Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs: Top Vet-Recommended Picks (2024)

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If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you’ll want to feed them a high-quality, easily digestible dog food. Top vet-recommended options include Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Purina ONE Plus, and Solid Gold Leaping Waters. These foods are gentle on the digestive system, with limited ingredients and added probiotics to support gut health.

Avoid foods high in protein, fiber, fat, or artificial additives, which can further upset a sensitive stomach. Finding the right sensitive stomach dog food suited to your pup’s needs can make a big difference in their comfort and overall wellbeing.

Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs

Are you looking for the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs? Look no further than Hill Science Diet Sensitive Stomach Skin Chicken Dog Food, Purina ONE Plus, Solid Gold Leaping Waters, Hills Science Diet Adult 7 Chicken Barley Entree Dog Food, Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin Stomach Salmon Rice Dry Dog Food, and more.

Each of these recipes has been designed to help support digestive health in your pup while providing complete nutrition and great taste.

With such a wide variety of options available on the market today, it can be difficult to know which is right for your pet.

Hill Science Diet Sensitive Stomach Skin Chicken Dog Food

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You’ll be amazed at how quickly Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach Skin Chicken Dog Food helps your pup feel better, with its real chicken as the first ingredient and prebiotic fiber to soothe their sensitive stomachs.

This veterinarian-recommended formula contains natural ingredients plus added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for complete nutrition. It also provides omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for healthy skin & coat support.

Plus, it’s crafted without artificial colors or flavors, which makes it a great option if you’re looking for an all-natural food that can help improve digestion in your adult dog.

Purina ONE Plus

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Treat your pup to the deliciousness of Purina ONE Plus and take advantage of its high-quality ingredients, complete nutrition, and natural glucosamine for joint health – all designed to soothe sensitive stomachs.

This premium dog food is specially formulated with real chicken as the first ingredient, plus added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for a balanced diet that can ease digestive issues in dogs who have sensitive stomachs.

For picky eaters, there’s no need to worry about taste as many seem to enjoy it while owners love the value compared with similar foods on the market. It also contains omega-rich sunflower oil along with DHA for immune support, plus antioxidants, which are important in helping maintain oxidative balance within your pet’s body system.

Solid Gold Leaping Waters

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Solid Gold Leaping Waters is a grain-free, single-source protein diet that’s packed with probiotics and superfoods to support your pup’s digestive health. It contains real salmon as the first ingredient, plus vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, and natural prebiotic fiber for optimal nutrition.

This formula is especially good for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies due to its limited ingredients list and lack of potential allergens like chicken, beef, or fish. Plus, it has no artificial flavors or preservatives, so you can trust in the quality of this product.

Transitioning should be done gradually over 1-2 weeks to avoid GI upset – start with 10-20% new food mixed into the old food until fully switched over!

Hills Science Diet Adult 7 Chicken Barley Entree Dog Food

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For an easy-to-digest meal with all the nutrition your senior pup needs, Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7 Chicken Barley Entree Dog Food is a great option that’s sure to please their taste buds. This premium wet food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs seven years old and up, containing real chicken as its first ingredient for lean muscle maintenance and ideal body weight.

It’s also low in calories and sodium, with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for complete nutrition. Plus, it has a thicker consistency than some other wet foods, which makes it easy to mix with water if necessary – perfect for hiding pills inside! Dogs seem to love this food too, making it great value compared to similar brands on the market.

Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin Stomach Salmon Rice Dry Dog Food

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Try Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food for a delicious and nutritious meal that’s gentle on your pup’s sensitive tummy.

This 24.3-pound bag is specially formulated with salmon as the #1 ingredient. It also contains vitamin A, omega-rich sunflower oil, and DHA for healthy skin, coat, brain, and vision development in puppies of all sizes.

Additionally, it contains antioxidants to support their immune system, calcium and phosphorus to help build strong bones, minerals to keep them energized, live probiotics for improved digestion health, and natural prebiotic fiber which aids in nutrient absorption.

The food does not contain any artificial colors or flavors or fillers like corn, wheat, or soy.

Many owners report improvements in coat shine after transitioning onto this food. Others have noticed resolution of itching issues associated with loose stools since changing over from chicken-based foods that did not resolve these problems.

