There are few things more challenging than a lab with the runs! Managing your dog’s diarrhea can be a challenge, especially if you’re feeding the wrong food. We asked our Facebook Lab community the following question, “What’s the best food for a lab that frequently has diarrhea?” We received hundreds of replies, and we have summarized some of the best answers below.
Always remember to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your lab’s diet, especially if they frequently suffer from Diarrhea. There may be underlying issues that need to be addressed. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
20 Best Foods for Labs with Diarrhea
White rice, chicken broth and chicken? Always helps my lab when she has an upset stomach. Hoping for a speedy recovery for your pup
Author: Taylor M.
Likes: 25
If you keep switching foods your dog will always be sick. Boiled hamburger or chicken with rice until it clears up. Then introduce a good dog food to the rice mix until it is all dog food. Sudden changes in diet will always upset their stomach. Absolutely no table scraps
Author: J Bill S.
Likes: 9
My 11:5 yr old Black Lab has a history of upset stomachs. Tried all the usual remedies like chicken and rice etc etc. all worked after a fashion until I found this wonder stuff!!! Honestly when he gets an upset tummy with runny poos I give him this and he’s back to normal within a day. It’s as if it’s magical!!! I wish I found out about it years ago.
Author: John W.
Likes: 3
Your dog sounds like it has an allergy to the feed you are giving it. Lakota kept getting diarrhea all the time. He would get over it and get it back the next day. So I took him to the vet. We did a allergy panel to find out what was wrong. My dog was allergic to Pinto Beans. He was eating Origen which is made from Pinto beans. Stop giving him that feed and I do not give him any other feeds with pinto beans, or kidney, etc. You need to go to the vet and get it look after. My other GSD is allergic to Soybeans or Peas. All dog medications like heart worm and flea and tick that is in pill form has soy in it. He would get the worst ear infections. Well, now he gets topical flea and tick and heartworm meds. No more ear issues. Allergies really do play a big part in your dogs health. Spend the money now, find out and fix the problem. My vet knew that Thunder’s issues was something he was eating not an outside irritant, so it helped me to narrow it down. Good luck and God bless.
Author: PennyShacklett K.
Likes: 0
Vet put mine on royal canin for labrador retrievers
Author: Mary V.
Likes: 3
You can’t keep swapping the food! Not good for there stomach. Purina with salmon is a good dog food. Try that. Lots of labs can’t digest chicken so stay away from that for now.
Author: GailAnn Dallorso C.
Likes: 9
When I brought home my now 4-year-old, I had the same problem. I switched to Purina Pro Plan sensitive stomach. Haven’t had a problem since. My new gal is on the same food and I never have a problem.
Author: Susan S.
Likes: 1
We use Nulo large breed with our 3 labs, they used to have diarrhea all the time, but after the switch, they rarely do. It’s the medal series they sell at Petsmart.
Author: Brittany K.
Likes: 0
Can’t help on the food but Honest Kitchen makes a really good herbal gastrointestinal supplement called Perfect Form.
Author: Kim M.
Likes: 0
Buy Prokolin … you can purchase it from pet stores and from Vets. If that doesn’t help … ( normally quite quick) then take your furbaby to the vet.
Author: Dale Gillian J.
Likes: 1
Burns dog food is brilliant they do sensitive for Tums. Also grain free version! Some boxers suffer from pancreatitis it’s common in the breed so if you see blood or diarrhoea is ongoing then make sure your dog has low fat diet under 8% fat?! Good old fashioned Chappie is great for pancreatitis
Author: Kristina C.
Likes: 0
Boiled chicken and white rice in small intervals until the diarrhea stops. Then, reintroduce kibble in small portions with the chicken & rice until fully back on your pup’s food.We use Hills Prescription Diet Gastro-biome. It’s helped a lot. Speak with your vet.
Author: Elizabeth Bove C.
Likes: 0
My lab was treated for colitis, then also needed a GI food from the vet for a while to get belly and stools to normal and a change of food to royal canin after that. If diarrhea continues for more than a couple days best to have a vet check. Try a bland diet for a bit like plain chicken and rice or hamburger could just be an upset belly
Author: Amelia C.
Likes: 0
Fast your dog for 24 hours. Only water is permitted.After the 24 hour fast, begin feeding a combination of boiled white meat chicken (with all the skin and fat removed and the water poured off) and boiled long grain white rice. Boiled ground beef with fat removed and water poured off is also a good alternative. The combination of rice to chicken/beef will be 2 to 1. In other words, if you want to give your dog a total of one cup of food he/she will receive 1/3 cup chicken mixed with 2/3 cup of rice. Feed several small meals per day rather than one or two large meals. You may also come into the office to purchase a bland diet prescription food. You will give either bland diet until you start to see a normal bowel movement, or until you haven’t seen a bowel movement for a day.
Author: Mark N.
Likes: 1
We have Diamond feed lamb and rice it’s done great for our dogs. Diamond for large dogs
Author: Denise Myrna Trotter I.
Likes: 0
My lab was allergic to chicken, chicken meal & byproducts. Switched to Taste of Wild Salmon and problem solved. Every dog is different though. Probiotics help, I like the Doggie Dailies brand. Definitely talk to your vet first. Start with a bland diet of white rice and cottage cheese to get the diarrhea stopped.
Author: Alexandra S.
Likes: 0
Might need to him/her to the Vet. I feed Purina One lamb & rice formula she loves it!
Author: Douglas D.
Likes: 0
We have to stay away from chicken. Fromm Whitefish/potato worked wonders for my two. no more ear issues either.
Author: Cindy S.
Likes: 0
Had the same issue back and forward to the vets for 7 month kept being advised to give plain chicken and rice but think the chicken was a issue. After trying 3 different brands over 7 months she settled best with this. It’s for sensitive tummy’s and fish based. Oh and introduce it small and often rather than 1 or two bowls that way yummy can get used to it without to much as once
Author: Kelly S.
Likes: 0
Our lab had diarrhea for six months off and on like clock work. It would come and go every 3 weeks. After many foods and cutting everything else out, he is on Hills i/d low fats food with 1 Cobaleguin pill a day…….has been great for over a year now!
Author: Wayne S.
Likes: 0
Always consult your vet before making any health changes to your lab’s diet, especially if they frequently suffer from diarrhea, as there may be other medical issues that need to be addressed. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
