Best Dog Foods For Sensitive Stomach And Diarrhea
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The quality of your dog’s diet will determine its long-term health and wellness. If you choose a low-quality recipe, your dog won’t be healthy, and he’ll have a higher risk of developing problems such as a sensitive stomach and diarrhea.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on dog food, but you should buy the highest-quality product you can consistently afford.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, the quality of the ingredients matters even more, and you also have to think about digestibility.
Keep reading to learn more about your dog’s basic nutritional needs and to receive some tips for picking the best dog food brand to meet those needs.
Compare Best Dog Foods For Sensitive Stomach And Diarrhea
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BEST FOR ALLERGIES
5. Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free Turkey & Potato Recipe |
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|
Protein
23% Min |
Protein
35% Min |
Protein
30% Min |
Protein
23% Min |
Protein
26% Min |
|
Fat
7% Min |
Fat
15% Min |
Fat
12% Min |
Fat
13% Min |
Fat
12% Min |
|
Fiber
11.5% Max |
Fiber
5.5% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
4% Max |
Fiber
5.5% Max |
|
Calories
228 kcal/cup |
Calories
346kcal/cup |
Calories
520 kcal/cup |
Calories
298 kcal/cup |
Calories
430 kcal/cup |
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach and Diarrhea
All dogs require a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in their diet. Protein provides the foundation for healthy muscles, while fat acts as a concentrated source of energy. Both of these should come from animal sources to ensure digestibility and to make sure your dog can absorb the nutrients more efficiently. Low-quality proteins and fats are more likely to upset your dog’s stomach.
Carbohydrates are a tricky issue for dog food because your dog has a limited ability to digest plant foods. Just make sure the carbs in your dog’s food come from quality sources and look for prebiotics and probiotics to help it digest them. Whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans, and legumes are generally considered digestible for dogs, though individual tolerance may vary.
In addition to these basic nutrients, your dog also needs vitamins and minerals in its diet. Natural sources like fresh fruits and vegetables are the best, though synthetic supplements can be used for balance.
You should also make sure that your dog’s diet is free from artificial additives.
The Top 5 Best Dog Foods For Sensitive Stomach And Diarrhea
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, the quality and digestibility of its food matter greatly.
Choose a recipe made with wholesome natural ingredients, including premium proteins, healthy fats, and digestible carbohydrates, to meet your dog’s nutritional needs.
You should also look for digestion-boosting supplements like prebiotic fibers and probiotics.
Here are our top 5 picks for the best dog food for sensitive stomachs and diarrhea that you should consider:
Blue Buffalo Basics LID Lamb & Potato Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 23% Min
- Fat: 7% Min
- Fiber: 11.5% Max
- Calories: 228 kcal/cup
- Limited number of all-natural ingredients
- Digestible grain-free carbohydrates like potato
- Single source of premium animal protein
- Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)
- May be too high in fiber for some dogs
You’ll also be glad to know that this recipe is both grain-free and chicken-free to further reduce that risk. It contains plenty of fiber for healthy digestion as well as probiotics and it is supplemented with glucosamine for healthy bones and joints.
Wag Grain-Free Lamb Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 35% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 5.5% Max
- Calories: 346kcal/cup
- Highly affordable and high in quality
- Single source of novel animal protein
- Grain-free digestible carbohydrates
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
- May be a little too high in fiber for some dogs
It contains both fresh lamb and lamb meal as well as grain-free carbohydrates like lentils and peas. It is loaded with healthy fats from chicken fat and salmon oil with vitamin supplements and chelated minerals to ensure nutritional balance. It also contains a blend of dietary fiber and probiotics to support healthy digestion.
