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10 Best Dog Foods for Loose Stools in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Elizabeth Gray

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

10 Best Dog Foods for Loose Stools in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

boston terrier eating dog food

Picking up after our dogs is one of the least enjoyable aspects of canine ownership. But this task is made even harder if your dog consistently produces stool too loose to be easily collected in a poop bag. If we are what we eat, could changing what your dog consumes help fix their poo problems? In many cases, the answer is yes. For your information, we’ve collected reviews of the best dog foods for loose stools we’ve found this year. Some of these diets are prescription-only, while others are available over the counter.

Take a look at what we’ve found and some additional thoughts you may find helpful as you shop for a new diet for your unfortunate pup.

Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.

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A Quick Overview of Our Top Picks in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Ollie Fresh Beef Dog Food Subscription Ollie Fresh Beef Dog Food Subscription
  • Low in fiber and highly digestible
  • Developed by nutritionists and veterinarians
  • Premium ingredients
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Oatmeal Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Oatmeal
  • Contains probiotics which may help with loose stools
  • Designed to be gentle on the digestive tract
  • A low protein diet
  • Third place
    Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein
  • Features pre-broken down proteins to avoid allergic reactions
  • Also contains prebiotics and fiber for digestive support
  • Purina ProPlan Puppy Sensitive Skin And Stomach Purina ProPlan Puppy Sensitive Skin And Stomach
  • Complete nutrition for growing puppies
  • Gentle ingredients for sensitive stomachs
  • Pre and probiotics added for gut health
  • Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D Digestive Care Hill’s Prescription Diet I/D Digestive Care
  • Low fat, suitable for medical conditions like pancreatitis
  • Highly digestible
  • Actively regulates gut bacteria
  • The 10 Best Dog Foods for Loose Stools

    1. Ollie Fresh Beef Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

    Ollie fresh dog food beef recipe

    Main ingredients: Beef, peas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots
    Protein content: 12%
    Fat content: 10%
    Calories: 339 kcal/cup

    Our pick for the best overall dog food for loose stool is Ollie’s Fresh Beef Dog Food. This premium option contains high-quality, gently cooked beef, along with sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots. Most dogs seem to enjoy the taste of this food, which was developed with input from veterinarians and nutritionists and can help limit loose stools.

    It does require a subscription for purchase and is a higher-priced food option.

    This food is packed full of nutrition, including minimal fiber and plenty of vitamins and minerals. It’s also highly convenient and easy to serve. We think this is the best option if your dog has loose stool.

    Pros
    • Low in fiber and highly digestible
    • Developed by nutritionists and veterinarians
    • Most dogs like the taste
    • Premium ingredients
    Cons
    • More expensive than dry food

    2. Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Dog Food – Budget Buy

    Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Oatmeal, Barley, And Ocean Fish

    Main ingredients: Oatmeal, pearled barley, peas, ocean fish meal
    Protein content: 18%
    Fat content: 6%
    Calories: 340 kcal/cup

    Our choice of the best dog food for loose stool for the money is Solid Gold Holistique Blendz Oatmeal, Barley, and Ocean Fish formula. This diet is designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs and contains probiotics, which help maintain digestive health. Probiotics are also useful in correcting loose stool. Solid Gold is lower in protein than many other foods, which can be beneficial to dogs with some health conditions.

    Dogs who are not accustomed to fish-based foods may not like the taste of this diet. In addition, Solid Gold lists peas as one of its main ingredients. Peas and other legumes are being investigated to determine if they are linked to heart issues in pets.

    Pros
    • Contains probiotics which may help with loose stools
    • Designed to be gentle on the digestive tract
    • A low protein diet
    Cons
    • Some dogs may not like the taste
    • Contains peas

    3. Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein Dry Dog Food

    Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein

    Main ingredients: Brewer’s rice, hydrolyzed soy protein, chicken fat
    Protein content: 19.5%
    Fat content: 17.5%
    Calories: 332 kcal/cup

    For dogs whose loose stool is the result of food sensitivities, the Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein diet may be the right choice. Because protein sources are commonly the cause of food sensitivities, Royal Canin HP features proteins that are already broken down small enough to escape the attention of the dog’s immune system. If it can’t recognize the protein it’s allergic to, the dog’s body shouldn’t react negatively, with symptoms including loose stool and skin problems. The diet also contains prebiotics and a balance of fiber to further support the dog’s digestive system.

    Royal Canin HP requires a prescription and is one of the more expensive diets on our list. Owners report that it generally works as intended but picky eaters may not care for the taste.

