Does your dog show signs of stomach troubles after meals? A sensitive stomach affects many dogs and causes vomiting or diarrhea. Your pup needs the right food choices to stay healthy and happy.
In a previous article, I mentioned (and it’s worth sharing again) that our puggle was having some stomach issues. Was it a sensitivity? An allergy? We weren’t sure. All we knew was that something was wrong.
We took our furry little friend to the vet for his sensitive stomach and found out his system didn’t like certain foods and dyes that were in the treats we were giving him. A simple swap for higher quality foods and ingredients solved the issue.
But I’m not the only one who went through this. You may be going through it right now.
In this article, we are going to dive deeper and help you pick the best foods for your dog’s sensitive stomach.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. For common pet care advice and guidance, it is recommended that you call your veterinarian or veterinary clinic first before adding any new foods or supplements to your dog’s diet.
Signs Your Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach
Your dog’s digestive system sends clear signals about stomach troubles. Gas, bloating, and loose stools point to a sensitive stomach in dogs. Many dogs show these signs through vomiting after meals or having soft, watery poop.
A sensitive tummy often causes your pet to feel less hungry. Your dog might skip meals or eat very little food. Watch for signs like stomach upset, belly pain, or extra gassy moments.
These symptoms need quick action to help your furry friend feel better. That said, bad cases with lots of throwing up or runny poop need a vet visit right away.
Common Causes of Sensitive Stomachs in Dogs
Dogs get upset stomachs from many things and for many reasons.
Food allergies top the list as a major trigger for digestive problems. A quick switch in dog food can upset their stomach and cause vomiting or diarrhea.
Stress also plays a big role — moving homes, new family members, or loud noises can make dogs feel sick. Table scraps and fatty human foods often lead to tummy troubles in dogs.
Medical issues like infections or parasites can make dogs’ stomachs sensitive as well. Some breeds face more digestive problems than others. Poor-quality dog food with artificial ingredients hurts their digestion (this is precisely what happened to us and what I mentioned earlier).
Dogs who eat too fast or grab food from trash cans often get sick. Food sensitivities show up through symptoms like loose stools, gas, and stomach gurgling. A vet check helps find the exact cause of stomach issues.
Best Foods for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs
Your pup needs special foods that won’t upset their belly — from plain proteins to fiber-rich options. Let’s talk about the best picks to keep their tail wagging.
1. Easily digestible proteins
Proteins like chicken, turkey, and lamb help dogs with tummy troubles. These gentle meats break down fast in a dog’s gut and cause less stress on the digestive system. Fish, duck, and venison also work great as new protein choices for pups with sensitive stomachs.
Switch to these proteins slowly over 7 to 10 days to avoid upset tummies. Mix small amounts of the new food with the old food each day. Good bacteria and fiber in the diet support better digestion.
A balanced mix of these proteins keeps dogs happy and healthy at mealtime.
2. Low-fat diets
Low-fat diets help your dog’s sensitive stomach stay calm. Your pup needs less fat to ease the strain on their digestive tract. A diet with 10% to 15% fat keeps their tummy happy and helps prevent upset.
Small meals spread throughout the day make food easier to process.
Your dog’s digestive system works better with simple, easy-to-break-down foods. Feed plain, cooked chicken without skin or bones mixed with white rice. This bland diet soothes the stomach and gives your pet the nutrients they need.
Make sure to measure portions carefully to avoid overfeeding.
3. Bland diets, such as boiled chicken and rice
Boiled chicken and plain white rice create a perfect bland diet for your dog’s upset tummy. This simple meal helps dogs feel better fast while giving them the food they need. Your pup needs small portions of this mix every 4-6 hours to ease digestion.
Mix 2 parts rice with 1 part chicken for the right balance.
A bland diet works best as a short-term fix for stomach troubles. Your vet must guide you on how long to feed this special meal to your dog. Most dogs need this diet for 3-5 days before going back to regular food.
Plain chicken and rice help fix tummy issues while keeping your dog strong and healthy.
4. High-fiber foods
Fiber-rich foods help your dog’s digestive system work better. Your pup needs both soluble and insoluble fiber to stay healthy. Good sources include oatmeal, which breaks down easily in your dog’s stomach.
The right mix of fiber keeps your pet’s bowel movements regular and helps control weight.
Your dog’s tummy will thank you for adding the right amount of fiber to meals. Mix small amounts of fiber into your pet’s food to avoid stomach upset. Start with tiny portions and slowly add more over time.
Your vet can tell you the perfect amount for your dog’s size and needs. A balanced diet with fiber keeps your furry friend’s gut happy and healthy.
