Dealing with a sensitive stomach is never fun. You need to watch every ingredient that goes into your diet, and sometimes, it’s nearly impossible to find out what is causing your sensitivity. But what do you do when it’s not you suffering from dietary issues — it’s your dog?
While we normally think of humans as having the most sensitive stomachs in the animal kingdom, dogs are just as susceptible. And when you’re the one picking up after them whenever they do their business, you want them to maintain healthy digestion more than anything!
Navigating the world of dog food is never easy, even when your dog is 100 percent healthy. So, to help you find the best dog food for your pup’s sensitive stomach, we’ve compiled a list of comprehensive reviews for the top formulas currently available.
Our choice for the overall best dog food for sensitive stomachs is Ollie fresh dog food. Ollie offers a customizable meal plan catered to your dog’s age, weight, breed, activity level, and health concerns. There are no fillers, artificial flavors, or by-products, and each recipe is cooked at low temperatures to retain as much nutrition as possible.
Ollie offers several protein options packed with natural vitamins and minerals, but the best option is the lamb recipe. It’s made with real lamb, cranberries, butternut squash, kale, and chickpeas. All these ingredients combined are loaded with fiber to aid in digestion.
You can choose between fresh food or gently baked food. Or mix it up and have both fresh and gently baked in your bi-weekly deliveries. Both options are easy to digest and delicious!
The downside about fresh food is it doesn’t last long. Ollie’s food stays fresh for four days in the fridge, or you can freeze it for up to 6 months. For extra convenience, you can go with the gently baked food, which lasts for 6 weeks after opening.
The Natural Balance L.I.D. Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Formula is our pick for the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs if you’re on a budget. The formula uses a single animal protein source, paired with sweet potato as the primary carbohydrate. Keeping the ingredient list short and focused helps reduce the risk of triggering a reaction in dogs with ingredient sensitivities, and the grain-free, soy-free recipe avoids many of the most common dietary triggers.
The formula includes balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and a shiny coat alongside digestive health, and Natural Balance recommends it for dogs of all life stages.
While it’s possible to feed your dog great food without breaking the bank, there’s also nothing wrong with investing in a premium formula. The Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food is an excellent choice for dog owners looking to limit their dog’s intake of unknown ingredients.
The use of a single animal protein in this food means less chance of triggering an allergic reaction or sensitivity in your dog. The formula also excludes common triggers like corn, wheat, and soy.
Many owners report that this kibble has a bad smell, though their dogs don’t seem to mind! Since this formula is grain-free, it’s also important to read up on the potential connection between grain-free diets and heart disease before making the switch.
Pros
Limited ingredient formula
Single source of protein
Good results for dogs with food allergies
Fortified with vitamins and minerals
Cons
Kibble smells bad
Subject to grain-free diet controversy
4. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Food – Best for Puppies
Sensitive stomach issues are not limited to adult dogs, and puppies with digestive sensitivities need a formula specifically designed for their developmental needs. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Sensitive Stomach & Sensitive Skin was developed to provide all the nutrients a growing puppy needs while keeping the recipe gentle on a developing digestive system.
Real salmon is the first ingredient, and the addition of brown rice provides a digestible carbohydrate source alongside prebiotic fiber to support healthy gut bacteria from a young age. DHA from fish oil supports brain and eye development, and antioxidants help support a developing immune system.
As with any puppy food, the kibble should be introduced gradually over seven to ten days to allow the digestive system to adjust. Some puppies are highly enthusiastic about the salmon flavour immediately, while others take a few days to warm to it.
Pros
Specifically formulated for puppies with sensitive stomachs
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula is the specific recipe most commonly suggested for dogs with ongoing digestive sensitivity. Real salmon is the first ingredient, providing a highly digestible protein source, and the inclusion of oatmeal adds a gentle, easily digestible carbohydrate that is easier on sensitive digestive systems than corn, wheat, or soy. A prebiotic fiber derived from chicory root supports healthy gut bacteria.
The salmon-based formula tends to work particularly well for dogs whose digestive issues are triggered by more common proteins like chicken or beef. It is recommended to transition gradually over seven to ten days.
The Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food is our top choice for pups with sensitive stomachs and skin. This formula is designed to be easily digestible and includes a prebiotic fiber to support your dog’s gut.
Because dogs frequently develop skin reactions caused by their diet, your dog’s skin can often be the first indication that they have a food sensitivity. This formula is also full of important nutrients, including vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids, for basic skin and fur health.
As with any food, this formula works better for some dogs than others. While it tends to alleviate digestive issues, some dogs may still react to it.
Pros
Popular, veterinarian-supported brand
Easily digestible
Contains fiber, vitamin E, and Omega-6 fatty acids
Alleviates some skin sensitivities
Made in the USA
Cons
Not guaranteed to relieve sensitivities or allergies
This formula contains a mix of protein, prebiotics, and fiber to keep your dog’s digestion healthy and regular. It also supports the overall health of your pup’s gut microbiome. This food is suitable for adult dogs who weigh up to 22 pounds.
Of course, this food won’t support the needs of medium and large breeds. It also doesn’t appeal to picky eaters, so some dogs may refuse to eat it.
If your dog’s stomach responds well to pumpkin, then the Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Dry Dog Food is a formula definitely worth checking out. This dog food is made with easy-to-digest chicken, salmon, or lamb, along with sweet potato and pumpkin to round out your pup’s carb intake.
