What can i feed my dog when i run out of dog food?

Running out of commercial dog food is a common, stressful moment for many owners, and having clear, practical options can keep a dog fed safely until a regular supply is restored. Whether you’re on the road, waiting for a delayed delivery, managing a short-term financial gap, or facing an unexpected emergency, the immediate goal is to meet your dog’s basic energy and fluid needs without introducing ingredients that can cause harm. Before offering alternatives, consider the dog’s age, size, history of food sensitivities or allergies, and any veterinary-prescribed diets; what’s safe for a young, healthy adult dog may not be right for an elderly dog or one with pancreatitis or kidney disease.

Out of dog food? What to do right away

Typical scenarios where owners suddenly need substitutes include travel when luggage or supplies are lost, shipping delays that leave a household without a fresh bag, short-term financial strain, or natural disasters that disrupt access to stores. In these situations, the priority is short-term feeding — one to three days — rather than a deliberate diet change. If a dog requires a therapeutic or prescription diet for kidney disease, food allergies, or a metabolic condition, aim to contact your veterinarian first, because even foods that are ordinarily safe may be inappropriate for those dogs.

Dog-specific factors shape safe choices. Puppies and nursing dogs have higher calorie and nutrient needs and can be more vulnerable to sudden diet shifts; large-breed puppies in particular may need controlled calcium and calorie intake. Small dogs tolerate smaller portion changes but can become hypoglycemic faster if fasted. I typically see adult dogs tolerate a bland, short-term meal more predictably, but any history of pancreatitis, chronic gastroenteritis, heart disease, or renal problems should prompt a call to a veterinarian before home-feeding beyond 24–48 hours.

Emergency food substitutes: safe, short-term options

• Plain cooked lean proteins: boiled or poached chicken breast (no skin, no bones), plain lean cooked ground beef, or plain cooked turkey. Offer modest portions — think a few tablespoons for small dogs up to a cup for large dogs — and avoid seasoning, garlic, onions, or added fats. Scrambled eggs cooked in a dry skillet without butter are also a good short-term protein source for many dogs.
• Simple starches and bland bases: plain white rice or plain cooked potatoes (no skins for some dogs) provide digestible carbohydrate and may help firm stools. Mix a roughly 2:1 starch-to-protein ratio for bland meals at first if a dog has mild stomach upset; this can make food easier on the gut.
• Safe small additions and treats: plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling), small peeled apple slices (no seeds or core), or small amounts of plain canned green beans can add fiber and moisture. Plain yogurt in very small amounts may be tolerated by some dogs but skip if lactose intolerance is suspected.
• Clear foods and hydration: if appetite is very low but the dog is able to drink, prioritize water and consider offering low-sodium chicken broth (no onions/garlic) in small amounts to encourage drinking. Do not force large volumes at once.
• Foods to avoid: chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol-containing products (many sugar-free gums and baked goods), alcohol, caffeinated beverages, bones that can splinter, and fatty table scraps like bacon or sausage. Many seasoned, sauced, or fried human foods are high in fat and salt and may increase the risk of pancreatitis.

Why dogs turn to alternate foods: hunger, scent and habit

Hunger and satiety are regulated by signals that may not align precisely with the clock on a food bag. Dogs may appear hungry at their usual meal time even if the caloric needs would allow for a delay, and they can be driven by smell and reward history to seek highly palatable items. The strong sense of smell and the short-term pleasure associated with high-fat, high-salt foods make many human foods especially attractive to dogs; this is likely linked to evolutionary tendencies to prioritize calorie-dense options when they’re available.

Palatability often trumps a dog’s nutritional balance. Dogs have fewer taste receptors for sweetness but are sensitive to fats and amino-acid rich odors; foods with high fat content or strong meaty aromas are therefore more enticing. Learned behaviors also play a role: dogs that have scavenged successfully in the past or that are fed from the table may intensify efforts to find alternate food sources when their regular supply is missing. Competition in multi-dog households can further increase scavenging and fast eating.

Behavioral cues — pacing, whining at doors, searching trash bins — may reflect genuine energy needs or a conditioned response to meal routines. Observing whether the dog’s activity level and body condition have changed over a few days can help distinguish between acute hunger and learned begging behaviors. In uncertain situations, offering a small, bland meal can clarify whether the dog truly needs calories immediately or is responding to habit.

Handling shortages — and the tempting things your dog finds

Supply-side disruptions are real: a delayed shipment, a local store running out of a specific formula, or a regional shortage after a natural disaster can leave owners scrambling. Travel introduces risk when luggage with food is lost or an unfamiliar city has limited pet supply options. Planning for those possibilities by keeping a small emergency reserve can prevent hurried substitutions.

