Like human, dogs also suffer from sensitive stomachs and face a stressful situation in every mealtime. If you suspect that your dog is suffering to digest its regular meal, immediately contact the vet to sort out the actual cause and take necessary steps.
Sometimes, healthy and strongest dogs also may fall into the sensitivity problem for consuming low-quality ingredients or stomach infection. Vomiting, diarrhoea, repugnancy or lack of energy is the common symptom of sensitive digestion. At this time pet proprietors need to be very careful about their dog’s regular diet.
In many cases, changing the food habit helps to get rid of this suffering. But eating the best sensitive stomach dog food may cure this disease forever. There are so many different foods are available in the market especially for sensitive dog stomachs but it is quite difficult to find out the perfect one for your pup. Our content also focuses on sensitivity issues, symptoms, and proper remedies that will especially help to make your dog healthy and happy.
Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs in 2023 – Reviews
1. Our Top Pick – Canidae Life Stages Dry Dog Food
We have listed this Canidae Life Stage as the top sensitive stomach dog food for its optimum quality and countrywide reputation. It contains quality protein of top five ideal sources like chicken, turkey meal, lamb & fish meals, white rice, and brown rice.
It is totally free from corn, wheat, soybeans, and harmful colors, sweeteners or preservatives. It is special for digestive problems and recommended for all types of dog breeds from puppy to adult. One bag CANIDAE dry food offers a complete meal for multiple dogs.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) maintains two standards for sensitive dog foods and these are “complete” and “balanced”. CANIDAE Life Stages met these two standards by using 1) Growth and Reproduction with 2) Maintenance. Unique growth and reproductions are conversant as “All Life Stages”. To carry out this standard quality, the company is bound to supply notorious food for puppies and mother dogs.
Those pet owners who are confused to find out the real food brand can use this item for their pooches without having any hesitation. Puppies, Adults, and senior dogs can take this food regularly without gaining over-weight, allergies, or gastrointestinal problems.
Finally, Canidae dog foods are considered to Veterinarians as the best for sensitive stomach. The used ingredients become full with sufficient amount of grains, carbohydrates, and balanced meat proteins to ensure your dog’s sound health. Dog proprietors who are newly introducing this food to their pooch feeling excited to observe the growth of health.
Pros:
- Appropriate for all life stages
- Single packet makes mealtimes for multiple pet households
- Used antioxidants enhance the immune system
- Does not contain corn, wheat or soy
- Product of USA
Cons:
- None
2. Best Dry Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach – Wellness Whitefish And Sweet Potato
Wellness pet food is renowned as the best dry dog food for sensitive stomach because, it generates a balanced and comprehensive nutrition with the combination of natural, premium proteins and grains for your dog’s lifetime well-being. The recipe is made with antioxidants and boosts your dog’s immune systems to get the ideal energy level.
The recipe also contains all natural ingredients like whitefish, peas, ground barley, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, natural fish flavors, salt, vitamin E supplement, mixed tocopherols (as preservatives) and harmless colors. These are specially crafted through AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles to fulfil the nutritional levels of dog breeds of all ages.
In addition, Wellness Whitefish is rich with all delicious ingredients to ensure a great taste that dogs love much. It supports your dog’s optimal nutrient absorption, healthy digestion and a shiny coat. The protein, Omega, fatty acids, and various flavors make this food an ideal source of proper nutrition and taste to dogs. All items of this brand are purely made in the USA and available in a 30-Ib packet in the market.
Through the power of natural nutrition, The Wellness is always searching all new and innovative ways to provide your pet a healthy, happy and long life. Finally, Veterinarians recommend this dry dog food as the prime source of natural sustenance to satisfy hunger and maintain a healthy weight of your dog. Dog proprietors, who have tried this food just one time, greatly suggest others to buy for their sensitive pets.
