Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach – Ultimate Diet for Sensitive Tummies [2020]

Let's find the best dog food for sensitive stomach together!

Judging by their unstoppable appetites, most dogs have this remarkable ability to digest pretty much anything. 

I mean, did you ever see a dog eat a shoe or chew on something completely inedible like it’s nobody’s business? 

Still, much like humans, dogs are incredibly unique – and while some seem to have a digestive system made of steel, others have much more sensitive stomachs. 

And if that’s the case with your beloved pet, your first step should be getting them to the vet, and having them examined, so that you rule out a more serious underlying cause. 

If there’s nothing serious going on, a simple diet change can be all your dog needs:

Soothe and comfort your best friend’s digestive system during these troubled times with the best dog food for sensitive stomach!

Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomach
- Comparison Table -

Diet Changes & Stomach Sensitivity in Dogs: Complete Guide for Pet Parents 

Some dogs are blessed with seemingly immune digestive systems and can munch on everything, including the contents of your trash can, entire rolls of toilet paper, and even an occasional shoe. Others, however, are born with a much more sensitive stomach. 

But sooner or later, every dog will eat something that won’t agree with their stomach. 

If your dog is showing signs of an upset or sensitive stomach – vomiting and diarrhea are kind of hard to miss – the first thing you need to do is make an appointment with your vet. 

The thing is, a diet change can treat most digestive problems. But in some cases, these symptoms can have a much more serious cause – and your vet should rule out any underlying medical conditions first. 

The next best thing you can do for your four-legged friend is to transition them to the best dog food for sensitive stomach. 

It’s not going to be easy, and you’ll probably go through a bit of trial and error before you find the specific formulation that agrees with your dog’s tummy – but I’m here to help make that transition smooth and effortless! 

Stick around and learn everything about stomach sensitivity in dogs – from symptoms and causes to necessary dietary changes! 

Symptoms of Sensitive Stomach in Dogs & What’s Causing It

Wouldn’t it be awesome if your pooch could speak and tell you exactly what’s upsetting their tummy? 

But they can’t, which means that it’s up to you, as the pet parent, to figure it out – with a little help from your vet, of course – by relying on your instincts and keeping track of your dog’s behavior. 

Now, symptoms of the sensitive stomach in dogs are pretty hard to miss, which is good news: 

Dogs with sensitive stomachs usually develop a relatively similar set of symptoms, although the severity may vary. You can catch it early, rule out severe medical conditions, and make the necessary changes to their diet to eliminate whatever is causing the stomach upset.

So, if your pet starts exhibiting one of the following symptoms – or a combination of them – there’s a pretty good chance that they have a sensitive stomach:

• Vomiting – If your dog lives by the “eat first, barf later” rule, you might not think much of them vomiting once or twice, and that’s fine. However, frequently occurring nausea and vomiting are among the most common symptoms of stomach sensitivity caused by dog food. 

• Diarrhea – Loose stools are another tell-tale sign that your dog has a sensitive stomach. If it happens once, it’s probably not a big deal – all dogs go through bouts of diarrhea at least once in their lifetime. However, runny stools can turn into a severe problem if they occur regularly. 

• Gas – Every dog owner knows that flatulence is a normal occurrence, especially with certain dog breeds. However, if your dog is experiencing a sudden onset of excessive gassiness, it could be a sign that something in their diet doesn't agree with their tummy. 

• Lack of Appetite and Weight Loss – A persistent lack of appetite followed by weight loss is another clear symptom of stomach sensitivity in dogs. You’ll notice that your dog is refusing to eat and no longer seems interested in what, until recently, was their favorite food. 

• Lack of Energy – A healthy dog will feel energized after a meal; if your dog is doing the complete opposite, and their energy levels seem to drop following a meal, you should take it as a clear sign that something’s not right. 

Other than the symptoms mentioned above, there’s one more sign of a sensitive stomach in dogs that you should watch out for – and that’s eating grass. 

You’ve probably caught your dog eating grass before, we all did. And while it’s typically no cause for concern – dogs do it when they’re feeling bloated or queasy – you should get them checked for food intolerance or allergies if they’re doing it more than usual. 

Why Dogs Suffer from Sensitive Stomach: Common Causes of Stomach Sensitivity in Dogs

Your dog’s stomach sensitivity might be a congenital condition, meaning that they were born with it. If your dog is no longer a puppy, though, you’ll have to team up with the vet and do some detective work to figure out the exact cause. 

