What To Look For In A Good Dog Food
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Fewer Ingredients
Food for dogs with sensitive stomach needs to be complete and balanced. From a nutritional standpoint, it should contain a limited number of ingredients.
On the other hand, a diet containing a high amount of components is more likely to upset your pets tummy. You should go for meals containing rice and basic meats.
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Ingredients That Can Be Easily Digested
A diet that targets canines with digestive tract issues is often formulated to promote healthy digestion. For example, chicken, rice, lamb, sweet potato, and potato are some of the ingredients that majority of dogs digest well.
Also, choose formulas that feature supplements as well!
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Absence Of Grains
This might sound a bit weird because some dogs love eating grain food.
But, a problem usually happens when manufacturers use grains instead of high-quality protein. Corn and wheat are the two most common ingredients which cause food sensitivities in canines.
Thats why grains should be considered as carbohydrates and used appropriately.
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Bland Composition
A sensitive stomach dog food should be labeled as complete and balanced. It means that formula includes all essential nutrients, without compromising your pets health.
On the other hand, some pet parents prepare home-cooked meals. However, this wont guarantee you success, and some dog may still experience allergic reactions.
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Contains Probiotics
To be sure, you should purchase probiotic supplements and sprinkle them over your pets meal.
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Low Protein
Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Features
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Natural salmon is the first ingredient
- Includes fatty acids for skin and coat
- Uses probiotics and prebiotics for better digestion
Purina may not be the first brand about which you think when considering dog foods for your dogs sensitive stomach, but the companys Pro Plan line has been a favorite choice among dog owners when dealing with their dogs eating problems. This particular blend is a great choice for those dogs who have sensitive stomachs, both because it provides a nutritious meal for those animals and because it manages to avoid some of the allergens that are often the culprit when it comes to stomach problems.
One of the best ways to make sure that your dog is able to fully digest a meal is to make sure that the meal is simple. As such, Purina has greatly simplified the number of ingredients in this food, starting off with natural salmon and removing some of the more common fillers like soy and corn. This simple move is enough to help many dogs digest their food a little more easily while still allowing pet owners to feel safe in the knowledge that their dogs are still getting a wholesome meal at the same time.
Best For Large Dogs: Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food Chicken Large Breed
To support the overall health of your big dog and make sure that they dont get gassy or have an upset stomach after meals, opt for a formula that is optimized to nurture their digestive health in addition to everything else. Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food Chicken offers complete and balanced nutrition for dogs over 15 months and 55 pounds, with special emphasis put on known issues of big breeds such as joint health. In addition to being packed with protein, chondroitin, and glucosamine, this dry food formula also has a sneaky secret- a natural probiotic and fiber blend that is tailored to the needs of active dogs and promotes easier digestion. This way, you can rest assured that your pets dietary needs are met- without worrying about upset tummies anymore.
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What Are The Most Common Culprits For Canine Allergens
Some types in indigestible protein will cause stomach problems for dogs. Too much fat content often triggers allergies, while insufficient fiber content does the same thing. Formulas deficient in vitamins and minerals can create problems for canines. In general, low-quality ingredients are much more likely to cause allergies than those derived from premium sources.
Solid Gold Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach Cold Water Salmon & Vegetable Recipe Grain
Features
- Includes omega-3 and 6 for a healthy coat
- Probiotics to support gut health
- No grain or gluten
- Includes superfoods in the mix
If youre looking to make sure that your dog is able to digest his or her food easily, youve got to start by figuring out whats in the food itself. While its fairly difficult to determine exactly why your dog is having such a tough time with a particular chow, you can generally make your life easier by eliminating certain ingredients and adding others. If you are looking to make the health of your dog a priority by removing ingredients like gluten and grains, youll definitely want to take a look at this blend of food for sensitive stomachs.
This dog food follows a very common trend in anti-allergen and sensitive stomach dog foods by eliminating both wheat and gluten from the mix. Though the general level of wheat sensitivity tends to be over-reported in dogs, eliminating these ingredients does go a long way towards simplifying the overall digestion process. By keeping things a little simpler, youll both have a great way to figure out if your dog is allergic to gluten and a fantastic way to make sure that your dog is still getting healthy meals when he or she eats.
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What Else To Feed A Dog With An Upset Stomach
In our article on what to feed a dog with an upset stomach, we discuss more feeding tips on what to give your tummy-troubled pooch.
If your dog isnt doing well with his current dog food, you can temporarily feed a mix of protein and carbohydrates you prepare yourself, with a mix of one part protein to two parts carbohydrates. Just make sure to keep the food bland and gastro-friendly!
