When your dog has stomach issues, you want to do everything you can to make sure they’re comfortable—and a huge part of that is making sure they have the right foods. But if your dog has a sensitive stomach, what kind of food do they need? What are the ingredients you should be on the lookout for? And what are some of the best dog foods on the market for pups who struggle with a sensitive tummy?
Based on what we’ve learned and our own research, here are our picks for the best dog food for sensitive stomach in 2021.
The 10 best dog food for sensitive stomach in 2021
1. CANIDAE All Life Stages Dog Dry Food
CANIDAE Life Stages Dog Food is a premium-ingredient dog food that is made without many of the problematic ingredients found in other foods. Formulated by veterinarians to be easily digested, CANIDAE Life Stages is a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
CANIDAE Life Stages dog food contains some of the highest-quality ingredients of any food on our list, including lamb, several easily digested carbohydrates and sunflower oil (a great source of fat). Most owners report that their dogs enjoy the taste and stop suffering from their digestive issues after making the switch.
2. Hills Sensitive Stomach & Skin Medium Adult
This specialty food is made in the USA with natural ingredients from trusted global sources. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or additives in the formulation. The product includes Vitamin E, antioxidants, and Omega-6 Fatty Acids for healthy skin. It has a complete and balanced blend of ingredients that are easily digestible.
3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dry Dog Food Gastrointestinal
You’ve tried everything to help with your dog’s GI issues, whether those are vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite. And while bland homemade diets are often used for digestive upsets, your dog could be missing some key nutrients to help them fully recover. But with the help of your veterinarian and Royal Canin, there’s not just hope—there can be a true difference.
This palatable, digestible low fat dog food is formulated for dogs that may have difficulties digesting or tolerating fat. Prebiotics help maintain the balance of good bacteria in the gut. A blend of dietary fibers supports healthy digestion for optimal stool quality. Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, from fish oil help soothe the GI tract. And a precise blend of antioxidants supports a healthy immune system. Ask your veterinarian about Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat wet dog food and Gastrointestinal treats as a complement to your dog’s diet.
4. BETA Sensitive Adult Dry Dog Food Salmon
BETA Sensitive With Salmon and Rice is a 100% complete and balanced diet for adult dogs with sensitive digestion and food intolerances. The diet contains tailored ingredients to promote better food tolerance and to nourish your dog from the inside out.
Salmon is a great source of high quality protein that will provide energy and promote healthy internal systems, without exacerbating sensitivities or causing digestive discomfort. With added prebiotics to strengthen your dog’s natural immunity and omega fatty acids 3 and 6 to nourish skin and coat. An excellent high-quality protein filled diet for those dogs that suffer with skin and digestion discomforts which can be caused by food sensitivities.
5. Burns Pet Nutrition Hypoallergenic Complete Dry Dog Food
Burns dog food contributed to the revolution by creating a range of pet food which sought to break all the previous rules. Developed by a veterinary surgeon in the 1980s, the Burns range hit the public in 1993. Originally distributed only locally to Wales, positive publicity meant that the brand expanded to first national, and then international customers.
They were the first pet food manufacturer to get rid of chemical preservatives, offering a natural formula that’s still a winner today. Aside from their commitment to high-quality dog food, Burns set up a charitable foundation in 2007, the Burns Pet Nutrition Foundation. Some of the profits from the sale of their pet food is channeled into this charity which improves the lives of pets and their owners.
6. Autarky Hypoallergenic Puppy Junior
This food is, somewhat surprisingly, packed with chicken. One of the meat proteins that can cause allergic reactions. However, as long as your dog is alright with chicken, it could indeed work well as a hypoallergenic dog food.
It is advertised as soy and grain-free. It’s packed with fatty acids, B vitamins and herbs. It has an appetising aroma which is not really overwhelming. Some of the reported positives are glossier smooth coats and higher energy levels. Additionally it seems to be easy to clean up what comes after food, a good sign of quality for some. On the down side, the main bulking agent is maize. Just a heads up if your dog can’t tolerate it.