Pros:
- Formulated with only premium and natural ingredients
- Provide a balanced nutritional support to maintain a healthy weight
- Delicious deboned chicken and peas help to satisfy hunger
- Great for dogs suffering from allergies
- No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, corns and soy
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Price is bit high
3. Best Grain Free Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach – Wellness Natural Pet Food
This Simple Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food completely nourishes from the inside out and deliver positive results that you desire. The recipe formulated with easily digestible carbohydrates and a single source of protein to ensure balanced nutrition for the sensitive stomach.
The other variants are lamb and oatmeal, duck and oatmeal, salmon and potato, salmon and peas and turkey and potato. All variants contain only natural ingredients and single protein but no grains like gluten or wheat.
There is on meat by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives to ensure highest quality. It works as a natural alternative to therapeutic diets and highly recommended for dogs have food allergies and food sensitivities.
Wellness not only devoted to delivering uncompromising nutrition with unbeatable quality but also support your dogs in need. There is a special purpose of choosing every single ingredient of this food, particularly considering the dog’s health and their overall wellbeing.
There are many dog owners get frustrated for their dog’s health after using several food brands. Most of the time, they tolerate medical expenses due to inappropriate dog food selection. But these Grain Free Wellness Natural Ingredients ensure your pet’s healthy, happy and long life through the power of natural nutrition.
Finally, it is proved that this food brand gains 4 starts from the pet proprietors for containing adequate named meats of animal protein as its main source. It is also notable that, this food formula is comparatively less expensive but much more effective than other brands and inspired dog proprietors to make the decision for purchasing.
Pros:
- A complete and balanced diet for sensitive dogs
- Formulated for easy digestion
- Contains only premium and natural ingredients
- Promote the growth of healthy bacteria for digestion
- Ensure the power of natural nutrition
- Made only in the USA
Cons:
- Does not appeal to every dog
4. Best Sensitive Stomach Food for Adult Dogs – Hills Science Diet
Hills’s Science diet is formulated for adult dogs which have sensitive stomach and skin. This recipe offers well-balanced nutrition for your dog’s proper digestion and promotes healthy skin and a glossy coat. Nutritionally, it is one of the most balanced adult dog food contains all high-quality ingredients to promote your dog’s digestive health.
Chicken and salmon are the unique protein source of this food recipe which also contains natural fiber from high-quality vegetables for easy digestion. The special blend of vitamin C and E highly support your dog’s immune system. The omega-6 fatty acids and other nutrients spontaneously help to grow healthy skin and silky coat.
All used ingredients of this food are natural, high-quality, easily digestive but don’t contain any fake flavors, colors or preservatives. It is very much effective for adult dogs who are suffering from digestive problems and loose stool.
We know a healthier dog is happier and when a Vet recommends the Hills’s Science diet for your pet rather than any other similar brand then you also become happy and satisfied to use it.
Most of the pet proprietors feel happy to choose Hills’s Science diet food because their dogs also like much to take the taste without allergy infection and gastrointestinal pestering. Moreover, a special team of nutritionists always dedicated to controlling the quality of every item regarding the best food standards to ensure your dog’s health.
Pros:
- Formulated for adult dogs with stomach or skin sensitivities
- Antioxidant ensures extreme health quality
- A balanced blend food easy to digest
- Omega and fatty acids endorse healthy skin and glossy coat
- Vitamin E and C support for the immune system
Cons:
- Few dog proprietors feel upset about allergy and gastrointestinal issue
5. Best Sensitive Stomach Food for Senior Dogs – Blue Basics Limited Ingredients
Blue basics foods are specially made in the sensitive stomach for senior dogs with grain free turkey and potato formulation. It increases the overall nutritional value for the presence of all pure natural ingredients. The primary ingredients are potatoes and real turkey the prime source of carbohydrate support for gentle digestion.
Like other sensitive foods, Blue basics also include some common ingredients like Salmon, Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Peas, Brown Rice, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Fish Oil (Source of Omega Fatty Acids) Natural Flavor with similar some others.
