1 C. of either boiled hamburger meat, boiled chicken or turkey without skin, tofu or baby food.
Your dog should be served a mild diet whenever he has diarrhea, or is vomiting or recovering from surgery. Check with your veterinarian first, especially if your dog is lethargic, has a fever, or has blood in his stool or vomit. A mild diet works well to clear up a simple case of diarrhea caused by overeating, changing food or too much stress. It also can help a seriously ill dog heal by providing nutrition without taxing his digestive system. Always consult an experienced veterinarian regarding the health and treatment of your pet.
A mild diet aids in overcoming diarrhea and vomiting, and can prevent these problems if your dog is recovering from surgery. Your dog's stomach and bowels need some time to recover from irritation caused by loose stools or heaving. A diet that is as gentle as possible on his body helps his digestive system recuperate, while still providing some protein and nutrients for his muscles and nervous system. Since vomiting and diarrhea also can lead to dehydration, your dog's body needs to return to normal as soon as possible.
Serve a mild diet in several small portions instead of one or two large meals. This gives your dog's body a chance to process the food slowly and can prevent additional stomach upset. Divide the portions into at least four servings throughout the day. Switch back to his normal diet gradually after the vomiting or diarrhea has stopped. For example, if he hasn't had any stomach problems for at least 24 hours, feed him a meal that includes 75-percent of a mild food mixture and 25 percent of his regular food. If he continues to do well, increase the regular food to 50 percent the next day, and continue to increase it by about 25 percent each day until he's back to his regular diet.
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