Some pups refused it due to its fishy odor, but those who accepted it seemed quite pleased!

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin Stomach Salmon Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

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Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food is packed with protein and natural ingredients to support strong muscles, joint health, immune system, and digestive health.

It contains real salmon as the first ingredient, plus oatmeal, sunflower oil, and prebiotic fiber for optimal nutrition.

This veterinarian-recommended formula is fortified with antioxidants, glucosamine, and EPA for immune support, while probiotics aid in healthy digestion. Dogs love its rich salmon flavor, while owners appreciate its lack of artificial flavors or fillers, which can be difficult on sensitive stomachs.

It also helps reduce loose stools, skin issues, and even seasonal allergies in some dogs.

However, it may not be a hit with picky eaters who don’t like the taste or are used to more familiar kibble shapes from other brands. The price has been increasing recently, so it might be cost-prohibitive for budget-minded pet parents.

Nevertheless, it follows WSAVA guidelines that ensure safe ingredients, resulting in improved digestion over other formulas.

Blue Buffalo Basics

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Blue Buffalo Basics is an ideal choice if your pup has sensitive digestion, as it contains a single animal protein and no by-product meals or artificial ingredients.

This limited ingredient dry dog food for small breeds helps support immune health and oxidative balance while improving skin and coat health. It can also reduce itching in older dogs and prevent gas and loose stools due to colitis flare-ups.

Hills Science Diet Sensitive Turkey Rice Stew

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Hills Science Diet Sensitive Turkey Rice Stew is an ideal entree for dogs with sensitive stomachs, as it’s slow-cooked to promote digestive health and contains natural ingredients such as carrots, spinach, green peas, turkey, and chicken.

The wet food has a strong turkey smell that many pups enjoy – plus visible pieces of meat and vegetables. It also helps support healthy skin and coat with omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E.

However, there are some drawbacks. The moisture content can vary between cans, which causes dryness in some batches. Additionally, there’s no dry food option available. The price may be too high given the lack of chunks in each can compared to other wet foods on the market.

Furthermore, rare quality issues have been reported by customers, so you must read reviews before buying this product online or in stores.

NaturVet PB6 Probiotic

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For a tasty and effective way to support your pup’s digestive health, try NaturVet PB6 Probiotic Soft Chews. These chews are formulated with veterinary-strength PB6 and other probiotics that help promote balanced and healthy GI tracts, as well as normal stools, in dogs of all ages.

The bite-size soft chews can be given like treats for easy administration. However, some customers report them being hard or dry on occasion.

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food

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Try Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food to soothe your pup’s sensitive stomach and keep them feeling their best. This veterinary-exclusive wet food is specifically formulated for dogs with digestive sensitivities, helping promote digestive health and optimal stool quality while providing enough calories for daily needs.

With low fat content to aid in digestion issues, omega-3 fatty acids EPA & DHA help manage GI health while prebiotics assist in maintaining good gut bacteria. Dietary fibers further support healthy digestion. Additionally, it contains antioxidants that boost immune system functions and helps prevent bladder crystals from forming.

While this specialized formula requires veterinarian approval/prescription and is more expensive than regular dog food, some dogs may not like the taste of the canned version, which can be more palatable than the dry option for some pups.

What Causes Sensitive Stomachs in Dogs?

Are you noticing signs of a sensitive stomach in your dog? There are many potential causes, including food allergies or intolerances, lack of nutrients, too much fat in the diet, and gastrointestinal issues.

Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, and loss of appetite, as well as lethargy and behavior changes. It’s important to consult with your veterinarian to find the right diet for your dog’s needs.

Seek their advice over internet recommendations. Make sure to make appointments if necessary so that serious underlying medical conditions can be ruled out before treating any digestive issues with dietary changes alone.

To help treat this condition, some ingredients such as highly digestible proteins like salmon or turkey should be included, along with probiotics and prebiotics. Ingredients such as fiber, pumpkin, kale, and flaxseed could also help improve loose stools caused by digestion problems related to sensitive stomachs in dogs.

If over-the-counter options don’t work, get prescription diets from the vet. Look for complete balanced foods that meet all nutritional requirements without artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers, which might further irritate the problem.

