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If yes, Our complete Food For Dog With Sensitive Stomach is hypoallergenic, with just the right amount of fiber, high quality protein, and all-natural ingredients. A healthy diet for an active lifestyle, without unwanted additives or fillers. No grains or byproducts, so no excess gas! If your dog suffers from allergies and intolerances, this is the perfect pet food for them.
I’m sure you’ve experienced the joy of having your pet around. The unconditional love and affection that dogs give their owners is something that can’t be found anywhere else. Dogs are also great companions for children and adults alike. They provide unconditional love and companionship, which is something that many people lack in their lives.
Dogs are also great at keeping you active, because they need to be taken on walks every day. This keeps your body moving and makes sure that you get enough exercise every day. It’s important to keep yourself healthy so that your dog can live a long life with you!
But there’s one thing about owning a dog that might make you think twice before getting one: the smell! There’s no denying it—dogs smell bad. And when they don’t smell good, it can be embarrassing to take them out in public or even leave them alone in an apartment building where everyone else has their own pets!
Food For Dog With Sensitive Stomach
Because dogs are so easy-going, it’s easy to assume that they can eat any and everything, but this is simply not the case. Just as humans have food aversions that make our stomachs hurt, so do our four-legged friends. Even though there are a slew of vegetables, fruits and nuts that are safe to feed our pups, sometimes they just have sensitive stomachs. Below, find the 12 best dog foods for pups with sensitive stomachs—from those with food-related issues to underlying medical conditions.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY DOG HAS A SENSITIVE STOMACH?
If you find that your pet seems to react badly to their regular food, the first line of defense is to visit a vet so they can get a proper diagnosis. Typical signs and symptoms that your dog has a sensitive stomach include:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Excessive gas
- Signs of abdominal pain
WHAT TYPE OF DOG FOOD SHOULD I GIVE A DOG WITH A SENSITIVE STOMACH?
According to Dog Food Advisor, there are three types of dog food that work best for dogs who have sensitive stomachs:
1. Limited ingredient dog food: Best for when you’re trying to determine what exactly is causing your furry friend to have digestive issues, limited ingredient food—true to its name—contains fewer ingredients than regular food. Usually, it has one source of novel protein (from meat) and low to moderate levels of fat as well as probiotics to aid digestion. Just be sure to stay away from limited ingredients food that has artificial colorings and additives.
2. Hypoallergenic dog food: This type of food is made from proteins that have been broken down into amino acids, making them less detectable in your doggo’s immune system and minimizing the chance of a bad reaction.
3. Prescription gastrointestinal (GI) dog food: Prescription GI foods are dog foods made specifically for dogs with digestive issues and need a veterinarian’s recommendation in order to purchase.
HOW DO I SAFELY INTRODUCE NEW FOOD WHEN MY DOG HAS A SENSITIVE STOMACH?
When your pup has a sensitive tummy, the last thing you want to do is completely upend their current diet with an entirely new one overnight. The American Kernel Club recommends you start the first meal with approximately 80 to 90 percent old food and 10 to 20 percent new food, then gradually up the proportions over the course of 10 days.
12 BEST DOG FOOD FOR SENSITIVE STOMACHS
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1. HILL’S SCIENCE DIET ADULT SENSITIVE STOMACH & SKIN
Best for: Adult dogs
First five ingredients: Chicken, brewers rice, chicken meal, yellow peas, cracked pearled barley
Not only does this recipe contain real chicken and prebiotic fiber that supports healthy digestion, but it also contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and a radiant coat. Your pup will feel good and look good too.
BUY IT ($65)
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2. DIAMOND CARE SENSITIVE STOMACH FORMULA
Best for: Adult dogs
First five ingredients: Potatoes, egg product, potato protein, tomato pomace, chicken fat
Formulated specifically for dogs with food-related tummy issues, this kibble is made with easily-digestible egg protein and potatoes as a carbohydrate source. This formula contains good bacteria that is native to the canine GI tract, to help promote easy digestion.
BUY IT ($55)
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3. PURINA PRO PLAN PUPPY SENSITIVE SKIN & STOMACH
Best for: Puppies
First five ingredients: Salmon, rice, barley, fish meal, canola meal
Puppies are delicate as it is, so you want to make sure you’re feeding them the right things, and this offering from the Purina Pro Plan line does just that. It contains salmon and rice which are easy to digest, live probiotics to promote gut health and it’s loaded with omega-6 fatty acids (from sunflower oil) and vitamin A which are great for your puppy’s healthy skin and coat.