Foods to Avoid for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs
Some foods can upset your dog’s stomach and make them sick. Skip these items to keep your pup’s tummy happy and healthy.
1. Greasy or fatty foods
Greasy and fatty foods upset your dog’s stomach fast. Your dog needs to stay away from bacon, fried foods, and oily table scraps (on second thought, so should we humans). These foods can make your dog throw up or get diarrhea right away.
High-fat foods hurt your dog’s pancreas and lead to a painful condition called pancreatitis.
Your dog’s digestive system works best with plain, lean foods. Feed your dog small meals of simple proteins like plain chicken. Mix this with rice to help settle the stomach.
Talk to your vet about the right food choices for your dog’s sensitive digestion. They will guide you in picking foods that keep your pet healthy and happy.
2. Dairy products
Dairy products cause trouble for most dogs. Your dog lacks the right enzymes to break down lactose in milk, cheese, and yogurt. Many dogs get bloated and gassy after eating dairy foods.
Your pup might also throw up or get diarrhea from these treats.
Skip milk-based foods to protect your dog’s sensitive stomach. Feed your pet special digestive care foods instead. Your dog needs easy-to-digest proteins and fiber to stay healthy.
A balanced diet helps keep your furry friend’s tummy happy and comfortable all day long.
3. Artificial ingredients and preservatives
This was a big issue with our dog, as mentioned above. Artificial ingredients and preservatives in dog food can upset your pet’s stomach. BHA and BHT top the list of harmful additives that cause digestive problems in dogs. These chemicals make food last longer but create trouble for your dog’s gut health.
Your dog needs pure, natural food without fake colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Stay away from dog foods with corn, soy, and wheat fillers. These ingredients make it harder for your dog to digest meals properly. Natural food choices help keep your dog’s sensitive stomach happy.
Pick foods with simple, real ingredients you can read and understand on the label. Your dog’s digestive system works best with clean, pure nutrition free from artificial stuff.
Tips for Feeding a Dog with a Sensitive Stomach
Feed your dog small meals 4-5 times a day to help their tummy digest food better. Let’s look at some proven tips to make mealtime easier for your furry companion.
1. Feed smaller, frequent meals
Your dog’s digestive system works better with small, frequent meals throughout the day. Split your pup’s daily food amount into 4-6 small portions instead of 1-2 big meals. This simple change helps reduce stomach upset and makes food easier to digest for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
Small meals put less stress on your dog’s stomach and stop too much acid from building up. Your pet needs time between meals to process food properly. Give food at the same times each day to create a routine that helps your dog’s sensitive stomach stay calm.
2. Introduce new foods gradually
Mix new dog food with the current food over 14 days. Start by adding 25% new food to 75% old food for days 1-3. Move to 50-50 mix for days 4-7, then 75% new food for days 8-10. Feed 100% new food from day 11 onward.
This slow change helps dogs digest their food better.
A gradual switch stops stomach problems in dogs with a sensitive stomach. The 2-week process lets the gut adjust to different ingredients. Small changes in the mix make it easier for dogs to stay healthy.
Feed smaller portions more often during this time to help the stomach adjust.
Prevent a Dog with an Upset Stomach and a Dog with a Sensitive Stomach Today!
Caring for a dog with a sensitive stomach needs patience and the right food choices. Your furry family member can thrive with proper meal planning and careful food selection. Small changes in diet make big impacts on your pet’s digestive health.
Natural supplements support your dog’s stomach while easing discomfort. Your pet deserves a happy, healthy life free from tummy troubles.
At Holistic Bin, we have specific dog supplements that help improve digestion. Our meal toppers taste great and provide a ton of helpful nutrients your dog needs.
Interested in trying a supplement to help your dog’s sensitive stomach? Give Holistic Bin Canine Gut Biome Powder a try! This prebiotic and probiotic with enzymes for dogs is the perfect product to improve gut health and tummy troubles.
Resources for a Dog with a Sensitive Stomach
1. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/best-dog-food-sensitive-stomachs/
2. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/dog-food-for-sensitive-stomachs/
3. https://www.splootvets.com/post/dog-food-sensitive-stomachs
4. https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/bland-diet-for-dogs
5. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/food-for-dogs-stomach-upset/
6. https://yourcaninenutritionist.com/blogs/news/diets-for-dogs-with-sensitive-stomachs
Author:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is the owner of Weik Fitness. He is a globally recognized and prolific writer. With a passion for creating health and fitness content, Matt’s work has been featured on thousands of websites, over 100 magazines, and he has authored over a dozen published books.