How to Determine if Your Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach

If your pup is exhibiting symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or flatulence, it may be time to investigate if they have a sensitive stomach.

1. Loss of appetite
2. Lethargy and changes in behavior
3. Chronic gas and bloating
4. Abnormal stools (diarrhea/constipation)
5. Vomiting or regurgitation after eating meals

Paying attention to these symptoms is key for determining the underlying cause of your dog’s stomach discomfort – whether it be food allergies or something else entirely – as this will help you select the right diet for them accordingly based on their individual needs and breed type (Mini Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers & Shih Tzus are more prone).

In addition to considering ingredient quality & nutritional value when shopping around for foods tailored towards sensitive tummies, look out for protein sources such as salmon/rice-based products that are hypoallergenic.

Also, consider probiotics & prebiotic fibers from vegetables like pumpkin + kale which promote digestive health.

Transitioning slowly between diets should also not go overlooked when trying out new recipes – along with wet vs dry options depending on hydration needs too!

Eliminate Extra Food in Your Dog’s Diet

To reduce the possibility of digestive sensitivities, consider eliminating any extra food from your pup’s diet. Spoilage and portion control should be taken into account to maintain probiotics levels in their gut.

Establishing a regular feeding schedule will also improve digestion as well as food hygiene. Limited ingredient dog foods are also great options for dogs with sensitive stomachs due to their high digestibility and ability to pinpoint potential allergens or intolerances more easily than other diets that contain multiple ingredients.

Additionally, adding prebiotic fiber such as pumpkin, kale, or flaxseed can help settle an upset tummy while providing essential vitamins and minerals needed by your pup’s body too!

An elimination diet is another tool you could use if you suspect certain foods may be causing trouble.

Ingredients in Dog Food That Can Upset Dog Stomachs

It is important to pay attention to the ingredients in your dog’s food, as some can upset their stomachs. Protein, fiber, fat, and vitamins and minerals should all be taken into account when choosing the best food for your pet.

Protein

When choosing a food for your pup’s sensitive stomachs, look for highly digestible proteins like salmon and turkey to help give them the energy they need. Opting for limited protein sources such as these can also make it easier to identify which foods are causing adverse reactions.

Additionally, wet food is more hydrating than dry but may not be suitable depending on individual needs; consider the fat levels too! Grain-free or grain-inclusive products with digestible ingredients such as chicken, pork liver, and grains can also be beneficial in reducing irritation from potential allergens.

Fiber

Adding fiber to your pup’s diet can help promote a healthy digestive system and settle an upset stomach. High-fiber foods like pumpkin puree, rice, peas, potatoes, and sweet potato are great dietary sources for fiber.

Grain-free formulas usually have higher amounts of fiber than regular dry food, but it’s important to consult with your veterinarian before making any drastic changes in the dog’s diet. Some dogs may not tolerate high levels of dietary fibers well, which could lead to further GI issues.

Opting for canned or wet foods that contain more natural forms of carbohydrates might also be beneficial in helping manage sensitive stomachs.

Fat

You should keep an eye out for high-fat content when selecting food for your pup’s sensitive stomach, as it can cause severe digestion issues and uncomfortable bloating. Low-fat dog foods are the best option since they contain fewer calories than regular formulas but still provide optimal nutrition.

To further support a healthy digestive system, probiotic chews may be used to add beneficial bacteria into your pet’s diet. Grain-free wet food or fish oil supplements rich in omega fatty acids can also help reduce inflammation and aid with fat digestion while providing additional vitamins and minerals essential to overall health.

When choosing any type of dog food, make sure you read labels carefully so that you know exactly what is being consumed by your furry friend!

Vitamins and Minerals

Fortify your pup’s sensitive stomach with vitamins and minerals to support his digestive system. Look for a food that contains quality vitamin sources, such as Vitamins A, E, and D3. These are essential for the absorption of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, which maintain dietary balance in dogs.

Additionally, look out for prebiotics to help boost probiotic strains naturally found in their gut. This helps protect against food allergies or GI issues caused by ingredients used in many dog foods on the market today.