Moreover, this senior stomach dog food applies some special formulas to produce basics foods like “basic adult turkey and potato recipe” or “adult grain turkey and potato recipe.” For being grain free food it is free from typical grains and effective to reduce fat and calories as healthy weight food.
Blue Buffalo Basics has unlimited ingredients similar to other dog foods. This food is different only for comprising the meat protein. Dog proprietors choose the Blue basics food for its popular recipe and quality. Their dogs get cure from various sensitive reactions, bloody stools, and skin irritations by using this blue basic dog food.
Blue basics is a product of the USA and the key benefit is Calcium and phosphorus which helps to grow strong teeth and bones. Other vitamins and antioxidants support a healthy immune system and glucosamine for joint areas. So, according to the above review, we can decide that blue buffalo basics dog food is appropriate for senior dogs who are suffered from digestive problems.
Pros:
- Good for senior dogs
- Specially crafted with essential proteins to promote a healthy lifestyle
- Made with all finest natural ingredients
- Omega 3 & 6 endorse healthy skin and coat
- Never contains by-product meals, wheat, corn, soy, or preservatives
- A product of the USA with all quality ingredients
Cons:
- None
6. Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach and Skin – Science Diet Salmon
Hill’s science diet salmon is specially formulated for sensitive stomach and skin. It ensures well-balanced nutrition to improve the digestive systems of your pooch with healthy skin and a shiny coat. It is also made with all quality food ingredients with the exclusive blend of vitamins, omega-6 fatty acids and other valuable nutrients that are easy to digest and supportive for your dog’s immune system.
This wet dog food made with natural fibre ingredients helps to make your dog’s stool easy cleanup. Salmon, carrots, potatoes, green beans, pea protein, chicken broth, turkey are the key ingredients enrich this food with the new formula. It is made in the USA and no. 1 veterinarian recommended food product for sensitive dog stomach.
Key Features:
- Formulated for easy digest and skin health of dogs
- Available omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E supports for healthy skin and coat
- Made with delightful natural wet ingredients
- Ensures 100% satisfaction with money back guarantee
- No artificial color, flavor or preservatives
- Made in the USA with global ingredients
7. Best Wet Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach – Iams Proactive
IAMS wet dog food is rich with higher moisture content and formulated with all necessary ingredients in a balanced ratio for dogs that have an upset stomach. It is one of the cheapest foods contains high-quality animal protein, vitamins, and minerals to build a strong immune system. This is the favorite dog food to many pet owners for its adult maintenance.
IAMS is also crafted with omega fatty acids to promote soft, healthy skin and a shiny coat. The other natural ingredients of this food like chicken and rice enhance the taste that dogs can’t resist. Here the wholesome grain provides necessary carbohydrates for the complete health and energy of the dog.
Key Features:
- Made with natural ingredients like chicken and rice for the real test
- Helps to promote healthy skin and soft coat
- High-quality animal proteins, vitamins and minerals
- Helps to support a strong immune system
- One of the cheapest dog foods
- Recommended for adult dogs 1 year and more
8. Best Natural Dry Dog Food For Sensitive Stomach – Nutros Lamb and Rice
Nutro Wholesome Essentials is the best rated dry dog food in the market always consider pasture-fed lamb as the first ingredient to support your dog’s strong muscles. This food is especially recommended for sensitive dogs to ensure healthy digestion into their stomach. The food recipe is specially formulated with essential antioxidants like vitamin E to establish a healthy immune system.
This food recipe follows the NUTRO FEED CLEAN philosophy to ensure the highest quality and always avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives as used ingredients. Here each meal is formulated with a high-quality protein source like chicken, lamb, venison, or salmon that your dog loves much. This food is suggested for any age, from puppy to adult to senior dogs.
