Feeding Large Breed Puppies With a Sensitive Stomach

There is nothing quite like bringing a new puppy home. It's an exciting time to bond with your new best friend, start training, learn all your pup's quirks, and adjust your routine to best meet their needs. One of the most important routines is feeding. Unfortunately, many large breed puppies may encounter digestive challenges, making the search for the right dog food for a large breed puppy with a sensitive stomach crucial.

Whether you're early in the process of trying to understand why your pup has a sensitive stomach, or you're looking for more information on truly healthy dog foods to alleviate their discomfort, We Feed Raw is here to guide you.

Our comprehensive guide is designed to help you understand potential symptoms, what might be causing them, and what to look for in a diet that truly supports your large breed puppy's sensitive stomach as they grow and thrive.

Common Symptoms of a Sensitive Stomach in Large Breed Puppies

For puppies, especially large breeds undergoing rapid growth, digestive upset can be common but should still be monitored.

Vomiting and diarrhea are frequently indicative of a sensitive stomach issue, depending on their frequency and severity. Other symptoms to watch out for include constipation, excessive gas, signs of abdominal pain or discomfort, fever, a consistent loss of appetite, and even weight fluctuations.

When you're welcoming a new puppy into your home, keep a close eye on these warning signs as they develop into a large adult dog. Persistent or severe symptoms warrant a visit to your veterinarian.

Potential Causes of Your Puppy’s Sensitive Stomach

A sensitive stomach in your large breed puppy could stem from various reasons, ranging from dietary issues and sudden food changes to external stressors or an underlying illness. At We Feed Raw, we understand some of the most common causes of a sensitive stomach and what to look for in a dog food to help address them.

Does Your Dog Have a Food Allergy or Food Intolerance?

Many people believe that if their pup shows symptoms of a sensitive stomach, they must be suffering from a food allergy. While true food allergies can certainly upset a dog's stomach, it's actually more common for a dog to be experiencing a food intolerance issue.

A food allergy is an immune system response to a specific food protein, which can lead to various symptoms, including skin issues, itching, and digestive upset. In contrast, a food intolerance does not involve the immune system at all. It simply means your pup's body has difficulty digesting or processing a particular food item, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort.

Common Dog Food Intolerances and Allergies

Some of the most common allergens and food intolerances found in dogs include proteins like beef, chicken, dairy, eggs, and grains such as corn and wheat. The most effective way to determine if your pup is allergic or intolerant to a specific ingredient is to administer an elimination diet.

Your veterinarian may recommend a highly digestible, limited-ingredient approach to ensure your pup still gets the nutrients they need while systematically removing common irritants. You can try one of our single-protein source frozen raw recipes (turkey, chicken, or beef), which are nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages, including large breed puppies. Just remember to eliminate treats from different protein sources and avoid giving your puppy other foods outside of their limited ingredient diet.

Once your pup has adjusted to their new food source and their symptoms have subsided, you can slowly reintroduce single ingredients (after 8-12 weeks) to identify the specific trigger causing their reactions.

What Dog Food Ingredients Cause Upset Stomachs?

Unfortunately, many commercial dog foods contain ingredients that might not agree with your pup's sensitive stomach. These often include components that are difficult to digest or provide little nutritional value.

• •Protein: While protein is essential, some dogs may struggle to digest certain types or forms of protein, especially if they are low quality or heavily processed. If your pup currently consumes a highly processed chicken-based meal, exploring a different, high-quality protein, such as beef or turkey (both available as We Feed Raw recipes), could be beneficial. Remember to always transition your dog's food gradually to allow their system to adjust.

• •Fiber: Although fiber is typically necessary for healthy digestion, too much fiber or certain types of fiber can cause excess gas, bloating, or diarrhea in some sensitive pups. Identifying the type and quantity of fiber in your dog’s food is critical.

• •Fat: While healthy fats are a crucial energy source for dogs, overly high amounts of poor-quality, rendered fats in processed foods can be challenging for some large breed puppies to digest, potentially leading to gastrointestinal upset.

• •Dog Food Fillers: Many conventional dog food companies use inexpensive fillers to bulk up their products. These often include ingredients like low-quality corn, wheat, and soy. Not only do these ingredients provide little nutritional value, but they are also frequently difficult for pups to digest and can contribute to sensitivities. Dogs do not require any carbohydrates or fillers in their diet.

How Sudden Food Changes Can Upset Your Pup’s Stomach

As you may know, puppies generally have more sensitive digestive systems than adult dogs. For this reason, any sudden changes you make to their diet could cause an adverse reaction. Whether you’ve just brought your new puppy home and are introducing them to the food you've chosen, or you are transitioning your growing pup to a different food for a new phase of life, a sudden shift can trigger digestive upset.

If you do need to change your pup’s food source, you should do so gradually over 7-10 days to give their digestive system time to adjust to the new food. At We Feed Raw, we understand the best way to transition your pup from one food type to another. When switching to our raw dog food, we provide detailed instructions to help your pup adjust smoothly and comfortably.

Infections Can Cause an Upset Stomach

It is not uncommon for puppies to experience bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections while they’re young, which can also be the cause of a sensitive stomach. These infections can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Typically, they can be resolved through medicinal treatment. You should speak to your vet to determine if an infection is the underlying cause behind your pup’s sensitive stomach.