BUY IT ($52)
4. PURINA PRO PLAN SENSITIVE SKIN & STOMACH
Best for: Adult dogs (large breeds)
First five ingredients: Salmon, barley, rice, oatmeal, canola meal, fish meal
Your German shepherd may remind you of an unbeatable jungle wolf when you see him running and chasing after birds at the park, but even the biggest of dogs are susceptible to stomach issues. This dog food is made for our gentle beasts who are large in size but remain sensitive. Not only does it have prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy gut, but it also has glucosamine and EPA omega-3 fatty acid for joint support.
BUY IT ($68)
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5. ROYAL CANIN VETERINARY DIET GASTROINTESTINAL LOW FAT DOG FOOD
Best for: Adult dogs
First five ingredients: Brewers rice, chicken by-product meal, wheat, barley, natural flavors
For dogs that have a hard time digesting or tolerating fat, this kibble is the ideal pick. Though it has a low fat content, it still has enough nutrients and calories to meet your dog’s daily requirements. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food has highly digestible proteins and prebiotics as well as soluble and insoluble fibers for healthy GI transit. Note: This formula is by prescription only, so you’ll need vet authorization in order to purchase.
BUY IT ($75)
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6. BLUE BUFFALO BASICS LIMITED INGREDIENT DIET
Best for: Adult dogs (small breeds)
First five ingredients: Deboned turkey, oatmeal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas
For the pet parents who own toy dogs that have big energy but small and sensitive stomachs, Blue Buffalo’s Basic Limited Ingredient Diet may be the way to go. Keep your small pups energized with this turkey and potato recipe that also has some yummy brown rice, pumpkin and oatmeal on its ingredient list. It’s also made with Blue Buffalo’s proprietary LifeSource Bits—a combination of selected antioxidants, minerals and vitamins picked by veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support your pup’s overall health and wellness.
BUY IT ($37)
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7. HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET I/D DIGESTIVE CARE LOW FAT
Best for: Adult dogs and puppies
First five ingredients: Water, rice, pork liver, turkey liver, pork by-products
Another formula that requires a doctor’s prescription, this food is a great choice for dogs who have a hard time processing protein. It has antioxidants that support a healthy immune system, prebiotics for great gut health as well as omega-3 fatty acids to support GI recovery, skin and coat health. As a bonus, this formula also includes ginger to help calm and soothe finicky digestive tracts and keep Fido happy.
BUY IT ($44)
8. HILL’S SCIENCE DIET ADULT 7+ CANNED DOG FOOD
Best for: Mature dogs
First five ingredients: Water, beef, pork liver, brown rice, carrots
Just like puppies need extra attention as they grow their organs, mature dogs also need extra love to keep them nice and fit. This formula from Hill’s Science ensures your four-legged family member gets the gourmet treatment with real meat, brown rice and a medley of delectable vegetables including peas and carrots, all smothered in a delicious gravy. Yum!
BUY IT ($31)
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9. NATURAL BALANCE L.I.D. LIMITED INGREDIENT DIETS
Best for: Adult dogs
First five ingredients: Salmon, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes, cassava flour, potatoes
This premium dog food comes courtesy of a team of board-certified clinical veterinarians, animal nutritionists and research scientists that worked to make sure your pet gets the best of the best despite being limited. This dry food for dogs features delicious (real) salmon and delectable sweet potato as a source for carbs. There are no added peas, pea protein, lentils, legumes, corn, wheat or soy, reducing the chances of a bad reaction.
BUY IT ($63)
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10. CANIDAE GRAIN-FREE PURE DRY DOG FOOD
Best for: Adult dogs
First five ingredients: Bison, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, peas, lentils
Just because your dog has a delicate tum doesn’t mean they can’t chomp on meat anymore. Give your them some protein they can really sink their teeth into with this limited formula from Canidae that boasts bison as a top ingredient. Though it’s comprised of just nine additional ingredients, this grain-free product still gives your pup all the probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients they need for a happy gut and healthy skin and coat.
BUY IT ($75)
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11. GO! SENSITIVITIES LIMITED INGREDIENT DIET
Best for: Adult dogs
First five ingredients: Deboned duck, duck meal, peas, tapioca, lentils
For families with pups who are different breeds and therefore, different sizes, stay on budget with this limited ingredient kibble that’s good for all breeds of all sizes. It’s grain-, gluten- and potato-free so there’s a smaller chance of upset stomachs. (Its primary protein is deboned duck, so expect a lot of drooling.)
BUY IT ($60)
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12. PURINA ONE SMARTBLEND LARGE BREED PUPPY FORMULA
Best for: Puppies (large breeds)
First five ingredients: Chicken, rice flour, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal
We love them all the same, but not all puppies are created equal. This kibble is ideal for large breed puppies whose stomachs get rattled easily. This Purina One offering is packed with protein to support those budding muscles, as well as antioxidants—vitamins A and E, zinc and selenium—that help keep their immune system nice and strong as they grow.
