Top-Notch Nutrition: Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach
If you’re searching for the best dog food for a sensitive stomach, your pup has probably been struggling with tummy trouble off and on for a while. We know how frustrating that can be, so we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Identifying the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Trying to find the best dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs can be tricky, so here are some things you should keep in mind.
Importance of Diet Selection
Do you know why your pup has a tricky tummy? Lots of things can cause a sensitive stomach, including food allergies, food sensitivities, health issues, and more. The best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs may vary depending on what is causing the problems.
Consult With Your Veterinarian
Your dog’s vet may be able to help you determine the cause of your dog’s tummy trouble. They might run some diagnostic tests or recommend a food elimination program to identify specific ingredients your dog has problems with. While costs can add up, working with your vet may be the best way to identify the exact cause of your pup’s sensitive stomach and how to address it.
Key Components of Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Although the best food for dogs with a sensitive stomach may vary slightly depending on what’s causing the issues, the best food for sensitive stomach dogs all have a few things in common.
Protein Source in Dog Food
All dogs, regardless of whether they have a sensitive stomach or not, do best on a diet that is rich in animal protein. Did you know that protein is actually easier for dogs to digest when it’s left raw? For this reason, raw dog food is often the best choice for pups with sensitive stomachs.
Carbohydrate Source in Dog Food
While dogs have developed some ABILITY to digest carbohydrates, they never evolved a NEED for carbs in their diet. The lower the percentage of carbohydrates in your dog’s food, the more likely they are to be able to digest it properly. Kibble averages 60% carbs, while We Feed Raw is free of added carbohydrates.
Fat Content in Dog Food
While some dogs may not react well to a high-fat diet (for example, pups who have had pancreatitis), fat is not problematic for most dogs. Carbs are actually a bigger contributor to obesity and stomach issues than fat is.
Probiotics and Fiber for Digestive Health
Some dogs with sensitive stomachs do well having probiotics or extra fiber added to their diet. One excellent source of fiber for dogs is canned pumpkin puree. In fact, pumpkin puree can help prevent (or treat) both diarrhea and constipation thanks to being rich in soluble fiber.
Canned pumpkin also happens to be delicious! Just make sure to purchase 100% pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.
Probiotics and fiber can be added to any diet, but a species-appropriate raw diet makes the ideal base diet for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Life Stage and Diet Formulations
Senior dogs and puppies have different needs than adult dogs, so they may need other options when you’re searching for the best food for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
Senior Dogs and Sensitive Stomachs
Since they tend to be less active than younger dogs, senior dogs often require fewer calories and much less carbohydrates. The best senior dog food for a sensitive stomach should be rich in animal protein and low in obesity-causing carbs.
Not only is We Feed Raw naturally high-protein and carb-free, but our quiz asks lots of questions about your dog, including their age and activity level, and tells you exactly how much of our food to feed your senior pup each day to help them lose or maintain weight.
Puppies With Sensitive Stomachs
Puppies have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs, so some foods are labeled as being nutritionally complete only for puppies or for adult dogs. We Feed Raw meets AAFCO nutrition requirements for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies. Our food also happens to be excellent for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
Additional Considerations for Sensitive Stomachs
Sometimes, sensitive stomachs come with other issues, so here are some other things to keep in mind when searching for the best food for dogs with a sensitive stomach and allergies.
Best Food for Dogs With Sensitive Stomach and Allergies
Tummy trouble and allergies often go hand in hand, especially if a food allergen is what’s triggering your dog’s stomach problems. The best dog food for sensitive skin and stomach has a short ingredient list so you can best avoid your pup’s allergy triggers.
We Feed Raw’s recipes are made from only one or two animal protein sources plus flaxseed and various vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet. Our 3 single-protein recipes are:
Even if your dog’s allergies are environmental rather than caused by food triggers, We Feed Raw is rich in fatty acids to promote a healthy skin and coat, which can help reduce your dog’s allergy symptoms.
Feeding Practices for Optimal Digestive Health
All dogs are different, but many dogs with sensitive stomachs do best when they are fed 2-3 times per day. Some dogs get the “hunger pukes” when they’re only fed once a day, and other pups may struggle to digest a whole day’s worth of food in a single meal. You might try experimenting with different numbers of meals per day or meal times to find a schedule your pooch’s digestive tract does best on.
Treats and Supplements for Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
Dogs with sensitive stomachs often do best with single-ingredient treats and supplements, like our Porktein Chips and Nice-N-Bison Chips. The more ingredients there are in a treat or supplement, the more likely it is that one or more of those ingredients will bother your pup’s system.
Raw Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
As you can see, raw is the best food for a dog with a sensitive stomach, and We Feed Raw makes it easy with pre-portioned nutritionally complete and balanced patties that we deliver to your door. All you have to do is thaw and serve. Not only do we tell you how much to feed your pup per day, but we’ll also tell you how to gradually transition them from their old food to their new diet over 10 days for less chance of stomach upset.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best dog food for sensitive stomachs?
The best dog food for sensitive stomachs is a species-appropriate, nutritionally complete and balanced raw dog food like We Feed Raw. Raw meat is the easiest thing for canines to digest, making it an excellent choice for pups with tummy trouble.
What's recommended as the best dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
The best dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate raw diet like We Feed Raw, which delivers nutritionally complete and balanced raw dog food directly to your door.
How can I find the best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
To find the best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs, you can try the single-protein-source turkey, beef, or chicken recipes from We Feed Raw. Alternatively, you can talk to your dog’s vet to see what food they recommend.
What makes the best dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs stand out?
The best dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs stands out because it has a short ingredient list, raw animal protein, and no filler ingredients. A great example is We Feed Raw.
Are there best dog foods for sensitive stomachs that also address skin issues?
The best dog food for sensitive stomach and skin contains a single protein source, few ingredients, and is rich in fatty acids, such as We Feed Raw.
How do I choose the best food for a dog with a sensitive stomach?
Since sensitive stomachs can have a variety of causes, it can be tricky to find the best dog food for a dog with a sensitive stomach, but We Feed Raw’s species-appropriate food is an excellent choice for many dogs with sensitive stomachs.
What should I consider when searching for the best food for sensitive stomach dogs?
When searching for the best food for sensitive stomach dogs, you should look for raw recipes with few ingredients and no artificial colors, flavors, or unnecessary additives.
What is the best senior dog food for a sensitive stomach?
The best senior dog food for a sensitive stomach is the complete and balanced food from We Feed Raw. It’s easy to digest and has few ingredients.
What dog food is best for sensitive skin and stomach?
The best dog food for sensitive skin and stomach is a raw diet like We Feed Raw. Rich in fatty acids for coat and skin health and free of species-inappropriate ingredients like grains, lentils, legumes, or potatoes, We Feed Raw works well for dogs with sensitive stomachs and skin.
How do I know what is the best dog food for sensitive stomach?
The best dog food for a sensitive stomach will have a short ingredient list, be rich in animal protein, and be free of fillers, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors.
Complete & balanced raw meals.
Portioned out, packaged up, and cold-shipped (for FREE!).