Seeing your dog, no matter their age, suffer from digestive issues isn’t easy to witness. When this happens, finding the best dog food is a must. In this review, we’ll show you our choices for the 10 best dog foods for sensitive stomachs. These foods are specially formulated to promote healthier digestion and fight the stomach issues that sometimes plague our fur babies. Read on below to find our favorites so you can choose the one best for your pooch.
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.
The Farmer’s Dog fresh human-grade dog food is the overall best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs. They have four tasty recipes, all including fresh, human-grade ingredients. We can highly recommend any one of their fresh food blends since their ingredient lists are limited, which is a major benefit when your pup has a tough time with digestion. Each recipe is grain-free, too, for those whose dogs who also suffer from allergies.
The Farmer’s Dog is subscription-based and is personalized to your dog’s needs (and wants). Delivery schedules are set in advance, so you will be sent a new shipment of fresh dog food automatically before you run out. Each recipe is pre-portioned for you, making meal time incredibly easy. This also means you won’t have to scramble to the grocery store in a panic for dog food ever again!
The Farmer’s Dog may cost a bit more than your average dog food initially, but when it comes to your pet’s health and factoring in their sensitivities and potential vet bills as a result, this dog food is well worth the price tag.
We think this is the best dog food for sensitive stomachs and a must-try for any dog – tummy issues, or not!
Pros
Human-grade USDA approved ingredients
Limited ingredients to aid digestion
Easy-to-use subscription service
Cons
Costly
2. Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive Systems Premium Dry Dog Food – Best Value
If you’re looking for the best dog food for sensitive stomachs for the money then Purina One’s SmartBlend Sensitive Systems Formula is right up your alley. This dog food is designed for pet owners who are on a budget while utilizing easy-to-digest ingredients like salmon, oat, and barley. You’ll be able to provide your pup’s sensitive stomach with great dry dog food you know is healthy.
Like many of the foods on this list, the Purina One blend uses omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E to make your dog’s skin and coat healthier. You’ll also find this food is formulated to promote a healthier immune system. This recipe uses real salmon. We noticed how quickly dogs took to the taste and enjoyed the fresh protein.
The main downside of this formula is the included grains. If you’re looking for a grain-free sensitive stomach option, this wouldn’t be the best choice. Knowing your pup’s sensitivity level to grains would be great information to have before purchasing this brand of dog food.
Ollie Chicken Dish With Carrots is another great pick because it ensures that all ingredients in their recipes serve a nutritional purpose and never contain any artificial flavors or filler ingredients.
This recipe is limited in its ingredients too, with real chicken meat being the only protein source. This helps with sensitive stomachs because there aren’t a ton of different protein sources for your dog to digest. As you can imagine, though, the top quality of Ollie does come with a price. They are subscription based and tailored to your dogs nutritional needs, so they arrive at your door just when you are ready for more – you never have to worry about running out of dog food!
Even though the price may seem higher than that of grocery store kibbles, the service and the quality make it worth a try.
Pros
High-quality and human-grade
Single meat protein source
No artificial flavors
No filler ingredients
Cons
More expensive than grocery store kibble
4. Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
If you’re looking for the best sensitive stomach dog food for your pet, Diamond Care Grain-Free is an option you should keep in mind. This easily digestible food features egg protein, probiotics, and alternate carbs for smoother digestion. A balanced food, this recipe also includes all the vitamins and minerals you want your pet to receive with each meal, including those that promote healthy skin and coats.
Another advantage to this dog food is the company itself. Made in the United States, the family-owned company strives to use scientific protocols and safety measures to keep your pet healthy. There is no corn, wheat, artificial colors, fillers, or additives included in their formula.
The only issue we found with this dog food is the consistency. The food inside the bags noticeably looks different from time to time. A difference in smell can also be noted at times. Keep this in mind if you notice oddities in your fresh bag.
Pros
Egg protein is the main source of protein
Features additional vitamins and minerals
Made in the USA
Cons
Product inconsistency
Expensive
5. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
If you have a new pup who is struggling with sensitive tummy and skin issues, this Purina Pro Plan Puppy Food can help. Purina combines easily digestible salmon and rice with the proper amount of probiotics in hopes of making this kibble safe for your pup. The fish oil adds omega-3s which are great for skin and coat. The added sunflower oil offers omega 6 which is ideal for a young pup’s brain development and vision. You’ll even find prebiotics in this formula to help nourish good gut bacteria for better digestion.
As a pet parent, you can rest easy when using this puppy food. It is a completely balanced kibble that offers all the things your puppy needs to grow healthy and strong including added calcium for bones. Being free of artificial flavors and colors is another bonus.
