Best dog food for sensitive stomachs for a healthy pup

Din-dins is an important part of a dog's day but can be tough on dogs that have sensitive tummies. Dog food is not a one-size-fits-all product, which is why finding the best dog food for your dog with a sensitive stomach is vital as every dog is different and some pooches are going to have certain intolerances, allergies and sensitivities.

Just like with us, food intolerances are very unique to the individual dog. Foods that often cause trouble include soy, meat, carbohydrates and dairy. We've included an intensive list in this article so you can really get to the cause of the problem. Vets and animal nutritionists are incredibly clued up when it comes to food allergies and sensitivities and there are so many options out there to ensure there is food that your dog will be able to eat.

Best dog food for sensitive stomachs at a glance:

• Editor’s Pick: Pooch & Mutt, The Health and Digestion Bundle - View on Pooch & Mutt
• Best dog food for sensitive stomachs: Royal Canin, Digestive Care Wet Dog Food - View on Amazon UK
• Best dry dog food for sensitive stomachs: Wagg, Complete Sensitive Wheat-Free Chicken and Rice Dog Food - View on Pets At Home
• Best wet dog food for sensitive stomachs: Lily's Kitchen, Classic Dinner Multipack Wet Dog Food - View on Lily's Kitchen

Once you know what gives your dog a bad tummy, you can avoid it much more easily. Make sure to collaborate with a vet – so, you can find the best diet for your pooch. Luckily, there is plenty of dog food out there for hounds with sensitive tummies, as well as dog food for allergies and itchy skin, waiting for your perfectly hungry pooch.

In fact, an upset stomach is one of the most common reasons for dogs to see their vet, according to Bondvet. Luckily, lots of brands are making dog chow that doesn't contain certain ingredients that'll flare up your pup's upset tummy. At Take a Break Pets, we've found the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.

Best dog food for sensitive stomachs

FAQs

What are the symptoms or signs of a sensitive stomach in dogs?

According to dog healthcare brand YuMove, there are a few dog upset stomach symptoms you need to watch out for:

• Wind
• Dull coat
• Loose or runny stools
• Loss of appetite
• A change in the number of stools or toilet frequency
• Accidents around the house
• Poor overall health

Though these symptoms may not seem too unusual, they could be a sign of something serious. So, if you’re concerned about your pooch, book a vet check-up. Your dog might have munched on something it wasn’t supposed to, perhaps. Hopefully, you’ll get some answers and treatment. These are some signs you definitely shouldn’t ignore:

• Blood in poo
• Unplanned weight loss
• Lethargy
• Signs of abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Unsettled tummy for more than three days

When it comes to signs like these, visiting your vet is our urgent advice. Once you know what the issue is, you can start an investigation into your pooch’s diet. This will improve their quality of life.

Do dogs have allergies, intolerances and sensitivities?

Perhaps you're thinking: what are the causes of a dog's stomach upset? Much like with us, food intolerances are very unique to the individual. However, we’ve made a list of the common culprits. Foods that often cause trouble include:

• Soy
• Carbohydrates (such as rice and potato)
• Meats (such as beef, lamb, chicken and turkey)
• Dairy products (such as eggs and milk)
• Fish
• Veggies
• Other novel proteins (such as duck, venison and rabbit)

To figure out which of these triggers your dog’s tricky tummy, we suggest eliminating or isolating certain ingredients. It’s a little trial and error, but you'll soon understand which food is the culprit.

There are some alternatives, also. You can feed your dog the food you've made at home. Just make sure to research what nutrients, protein and energy suit their age, life stage, lifestyle and breed. Plus - do your research to avoid your dog from munching on any toxic foods (such as onions, avocados and grapes).

On the other hand, there is the infamous raw diet. Of course, your puppy might thrive on a raw diet. But, there are risks with a diet such as this. Again, it's tricky to get that balance right. We'd recommend talking to your vet about this one.

Should I buy wet or dry dog food for sensitive stomachs?

Dr Linda Simon, lists some pros and cons of wet and dry dog food for dogs for Pooch & Mutt - and determines which is best for sensitive stomachs. We've summarised her thoughts below.

Wet food

On wet dog food, she writes that it's generally "more appetising" for your dog's palate.

As wet food is full of moisture, your dog could gain a "lot of beneficial hydration from wet dog food" and could keep your dog fuller for longer, which is a plus if you have a senior dog or a pup who goes on long walks. Plus, wet food is easier to chew, so it's "easier for those with dental diseases to manage". Also, wet food often contains more "protein-rich meat" which is great for active dogs who "need plenty of protein to maintain their lean muscle mass."

However, there are disadvantages of wet dog food. Not only is it messier and smellier, but wet dog food has a shorter shelf life and should be eaten "within a few days to still remain appetising to your pooch". Dr Simon adds that wet dog food for sensitive stomachs can be harder to portion and generally more expensive than dry across the board.

Dry food

Dr Simon turns her attention to dry dog food, picking apart their advantages, of which there are quite a few.

As touched on previously, dry dog food for sensitive stomachs can be much more economical and longer-lasting than wet dog food. Plus, it's easier to manage (when dividing into portions); not to mention less messy when your pup tucks in - especially for breeds that have little doggy beards like Schnauzers.

She adds "Wet food is softer on sensitive teeth... [but] dry dog food has a munchy quality that is beneficial to dental health and even helps keep their teeth clean" as it reduces plaque build-up

Disadvantages of dry food include: it doesn't provide moisture or hydration - so, wouldn't suit a pup who likes to run around. Plus, they're tougher on teeth, despite being better for doggy dental health. Also, Dr Simon mentions that dry food is "not as sensory", stating dry food as a "less exciting option" when it comes to din-dins. She adds that "in many cases, [dry food] is more likely to contain preservatives". This isn't true of all brands, though.

So, which is best?

Whether you choose wet or dry is a personal choice based on the lifestyle and health of your pup. If you have a fussy dog, wet food is your best bet. Dogs prefer consistency in their meals as too much change in their diet can result in an upset tummy. It's recommended to gradually introduce and integrate new food into their bowls.

Though Dr Simon says that most dogs "do well on a mixed diet", she concludes that wet food is better for sensitive stomachs as "those prone to constipation often do better on wet food diets made from all-natural ingredients". She also adds, "opt for one enriched with prebiotics and/or probiotics when possible".

Looking for more food options for your pooch as they approach their twilight years? We've got a whole article dedicated to senior dog food that will soon get your old hound's tail wagging.

Can I give my dog human food?

No - you shouldn't be giving your dog a lot of human food. We're all guilty of passing leftovers to begging doggies under the table on occasion. If it is a plain meal with meat, veg and potatoes, it'll mostly be fine for your dog. But, the question is: why is human food bad for dogs?

Often, our food contains ingredients that are high in sodium and sometimes toxic to your canine - as we covered earlier. As their digestive system differs greatly from ours, they can't digest our food, which is generally too rich or fatty. In fact, eating it can lead to an upset tummy and maybe even pancreatitis.

Want some more information on foods that you shouldn't be feeding your dog? Battersea Dog's Home has put together a great piece on foods that are toxic for dogs and advice on if your dog has eaten any foods on the list.

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.