The Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs

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 14 best dog foods for pups with sensitive stomachs—from those with food-related issues to underlying medical conditions.

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• Erin Askeland, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, and animal health and behavior expert at CampBowWow
• Don LeHoullier, DVM, CareCredit Partner and owner of Countryside Veterinary Clinic

It can be difficult to figure out what’s going on with your dog. Careful observation is the key to determining if your pup has a sensitive stomach. Typical signs and symptoms that your dog has a sensitive stomach include:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Excessive gas
• Groaning or whining after eating
• Loud stomach noises
• Lethargy

A dog’s sensitive stomach is often the result of allergies, intolerance to certain food ingredients or an underlying medical condition you need your vet to diagnose. “If your dog is having digestive issues, a good start is consulting with your veterinarian,” Dr. LeHoullier, DVM, said. Vets can run blood and fecal tests to see if a parasite, ulcer, tumor or infection is causing discomfort. They may also recommend a new diet.

Erin Askeland, a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, notes sensitive stomachs could be the result of stress or anxiety, which can’t be solved by changing diet alone. This is why checking in with your vet is crucial. Your dog may just need calming supplements, more outdoor time or coping skills to deal with separation anxiety.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to feeding dogs with a sensitive stomach, as specific needs vary from patient to patient,” Dr. LeHoullier said. He also told us that sensitive stomach diets tend to be low in fat and high in fiber.

Some sensitive stomach dog food can be bought over-the-counter, while others require a prescription from your vet.

“It’s also worth noting that there are many, many brands that claim to be good for a sensitive stomach,” Askeland said. “These usually [have] minimal ingredients or ingredients that are represented to be easy to digest, such as plain chicken or salmon, rice, pumpkin, or other simple foods.”

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.

Askeland says Wellness Core Digestive Health, Instinct Raw Boost Gut Health and Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomachs have good reputations. Prescription diets that she likes include Hill’s Science Diet Gastrointestinal Biome, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Diet and Purina Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Dry Dog Food.

Dr. LeHoullier’s go-to prescription diets are Purina EN and Hill's Veterinary Diets I/D line. “When the case is mild or if a prescription diet is not an option, I recommend the Purina Pro Plan and Hill's Science Diet for a sensitive stomach,” he added. “These diets are high-quality, easily digestible and I have had a lot of success with my patients eating them.”

If you want to try human-grade dog food, definitely talk to your vet first.

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. Dr. LeHoullier recommends introducing new food slowly, over a week to 10 days, so your dog’s digestive tract can adjust. “Changing the diet suddenly can lead to further digestive upset and lengthening the time it takes to recover,” Dr. LeHoullier said. “Finding the right diet can take weeks to months of trial and error which can be frustrating. But, be patient, stick with it, and your dog, and you, will be feeling better before you know it.”

The American Kennel 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.

As with any diet, what’s “best” totally depends on your dog and their specific situation. Luckily, sensitive stomach formulas are available in both wet and dry form. Always check with your vet first, but wet food might be better if:

• Your dog has existing kidney or urinary tract issues, as wet food has a higher water content. 
• Your dog is picky. Wet food may taste better and encourage them to finish dinner.
• You have a senior dog or a pup with dental issues. Lapping up wet food is easier on their teeth. 

On the other hand, dry food might be better if:

• Your dog is prone to diarrhea. The higher fiber content in dry food can help alleviate diarrhea symptoms.
• Your dog is diabetic or pre-diabetic. Dry food tends to have more complex carbohydrates, which are better for diabetic pups.

Depending on your vet’s diagnosis and recommendation, you also have the option of combining wet and dry food at each meal for your dog. It’s not wise to switch back and forth between the two, as this could exacerbate sensitivities, but a combo can offer benefits from each type of food.