What to Feed a Sick Dog

Food is a basic need for humans and our dogs, but what it does for us is anything but basic. And food is powerful, especially to our dogs. Food gives our dogs energy, it gives them pleasure, and it gives us a great tool for positive reinforcement. What’s more, food can do a whole lot to increase the overall health and well-being of our pets, says Dr. Jennifer Regis, a holistic veterinarian at Ancient Arts Holistic Veterinary Services in Seattle, Washington. According to Dr. Regis, the right foods can help heal our dogs. But, when we’re using food as a medicine, individual dogs need individual prescriptions, so always chat with your vet about your dog’s individual needs. There are some foods, including herbs and spices, that all dog lovers should keep on hand to help heal our best friends. Here are some ideas on what to feed a sick dog:

1. Pumpkin for dogs

According to Dr. Regis, when it comes to what to feed a sick dog, pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) often “does what you need it to do.” If you’ve got a dog with diarrhea it can firm up the stool, but when served to a pet who is constipated, it’s going to loosen up the stool.
While pumpkin is great for uncomplicated, watery diarrhea, Dr. Regis doesn’t suggest it for smelly cases, or cases where there is blood or mucus in the stool. In those cases, it could be a parasite or something causing a lot of inflammation, so talk with your vet first. (Give 1 to 3 tablespoons.)

2. Mushrooms for dogs

In those extra-gross diarrhea cases where pumpkin isn’t a good fit, Dr. Regis often reaches for foods that are more energetically cooling from a Chinese medicine perspective, like mushrooms.
“Mushroom is one that I use a lot for some diarrhea cases because it’s very good at drying water from the GI tract and helping to solidify it and get it out of the body,” she explains.
While pet parents can talk to their vet about different kinds of mushrooms, in general, if you’re just looking to support water balance in the body, the usual offerings in your local supermarket produce section will do when it comes to what to feed a sick dog, Dr. Regis says.
When giving your dog mushrooms: Never feed mushrooms from your yard or the woods, as some mushrooms are very toxic. Safe mushrooms are found in your grocery store and include white, portobello, shiitake and cremini. Serve these mushrooms plain without the fancy sauces we humans add. Only a piece or two at first to make sure there is no food sensitivity and then feed in moderation. Use medicinal mushrooms like reishi, turkey tail and lion’s mane under the guidance of your holisitic veterinarian.

3. Culinary herbs for dogs

We may think of herb gardens as being just for us, but Dr. Regis suggests that a sprinkling of herbs can be a great choice for what to feed a sick dog, too.
“If you have your dog on kibble and you want to add a little bit of a nutrient boost, a lot of your different culinary herbs have different effects depending on what you want to treat,” Dr. Regis explains.
Dr. Regis’ favorite herbs include parsley (good for itchy dogs with skin issues), mint (good for calming heartburn or ulcers) and rosemary (an anti-inflammatory herb that can be helpful in treating arthritis).

4. Turmeric for Dogs

According to Dr. Regis, turmeric is another powerful anti-inflammatory and can be a great option for what to feed a sick dog who is achy and stiff. However, she cautions that this healing food is only appropriate for dogs who do not have digestive issues going on as well. “If they also have, say, irritable bowel syndrome and are prone to a lot of inflammation in the gut, they may not be able to tolerate the turmeric quite as well as a dog that has a healthy GI tract,” she explains.

5. Cucumber for Dogs

Unlike turmeric, cucumber is less likely to upset a pup’s tummy and can be used to help in cases of stomach upset, even in some cases where pumpkin isn’t a good fit. Cucumbers are mostly water, so they’re hydrating and can make a good snack for what to feed a sick dog who’s at risk for dehydration.

Getting started with healing foods for dogs

According to Dr. Regis, dog owners should know that they don’t have to start cooking meals from scratch in order to add some holistic healing power to a dog’s daily dish. Also, know that a holistic vet can help prescribe healing foods that the humans of the house have time to prepare.
“Even if you change just 30 percent of their current diet, that’s going to have a profound impact on the dog’s overall health,” she explains.

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Supplemental oils for dogs

1. Coconut oil for dogs

This antifungal oil is used by many dog lovers to treat skin conditions by adding oils or fats to the diet. Despite its internet reputation as a “cure for everything,” there are times when another fat may be more appropriate, so check with your vet before buying the jumbo-sized jar.

2. Oregano oil for dogs

This oil is a little harder to find than coconut oil but should always be diluted with coconut oil or another oil if you choose to use it. Oregano oil is commonly used to treat skin conditions and infections.