Judging from their often ferocious appetites, most dogs have really strong stomachs which allow them to eat anything from cookies to shoes and carpets. However, even the strongest dog can fall prey to a sensitive stomach as a result of consuming an ingredient that doesn’t agree with them, or just an infection that they happen to come across. Whatever the cause, dogs with sensitive stomachs need to be fed with care, as consuming the wrong dog foods can aggravate their condition to cause undesirable and uncomfortable symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea or lack of energy, etc. If you suspect that your dog is suffering from a sensitivity or allergy they might need a sensitive stomach dog food. Read on to find out what you can do about it and see some suggestions of natural and simple dog foods that you can feed them to help maintain good health and energy.

Overview of the Top 10 Products for sensitive stomachs and skin

Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach u0026 Skin Recipes

The Hill’s brand is well known for applying an effective scientific approach to developing dog food based on the different needs of various breeds (like the Shollie and Saint Berdoodle) and age groups; their specially formulated recipe for sensitive stomach and skin is no exception.It’s made from high quality ingredients that have been selected for their nutritional properties such as Omega-6 fatty acids to promote a healthy coat, carefully chosen antioxidants for sensitive stomachs and vitamins C and E for improved immunity.Hill’s is a complete dog food that is nutritionally balanced and it’s been made with simple ingredients that are easy to digest, which makes it ideal for dogs that suffer from sensitive stomach and bowel issues. It’s available in different varieties to suit small dogs (like Shih Tzu Chihuahuas and Deer Head Chihuahuas) to large breeds like the Goberian and is either packaged as dry or canned depending on your dog’s needs and preferences. This dog food is great for dogs with allergies, as well and usually helps to clear them up within weeks of consuming it. Also, because of the real ingredients, this dog food tends to be very filling for dogs, so there’s no chance of them overindulging in it.Read the reviews on Amazon

Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin u0026 Stomach Adult Dry Dog Food u0026 Wet Dog Food

Purina’s Pro Plan Focus dog food for adult dogs is made with simple and natural ingredients to satisfy sensitivity without causing any discomfort. As the primary ingredient, genuine salmon adds valuable nutriment to this dog food in the form of protein and beneficial Omega-6 fatty acids, while Oat Meal and rice provides the necessary fiber needed for dogs to easily process the dog food. This SmartBlend formula by Purina harnesses nature’s goodness to offer dog owners a more gentle option that is satisfying to eat and palatable in terms of taste. Not that we’d know, but based on feedback from many picky canine eaters, this crunchy dog food is love at first bite! A lot of dog owners prefer this dog food for their pooches with sensitive skin in addition to sensitive stomachs because of the nutritious, simple and familiar ingredients. Reading through the ingredients list gives you peace of mind knowing that you can recognize the ingredients which you’ll be putting into your furry friend’s mouth.Read the reviews on Amazon

Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

As the name implies, this dog food will definitely have you covered with the basics to keep your dog healthy, happy and satisfied. It’s simply made with a grain-free formula that supports healthy intestinal function and includes turkey protein, pumpkin and pea fiber. Furthermore, all their healthy carb requirements are covered with potatoes, oatmeal and brown rice.You can rest assured that your pet won’t be exposed to anything harmful to their system, as this dog food is free from any animal by-products, preservatives, colorants or additives. The only thing your pet will find is healthy and scrumptious blend of vegetables, fruits and micronutrients which have all been carefully selected for their ability to aid in the proper digestive function. It’s dog foods work great for dogs on a limited ingredient diet due to stomach sensitivities and is made with real ingredients only, so that it’s easy to digest and assimilate in their body for energy. It also contains a vivid flavor profile, thanks to the fact that it’s made from fresh ingredients that have their natural flavors preserved for a delightful taste sensation.Read the reviews on Amazon

What is the choice food for dogs with sensitive skin?

Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food

With Natural Balance’s minimal ingredient recipe and compact packaging, they’ve provided dog owners with a balanced source of nutrition that’s made from natural ingredients derived from premium sources. This gentle wet dog food is suitable for dogs across the age spectrum – from puppies to seniors – and is free from harmful ingredients like artificial flavoring, colors and preservatives, ensuring your dog’s safety while providing for their nutrition and energy needs.Depending on your dog’s needs, you can choose between the 2.75-ounce, 6-ounce and 13-ounce packs for single servings packed with premium grade, grain-free wholesomeness. They offer enticing flavor combinations like chicken and sweet potato, taking into consideration the nutritional profile of each ingredient and ensuring that each combination supports their promise of providing a gentle form of energy that’s supportive of good digestive health and immune function.To further ensure compliance with their high standards of providing pure and balanced nutrition, Natural Balance places every batch of dog food through nine different testing stages, to ensure premium quality.This gives you peace of mind every time you purchase one of their treats or dog food packs, knowing that it will help strengthen your dog’s sensitive stomach and avoid any tummy aches in sensitive stomachs. Read the reviews on Amazon

Nature’s Recipe Easy to Digest Wet Dog Food

Expressly made for easy digesting, Nature’s Recipe wet dog food combines high quality natural ingredients like deboned lamb cuts with easily digestible barley and rice fibers. Carrots and peas are thrown in for their rich antioxidant properties which help to strengthen your dog’s digestive function, while the naturally flavored gravy brings it all together for lip-smacking texture. Your dog’s stomach will also be happy to realize that there are no harmful ingredients like corn, wheat or meat by-products that might trigger their sensitivities and the amount of carbohydrates and protein makes for a truly filling and satisfying meal.The recipe has also been fortified with essential vitamins like vitamins A, B6, B12, D3, E, folic acid, zinc and even some Rosemary extract added to further fortify this super healthy dog food. Should your dog get tired of the stew’s consistency or flavor, Nature’s Recipe also offers other flavors like healthy vegetarian, chicken and rice and barley so you can switch it up regardless of your dog’s age or preferences. Read the reviews on Amazon

Royal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Small Digestive Care Dry Dog Food

Made to optimize digestive health and satisfy fussy eaters with sensitive stomachs, Royal Canin’s ‘mini specials’ feature highly digestible proteins and are available in different varieties to cater for dogs in different age groups. Their special formula makes for enhanced palatability to help deliver healthy nutrients to picky puppies, while ensuring efficient assimilation of those nutrients for immune health and wellness. The simple ingredients include things like chicken meal, brewer’s rice, dried beet pulp and brewer’s dried yeast, to name but a few. Additionally, you can expect to find nutrients like Omega 3 and 6, high quality protein, B-vitamins and D-calcium among others, while the balanced formula ensures a good intake of beneficial calories in good measure. Most dogs really enjoy the flavor of the chicken meal and texture of this dog food, regardless of their preferences and apart from being suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs, this dog food even works for dogs with bad or missing teeth! Read the reviews on Amazon

Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food

These palatable grain free kibbles from Instinct are a safe source of protein for dogs with special diet needs as they contain natural protein which has been dry frozen to preserve its nutritional integrity while preventing it from prematurely going off.From the ingredients list, you can expect to find lamb meal, turkey meal, carrots, pumpkin seeds, cranberries and dried tomato pomace with absolutely no preservatives, artificial colors or flavorings. These also come with added vitamins like A, D3, B12, E, Omegas 3 and 6, as well as iron, manganese and zinc. In addition, this dog food is free from gluten, soy, corn and harmful grains that might upset sensitive stomachs, while providing balanced nutrition for all types of breeds and dog sizes. The small peanut-sized kibbles have been made to mimic what your dog would eat in the wild, which is probably why most pups find them easy to consume and digest.Read the reviews on Amazon

What is the best dog food for puppies with sensitive stomachs?

Solid Gold Mighty Mini – Sensitive Stomach – Probiotic Support – Grain-Free – Natural Holistic Dog Food for Toy u0026 Small Breeds of All Life Stages

Made especially for small and toy breeds, Solid Gold’s carefully formulated recipe comprises a combination of grain-free and organic proteins like chicken, turkey and bison, with light carbohydrates such as brown rice, chickpea and pumpkin. To bump up its nutritional content, the nibbles are fortified with a number of nutrient dense superfoods to give your dog the best in holistic nutrition.Carrots, blueberries, almond oil, kelp, broccoli and others all work together to provide your dog with healthy and easily digestible fiber that keeps them energetic and on the move. The nutritional value of this wholesome dog fare is further enhanced by the absence of nasties like corn, wheat, soy and artificial preservatives – all of which are complete no-no’s for picky eaters.The vibrant packaging only adds to the allure of this product, with clear labelling that’s easy to understand and feeding instructions that are easy to follow.Read the reviews on Amazon

Lucy Pet Formulas for Life – Sensitive Stomach u0026 Skin Dry Dog Food, All Breeds u0026 Life Stages

This Lucy brand dog food for sensitive stomachs and skin is carefully formulated to care for your puppy’s gut and digestive health, which is key to natural immunity in dogs. The grain-free formula comes in the flavor of salmon, pumpkin and quinoa. The wild caught deboned Alaskan salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to provide your dog with the nutrients needed for a healthy skin and coat. Available in 4.5, 12 or 25 lb bags, this kibble is designed to support dogs no matter the breed or life stage, from small breed puppies to large breed senior dogs. This dog food claims the trust of top trainers, breeders, police K9 units and military working dogs and is also veterinarian approved. Read the reviews on Amazon.

Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Sensitive Systems, Digestive Health, u0026 Limited Ingredient Formulas Adult Dog Food

This dog food comes in a 31.1 lb bag of salmon flavor, which is combined with rice, oatmeal and other high quality ingredients, to deliver easy-to-digest nutrition with no filler ingredients. The dog food is specifically formulated for sensitive systems, like sensitive stomachs and sensitive skin. It contains real salmon as the first ingredient, which provides Omega-3 fatty acids perfect for your pup’s coat and skin health. The protein-rich kibble is crunchy and flavorful, ensuring your dog will like it, and will support strong muscles and heart health. The dog food also features an antioxidant blend to support a strong immune system in your dog. Purina ONE SmartBlend also uses natural sources of glucosamine to support joint health in your dog. Read the reviews on Amazon.

Why Dogs Get Sensitive Stomachs

Having a sensitive stomach can occur to any type of dog and it’s a phenomenon that’s brought on by a variety of factors, such as:

Intolerances

Some dogs exhibit an intolerance to carbohydrates over time, which is characterized by the occurrence of gastrointestinal illness; while lactose intolerant pups will show sensitive stomach symptoms like diarrhea, flatulence or bloating. You can easily spot when your dog has an intolerance to a specific ingredient or dog foods type by the reaction that their system has after ingesting it. However, a visit to the vet is always a good idea to confirm the intolerance.

Food allergies

In other cases, a dog will just be allergic to a particular protein source due to being exposed to that particular dog food source or ingredients for prolonged periods of time. Which is why it’s so important to diversify your dog’s diet appropriately so that they benefit from different nutrients, which in turn, improves their immunity. Another probable cause of food allergies is the presence of certain food additives that can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system.

Underlying Issues

Sometimes, a dog will exhibit an allergy or sensitive stomachs as a symptom of underlying issues like pancreatic deterioration, parasite infections or toxicity from spoiled dog foods, etc. As a result, the sensitivity will only be present for a short period of time and can easily be treated through pharmacologic therapy.However, if your dog continues to display symptoms in the long term, then a sensitivity may be indicated by the vet which is then usually followed by a recommendation to put them on a limited ingredient diet.

Signs and Symptoms

The following is a list of common symptoms that dogs usually exhibit when experiencing sensitive stomach issues to a particular ingredient or dog food type. If your dog starts showing one or a combination of them, make sure to take them to the vet for an examination:

Diarrhea

If your dog starts having loose stools, it might be a sign of sensitivity and this often happens when you’ve maybe added something new to their diet, or they’ve experimented with a food that they weren’t supposed to.

Soft stool

Soft stools can be unpleasant to experience and when they start to happen frequently with your dog, you should take them to the vet for examination.

Loss of appetite

Is your dog missing mealtimes or no longer showing an interest in their favorite dog foods? This might be a sign of intolerance or sensitivity to a particular ingredient.

Excess saliva

Hypersalivation is no joke and can happen as a result of an allergy or sensitivity to certain dog foods.

Bloody stool

This is a major warning sign and should be dealt with immediately. It’s worth checking in with your VET if you spot blood in your pup’s stool

Nausea

You can easily spot it when your dog is feeling nauseous, as they’ll probably start gagging or lose their appetite even though they’re hungry

Lack of energy after a meal

Your dog should feel energized and start running around after a meal to show that they’re satisfied, so if they’re doing the opposite, then clearly that’s a sign of an underlying problem. That problem could be an intolerance to a particular ingredient or food group.

Gas

Is your puppy letting one rip a little too frequently? Their sensitive stomach is probably not agreeing with something they ate and it might happen again so pay attention.

Eating grass

Dogs will sometimes eat grass to try and heal themselves when feeling queasy or even bloated, so be sure to have them checked for food sensitivity if they start doing this more frequently than usual.

Vomiting

Vomiting is another tell-tale sign of experiencing allergies and food sensitivity and you can easily ascertain the cause by visiting the vet or trying out a different dog food with more organic ingredients and less artificial additives.