Some dogs are nearly able to digest almost everything, even a toilet paper roll, while, others are not able to digest certain kinds of food. Those dogs are dogs with sensitivities. Common sensitive stomach situations are vomiting, loose stools, and flatulence. If those symptoms are severe, call your vets immediately because it could be signs of a serious disease that need the cure of a veterinary hospital.
The reasons for causing a sensitive stomach may come from food, which normally includes protein, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and quality of ingredients.
In that case, you might have to change your current food to special commercial foods for sensitive stomachs. There is a variety of formulas of commercial foods for dogs with sensitivities in the current market. Let us help you to filter out some of the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomach Update 2021
Top 1 best dog food for sensitive stomach Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Sensitive Systems, Digestive Health Adult Dry Dog Food
Brand popularity: formulated with 100% complete and balanced nutrients, this brand from Purina supports dogs with sensitive skin and stomach, improves digestive system, and maintains adult dogs’ active lifestyle.
Ingredients: Salmon (Source of Glucosamine), Rice Flour, Pearled Barley, Oat Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Beef Fat Naturally Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols, Liver Flavor, Mono and Dicalcium Phosphate, Fish Oil, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Dried Carrots, Dried Peas, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin (Vitamin B-7)], Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Choline Chloride, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride. I-4187.
Pros:
Feature with real salmon as the first ingredient and main protein source and very easy to be digested. Provide rich-glucosamine food for your dogs from both salmon and chicken by-product meals to support the joints and overall mobility.
Vitamin E supplements and omega fatty acids from fish oil improve heathy skin and coat.
If your dogs are finding the protein from chicken and beef or lamb intolerant, this food shall be a good choice.
Precautions:
A transition course of 7 – 10 days should be introduced gradually to your dog to make him familiar with this brand from Purina.
Monitor your dog’s weight closely and adjust the amount accordingly to your adult dog reach and stay at the optimal weight.
Top 2. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Recipes
Brand popularity: this brand is specially developed by Hill’s to meet the requirements of dogs with sensitive stomachs by using prebiotic fiber to support gut bacteria and create a balanced microbiome.
Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Sorghum, Egg Product, Chicken Fat, Soybean Oil, Brown Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Liver Flavor, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Flaxseed, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Oat Fiber, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.
Pros:
This food is chicken-based and features dried beet pulp which provides prebiotics for fueling bacteria in dogs’ intestinal system.
Carefully selected and natural ingredients make it No. 1 recommended by the veterinarian.
Complete and balanced nutrients with richness in vitamin A, E, and omega fatty acids support healthy skin and coat.
Precautions:
This product line is continued to be developed by the manufacturer with new packaging and improved formula.
A gradual transition course of over 7 days should be introduced before full usage.
Top 3. Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oat Adult Dry Dog Food
Brand popularity: another formula from Purina featured by lamb and oat flavor will help the sensitive dog owner to improve their dog’s diet.
Ingredients: Lamb, Oat Meal, Barley, Canola Meal, Fish Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Brewers Rice, Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols, Dried Egg Product, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil, Pea Protein, Inulin, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Folic Acid, Biotin, Sodium Selenite. A-4453.
Pros:
Feature by oatmeal which is highly digestive and gentle for dogs’ stomachs.
High-protein lamb-based diet will add variety to your dogs’ choice of food.
Fueled by live probiotics (600 million CFU/lb.) will support perfectly for dog’s immune and digestive system.
Precautions:
This is a calorie-dense formula with 26% of protein and 16% of fat so be careful with the feeding amount and monitor your dog’s weight closely to assure that he is not being overfed.
Please prepare clean fresh water around your dog every day.
A transition course of 7 – 10 days should be introduced before fully using this food.
Top 4. Purina Pro Plan with Probiotics, Sensitive Stomach Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Brand popularity: this is the third product from Purina for sensitive stomach dogs but specially designated for large breeds only.
Ingredients: Salmon, barley, rice, oatmeal, canola meal, fish meal (source of glucosamine), salmon meal, beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, brewers dried yeast, natural flavor, sunflower oil, chicory root inulin, fish oil, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, salt, calcium carbonate, DL-Methionine, VITAMINS [Vitamin E supplement, niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 supplement, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), folic acid (Vitamin B-9), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin D-3 supplement, biotin (Vitamin B-7)], potassium chloride, potassium citrate, taurine, glucosamine hydrochloride, MINERALS [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], choline chloride, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (Vitamin C), dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product.