    Pros
    • Features pre-broken down proteins to avoid allergic reactions
    • Also contains prebiotics and fiber for digestive support
    Cons
    • Picky eaters may not like the taste
    • Expensive
    • Requires a prescription

    4. Purina ProPlan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach

    Purina ProPlan Puppy Sensitive Skin And Stomach

    Main ingredients: Salmon, rice, barley
    Protein content: 28%
    Fat content: 18%
    Calories: 428 kcal/cup

    Loose stool is a common concern for puppies, although the diet is only one of many possible causes (some of them serious) for diarrhea in puppies. If your vet determines that your baby dog could benefit from a diet change, however, consider Purina ProPlan Puppy Sensitive Skin and Stomach. This diet features all the nutrition your pup needs for healthy growth and development, including fatty acids, antioxidants, and high protein content. It also contains some extras that may help soothe loose stools, including prebiotic fiber and live probiotics. Salmon, rice, and barley are gentle on the stomach and the food contains no artificial colors or flavors.

    Users gave this food generally positive reviews, although some noted it has a strong fishy scent and picky eaters did not always enjoy the taste.

    Pros
    • Complete nutrition for growing puppies
    • Gentle ingredients for sensitive stomachs
    • Pre and probiotics added for gut health
    Cons
    • Strong fish scent
    • Picky eaters may not like the taste

    5. Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care Dog Food

    Hill’s Prescription Diet ID Digestive Care Low Fat

    Main ingredients: Brewer’s rice, corn gluten meal, chicken meal
    Protein content: 26%
    Fat content: 5%
    Calories: 300 kcal/cup

    Hill’s Prescription i/d Digestive Care Low Fat is one of the most commonly recommended and prescribed veterinary diets for dogs with a variety of digestive issues, including loose stool. This diet is extremely low in fat, making it a good choice for dogs with chronic pancreatitis, a condition that causes diarrhea, among other symptoms. Hill’s i/d Low Fat is made with extra digestible protein sources and contains ingredients that actively help regulate and maintain the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive tract. Prebiotic fiber also helps keep stool formed.

    This food even contains ginger, long used in human health for its stomach-soothing properties. Hill’s i/d does require a prescription and some users report their dogs had trouble eating the large, hard kibble.

    Pros
    • Low fat, suitable for medical conditions like pancreatitis
    • Highly digestible
    • Actively regulates gut bacteria
    Cons
    • Requires a prescription
    • Kibble is too large and hard for some dogs

    6. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin and Stomach Care Dog Food

    Blue Buffalo Basics Skin And Stomach Care Turkey And Potato

    Main ingredients: Deboned turkey, potatoes, turkey meal
    Protein content: 20%
    Fat content: 12%
    Calories: 352 kcal/cup

    Blue Buffalo Basics Skin and Stomach Care Turkey and Potato diet is made without some of the most common ingredients that trigger food sensitivities in dogs, including chicken. If you suspect your dog’s loose stool may be related to an undiagnosed food allergy, this diet could be an option for you. Made with limited ingredients, this diet contains antioxidants to support overall immune health. Blue Buffalo Basics does contain peas, which are being studied for a possible link to heart issues. While many owners prefer to feed a grain-free diet like this one, not all dogs actually need to avoid grains, so it’s best to consult your vet.

    Most users gave this diet good reviews although some noted their dogs did not enjoy the taste, as well as some inconsistency in quality between bags.

    Pros
    • Made without some ingredients that trigger food allergies
    • Contains antioxidants
    Cons
    • Contains peas
    • Some inconsistencies in quality

    7. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food

    Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach And Skin Turkey And Rice Stew

    Main ingredients: Chicken broth, turkey, carrots
    Protein content: 2.8%
    Fat content: 1.9%
    Calories: 253 kcal/can

    For dogs who need a canned food option to help their loose stool, consider Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Turkey and Rice. This diet is made with easy-to-digest ingredients, supplemented with fatty acids and vitamin E. The soft texture is ideal for older dogs or pups with dental issues. Users appreciate the enticing smell and taste of this diet, including the recognizable carrot pieces. They also found that this diet was not only gentle on the stomach but helped their dogs’ coats look great as well!

    Some purchasers of this food did report issues with the consistency of cans. In addition, canned food is not as cost-effective as dry for owners on a budget.

    Pros
    • Soft texture for older dogs or those with dental problems
    • Easy to digest ingredients
    • Also beneficial for skin and coat health
    Cons
    • Canned food is more expensive than dry overall
    • Some concerns with consistency

    8. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Canned Food

    Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Duck & Potato Formula Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Duck, duck broth, potatoes
    Protein content: 5%
    Fat content: 4%
    Calories: 420 kcal/can

    Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Duck and Potato canned food feature a novel or unusual protein source, making it a good option for dogs whose loose stool may be caused by food sensitivities. This diet offers an over-the-counter alternative to similar prescription foods. Both protein and carbohydrate sources are easily digestible, another bonus for dogs with loose stool.