The only real downside of this puppy food is one we expected, the price. Like with most puppy formulas this bag of kibble can be more expensive than others you consider. Considering it helps pups with tummy issues and offers them complete nutrition, the price should be expected.
Nom Nom’s recipes are the next best foods for dogs with sensitive stomachs on our list. All their ingredients are fresh, high-quality, and human-grade. These foods are so fresh that you could eat them yourself if you wanted to! Nom Nom is an excellent option for pet parents looking to start feeding their dogs a fresh diet, and it’s perfect for dogs with sensitive digestion.
Additionally, all Nom Nom’s recipes are made with limited-ingredient formulas. Each recipe contains just four to six ingredients aside from their vitamin supplements. The limited ingredient formula is excellent for any dog with a sensitive stomach since it limits the number of foods entering their system. Since Nom Nom uses high-quality ingredients, this is a premium dog food that comes with a premium price.
These foods are also subscription-based and get delivered directly to your door monthly. No need to go shopping to get your dog’s food! It’s a very convenient offer for any pet parents who don’t like to go shopping.
Another top choice dog food for sensitive stomachs is the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Dry Dog Food. This formula has been recommended by veterinarians thanks to its balanced formula featuring prebiotic fiber that helps promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria and regular stools.
We also noticed that dogs love this highly digestible formula. Fresh chicken is the main ingredient and biggest source of protein. The fresh protein is great for poochies who deal with tummy issues. This formula is always omega-6 fatty acids and other great extras to promote healthy skin and coat.
The biggest issue we found with this dog food is the beet pulp used in the recipe. While most dogs will love the high chicken content, they may still taste the beet pulp. For some dogs, this is an issue. It may be best to buy smaller portions to try out the first time. Especially if your dog is a picky eater.
Pros
Features real chicken as the main source of protein
The Solid Gold Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food is another that we, and other pet parents, love for doggies with bad tummies. By using a single source protein recipe, this dog food combines fresh, cold water salmon, tapioca, lentils, and chickpeas with their special blend of 20 superfoods. These superfoods are easy to digest and improve gut health while also providing your pooch’s immune system a boost.
Another great aspect of this dry dog food is the fact that it is grain and gluten-free. For many dogs, it is the grains and other additives that can upset their stomachs. With this formula, you’ll have no worries about that problem. Your pup will also get the benefits of omega-3s and 6s to improve their skin and coat health as well.
While this appears to be a great recipe for dogs with sensitive tummies, small breeds may have issues with the size of the kibble. The pieces are slightly large so if you have small dogs, keep a close eye on your fur babies.
Pros
Crafted using 20 superfoods
Uses fresh salmon as the only source of protein
Grain and gluten-free
Cons
Kibble size
Slightly expensive
9. Royal Canin Vet Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Canned Dog Food
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dog Food is great for dogs who deal with vomiting, diarrhea, and other tummy ailments but simply aren’t fond of kibble. This wet food is specially formulated with prebiotics for gut health, omega-3s to help soothe an upset GI tract, and dietary fibers for improving stool quality and healthy digestion.
This dog food is designed to be used for short or long-term stomach issues. It is also low in fat content. This is ideal for doggies who have a difficult time digesting fats. Unfortunately, this isn’t dog food you can simply go out and buy if you notice your pup is having loose stools or other issues. Your veterinarian must prescribe this pet food. With your prescription, you can easily go online to Chewy. All you’re required to do is enter the prescription number during the ordering process. Keep in mind, as this is prescription dog food, the price tag can be a bit hefty.
If you have an older dog who starts struggling with digestive issues, Hill’s Science Diet 7+ Dog Food may help your senior feel better. This food is specially designed with older dogs in mind. This recipe includes high levels of protein to help older dogs build and maintain muscles. You’ll also find this food provides needed vitamins and minerals, omega-6 fatty acids, vegetable fibers, and a special blend of antioxidants for easy digestion and better immune health.
If you have a senior dog that seems to be slowing down just a bit, this food is great for maintaining their weight and building lean muscle. The only real issue we found with it, however, is the dryness. While it is canned dog food, the blend’s consistency may not be favorable for all dogs. If you have a picky eater, keep this in mind when giving this food a try.
Pros
Designed for older dogs
Helps maintain body weight and muscles
Promotes easy digestion and immune health
Cons
Food is very dry
11. Wellness CORE Digestive Health Wholesome Grains & Chicken Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Dog Food makes it on our list due to its easy digestibility. This food is coated in probiotics and includes prebiotic fibers, digestive enzymes, and probiotics to help promote and maintain a healthy gut. With included superfoods like pumpkin and papaya, this dog food offers all the nutrition and essential vitamins your dog needs for a healthy lifestyle.