For protein, stick to easily digestible protein sources like:
- Chicken
Best For Puppies: Canidae Pure Puppy Recipe
Puppies are just as prone to upset tummies as adult dogs- if not more. After all, transitioning from milk to kibble can be a trial and error process that comes with loose stool and occasional vomiting. To avoid going through this process, its best to start off with balanced, high-quality puppy food right away. CANIDAE PURE Puppy Recipe uses only premium, clean protein sources and has a formula with limited ingredients- so there are fewer possible culprits for your pets upset digestion. The formula for puppies is made with real chicken and whole egg, contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors, and it is also grain-free so no corn, soy, or wheat anywhere on the list. Enriched with vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics, this dry dog food has everything your puppy needs to thrive without experiencing gastrointestinal upset!
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Tips For Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
For many dogs, mealtime sadly isnt the best part of their day its immediately followed by unpleasant feelings and experiences like vomiting, diarrhea, or serious gas.
Similarly to their human owners, some dogs are very prone to digestive issues, and what seem like small changes to their diet eating new foods, eating at unusual times, or simply eating too quickly, for example can cause big problems. Yes, despite dogs apparent ability to be able to eat any and everything, they can indeed have sensitive stomachs.
The 10 Best Sensitive Stomach Dog Foods
The best dog food for sensitive stomach and skin is made with wholesome, natural ingredients. The digestibility of the food depends on the quality of the ingredients, so choose a recipe rich in animal protein and fat with digestible carbohydrates. You also need to make sure it is complete and nutritionally balanced to provide for your dogs basic needs.
Heres our top pick for the best sensitive stomach dog food:
| Our 2021 Picks: Best Food for Dogs with Sensitive Stomach |
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Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula Adult Grain
Features
- Single source of protein egg
- Includes probiotics for GI health
- Includes omega fatty acids for healthier skin and coat
- Supports the immune system
Trying to find chow for your dogs sensitive stomach isnt always easy, especially if youre trying to do more than just deal with one problem at a time. Your dogs stomach may be the short-term priority, but what are your plans for dealing with your dogs health in the long-term. Its possible for you to solve more than one problem at a time, though, especially if you find the right blend of dog food. One such blend is this great product from Diamond Care, which does go a long way towards helping your dogs health in both the long and short terms.
This food starts out your dogs journey to better gut health by simplifying the number of protein sources in the food. While many foods will load your dog up with proteins, this one simplifies things greatly by having only eggs as the single protein source. This makes it much easier for your dog to digest the chow and it allows you a better chance to determine if your dogs digestion issues are caused by another protein source by eliminating virtually every other possible protein culprit at the same time.
Dietary Requirements For Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs Or Diarrhea
Sensitive stomachs and diarrhea can be indicative of a far more serious gastrointestinal problem that diet alone will not resolve. If a dog experiences regular gas, it is a good idea to make a visit to a veterinarian for a thorough exam and assessment. Among the problems gas could indicate are internal parasites, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or even infections of the stomach.
However, if the dog has been examined by a doctor and found to be otherwise healthy, food intolerances or sensitivities are most likely to blame and a diet to address this can be invaluable.
Experts recommend feeding dogs with sensitive stomachs, gas, or diarrhea a diet which contains limited ingredients. This helps to rule out a number of added foods that could be feeding the problem.
Limited ingredient diets are based on the premise of including only foods that are easy for dogs to process and utilize effectively thus eliminating the likeliness of a dogs body reacting to the diet negatively.
There are several ingredients that should be avoided in any food considered for a dog with stomach sensitivities and/or diarrhea. One of the most common food allergens in dogs suffering with gastrointestinal distress is wheat. Wheat is difficult for dogs to process and utilize effectively. Foods containing this ingredient should be avoided as should any diet that contains wheat-based proteins such as barley and rye.
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What Causes Dogs Sensitive Stomachs
Dogs digestion is impacted by many different factors: Individual eating habits, preferences, and any health issues among them. Its a complex and complicated system, which means that when somethings not working right, it can take some time to pinpoint the exact problem area.
The sources of stomach sensitivities specifically are also fairly wide ranging, caused by anything from bacterial imbalance, parasites, ulcers, and tumors to allergies or intolerance of certain ingredients. This enormous range of potential problems is just one reason its important to cooperate closely with a veterinarian as you try to improve your dogs digestion.
To begin to narrow it down, vets will often try to classify stomach-related illness into one of two categories: Primary gastrointestinal diseases and extra GI diseases.
Primary GI disorders are issues that directly affect the GI tract, like some of the examples mentioned above: parasites, bacterial or viral infections, swallowing foreign material, food sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease , and ulcers.
Extra GI diseases are illnesses that affect some other system but have a negative, indirect, but nonetheless important effect on your dogs digestion. These can include metabolic disorders, endocrine problems, kidney or liver dysfunction, and pancreatitis.
Ingredients That Help With Sensitive Stomachs
Certain ingredients can help alleviate stomach problems in dogs. Often the best dog food for sensitive stomach and skin have similar ingredients.
Pumpkin
The most popular ingredient amongst veterinarians is pumpkin. Canned pumpkin is great when a dog has an upset stomach or indigestion because it has a low glycemic index that helps with digestion.