A variety of things could irritate your dog’s stomach and cause stomach sensitivity, so you’ll have your work cut out for you. 

But while the root cause of your dog’s digestive difficulties may be hard to figure out exactly, learning as much as possible about the potential culprits can make a huge difference. 

Even more so, understanding the cause makes choosing the best dog food for sensitive stomach a whole lot easier! 

I promised to help you figure this one out and find a dog food formula that your pet can digest easily – so, let’s start with the four most common causes of stomach sensitivity in dogs: 

• They Can’t Digest The Proteins Or Fat In Their Diet – Some dogs have a hard time digesting certain ingredients in their food, such as proteins. Or, the formulation you’re currently feeding them contains too much fat, or not enough fiber, vitamins, and minerals. If that’s the case, you’re advised to stick to easily-digestible proteins and avoid high-fat foods. 

• They’re Allergic To The Proteins In  Their Food – One of the main signs of food allergies, besides the digestive upset, are ear- and skin-related symptoms, including itching skin, excessive scratching, and recurrent ear infections. If you suspect a dog food allergy, it’s best to try the elimination diet – removing common allergens until the symptoms are resolved, and then introducing them individually, to see which one is to blame. 

• They’re Suffering From Emotional Distress – Last but not least, much like humans, dogs can experience stress and anxiety as a response to stressful situations and the environment, which can cause digestive problems. Take the time to figure out what might be causing the emotional distress, and ensure that your dog has a den where they can retreat when they start feeling overwhelmed. 

Before you make changes in your dog’s diet, you have to figure out what’s causing their sensitive stomach and digestive issues: 

Maybe your dog ate something that they shouldn’t have, and the symptoms will clear up in a matter of days? 

On the other hand, it could turn out to be a chronic problem, in which case your pooch’s diet is the most probable culprit. 

What to Feed a Dog with a Sensitive Stomach:
Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach
 Buying Guide

If you and your vet have figured out the cause of your dog’s stomach issues and agreed that a diet change would be enough to keep the symptoms under control, it’s time to answer the most crucial question: 

What should you feed a dog with a sensitive stomach? 

Limited Number of Ingredients 

If you already checked in with your vet, there’s a pretty good chance that they suggested something called the limited-ingredient diet, or LID, for your dog’s sensitive stomach. It’s an ideal solution for most dogs with digestive tract issues, whether the cause is known or not – and here’s why: 

The shorter the list of ingredients, the lower the chances of something upsetting your dog’s stomach. 

Now, I’m not saying that your dog doesn’t need to consume a nutritionally balanced diet with a variety of ingredients – they most certainly do! Still, it would be smart to limit the number of components and cut out any unnecessary additives from their diet that could hurt their sensitive stomach. 

Limited-ingredient diets are only limited in the number of ingredients, mainly protein and carbohydrate sources; they still provide complete and balanced nutrition! 

Complete and Balanced 

You’re transitioning your dog to limited-ingredient dog food for sensitive stomach, which means that you’re inherently limiting their sources of nutrients to a few carefully selected ingredients. 

As beneficial as this is for dogs with stomach sensitivity, you need to make sure that your dog’s new diet still meets all their nutritional requirements. 

That’s why you must choose only dog foods for stomach sensitivity that are labeled as “complete and balanced.” Such dog food formulations not only include hand-picked, easily-digestible ingredients that won’t irritate your dog’s sensitive stomach but provide your pet with all the essential health-promoting nutrients, too.

Easily Digestible Ingredients Only 

Did you happen to notice that all the dog foods for sensitive stomachs that I talked about today have one thing in common? 

Regardless of the brand and recipe, ensuring easy digestion is the number one priority. 

Understandably so, there’s a strong focus on incorporating only carefully selected, natural, and easily digestible ingredients. A dog with digestive tract issues shouldn’t go through the additional stress of eating hard-to-digest food! 

My advice is to go with a diet that contains ingredients known for supporting healthy digestion so that the transition to new food goes smoothly and has the best possible results. 

You can go with chicken and lamb as go-to protein, and brown rice and sweet potatoes as primary carbohydrate sources, because most dogs tolerate these ingredients very well – even with a sensitive stomach. 