Key Features:
- Natural fiber helps to digest properly
- Pasture-fed lamb help support strong muscles
- Promote healthy skin with the soft and shiny coat
- Formulated with essential antioxidants for a healthy immune system
- There is no artificial flavor, color or preservatives
- Affordable for pet owners
9. Best Sensitive Stomach Food for Large Dogs – Avoderm Natural
The AvoDerm natural food is special for large dogs, crafted with all premium quality ingredients to support the digestive system. These foods are particularly manufactured for adult and senior dogs to promote healthy skin, coat, and overall health. Available vitamin and nutrients assist for a healthy immune system to make your dog happy and healthy.
Consider your dog’s breed and size this food formula includes only high-quality proteins and vitamins to supply the balanced nutrition and energy in the dog’s body. Here, all used ingredients are highly digestible for sensitive stomachs and they increase your dog’s taste for food. For this premium dry dog food, all used ingredients are imported from the USA and Canada, lamb from New Zealand and duck from France.
Key Features:
- The Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula
- Promote healthy skin, coat, and immune system
- Included high-quality omega and protein-rich recipe
- Necessary proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants ensure a healthy life
- Recommended for adult and senior dogs
- Free from artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
10. Best Canned Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs – Purina Pro Plan
The Purina pro plan is the best canned dog food offers special formula to fulfill your dog’s unique needs. In this recipe, nutrient-rich salmon is the basic protein source with an omega-6 fatty acid, which is designated to nourish the skin and coat of your dog. Here, the highly digestible carbohydrates ensure easy digestion. It provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs.
This canned dog food made with high-quality ingredients including real turkey, chicken beef, salmon or digestible rice. The recipe formulated with key nutrients to support specific needs based on your dog’s size, lifestyle or life stage. Purina is also special for adult dogs who are less active or overweight. The balanced nutrition helps to support a healthy immune system of your dogs.
Key Features:
- Formulated with nutrient-rich salmon and highly digestible rice
- A unique blend of ingredients ensures easy digestion
- Special nutritional source for adult dogs
- Provides balanced nutrition to support a strong immune system
- Omega-6 fatty acid supports healthy skin and coat
- No wheat, soy, artificial color or flavor
Why Do Dogs Suffer from Sensitive Stomach?
If your dog does not take its meal properly, you can change the food content to get back its interest in the regular meal. But before doing that, try to sort out the real cause of its repugnancy on food. Some dogs naturally dislike certain food brands but if the cause is indigestion it can be a symptom of a serious health problem.
In that case, you should make a quick appointment with your Vet and guide your dog regarding given instruction. But if you neglect the type of symptoms it can be the cause of something serious even like stomach cancer.
There are various puppy foods ideal for digestive issues with enough vitamins, minerals, fat, fibre, fatty acid, antioxidants, omega fatty acid and something more to ensure your dog’s proper health. If your dog habituated with various dog treats that are injurious for a sensitive dog stomach, you must come out from this bad habit very soon.
Characteristics of Sensitive Stomach Dog Food
- A Limited Number of Food Ingredients: The higher amount of food ingredients enhances the possibility to upset your dog’s digestive system. If your dog needs a variety of nutrients to recover nutritional imbalance, you should limit the overall food habit and evade unnecessary additives.
- Select Foods to Digest Easily: Some probiotics aid your dog’s digestive process and keep the stomach fit for digestion. Other substances like high-fibre and pumpkin also help to firm up the dog’s stool.
- Avoid Grains: Though few dogs are like to take wheat, corn and other grains without any hassle, a dog with a sensitive stomach feel much trouble to digest grain foods. Most of the time it has been proven that chicken, lamb, brown rice, and vegetables are more digestive than grains.
- Mix Ingredients: Sometimes, pet proprietors try to make a blend composition of protein source with several veggies and fruits to support their dog’s proper digestion. As the best gastrointestinal dog food, it should be quite blended through the formula with the most common ingredients.
Benefits of Sensitive Stomach Dog Food
There are plenty of dog foods available in the market purely designed for food sensitivity and they come with numerous nutritional benefit for the dog’s health. Majority foods are crafted with simpler ingredients that are easily digestible and provide huge benefits are highlighted below:
Effective for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: The possible cause of the inflammatory disease is the immune system malfunction. Sometimes heredity plays a vital role for IBD. Diarrhoea, blood in stool, fever and unintended weight loss are the symptom of this disease. In this case, some special foods effectively help to prevent inflammatory bowel diseases.