Stressors Can Impact Your Dog’s Stomach Sensitivities

For puppies, any significant changes to their environment may bring stress that could manifest as digestive issues. When a puppy moves to a new home, they are often introduced to new people, other animals, or unfamiliar sounds. Their body may negatively react to these environmental differences.

To determine whether stress may be impacting your pup's sensitive stomach, we recommend creating a calm, stable routine while slowly introducing new factors over time, allowing them to ease into changes.

What to Look for in Dog Food for a Sensitive Stomach

Choosing the right food is essential for your large breed puppy's overall health and happiness, especially when they have a sensitive stomach. Because every ingredient matters, it’s important to research and understand the components of your dog’s current food. Look for foods that prioritize genuine digestibility and nutrient quality.

Easily Digestible

Providing your pup with easily digestible food is pivotal if they've shown signs of having a sensitive stomach. Eating the correct foods will put less strain on their digestive system, preventing them from having unwanted symptoms like gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Foods that are minimally processed and contain highly bioavailable ingredients are inherently easier for a dog's system to break down and absorb.

High-Quality Protein and Healthy Fats

Fresh, human-grade animal protein, like the chicken, beef, lamb, duck, and turkey found in We Feed Raw's recipes, can significantly benefit your dog’s digestive system and provide them with an excellent source of nutrients, helping to stimulate their healthy growth.

Alongside protein, healthy animal fats are crucial for energy and overall health. Unlike rendered, low-quality fats often found in processed kibble, natural fats from whole animal ingredients are more easily utilized by your pup's body.

Limited, Whole Ingredients

When you have a large breed puppy with a sensitive stomach, the last thing you want to do is feed them food with a long list of unfamiliar ingredients, many of which are fillers, artificial preservatives, or synthetic colors and flavors.

Opting for a diet with a limited number of high-quality, whole food ingredients reduces the chances of introducing potential irritants and makes it easier to identify what your pup is consuming.

The We Feed Raw Solution: Optimal Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach Puppies

It can be overwhelming if your new large breed puppy is showing signs of a sensitive stomach, but we are here to help. Raw dog food yields many health benefits for all dogs, and is particularly impactful for growing large breeds, especially those with sensitive stomachs.

We Feed Raw provides a limited-ingredient diet, comprised of top-quality, human-grade food that is highly digestible and sourced responsibly. Our frozen raw recipes (chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, and duck) are AAFCO-approved for all life stages, providing the precise nutritional balance needed for healthy, controlled growth in large breed puppies, supporting their sensitive systems and developing bones and joints.

Our recipes are:

• •Naturally Digestible: Raw food is biologically appropriate, making it incredibly easy for your pup's system to process. This minimizes digestive strain and helps alleviate symptoms like gas, diarrhea, or discomfort.

• •Free From Common Irritants: We avoid common fillers like corn, wheat, and soy, along with artificial additives, all of which can contribute to digestive upset and sensitivities.

• •Rich in Bioavailable Nutrients: Our raw food provides essential proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals in their natural, easily absorbed forms, ensuring your growing large breed puppy gets everything they need to thrive without digestive distress.

Discover the difference a biologically appropriate diet can make for your sensitive large breed puppy. Get started by completing your pet’s profile to create the perfect custom meal plan with our input.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best dog food for sensitive stomach puppy large breed dogs that helps with diarrhea?

When a large breed puppy experiences diarrhea due to a sensitive stomach, easily digestible options are crucial. While white rice is often recommended for temporary relief, We Feed Raw suggests focusing on highly digestible, limited-ingredient raw diets.

For immediate issues, pumpkin and plain turkey can be even more beneficial. These natural ingredients are gentle on the digestive system and help firm up stools, providing relief without unnecessary fillers.

Can switching to a raw diet help my large breed puppy if they need dog food for a sensitive stomach?

Absolutely. Switching your large breed puppy to a raw diet can significantly help with a sensitive stomach. Raw food is inherently digestible for dogs, as it aligns with their natural biological makeup. This means their systems don't have to work as hard to process nutrients, reducing digestive strain and alleviating common sensitive stomach symptoms like gas, bloating, and discomfort.

We Feed Raw's recipes are free from common irritants found in processed kibble, making them an excellent choice for sensitive pups.

What ingredients should I look for in dog food for a sensitive stomach puppy large breed dog?

When looking for dog food for a sensitive stomach puppy large breed dog, prioritize high-quality, easily digestible, and limited ingredients. Focus on premium animal proteins (like chicken, beef, lamb, duck, or turkey), healthy animal fats, and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.

Avoid common fillers such as corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives. A diet with fewer, identifiable ingredients minimizes the risk of introducing irritants and allows you to better understand what your pup consumes.

How can I ensure my large breed puppy gets adequate nutrition while on a dog food for sensitive stomach plan?

Ensuring adequate nutrition for a large breed puppy on a sensitive stomach plan requires choosing a diet that is complete and balanced for all life stages, even with limited ingredients.

We Feed Raw's frozen raw recipes are formulated by a PhD nutritionist to provide precise nutrient ratios for healthy growth without causing digestive upset. This ensures your large breed puppy receives all the essential proteins, fats, calcium, and phosphorus they need for proper development, including strong bones and joints, while still managing their sensitivity.