No Grains 

Some dogs don’t have a problem with digesting grains such as corn and wheat, and even seem to enjoy dog food that contains grains. 

Dogs with sensitive stomachs, however, might have a hard time digesting most grains because these sources of carbohydrates are among the most common triggers for food intolerance in dogs. 

That’s why dog owners are advised to switch their pet to a grain-free diet, or at the very least, opt for dog food for sensitive stomach that contains easily-digestible whole grains, such as oats, and brown rice. 

Enriched with Probiotics and Other Supplements 

If your stomach were bothering you, you’d probably get yourself some probiotics and other dietary supplements that promote healthy digestion. 

Well, your pooch deserves the same: 

The addition of probiotics and other digestion-promoting supplements in their diet can make a world of difference if they have a sensitive stomach and suffer from digestive problems. These ingredients – probiotics, plain yogurt, pumpkin, and generally high fiber content – can all help stimulate your dog’s digestive system, improving digestion and soothing the symptoms of stomach sensitivity. 

Ingredients to Avoid If Your Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach 

There’s no denying that dogs with sensitive tummies have to be fed with care because the wrong choice of dog food can further aggravate their condition. 

Switching to dog food formulated for sensitive stomachs is the first step to easing your dog’s symptoms. But knowing what ingredients to avoid matters as much – if not more – and can help prevent further irritation and upset. 

Several ingredients are commonly found in dog food formulas, but could upset your dog’s sensitive stomach: 

• Dairy products, especially if your dog is lactose intolerant 

• Gluten-containing grains, such as wheat, spelt, rye, and barley

• Soy and corn, which are common dog food allergens  

• Specific protein sources, including beef and chicken 

• Artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and food dyes 

Also, eliminate any “extra” foods from your dog’s diet for the time being, and feed them only the best dog food for sensitive stomach. That means no treats, table scraps, or anything else that they would typically nibble on throughout the day.

Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach
– Frequently Asked Questions - 

Q: How do I tell if my dog has a sensitive stomach?

A: The short, summed-up answer would be that the most significant tell-tale sign of a sensitive stomach is digestion problems and an upset stomach. Maybe you’ll notice that your dog struggles to digest food, or they’ll exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and gas. 

Your dog may also experience more severe symptoms, such as loss of appetite and lack of energy, or show signs of abdominal pain. 

Maybe it’s something that they ate or an underlying condition. Either way, you should have your dog examined by the vet and get a proper diagnosis.

Q: What is a limited ingredient dog food?

A: Limited ingredient diets, or LID, are typically recommended for dogs with a sensitive stomach. The idea is that switching to a formulation with a limited number of ingredients and components makes it easier to pin-point the specific allergens and ingredients that your dog’s sensitive to and keep the condition under control. 

Limited ingredient dog food will typically contain fewer ingredients than standard dog food formulation, a single source of grain and protein, including novel protein, low to moderate fat content, and probiotics.

Q: What causes food allergies in dogs?

A: Generally speaking, dogs with food allergies are most often allergic to the protein, be it animal or plant-based, because it’s broken down into molecules that your dog’s immune system treats as potential threats. 

Dog food ingredients that are considered the most common culprits for food allergy are beef, dairy, wheat, and chicken. Low-grade, poor-quality ingredients, and high-fat content can lead to canine food allergy, too. 

Hypoallergenic dog food addresses this by including protein that’s already split into its basic “building blocks” – amino acids – and invisible to the immune system. That way, your dog can still consume a protein-rich diet, without the risk of an allergic reaction.

Q: What is the easiest food for a dog to digest?

A: One way to soothe and settle your dog’s digestive system when they have a sensitive stomach is to feed them easily digestible food. The focus should be on low stomach-upsetting fats and ingredients that won’t further upset the digestive system. 

Lamb and chicken, as well as beef, are the most digestible sources of animal protein for your dog. 

The kibble that lists lean meats as protein sources – lamb, chicken, and beef – followed by eggs, and highly-digestible carbohydrates and fiber, such as pumpkin, sweet potato, and white rice, can be the right, easily-digestible choice of dog food.

After All Is Said & Done, I Recommend:

Conclusion 

Loved the article?
Found some amazing food for your sensitive pet?
Share the article with your peoples, so their doggos can enjoy too!