Featuring chicken and chicken meals as the main sources of protein, this food is quite tasty and great for adult dogs of all ages. You’ll even find it promotes better immunity, energy, and healthier skin and coat. The biggest issue we found with this dog food was the smell. It is quite noticeable. To avoid any issues, we would recommend storing your food in a container.
Pros
Features all the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy lifestyle
Chicken and chicken meals are the main sources of protein
Boosts immunity and energy
Cons
Kibble has a strong smell
12. Nulo Freestyle Limited+ Puppy Grain-Free Salmon Dry Dog Food
Another food designed for puppies on our list is the Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Salmon Dry Dog Food. This food is designed to provide your pups with a single source of protein, fresh salmon, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to get your little pal growing up the right way. The no-grain formula and included probiotics are ideal for digestive health and immune support. These are great building blocks for young dogs.
This made in the USA dog food is also low in carbs. If you’re worried about your pup gaining too much weight, this low-carb formula may be the answer. You’ll also find this recipe is great for dogs with skin allergies and sensitivities as well.
Unfortunately, this dog food is very expensive. If you are on a budget, you may need to look for a more affordable option. Other than the steep price, our biggest concern with this dog food is the size of the chunks. It may be a little too much for smaller dog breeds to handle.
Pros
Made with real salmon
No-grain formula
Great for skin allergies
Cons
Large chunks
Expensive
13. Blue Buffalo Basics LID Turkey & Potato Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Basics is designed for the smaller breeds of dogs and their sensitive tummies. In this tasty formula, you’ll find all the ingredients you and your dogs love. Real turkey is the main source of protein. You’ll also find brown rice, potatoes, and even pumpkin on the list of ingredients. These ingredients come together to not only promote healthy digestion but also help support the higher energy levels experienced by smaller dog breeds.
This kibble is designed for little mouths. Each piece is small enough for dogs under 11 pounds. Unfortunately, you’ll also find that the packages only come in 4- and 11-pound bags. If you have more than one small breed dog in your home, this can become a bit expensive. You should be aware of how much food your pups may need before starting them on this food.
Pros
Features real turkey as the main source of protein
Promotes good digestion and healthy energy levels
Cons
Only available in 4- and 11-pound bags
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
When choosing the right dog food for sensitive stomachs, knowing what you should be looking for is key to making the right decision for your dog. During our reviews, we took several factors into mind. Ingredients, which should be one of the first things you check before offering your dog particular dog foods, is one of the most important things we considered. The life stage is another. Other considerations we used when deciding which dog foods to add to this list were price and product size. Let’s take a look at each of these criteria so you know what to look for when buying your dog’s next brand of dog food.
Good, healthy ingredients are important when raising a happy and healthy dog. You should always know what you’re putting in your dog’s bowl. A healthy main source of protein, additional omega 3s and 6s, probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, and minerals are all extremely important to offer your dog a healthy blend of food. When these main ingredients are covered, then you can check for grain-free options and other additional ingredients like pumpkin or oats you feel are beneficial to your pup.
Life Stage
Knowing the proper life stage of the food you offer your dog helps provide them with the nutrition needed for their particular age. A puppy’s needs are not the same as a senior dog. Before purchasing any brand of dog food, whether for sensitive stomachs or not, keep your dog’s age in mind. Adult and senior dogs need more of a maintenance type dog food formula while puppies need those dedicated to helping their bodies and brains develop on the proper levels.
Image Credit: framsook, Shutterstock
Price
Whether we want to admit it or not, the price of dog food helps determine whether we purchase it. When it comes to choosing dog food designed for sensitive stomachs, however, the price is going to be higher. One of the things we discovered when trying out different brands is that most specially-formulated foods are expensive. Be prepared to pay a little bit more when doing the best for your four-legged friend with a sensitive tummy.
Size
Another thing to keep in consideration when choosing dog food for sensitive stomachs is product size. According to the size of your dog, they may require a bit more food than others. Be aware of this when you shop for dog food to help with their stomach needs. To keep your dog healthy, having food on hand is important. If the food in question is only available In small portions, you may need more food on hand than you normally keep.
Conclusion
If your dog deals with stomach issues, this review should help you find the best one for their needs. Our pick for the overall best dog food for sensitive stomachs is The Farmer’s Dog fresh dog food. This food provides your dog with all the necessary nutrition, in four limited ingredient, east to digest recipes, and is conveniently shipped to your home. Our pick for the best value is Purina One SmartBlend. This food offers your dog great, easy-to-digest food at a price suitable for most budgets. These two dog foods are easily our favorites on the list for keeping our dogs feeling great.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