Homemade Food For Sensitive Stomach Dogs
Caring for a dog with a sensitive stomach can be a challenge, especially since most commercial dog foods are likely to trigger health problems in these dogs and usually upset their stomachs.
As an alternative to store-bought sensitive stomach dog foods, you can prepare Homemade Dog Food your own homemade meals, either daily or once a week (and freeze or refrigerate them).
We’ve published many dog food recipes here on Top Dog Tips before, and while some of them may be a good option for your problematic pup, many won’t.
I’ve gone through a list and found the five best homemade dog food for sensitive stomach recipes that are likely to work for most canines.
Some meals should be served in multiple, smaller portions, or they can upset your dog’s stomach.
The daily serving size for dogs with sensitive stomachs should be 1 cup for every 25 pounds of weight per day, spread across multiple meals.
If none of these meet your pet’s needs, I recommend you also check out Samantha’s homemade dog food recipes for sensitive stomach, digestive disorders, and stomach upset.
She’s published a few of those, but these five are my favorite:
- with chicken and veggies
- pumpkin-based biscuit treats
- for digestive disorders
- for stomach upset
- cakes with rice and chicken
The good thing about making DIY meals for your dog is that you can make adjustments.
If you see some ingredient that you know won’t work for your pup, you can make a substitution – here’s Samantha’s article on how to do this right.
And finally, remember that every dog is different, and these may not be well-balanced for your specific canine. Discuss these recipes with a veterinarian before preparing them regularly.
The 5 Best Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Homemade Recipes
White Rice and Chicken Recipe for Food Sensitive Dogs
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of white rice
- 1 ½ pound of chopped chicken meat
- 1 ½ cup of vegetable mix
- 4 ½ cups of water.
Preparation:
First, heat a big skillet and add rice, meat, vegetables, and water to it. Cook it on medium heat until the mixture boils.
Then cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15 minutes to cook all the ingredients properly, especially the white rice.
This is a straightforward recipe that suits dogs with sensitive tummies since both chicken and rice have a calming effect.
Sensitive Stomach Dog Food: Homemade Hamburger Meal
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of hamburger meat
- 1 tbsp. of canola oil
- ½ cup of cooked oatmeal
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- 2 tbsp. of cottage cheese
- 3 tbsp. of beans
- 3 tbsp. of carrots
Preparation:
First, fry the hamburger meat in a skillet in canola oil. When the meat is fried, add finely chopped the hard-boiled eggs.
Then add all the other ingredients to the mix and wait for it to cool down.
Oats are a great addition to this meal because they are rich in nutrition.
And while dogs don’t usually care for them, they will gobble this meal up because of the hamburger meat.
Homemade Sensitive Dog Food Recipe: Chicken with Rice and Pumpkin
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of white rice
- ½ cup of chicken breasts (skinless, boneless)
- ¼ cup of plain yogurt
- ¼ cup of canned pumpkin
- ½ cup of vegetable mix (optional)
Preparation:
Cook white rice according to the instructions on the box. Put the chicken breasts in a large pot, cover them with water, and boil over medium heat.
Shred the chicken into pieces and mix it well with the rest of the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
This is a simple recipe for bland food which is easy to digest.
Yogurt can soothe the inflamed stomach, while canned pumpkin can help make your dog’s bowel movements regular and firm up his stool because it is rich in fiber.
Dog Sensitive Stomach Chicken with Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1½ tablespoons of cottage cheese
- ½ pound of minced chicken meat
- ½ cup of grated carrots
- 1 cup mashed potatoes
Preparation:
Mix the chicken, mashed potatoes, and carrots in a pot and put them in the microwave. Heat it for about 4 minutes.
When the mixture cools off, add the cottage cheese and serve it to your pet.
Carrots are great for reducing stomach irritation, and they are also full of vitamins.
They can help your dog improve his digestion and relieve constipation or diarrhea.
Dogs with Sensitive Stomach Dog Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of rice flour
- 1 cup of quick cook oats
- ¼ cup of no-salt chicken broth
- 4 tbsp. of olive oil
- 3 oz. of apple sauce
- ½ cup of diced carrots
- ½ cup of diced green beans,
- 1 tbsp. of baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Preparation:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking sheet with some olive oil. Mix all dry ingredients into one bowl and mix all wet ingredients in another.
Then, stir dry ingredients into wet ones. When you get a smooth mixture, shape your cookies and place them on the sheet.
Bake the cookies for 15 minutes and allow them to cool before serving