The Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
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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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The Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs At a Glance
Meet the Experts:
1. Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach with Salmon
This salmon-based recipe is free from peas, pea protein, lentils and legumes. Though it does contain wheat, there are tons of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help the digestive process. If your dog needs more hydration or prefers wet food, Wholesome offers a thorough feeding guide on the back of each bag, including ways to moisten their kibble. With just as much crude protein as other leading brands, this dry food is available at a fraction of the cost.
2. Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula
Formulated specifically for dogs with food-related tummy issues, this kibble is made with easily-digestible egg protein and potatoes as a carbohydrate source. This formula contains good bacteria that is native to the canine GI tract, to help promote easy digestion. It also doesn’t have gluten, corn, wheat, soy, grains or peas. While these ingredients aren’t deal-breakers, they could be allergens for some dogs, so it’s nice to have a protein-rich food option for those pups.
3. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Puppies are delicate as it is, so you want to make sure you’re feeding them the right things, and this offering from the Purina Pro Plan line does just that. It contains salmon and rice which are easy to digest, live probiotics to promote gut health and it’s loaded with omega-6 fatty acids (from sunflower oil) and vitamin A which are great for your puppy’s healthy skin and coat. This recipe also contains no corn, wheat, or soy. Some reviewers noted upset stomachs in their dogs after feeding this food. Easing your pup into a new food and watching them closely for negative reactions is very important.
4. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Your German shepherd may remind you of an unbeatable jungle wolf when you see him running and chasing after birds at the park, but even the biggest of dogs are susceptible to stomach issues. This dog food is made for our gentle beasts who are large in size but remain sensitive. Not only does it have prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy gut, but it also has glucosamine and EPA omega-3 fatty acid for joint support.
5. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food
For dogs that have a hard time digesting or tolerating fat, this kibble is the ideal pick. Though it has a low-fat content, it still has enough nutrients and calories to meet your dog’s daily requirements. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food has highly digestible proteins and prebiotics as well as soluble and insoluble fibers for healthy GI transit. Note: This formula is by prescription only, so you’ll need vet authorization in order to purchase.
6. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet
For the pet parents who own toy dogs that have big energy but small and sensitive stomachs, Blue Buffalo’s Basic Limited Ingredient Diet may be the way to go. Keep your small pups energized with this turkey and potato recipe that also has some yummy brown rice, pumpkin and oatmeal on its ingredient list. It’s also made with Blue Buffalo’s proprietary LifeSource Bits—a combination of selected antioxidants, minerals and vitamins picked by veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support your pup’s overall health and wellness. Yes, it’s pricier than other foods on our list, but small breeds also eat less than large breeds, so a bag may last longer than you think.
7. Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D Digestive Care Low Fat
Another formula that requires a doctor’s prescription, this food is a great choice for dogs who have a hard time processing protein. It has antioxidants that support a healthy immune system, prebiotics for great gut health as well as omega-3 fatty acids to support GI recovery, skin and coat health. As a bonus, this formula also includes ginger to help calm and soothe finicky digestive tracts and keep Fido happy.
$56/case of 12, 13-oz cans at Chewy
8. Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Canned Dog Food
Just like puppies need extra attention as they grow their organs and bones, mature dogs also need extra love to keep them nice and fit. This formula from Hill’s Science ensures your four-legged family member gets the gourmet treatment with real meat, brown rice and a medley of delectable vegetables including peas and carrots, all smothered in a delicious gravy. Senior dogs with dental issues will also thank you for giving them wet food instead of crunchy kibble, which can irritate teeth and gums.
$42/case of 12, 12.8 oz-cans at Chewy
9. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Formula
This premium dog food comes courtesy of a team of board-certified clinical veterinarians, animal nutritionists and research scientists that worked to make sure your pet gets the best of the best despite being limited. This dry food for dogs features delicious (real) salmon and delectable sweet potato as a source for carbs. There are no added peas, pea protein, lentils, legumes, corn, wheat or soy, reducing the chances of a bad reaction.
10. Canidae Grain-Free Pure Dry Dog Food
Just because your dog has a delicate tum doesn’t mean they can’t chomp on meat anymore. Give them some protein they can really sink their teeth into with this limited formula from Canidae. There are several options, including a Bison, Carrot & Lentil recipe which boasts bison as a top ingredient. Though it’s comprised of just nine additional ingredients, this grain-free product still gives your pup all the probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients they need for a happy gut and healthy skin and coat.
11. Go! Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Diet
For families with big Golden Retrievers and small Shih Tzus, this limited ingredient kibble works for all breeds of all sizes. It’s grain-, gluten- and potato-free so there’s a smaller chance of upset stomachs. Plus, there are four recipes that all use the same base ingredients with different proteins. So, if your dogs want variety but you don’t want to upset their tummies, you can try the lamb, salmon or turkey formulas, knowing the base ingredients are the same as the duck version.
12. Purina One SmartBlend Large Breed Puppy Formula
We love them all the same, but not all puppies are created equal. This kibble is ideal for large breed puppies whose stomachs get rattled easily. This Purina One offering is packed with protein to support those budding muscles, as well as antioxidants—vitamins A and E, zinc and selenium—that help keep their immune system nice and strong as they grow.
13. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin
Chewy
Not only does this recipe contain real chicken and prebiotic fiber that supports healthy digestion, but it also contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and a radiant coat. Your pup will feel good and look good too. It’s worth noting the kibble is small, which may, oddly enough, become a choking hazard to large breeds who eat too quickly. PetCareRX advises watching dogs closely if you change up kibble size. You can also invest in a slow feeder bowl. More than 1,300 Chewy customers have given this Hill’s Science Diet food a five-star rating.
14. Instinct Raw Boost Gut Health
A combination of high-protein kibble and freeze-dried protein make up this gut healthy dry food. Plus, prebiotics and probiotics work to keep your pup’s gut microbiome in tip top shape. Dogs who may be sensitive to soy or grains will be happy to know this food doesn’t have either (it’s also free of preservatives, which we like).
How Do I Know If My Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach?
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:
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.
What Type of Dog Food Should I Give a Dog with a Sensitive Stomach?
“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.
How Do I Safely Introduce New Food When My Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach?
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.
Is Wet or Dry Food Better for Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs?
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:
On the other hand, dry food might be better if:
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.