Canidae Grain-Free PURE Foundations Puppy Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 30% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 520 kcal/cup
- Limited number of high-quality ingredients
- Real chicken as a lean source of protein
- Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
- Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
- Expensive to feed as a staple diet
It features fresh chicken as a lean source of protein with grain-free carbohydrates like lentils and peas. It also contains chelated minerals to ensure nutritional balance and optimal nutrient absorption with probiotics for healthy digestion making one of the best puppy foods on the market today.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Lamb & Rice Senior Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 23% Min
- Fat: 13% Min
- Fiber: 4% Max
- Calories: 298 kcal/cup
- Real pasture-fed lamb as the main ingredient
- Digestible whole-grain carbohydrates
- Plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
- Contains some plant protein (pea protein)
- Not a grain-free recipe, some dogs may be sensitive
This recipe features real pasture-fed lamb as the main ingredient with digestible carbohydrates like whole brown rice and whole grain oatmeal. It also contains plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat with added fiber for digestion. It also contains chelated minerals which are bound to protein molecules to increase their absorption. For more info, click here to read our full guide on the best senior dog food
Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free Turkey & Potato Recipe
Product Info
- Protein: 26% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 5.5% Max
- Calories: 430 kcal/cup
- Limited number of natural ingredients
- Novel source of high-quality animal protein
- Digestible grain-free carbohydrates and probiotics
- Main source of fat is plant-based (canola oil)
This formula features a limited number of wholesome natural ingredients including deboned turkey, turkey meal, potatoes, peas, and more. It is supplemented with vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure nutritional balance and it is highly digestible overall. It features a novel source of animal protein and it contains an ideal blend of healthy fats for skin and coat support.
Understanding Sensitive Stomach In Dogs
Any dog has the potential to develop food allergies or sensitivities, though some breeds are more prone than others.
What frequently causes sensitive stomachs in dogs are low-quality ingredients and ingredients that are hard to digest.
If you can remove these things from your dog’s food, you can avoid upsetting its stomach and triggering negative side effects like diarrhea.
Here are some things to look for in a dog food for sensitive stomachs and diarrhea:
- Natural Ingredients: To avoid triggering a negative reaction in your dog, look for a recipe made with high-quality natural ingredients.
- Digestible Carbohydrates: Your dog has a limited ability to digest plant products anyway, so choosing digestible carbohydrates like whole grains, starchy vegetables, beans, and legumes is even more important.
- Probiotics: In addition to making sure that your dog’s food contains digestible carbohydrates, you should also look for probiotics to help ensure regular digestion.
- No artificial additives: Artificial additives like colors, dyes, and preservatives can trigger a negative reaction in your dog and cause an upset stomach, so avoid all artificial additives.
Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for sensitive stomachs and diarrhea. Here’s what you need to know:
How Much Should You Feed Your Dog?
The amount of food your dog requires is determined by its age, weight, and activity level. Large breeds eat a higher volume of food than small breeds, but small breeds need a higher concentration of calories to sustain their fast metabolism.
Start with a high-quality dog food formulated for your dog’s breed size and refer to the feeding recommendations according to its age and body weight.
From there, divide the amount by the desired number of daily meals—three for small dogs and two for large breeds.
What About Food Additive Allergies and Sensitivities?
If your dog has frequent diarrhea or other signs of a sensitive stomach, it could very well have food allergies or sensitivities to specific ingredients.
The best way to identify the problem is to start feeding it a limited ingredient diet made with a novel source of protein and carbohydrates—novel, simple meals that your dog hasn’t had before.
The signs of sensitivity should resolve within 8 to 12 weeks, at which point you can start introducing common allergens one at a time until you identify the problem.
From there, simply feed your dog a recipe that doesn’t contain the allergen.
Final Thoughts
If your dog suffers from a sensitive stomach or diarrhea, the digestibility and quality of its diet are very important.
Choose a recipe made with wholesome natural ingredients, including premium proteins, healthy fats, and digestible carbohydrates, to meet your dog’s nutritional needs.
You should also look for digestion-boosting supplements like prebiotic fibers and probiotics. If you’re not sure where to start, try one of our top 5 picks reviewed above!