Effective for Allergic Reaction: Most of the dog develop allergy in their skin when eating the same types of food for a long period of time. It can also be arises for more other reasons like chemicals from household cleaners, air fresheners, or carpet cleaners. Some common natural allergens like pollen, mold, etc. are also loyal to allergic reactions.
There are some possible signs like hives, puffy face, redness of the skin is the symptom of allergic reaction. At that time, dog experiences life-threatening reactions and you should change the regular food items to prevent it.
Effective for Body Pain: It is not quite easy to read when a dog suffers from pain in the body, bones or joints. You have to realize the physical condition of your dog from some symptoms like constant grooming, excessive vocalizations, reluctant to eat, altered breathing, difficulty drinking, sleeping, and aggressive behavior.
In most cases, your dog feel free from all sorts of pain when it becomes free from its digestive problem. In that case, some recommended sensitive foods privileged your dog to be saved from annoying body pain.
Helps to Grow Healthy Skin: Sometimes dogs suffer for their sensitive and unhealthy skin at many reasons. It may fall your dog in various trouble with excessive scratching, licking, and biting of the skin. To save him from this type of trouble you can find some special foods are suggested for sensitive dog stomach may help to make your dog’s skin healthy and disease free.
Effective for Physical Activity: These foods are easy to digest. All used ingredients ensure a complete source of balanced nutrition with protein, enzymes, and other essentials to make your dog healthy, happy, and active.
Special foods always take care of your dog’s sensitive side by proper nourishment. These also prevent diarrhoea, skin disease, respiratory problems and any other issues cause to decrease physical strength.
Things to Consider When Choosing Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomach
You become very worried to choose food ingredients when the dog suffers from food sensitivity. Some common approaches of your dog indicate the stomach is not well-fitted to digest all types of foods. Loose stools, vomiting, excessive flatulence are the primary symptoms occur for many other reasons. So, consider the following things before finalizing special foods for your pooch.
Check the Physical Condition
Though diarrhoea, occasional vomiting and gastrointestinal problems are the possible sign of indigestion, the first time you should consult with the veterinarian to check for other possible health problems. If the vet sorts out that the troubles aren’t symptoms of your dog’s digestive problem then you should focus on other medical issues or entire diets to keep your dog safe.
Pick High-Quality Digestible Food
Should be formulated with highly digestible food ingredients to make the digestive system easy and helpful for your dog. The proper digestive food influences food interest, dietary needs, and deliver essential nutrients which affect your dog’s long-term health.
There are some common types of food ingredients familiar as more digestible than others like protein and carbohydrates. Normally, proteins are much digestible than fiber, fat and other critical food elements.
Here high quality means more digestible than lower quality ingredients. Veterinarians also suggest quality nutrition where protein contains necessary amino acids and a balanced amount of different animal.
Balanced Amount of Fiber
Usually, low-fiber foods recommended for the balanced nutrition of dogs. There are different types of fibers are special for their activity in the dog’s digestive system. Less than 5 percent fiber ingredient is ideal for making balanced dietary food.
Some soluble and insoluble fibers are incited by bacteria generating fatty acids which assist cells of the intestinal lining. Tomato pomace, peas, beet pulp, flaxseeds are the proper source of soluble and insoluble fibers.
Appropriate Fat level for Proper Digestion
Usually, fat is more complex to digest than other dietary ingredients like carbohydrates and protein. The higher amount of fat causes of diarrhea because it reaches the large intestine grows harmful bacteria and affect your dog’s immune system.
The proper amount of fat is necessary for the dog’s sound health and nutrition. So, veterinary nutritionists suggest food with sufficient amount of fat for the appropriate digestive system.
