Does your dog have a sensitive stomach? It is painful, and we understand it. You not only have to clean up the mess that’s lying around but also have to see your dog in real discomfort. We know which one hurts us more, right?
That’s why we decided to write a complete guide on this topic. In this guide, you’ll see how to find out if your dog has a sensitive stomach, what you can do in your capacity as your dog’s human to help him out and some best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
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Diagnosing Your Dog’s Sensitive Stomach
Dogs eat almost anything and most of the time, they come out fine. But some dogs don’t have that kind of luck. They can’t even eat the food meant for them without vomiting or having diarrhea. You might also have seen some smelly situations as well.
So, how and when can you confirm that your dog has a sensitive stomach?
There are a few symptoms to watch for.
1. Diarrhea
Diarrhea could mean anything. If your dog has diarrhea, don’t panic. It could be for a number of reasons like stress, internal issues and finally, food.
If your dog has loose stools one time, don’t make a big fuss about it. But if this continues every time he or she has food, then your participation is required.
Check whether your dog is eating something he isn’t supposed to eat. If not, then the only culprit standing in the way is the food you give him
Sometimes, you might also see some blood in the stool. If you observe a large quantity of blood or see it more than once, talk to your vet immediately.
2. Vomiting
Vomiting is an important symptom.
It usually accompanies diarrhea but not in the same quantity. Vomiting happens now and then and is not as regular as diarrhea.
When your dog has a sensitive stomach, he is more likely to throw up. Though the amount of vomit is not that much, it still is a vital sign to diagnose a sensitive stomach.
3. Gas
Flatulence is a common thing with dogs. You should know by now what amount of gas is normal for your dog. If not, we highly suggest you to learn that quickly.
When your dog’s gas release is a lot more than usual, it’s time you take notes. If your dog also shows other symptoms discussed above, then this gassy situation just confirms the sensitive stomach in your dog.
Remember, different dogs have different levels of flatulence. So don’t compare your dog with others and come to a conclusion. Be a good master and note down the normal gas levels in your dog so that you can figure out when things get out of hand.
Steps You Should Take!
There are a few things you can do if you think your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Make it Simple
The first thing you might want to do is to make his diet a lot simpler.
Remove any extras you are giving your dog. If you have the habit of feeding him table scraps, stop it now.
Make sure the only food you’re giving him is the dog food and nothing else. This will most likely reduce the problem or, at least, tell us if the food is the real issue.
But how am I supposed to train him if I don’t give him any treats?
There is a simple solution to this as well. Make sure to give him his regular food as a treat. Or you can train him during or just before his meal time. This will keep him going as he is still appreciated with some kind of a treat.
Find What’s Wrong with His Food
Take a good look at your dog’s food.
If his food is made up of highly digestible material, then your dog will do just fine. But if your dog food has low-quality material in it, things will be different.
When you buy dog food, make sure to look for high-quality ingredients like protein and carbohydrates. Next, look for both soluble and insoluble fiber (beet pulp, fibrous fruits, etc.) as they can help with your dog’s digestion.
A diet can be considered good when it only has a moderate level of fat in it (approximately 15%). As fats are harder to digest, it is important to avoid food with high-fat content. Also, look out for Vitamin A, C, and E as they can help with digestion as well.
Most importantly, don’t give your dog anything that you think is just fluff. Avoid stuff like corn, soy, and other low-quality ingredients as some dogs could be allergic to grains.
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Make a Switch
Once you’ve found out that your dog has a sensitive stomach, the only food, you will be giving is the dog food. If he is still showing the same signs, then it is time to change the dog food.
Change his current diet to a healthier, easily digestible dog food. And when you do it, do it in a gradual manner. Mix the new food with the old one and slowly increase the quantity of the new food in a week’s time.
If none of the above solutions seem to solve the problem, then it’s time to pay a visit to your friendly vet. He or she may be able to analyze the situation better and provide you with something that doesn’t damage your dog’s tummy.
Top 5 Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs!
Let’s take a look at 5 of the best dog food for sensitive stomachs. These foods have high-quality ingredients and come with no or negligible fluff, and that is great for a dog with a sensitive stomach.
They are also available easily, and you can order them online. Another important thing is that a lot of people (by that we mean a lot) have given their reviews on these products which remove the risk factor.
Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Apart from having high-quality ingredients, Wellness simple natural ingredient dry food comes in so many flavors. There is the lamb and oatmeal recipe if you want to try that out. If that doesn’t work, there is the salmon and potato dry formula. There are five more different flavors to choose from.
If you’ve found out that your dog has a sensitive stomach, then you can start with Wellness simple and see how things work out. If this brand doesn’t work, there are other options as well.
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Blue Buffalo Basics Limited-Ingredient Dry Adult Dog Food
Blue Buffalo is another reputed brand when it comes to dog food. The turkey and potato recipe comes with high-quality ingredients (meat and carbohydrates). There are no fluff/low-quality materials like soy, corn, etc.
The cost, however, is slightly more than the other brands out there. But if you want to play absolutely safe with your dog’s sensitive stomach, this is the food you should go with.
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Canidae Life Stages for Dogs
The product doesn’t say anything about being a limited ingredient one. But that doesn’t mean this is not for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
The product comes with high-quality proteins and has powerful antioxidants and Omega fatty acids. The most important thing here is that the food has probiotic cultures that help your dog’s digestion.
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AvoDerm Natural Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Formula
The AvoDerm Natural Chicken meal and brown rice formula brings in a good deal of high-quality protein and carbohydrates.
There is a bit of fat content from sources like flaxseed. But the fat content is very less, and we can tell that it won’t mess with your dog’s digestion. The product also comes loaded with antioxidants that can help your dog’s immune system.
Recommended.
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NUTRO MAX Dry Dog Food
We haven’t mentioned anything specific for puppies, and that’s why this one made it to the list.
This dry food comes with everything you would expect in a dog food; High-quality protein, Omega 6 fatty acids, DHA and also antioxidants.
A lot of people give their pup adult dog food. It is not that bad, but they lack some ingredients a puppy needs for healthy growth. This food checks all those boxes.
This natural chicken and rice meal recipe gets our recommendation as well.
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These are some dog food for sensitive stomachs. The list doesn’t end here. You can even make your own food for your dog’s sensitive stomach with the right ingredients. Or if you are still doubtful, just call your vet.
Disclaimer: The reviews published above are a result of information provided by the manufacturers and the collective experience of users who have reviewed the product(s) on Amazon. We may or may not have tested all these products. They are only recommendations and be sure to consult your vet before changing the diet of your dog.
Featured photo credit: Spaces/depositphotos