Pros:
The rich-protein formula (26%) with salmon as the first ingredient and the supports of oatmeal for gently caring your dog’s digestive system.
Omega-6 fatty acids from sunflower oil create healthy skin and coat for your furry friends.
No corn, wheat or soy, or artificial colors or flavors.
The richness of glucosamine helps to improve joints and overall mobility.
Fueled by live probiotics for healthy digestive and immune systems.
Precautions:
Be careful with the feeding amount and monitor your dog’s weight closely to assure that he is not being overfed.
Please prepare clean fresh water around your dog every day.
A transition course of 7 – 10 days should be introduced before fully using this food.
Top 5. Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin 12-Pack
Brand popularity: this wet food provides mouthwatering grain-free meals for your dogs with protein-richness from salmon and turkey. The food is formulated with carefully selected natural ingredients and suitable for all breeds.
Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Salmon, Carrots, Turkey, Potatoes, Green Beans, Potato Starch, Pea Protein, Sugar, Egg Whites, Chicken Fat, Dried Whey, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Carrageenan, Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, Dried Apple Pomace, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid), Taurine, minerals (Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate).
Pros:
Salmon as the first ingredients and protein-based makes the food easy to digest and much more delicious.
The alternative sources of carbohydrates from potatoes, green bean, and pea also provide a lot of flavors and vitamins for your sensitive dogs.
The prebiotics from beet pulp supports the highly digestive system.
Precautions:
It is recommended for adult dogs from 1 to 6 years, all-breed sizes but it is not recommended for puppies, pregnant, or nursing dogs.
Adjust the feeding amount according to the actual situation of your dog to reach the optimal weight.
A gradual transition course over 7 days should be introduced before full transition.
Why commercial dog food for sensitive stomachs?
When your dog has some early symptoms of a sensitive stomach like occasional vomiting, flatulence, and loose stools. The best way is to consult a veterinarian and check out for the reason. Look at the current dog food and make a test to see which ingredients your dog is getting a problem with.
The next step is to change your food, of course. While most people will not have more time to cook and make deeper research for a better and more suitable formula, commercial dog food is the most convenient choice. Commercial dog foods are usually formulated by qualified nutritionists and veterinarians, adding live probiotics and prebiotics to your dog’s intestinal system and make it work smoothly. Furthermore, the ingredients of commercial dog food for sensitive stomach is also carefully selected, added flavors, kept wholesome indicators so that your dog will find it the most attractive and the easiest to digest.
How to choose commercial dog food for sensitive stomachs?
The first thing to do is checking the information on the product to see if there is any statement like “complete and balanced”, “sensitive stomach”, or “sensitive systems” from the manufacturer. Those statements mean that the food is specially formulated for dogs with sensitivities.
The second thing is to analyze the ingredients to choose the most suitable formula for your dog, especially consider the protein, fat, and fiber indicators. It may take time for your dog to go over the transition course and find the new food completely joyful.
FAQs
What are the downsides of commercial dog food for sensitive stomachs?
Since there are so many food options in the current market for sensitive stomach dogs, the decision-making process may take too much time. Furthermore, some dog owners find that their dogs are too attracted to the new food that they forget all about the transition course. And finally, the dog ends up in a worse situation. Thus, keep skeptical about the new food and always be careful with food for sensitive stomach is a good point.
What are the best add-ins for dog food for sensitive stomachs?
Some home-cooked meals could be the best add-ins for the upset stomachs. For example, let try it with simple chicken and rice without seasoning. There are also some trusted websites like https://secure.balanceit.com/recipegenerator_ver4/index.php to instruct you to cook simple meals for your dogs. Consult with your vets so that your home-cooked meals will meet all the requirements of your dog’s nutrients. If home-cooked meals and commercial meals do not work for your dog, you may have to switch to prescription diets from your vet and stop your research on the way to find the optimal formula for your dogs.
Conclusion
Just like people, some dogs have troubles with the digestion of certain foods. And that is the reason why dog owners also have to put one foot on the way to become their own dog’s nutritionist. Do not be frightened by the variety of commercial dog food outside. We already suggest you some popular and trusted brands and you also have veterinarians for helping you with your actual situation.