Being a nation of dog lovers, us Brits can be highly tuned into when our pooches are feeling under the weather. And just like us humans, our four legged friends can, for whatever reason, have sensitive tum-tums.
and while from time to time it can be handy to blame nasty smells on the dog, if doggy really does have a tum problem, it’s no fun and something to try and get sorted.
Vomiting, excessive flatulence or watery stools could all be signs that your dog has a sensitive stomach.
In this case, you may need to change their diet to cater for the sensitivity. These days, there is a huge range of dog food available, so it can be difficult to single-handedly pick the most suitable one.
That is why you must consult your vet, who can prescribe a diet for your dog by looking at its particular symptoms. Generally, some diets have been proven over time to solve the issue of stomach sensitivity for dogs. This article will detail the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
Why do dogs react differently to certain foods?
Before you start looking for the best dog food for a sensitive stomach, you must be aware of the underlying factor that may have caused the sensitivity in the first place.
Notable things that can make your dog allergic to certain foods are infections and fatigue. If this is the case with your dog, you should consult your vet for probable solutions. However, if after checking, the dog continues to have a sensitive stomach, you should change their diet to specific sensitive stomach foods.
Do dogs have allergies?
Dogs have allergies, and most of them are in the ingredients used in preparing the food. Some dogs are allergic to grain-induced food, making them react differently when they are served foods containing grain.
Also, some dogs are allergic to meats like turkey or beef. However, before deciding on the best treatment for your allergic dog, it is better you consult your local vet in person.
The best dog food for a sensitive stomach
Having confirmed that the sensitivity of your dog’s stomach is not a result of any underlying health issues, it might be that your dog’s diet needs refactoring. Below are some of the best dog food to keep your dog healthy and full of energy
Eukanuba Daily Care Dry Dog Food Sensitive Digestion
If you want dog food that is tailor-made for a sensitive stomach, look no further than this diet. This diet comes with probiotics which assist in digestion. It has omega 6, omega 3 and calcium, which help produce a healthy coat and skin and maintain strong bones. It is an all-encompassing diet that can cater for different dogs regardless of their breeds and sizes.
Veterinary Diets HA Chicken Flavor Made By Purina Pro Plan For Adult Sensitive Skin and Stomach
Aside from your dog being highly sensitive, it may also be allergic to some foods. In that case, you need a diet that can handle both problems. Veterinarians and dieticians produced this diet to cater for dogs who may be allergic to some foods. It has many ingredients that can make digestion easy such as probiotics, chicken, prebiotics and hydrolyzed soy protein. This food is preserved using the best preservatives and it is free of artificial flavour.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Sensitivity Control
If you notice your dog is having abdominal discomfort, but you can’t pinpoint what exactly the cause is. A royal canine veterinary diet is a good supplement in that kind of situation. This food has limited protein ingredients, making it suitable for controlling allergies. It is wet food which makes it easy for your dog to chew, swallow and digest quickly without much resistance. You may decide to involve your vet before letting your dog take this food, as some dogs may still exhibit sensitivity even after taking the food.
Scrumbles Natural Dog Food Multipack
This is another proven dog food that can quickly aid digestion. This food is specially tailored for sensitive dogs who desire wet food or a combination of wet and dry food. This diet has no sugar, salt or any artificial ingredients. It is also gut-friendly and can quickly boost your dog’s digestive system.
Ingredient Dog Food By Merrick Limited
This food combines the characteristics of both protein and carbohydrates. It contains turkey, which is a good source of protein and low fat and also contains rice which is an excellent source of carbohydrates. It has some characteristics which make it suitable for dogs with stomach sensitivity and allergies. The food is grain free with no flavour, artificial colours, or preservatives.
James Wellbeloved Complete Dry Senior Dog Food Duck and Rice
This dog food is one of the costliest dog foods available. However, the quality of the ingredients may have justified the cost. It consists of ingredients such as duck meat, rice, whole linseed, duck gravy and organic oats. Although it contains grains, the type of grains is specified with a hostname which may help you know whether your dog can eat it. It is dry dog food that can be a bit hard to digest; however, you can get some water to soften the hardness so that adult dogs battling dental problems can chew and swallow it effortlessly.
Is there a specific stomach-sensitive food that I can buy for my dog?
Most times, there is no exact answer to this question since the peculiarities of each dog differ. However, there are some surefire ways to get an idea of the best diet for your dog. The first is to try out different dog foods until you arrive at the perfect diet. If you have dogs of different breeds, you should try more options for each breed. However, if you don’t want to go through that stress, you can consult a veterinarian who will diagnose and make a prescription diet for your dog.
How do I ease in the dog food for my dog with a sensitive stomach?
Having discovered the best diet for your dog with a sensitive stomach, you might be wondering how to transition your dog to the new food. The best thing to do is to ease in the food for your dog until it is familiar with it. Do not give too much food at the beginning to see the reaction; if there is no adverse reaction, you can gradually increase their intake of the new food. However, if you discover that your dog isn’t comfortable with the new food, you should stop and consult your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Dogs can have allergies and largely have sensitive stomachs. They tend to react negatively to grain food. However, some dog foods have been made to accommodate your dog’s allergies and stomach sensitivity. Work with your veterinarian to decide the best dog food for a sensitive stomach