This all-natural formula includes a balanced range of vitamins and minerals for overall health while also excluding common triggers like corn, wheat, soy, and artificial colors. If your dog has a sensitive stomach but you don’t yet know what is causing it, then this recipe might be a good place to start.
Some dogs experience increased gas with this food, even if they don’t present with any other signs of stomach upset. If your dog is allergic to chicken, you should stay away from any of these formulas, because even the non-chicken flavors contain chicken byproducts. Also, this is a grain-free recipe, so be sure to research the latest studies on canine heart disease before switching to this food.
Pros
Contains pumpkin, which helps maintain healthy digestion
Free of common allergens like corn, wheat, and soy
While there are many options out there for limited ingredient or specialty formulas, sometimes you just need a basic, well-rounded dog food. The Iams Proactive Health Adult Dog Food includes a range of nutrients your dog needs without many common allergens and triggers.
This food contains fiber, prebiotics, and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy digestion and skin. The hard kibble is also designed to scrape away plaque and buildup from your dog’s teeth for better oral health.
Reports state that this dog food formula has changed several times in recent years, including changes to the kibble’s appearance and bag label. While this doesn’t mean the food won’t be a good fit for your pooch, it does mean you should check each new bag before buying. Again, because this is a grain-free food, be sure to consider the recent findings related to cardiac disease.
Pros
Well-rounded formula with real chicken
Kibble helps clean teeth
Contains fiber, prebiotics, and fatty acids for overall health
The Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Dog Food is designed for the specific needs of adult and senior dogs with sensitive stomachs. This recipe includes whole grains and fish, making it a great alternative for dogs with chicken allergies. It’s also potato-free.
This dog food relies on a single source of protein, which can help prevent allergies or sensitivities, and contains probiotics and fiber for healthy digestion. The probiotics inside this formula are designed to stay alive until fed to your dog, so you don’t need to worry whether they’re getting the full benefits or not.
As with any food, some dogs just aren’t fans of the scent or flavor of this kibble. The pieces are also a bit too big for smaller breeds, which can be an issue. This food is also more calorie-dense than many other popular brands, so be sure to follow the feeding guidelines for your dog’s size.
Pros
Recipe based on whole grains and fish protein
Contains fiber and probiotics for improved digestion
The Blackwood Pet Sensitive Stomach Dog Food stands out because the company is family-owned and it’s made in the United States. If you prefer to support smaller companies over large corporations, then this is definitely a sensitive stomach formula to check out.
This recipe is free of common allergens like corn and wheat, instead relying on brown rice and vegetables as healthy carb sources. It also includes a variety of probiotics and prebiotics to maintain digestion and encourage a healthy gut.
Depending on your dog’s specific sensitivities, this food may provide little to no improvement. Some dogs even become sick on this food. While most dogs seem to benefit from the sensitive stomach formula, not all enjoy the flavor.
Pros
Family-owned and made in the USA
No corn, wheat, or soy
Made in small batches with probiotics
Cons
Does not work for all dogs
Can trigger digestive issues in some dogs
Flavor is unappealing to some
Smaller brand is sometimes difficult to find
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
Caring for a dog with a sensitive stomach can seem like a nightmare at first. Once you identify and manage their triggers, though, it’s no different than taking care of any other animal. With that said, getting from Point A to Point B — in this case, from recognizing the symptoms to finding an appropriate food — can be extremely overwhelming.
If you believe your dog might have a sensitive stomach or food allergies, the information below should help you navigate managing their symptoms and choose the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs.
Image by: Boryana Manzurova, Shutterstock
How to tell if your dog has a sensitive stomach
While many cases of sensitive stomachs in dogs are easy to identify, others are more subtle. According to various sources, some of the most common signs of food sensitivities in canines include:
Generally, dogs with sensitive stomachs will present these symptoms off and on throughout their daily lives. Of course, these symptoms can also indicate a variety of other issues. If you notice any of these signs, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss your options.
If any of these symptoms come on suddenly, consult with a veterinarian immediately.
What should you do if you suspect your dog has a sensitive stomach?
If your dog shows signs of a sensitive stomach or food allergy, you obviously want to provide them with relief. But if you don’t know what is causing their symptoms, taking the next step can be hard.
To start, some food allergies can be detected by a veterinarian’s test. This is an easy way to narrow down what could be triggering your dog’s symptoms.
However, many dogs react to certain ingredients without having a true allergy. In these cases, many experts suggest switching to a limited ingredient diet. Limited ingredient foods provide well-rounded nutrition with as few ingredients as possible, making it easier to pinpoint your dog’s triggers.
As with any canine health concerns, we recommend speaking with a veterinarian to make sure you’re on the right track for a happy and healthy pup.
Conclusion
After reviewing some of the top dog foods for sensitive stomachs currently available, our top pick is the Ollie Fresh Dog Food. It is made from whole, human-grade ingredients, free of grains, and additives, plus it’s free of preservatives and doesn’t contain any common allergens or irritants that may upset your dog’s tummy.
After putting together our list of reviews, it’s clear that there are countless options out there for dogs with sensitive stomachs. We hope that one of our picks is right for you!
Nicole is a lover of animals of all sizes but is especially fascinated with the feline variety. She’s the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese, and works every day so he can relax in the sunshine or by the fire. She’s always had a cat in her home and has spent countless days with others, observing behaviors and softening up even the grouchiest of the lot. Nicole wants to share her kitty expertise with you so you and your cat can live happy, healthy, and care-free.
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