Look for canned pumpkin and not pumpkin mix. If you want, add a bit of ginger on top as this will help soothe their stomach .
Broth
Bone broth is another powerful ingredient for upset canine tummies. Simply simmer meat on the bone with apple cider vinegar and water.
Wait for the meat to fall off and let all of the nutrients and minerals simmer out of the bone and into the watery mix. This takes a while, so plan on serving it to your dog the following day.
If you can, look for ingredients like these in dog food while avoiding certain other ingredients that add to inflammation or cause gas.
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Instinct Raw Boost Gut Health Dry Dog Food
Created by Instinct, this freeze-dried raw blend aids to help gut health. The primary ingredients are chicken, pumpkin, sweet potato, chicory root, apple cider vinegar & probiotics for a tasty, but nutritionally filling meal every time. Furthermore, they advertise that you can feed it to all kinds of dogs from toy breeds to large breeds. Many nutritionists boast that raw diets are better and more natural for your dog, although this is debatable, this blend offers a good alternative to non-raw mixes on the market.
The reviews for this food have noticed it benefiting their dogs skin and coat, especially during allergic reactions. Therefore this blend is not just great for nausea, but other symptoms of allergic reactions.
Do Puppies Grow Out Of Sensitive Stomach
If you change your pets diet to something easy for them to digest, the symptoms should cease. You can talk to your vet about transitioning to food for dogs with sensitive stomachs. However, it is not uncommon for a dog with a sensitive stomach to need lifetime intermittent treatment if they have flare-ups.
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Customers Choice: Purina Pro Plan With Probiotics
We all know how probiotics are essential for gut health- and its no different for dogs. Enriched with live probiotics, this dry dog food is formulated to support your dogs immune system and promote healthy digestion in dogs with sensitive stomachs. In addition to live probiotic cultures, Purina Pro Plan with Probiotics combines real chicken and brown rice to create a recipe that is gentle on the stomach but packed with important nutrients. The formula is also unique because of its texture, as it combines both classic kibble pieces and tender shredded chicken bites, to make the food more tantalizing to picky eaters with sensitive tummies. And guess what- it usually does the trick!
Best With Grain: Blackwood Dog Food Sensitive Skin And Stomach Formula
Grain-free kibble isnt everyones cup of tea, and sometimes, theres no need to skip grains if your pet is actually sensitive to other ingredients in the formula. Blackwood Dog Food Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula is a great example of how healthier grains can be included in the formula and still suit those pooches that have sensitive tummies. Slow cooked and handcrafted in the USA, this dry food for dogs combines salmon with brown rice, carrots, celery, and spinach to deliver a potent nutrient punch without causing digestive issues in the process. To further cater to dogs with sensitive stomachs, this kibble is enriched with a blend of probiotics and prebiotics that nurture a healthy digestive system.
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Wholehearted Easy Digestion Potato & Egg Product Recipe Specialized Grain
Head on over to PetCo today to get this amazing specialized grain-free easy digestion blend with potato, egg, and flaxseed. Each of these ingredients brings potent nutrients like fiber and protein, and also contains billions of safe and effective probiotics to increase healthy digestion. WholeHearted is a brand that takes care and quality in its ingredients, sourcing natural, wholesome, healthy ingredients for every food blend. You can get a bag of this delicious easy digestion blend for just $42.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Ideal For Sensitive Skin
First Five Ingredients:
Purina Pro Plan Focus nutrition is made with pure and natural ingredients. They will satisfy sensitivity without creating any discomfort. The real salmon meat, omega-6 fatty acids, and oatmeal will promote healthy skin and provide a balanceddiet.
This diet contains the natures best goodies. It will satisfy your dogs taste buds and offer high-quality nutrients. Based on numerous pet parents reviews, even the pickiest canine eaters will find this crunchy chew delicious.
If your pet has a sensitive skin disorder, then Purina Smart Blend formula will ease this condition. Once you look at the ingredient list, you can identify only the finest proteins, fibers, and minerals.
In summary, if you want your pet to have a healthy skin and shiny coat, then Purina Pro is the right choice.
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Your Dog Is Unable To Digest The Ingredients In His Treats
Just like their food, a dogs treats can contain ingredients that upset the function of your pups digestive system.
Additionally, offering your dog too many treats can overwhelm her body. Avoid treats while trying to solve your dogs sensitive stomach issues. Once youre ready to reintroduce treats, try opting for hypoallergenic dog treats.
Avoderm Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Kibble
A 22-lb bag of AvoDerm Natural Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog kibble from Chewy for just $53. This potent sensitive stomach blend is formulated to prevent skin and tummy allergies, using only premium ingredients like salmon, oatmeal, and ground rice. Chicken, which is a good ingredient but often overused in dog food, is usually behind stomach sensitives. Its the second most common cause behind grains. Thats why AvoDerm excluded chicken from the sensitive stomach blend, replacing it with delicious salmon rich in Omega-3s. This affordable, tasty dog food is perfect for dogs of all sizes and ages.
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