    As mentioned in the description of the previous grain-free diet, this type of food is not appropriate for all dogs so check with your veterinarian before trying Natural Balance Duck and Potato. Users reported some quality control issues with this diet, including inconsistent smell and color between batches.

    Pros
    • Features a novel protein source
    • Limited ingredients
    • Easily digestible
    Cons
    • Some quality control issues

    9. Purina One Natural Sensitive Stomach Skin & Coat Formula

    Purina One Natural Sensitive Stomach Skin And Coat Formula

    Main ingredients: Salmon, rice flour, pearled barley
    Protein content: 26%
    Fat content: 16%
    Calories: 438 kcal/cup

    A more economical version of the ProPlan Sensitive Stomach, this Purina diet features similar easily digestible salmon, rice and barley ingredients. While these qualities can help with loose stool, this diet also contains features that support other systems as well. Added glucosamine benefits the dog’s joint health while a high protein content keeps muscles strong. It also contains fatty acids and vitamin E for skin and coat health.

    This food does contain chicken products, so it’s not suitable for dogs who need a limited-ingredient diet. Users generally found this to be a good value diet, with some complaints about the fishy smell and concerns about the presence of chicken.

    Pros
    • Cost-effective
    • Benefits the digestive system with features for other systems as well
    Cons
    • Fishy smell
    • Does contain chicken

    10. Blackwood Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula

    Blackwood Lamb Meal And Brown Rice Sensitive Skin And Stomach

    Main ingredients: Lamb meal, brown rice, millet
    Protein content: 24.5%
    Fat content: 14%
    Calories: 432 kcal/cup

    For those who prefer food cooked in small batches, try Blackwood Lamb Meal and Brown Rice Sensitive Skin and Stomach. This food is made with ingredients gentle on your dog’s stomach. It also contains a boost of probiotics, which may help control loose stool. While the company advertises itself as using “all-natural and super-premium” lamb for this food, those terms are not regulated and don’t necessarily mean the food is of higher quality.

    That being said, most users were pleased with this food and found that it did help their dogs’ stool and sensitive stomachs. However, it does contain some chicken ingredients, making it inappropriate for dogs with sensitivities to that protein source.

    Pros
    • Gentle on the stomach ingredients
    • Boosted with probiotics
    • Cooked in small batches
    Cons
    • Does contain chicken products

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Food for Loose Stools

    Before you pick out dog food for your pup with loose stools, there are a few things you should know and consider.

    Why Is Your Dog Having Loose Stools?

    This is first because it’s the most important point and will impact your decision directly. Loose stool is a non-specific symptom that can have many different causes, not just what your dog is eating. For example, intestinal parasites or an infectious disease such as parvovirus could all cause loose stools. It doesn’t matter how many times you change your dog’s food if you don’t treat those conditions first!

    On the other hand, food allergies, pancreatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are all examples of medical conditions that cause loose stool that typically require a special diet. As tempting as it may be to save some money and skip a trip to the vet when your dog has loose stool, try to get a diagnosis before you pick your dog’s food.

    What Foods Is Your Dog Sensitive To?

    If your vet diagnoses your dog with a specific allergy, it’s fairly easy to read an ingredient list and purchase food without that allergen. Dogs with IBD may simply need to eat any diet with an unfamiliar protein or carb source, or one such as the Royal Canin HP that has pre-broken down proteins. And as we already mentioned, a dog with pancreatitis may need to avoid fatty diets. Knowing the specifics of what your dog can and cannot eat will help guide your food choice.

    dog with a food bowl
    Image by: Adriana Morales, Pixabay

    Food Trials Require Patience and Consistency

    To diagnose food allergies or other conditions, many vets ask you to perform a food trial, switching your dog to an allergy-friendly diet and feeding that exclusively for at least 8 weeks. If you find that the food switch does improve your dog’s loose stool symptoms, you’ll likely be asked to continue it. You must be consistent with feeding only your dog’s special diet to avoid flare-ups and setbacks.

    If you aren’t prepared to be persistent and patient with your dog’s new diet, be honest with your veterinarian and try to find another solution. Many of the diets on our list had user reviews that complained about how the special food wasn’t “working”, only to describe in the next sentence all the unapproved mix-ins and additions they were also feeding their dog!

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    Conclusion

    As our top overall pick, Ollie’s Fresh Beef Dog Food offers high digestibility and an appealing taste. Our best dog food for loose stools for the money, Solid Gold Holistique Blendz, is an affordable diet with added probiotics for gut health. Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein diet relies on science and research to offer a specialized protein source, small enough to evade the immune system.

    Hopefully, these reviews of the top dog foods for loose stool have educated you regarding all your options as you try to help your dog firm up their poop.


    Featured Image Credit: Jaja Fekiacova, Shutterstock

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