There is no food can completely cure your dog from its digestive problem. So, managing the proper nutrition regarding particular dog health is a matter of time and patience. Physical condition, food habit, age, and size are also important factors you should consider before choosing food brands. Finally, your veterinarian can help you to choose the best food for your dog.
Harmful Ingredients for Sensitive Stomach
All dogs have not the same digestive capacity for the different breed, size, and food habits. Some can digest everything without any trouble and others feel much trouble if there is a mild change in their regular diet. So, there are some aspects listed below that all pet proprietors should know before choosing balanced nutrition for their dogs.
- Fiber: The most significant ingredient, sometimes need more in dog’s meal helps to digest properly without any side effect. It enhances the respiratory system without affecting other nutrients. Beet pulp and inulin are great sources of fiber. But you should take a suggestion from the vet if you wish to add some more fiber items with dog’s diet.
- Protein: Protein is indispensable for balanced nutrition, but some dogs cannot digest protein from some particular source. In this case, you should change the regular diet like chicken, into fish or lamb to solve the problem.
- Fat: High-fat food always harmful for dog’s stomach and it is quite tough to digest rather than protein or carbohydrates. Check the ingredients list from the package label and if it seems excess amount of fats and oils just switch into another food item. The sensitive stomach doesn’t handle high fat, so compare the regular food brands and try to reduce the number of fat ingredients.
- Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients: Like other nutritional components, vitamin and minerals are also important for the dog’s overall well-being. For instance, the proper balance of food ingredients is very much important for proper digestion of dogs.
Final Word
Best foods always should be made by the best ingredients to keep your dog safe from all sorts of digestive issues. Sometimes you may need to consult with your vet for the proper suggestion when it would necessary to switch the food habit.
Through the above article, we tried to discuss all crucial things about sensitive dog stomach and provided essential guidelines to face all the challenging situations for making your dog much happier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know that my dog has a sensitive stomach?
There are a certain sign and symptom indicate a dog is suffering from the digestive problem. If the symptom begins within a few hours after taking the food, then you should realize the food is the main cause of this problem, not the stomach. There are some common signs we added below that indicate your dog is suffering from food sensitivity.
- Painful movements
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Flatulence
- Noisy stomach
- Loss of appetite
If you observe any of these symptoms in your dog, consider it as your dog’s digestive sensitivity and immediately take all necessary steps regarding your vet’s recommendation.
What is the importance of sensitive stomach dog food?
The importance is immense for both dogs and their options. These special foods are easily digestible and a complete source of nutrition, provide all necessary protein and enzymes, to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Does it really need special foods for the dog’s sensitive stomach?
Actually, a veterinarian can provide the accurate answer based on the dog’s overall health condition. If the dog is suffered from protein or allergy problem, then some particular food can help to show the easiest and fastest way for them to get digestive comfort.
Are there any special tips to choose the appropriate dog foods for sensitive stomach?
Yes, there are some important tips may help you to choose special foods for your dog.
- Offer new foods and check to determine which one reacts from them
- Try to find out balanced food with quality ingredients which is suitable for the dog’s stomach
- Never delay consulting with the veterinarian if the dog becomes more serious for the sensitivity issue
- Take a suggestion from your vet about suitable food according to your dog’s health condition
What do you feed a dog with a sensitive stomach?
Actually, I try to feed my dog a very simple dinner like cooked chicken or lamb, brown rice, or whole-grain oatmeal. These are very helpful for the sensitive dog stomach. At present, most of the dog owners are showing interest in homemade diets for their dogs with digestive problems.
Is raw food good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Yes, raw foods are highly recommended for sensitive dog stomach. To keep your dog in good digestive health, simply feed them a diet designed with organ meats, muscle meat, ground bone, raw eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, celery, spinach, and broccoli.
Are scrambled eggs good for a dog’s upset stomach?
Obviously, scrambled eggs never harm your dog’s upset stomach. These are the prime source of protein and also contain essential amino and fatty acids for your dog’s good health. You can provide scrambled eggs with other meals to your dogs as a surprising treat.