Make sure your pup is getting all these vital nutrients from their diet so they can stay healthy!

Quality Ingredients

When selecting a food for your pup’s sensitive stomach, look for quality ingredients like highly digestible proteins, carbs, and fats.

Look into ingredient sources such as salmon or turkey, which are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Additionally, consider adding foods high in highly digestible fibers, such as pumpkin and chamomile, that can assist with digestion issues.

Dry food may be easier to consume, while wet/canned food could offer more hydration benefits.

Avoid artificial flavors, fillers, or by-products when making a selection. Grain-free diets might also be beneficial, but monitor closely how it affects them before switching completely over.

How to Find a High-Quality Dog Food

Finding a high-quality dog food that caters to your pup’s sensitive stomach can seem like a daunting task, but with the right background knowledge, it can be easier than you think.

Quality ingredients are key, as diets high in fat or potential allergens from human foods may lead to GI issues. It’s best to consult your vet for advice on what type of diet and supplements would work best for your pup’s individual needs.

When shopping around, look at ingredient quality, nutritional value, and if the product has been formulated by veterinarians or approved by one before purchasing it. A grain-free option might also be beneficial as this helps reduce irritation in some dogs.

Novel proteins such as salmon and turkey help pinpoint sensitivities more easily than common ones like chicken and beef, which tend to cause allergies due to overexposure over time.

Transitioning slowly when changing foods (over 1-2 weeks) is important too, so avoid upsetting their stomach further! Veterinary prescription diets are an excellent choice if other options fail because they contain hypoallergenic protein sources plus prebiotics/probiotics that settle upset tummies better than regular store-bought products do.

Transitioning Your Dog to a Different Food

Switching your pup’s food can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and research, you can transition them to an ideal diet for their sensitive stomach. Start by considering what type of food best suits their needs – wet or dry? High-quality ingredients are key, as is grain-free if necessary.

Pick a protein source that won’t trigger any sensitivities; fish, barley, and lentils are all good choices. Aim for limited ingredients to help pinpoint potential problems more easily, and don’t forget supplements such as probiotics, which promote gut health in dogs with digestive issues.

When transitioning, pace over 1-2 weeks, gradually introducing 10–20% new food at a time so you don’t upset their tummy too much! Mix it up by adding boiled chicken & rice, cooked sweet potato, or zucchini mixed with ginger – these have been known to settle some pooch’s bellies quickly!

Keep an eye on changes in behavior too – if they become lethargic after eating, consult your vet immediately before moving onto another brand of dog food.

Home Cooked Meals for Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs

Creating a home-cooked meal for your pup’s sensitive stomach can be an effective way to provide them with nutritious, easily digestible food. Consider low-fat diets and rotational diets, which may help reduce digestive discomfort.

Holistic nutrition for dogs should include prebiotic fibers that promote gut health, probiotics, and supplements like Vitamin E for skin health. Additionally, include dry or wet foods containing balanced microbiome components.

When transitioning from store-bought to homemade meals, do it gradually over 1-2 weeks so the dog doesn’t experience sudden upset tummy issues. Start with 10-20% of new food every other day while decreasing the previous diet’s portion size each time until you reach 100%.

Offer plenty of fresh water at all times during this transition period to ensure proper hydration levels are met throughout the process, especially if switching from wet food exclusively!

Veterinary Prescription Diets for Dogs

If your pup has a sensitive stomach, consider consulting with your veterinarian to get the right prescription diet for their needs. Veterinary diets are formulated specifically for dogs with digestive problems or food allergies and can offer tailored nutrition that over-the-counter foods may not provide.

They typically contain hypoallergenic protein sources such as duck or salmon, highly digestible carbs and fats like sweet potato & sunflower oil instead of chicken fat, probiotics and prebiotic fibers for gut health support, plus other nutrients that help alleviate symptoms associated with an upset tummy.

These vet diets come in wet or dry options depending on individual dog needs but should be transitioned slowly when switching from one food to another in order to avoid any stomach discomfort during the transition period due to the higher concentration of nutrients present than regular commercial pet foods have.

With so many diet options available now it is important you research each one carefully before making a purchase decision based on quality ingredients and nutritional value while following advice from your vet if necessary!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)