7. Forthglade Natural Grain Free Complete Wet Dog Food
They’re a bunch of Devonian dog lovers on a mission to make your relationship with your biggest fan as nourishing as it can be. So they use no junk or fillers – just 100% natural ingredients. This is best-friend food and tail-waggingly good. A nutritionally complete food that can be fed on it’s own, simply added to a quality mixer biscuit or used as a tasty topper with dry food. If mixing with other foods please adjust quantities accordingly.
When using Forthglade for the first time, introduce it gradually to your dog over five days. It’ll take between four to eight weeks to see the benefits. Complete pet food for adult dogs 1 year +.
8. Lily’s Kitchen Adult Recovery Recipe Wet Dog Food
Nutritionally complete, grain free recovery recipe is a soothing combination of ingredients including fresh chicken, banana (a good source of vitamins B & C, fibre and potassium, necessary for heart and muscle function as well as ensuring good digestion) and potato, as well as prebiotics to help establish and maintain a good digestive system.
The natural prebiotic FOS found in plants is great for helping to stimulate the growth of friendly microflora bacteria in the intestine. And our natural prebiotic MOS from nutritious yeasts provides food for all those friendly bacteria, which are very important to help maintain a live and healthy digestive system, and help avoid upset tummies.
9. Vet’s Kitchen Sensitive Care Pork and Potato
Vet’s Kitchen pet food is designed to deliver real health benefits to help your dog live a long and healthy life. They combine the expertise of our in-house veterinary practice, Vet’s Klinic, with the highest quality ingredients to create a range of naturally nutritious and tasty food.
Vet’s Kitchen Sensitive Care Pork & Potato is a complete dry dog food which provides perfectly balanced nutrition in a delicious tasting meal and is ideal for sensitive adult dogs. Formulated without cereals or grains, reducing potential allergens, supports healthy joints.
10. PRO PLAN Sensitive Digest Medium Adult Dry Dog Food Lamb
PRO PLAN dog medium adult sensitive digestion rich in lamb contains OPTIDIGEST, a balance of nutrients at specific levels for medium-sized adult dogs with sensitive digestion. If your adult dog has sensitive digestion, try this delicious dry dog food. With high-quality pieces of lamb, this recipe provides your pet with all the nutrition he needs.
Containing OPTIDIGEST which is scientifically proven to help increase bifidobacteria for a better gut microflora balance. It can also encourage good quality stool, and has been tailored to the size and age of your dog.
The recipe contains all the nutrients your dog needs for his everyday health, supporting him through day-to-day life as part of an active and balanced lifestyle. Our delicious dog food with high quality ingredients and with lamb as No.1 ingredient, offers a great taste that dogs love.
How to choose best dog food for sensitive stomach?
There are many qualities in dog food that can bother some dogs. For example, insufficient fiber, too much fat, a specific protein or something else can upset a dog’s sensitive stomach.
When searching for a food that might help relieve your dog’s discomfort, you’ll have to start reading labels carefully. The good news is that just like there isn’t only one right food for you if you have, say, lactose intolerance, there isn’t only one perfect food for your dog. The type that your neighbor swears is the best dog food for a sensitive stomach may not be the best one for your dog’s sensitive stomach. You’ll find a wide range of potential options to look into:
- A scientifically formulated food like Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food, is designed to be gentle on the stomach. It contains vitamins E and C to support the immune system and omega-6 fatty acids, which gives your pup a shiny coat.
- A limited ingredient dog food can help you narrow down what specifically might be irritating your dog’s stomach. These foods are exactly what they sound like: a food that contains as few ingredients as possible. American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe, for instance, contains one protein source—salmon—and no grains, corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meals and artificial colors.
- A food specifically formulated for a sensitive stomach can provide your dog with all of the nutrients needed, which can ease tummy upsets due to nutritional deficiencies and naturally can aid in healthy digestion. Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach contains barley to help settle sensitive stomachs without any artificial ingredients.
- Giving your pup a food containing digestive boosters such as pre- and probiotics also can help with stomach troubles. Blackwood Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula is fortified with pre- and probiotic.
Conclusion
Regardless of the sensitive stomach issues your dog may be experiencing, he stills needs to eat a food that’s appropriate for his life stage. Don’t give a dog food for puppies to a senior, or vice versa, even in a well-meaning attempt to ease his discomfort.