Household factors also increase temptation. Accessible countertops, open trash cans, and inconsistent feeding schedules create opportunities for dogs to find human food. Multi-pet households can accelerate disappearance of food and encourage competitive gulping, which raises the risk of vomiting or choking if an unfamiliar food is swallowed quickly.

Lifestyle changes such as moving, boarding, or even temporary changes in routine can shift appetite and behavior. Dogs may reject novel home-cooked options at first because of new smells, or they may overeat when a more palatable substitute is presented. Anticipating these triggers helps keep temporary feeding safe and controlled.

Danger signs to watch for: when a snack becomes a medical emergency

• Persistent vomiting or repeated regurgitation, especially if it doesn’t ease after a small bland meal, may suggest a serious problem and should prompt veterinary contact.
• Severe or bloody diarrhea, or signs of blood in vomit or stool, can indicate toxicity, infection, or intestinal injury and warrants urgent evaluation.
• Marked lethargy, weakness, refusal to stand, collapse, or visible abdominal pain and bloating are red flags for conditions that can be life-threatening if not assessed quickly.
• Signs of dehydration (sticky gums, skin that doesn’t snap back when lifted, reduced urine output), excessive drooling, shaking, or neurological signs such as tremors and seizures may indicate toxin exposure or severe metabolic disturbance.

Immediate actions you can take now: calm, contain, consult

First, confirm the dog’s medical and allergy history. Remove known hazards and anything containing xylitol, chocolate, grapes, or large amounts of fat from reachable areas. If a dog has a known food allergy, avoid ingredients that have caused reactions previously; when in doubt, stick to single-ingredient proteins and plain starches.

Next, offer a small bland meal. A common approach is a few tablespoons for small dogs or ½ to 1 cup for large dogs, combining plain cooked lean protein with plain white rice or boiled potato. Feed slowly and observe. If the dog keeps the meal down and seems comfortable, you can repeat feeding every 6–8 hours as needed. Keep portion sizes conservative to avoid overloading the stomach, especially if the dog hasn’t eaten commercial food for 24–48 hours.

Provide fresh water and consider encouraging hydration with small amounts of low-sodium broth. Monitor closely for 24–48 hours for appetite, stool consistency, vomiting, energy level, and signs listed earlier. If red-flag symptoms appear at any point, contact an emergency clinic promptly. If the dog tolerates the short-term home feeding, transition back to regular food over several days by mixing increasing amounts of the regular food with the bland fare to avoid digestive upset.

Train and manage feeding routines to prevent future runouts

Reducing the chance of running out begins with systems: keep at least a few days’ worth of food in a sealed container as an emergency reserve and set calendar reminders to reorder well before the bag is empty. Portion control reduces waste and makes it easier to estimate when to restock. In multi-dog homes, feed dogs separately or use partitioned spaces to prevent competition and rapid gulping.

Train practical cues like “leave it” and “wait” to deter counter-surfing and help in moments when human food is accessible. I typically recommend short, consistent training sessions and rewarding the dog for ignoring food left on counters or tables. Secure trash and food storage — latches on cabinets, covered bins, or placement out of reach — removes easy opportunities for scavenging and the associated risks.

Emergency feeding kit: practical gear and supplies to keep on hand

Keep a few items on hand to make emergency feeding smoother: airtight food storage containers that protect food from pests and humidity and measured scoops so portions are consistent. A collapsible travel bowl fits easily in a bag and is useful during unexpected outings. Consider maintaining a small emergency stash of your dog’s regular kibble — even a single sealed 1–2 pound bag — and, if advised by your veterinarian, a sample of a therapeutic diet if your dog relies on one.

If you use alternate foods temporarily, slow feeders or puzzle bowls can prevent gulping and reduce vomiting risk. A basic first-aid kit for pets, including oral syringe for administering water, can also be useful if access to a clinic is delayed. Store numbers for your regular veterinarian, a local emergency veterinary clinic, and Pet Poison Helpline where you can find them quickly.

Sources, references and trusted expert resources

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Dietary Management in Dogs and Cats” — https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition/dietary-management-in-dogs-and-cats
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners” — https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/disaster-preparedness
• Pet Poison Helpline: “Common Toxic Foods for Pets” — https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/people-foods/
• US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): “Pet Food & Animal Feed” guidance and updates — https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-food-feeds
• American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN): resources on therapeutic diets and working with board-certified veterinary nutritionists — https://www.acvn.org/