Finding the right dog food for your dog can take time, and it’s extra challenging when your dog has a sensitive stomach. Pet food companies are all regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure they are safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.¹ However, as with regular dog foods, there are higher and lower quality brands out there.  Some use better, more digestible proteins than others.  The FDA does investigate brands to ensure they are labeling their products accurately, but there is still a lot of variety between brands.

As with all nutritional concerns, it’s best to consult your veterinarian before switching your dog to a new diet. However, it’s still helpful to know what options are available for your dog. To help you with your search, we’ve reviewed several notable types of dog food for sensitive stomachs. Our reviews will give you all the information you need to determine which dog foods might be good options for your dog.

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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs

1. The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe – Best Overall

The Farmer’s Dog is a well-known subscription dog food service that conveniently delivers fresh meals for your dog straight to your door. All its dog food recipes are made with natural whole foods and gently cooked at low temperatures in human-grade food facilities. They’re formulated with veterinarian consultation to ensure your dog is getting all the daily nutrients they need.

The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe has a simple ingredient list and only contains one source of meat. It also includes The Farmer’s Dog’s nutrient blend that contains all essential nutrients and makes the food a complete and well-balanced meal. It isn’t formulated for sensitive dogs specifically, but with its low number of easily digestible ingredients and one meat source, it may be just what your dog needs.  The only downside to The Farmer’s Dog is that it’s not sold in stores. So, you have to be on top of your meal deliveries to avoid running out of food. However, the food itself is safe and balanced, making it the best overall dog food for sensitive stomachs.

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2. Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food – Best Value

Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach With Lamb Protein Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for sensitive stomachs for the money because it’s a decent budget-friendly meal for dogs that doesn’t make significant sacrifices to quality. This particular recipe uses a single protein source, in this case lamb, which is a novel meat for some dogs.  Due to there only being one protein source it is a considerable choice for dogs that have allergies to more common meats found in dog food. The recipe is also free of legumes, which may be linked to heart issues in dogs when they’re used as one of the main ingredients.

This recipe contains a blend of ancient grains that are rich in fiber and support healthy digestion. It also includes natural sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health.

While most dogs enjoy the flavor, it’s worth noting that there can be inconsistencies with the texture. Some bags of this dog food have been reported to contain very crumbly kibbles, so it’s important to be extra careful when scooping the kibble out of the bag.

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3. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Canned Dog Food – Premium Choice

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Tender Turkey & Rice Stew Canned Dog Food is a reliable premium choice. Although it may cost more than your average dog food, it has a formula developed through scientific research and veterinary consultations.

This dog food contains easily digestible ingredients that are known to be gentle on the stomach. It also contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids to improve and support skin and coat health. Each batch of food is slow cooked to retain flavors, and dogs will enjoy eating this savory turkey dish. If you’re looking to save on costs, you can mix this food with the dry food version, which is a little less expensive than the wet food version.

Just keep in mind that though this recipe is labeled as a turkey dish, it does contain chicken, which is a common food allergen for dogs. So, while it’s a viable option for dogs with sensitive stomachs,  it’s not suitable for dogs with food allergies, as chicken is a very common food allergen.

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4. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Puppy

Correct food and nutrition are essential to healthy growth and development in puppies, so it’s important to find a palatable meal for them to eat at this lifestage. The recommended protein requirement for healthy puppy growth is 22-32% on a dry matter basis.

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Puppy has a gentle formula that’s also packed with nutrients that puppies need to grow. It is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth, including growth of large size dogs (over 70 lb as an adult). This is vital when selecting a puppy food, especially because the amount of calcium within the food of large and giant breed puppies needs to be strictly controlled.

This recipe contains highly digestible proteins, balanced fibers and omega 3 fatty acids.  It is also formulated to be high in energy for growing puppies with gastrointestinal sensitivities and has selected prebiotics to help feed and develop a healthy gut microbiome.

Since this dog food is specifically formulated for puppies, you’ll notice that the kibble size is smaller than standard. The downside to this diet is that it is a prescription food, so you’ll need to ask your vet for a prescription to buy it online.

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5. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach 7+ Dog Food

Nutrition continues to play a vital role as dogs age into seniorhood. The Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach 7+ Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food is a popular option for older dogs with sensitive stomachs. Salmon is the first ingredient, and it’s supplemented with rice and oatmeal, which are both easily digestible ingredients. It contains sunflower oil, which is another excellent source of omega fatty acids and is commonly used to nourish the skin and coat. The recipe also includes natural prebiotic fiber and antioxidants to support healthy digestion.

Another reason we recommend this dog food is that it’s free of common ingredients that are difficult for dogs to digest. It doesn’t contain any eggs, animal byproduct meal, or artificial flavors. So, even though it’s a bit more expensive than your typical dog food, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth and purchasing high-quality dog food.

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6. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food

Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Oatmeal Formula Dry Dog Food is another dog food that uses a relatively uncommon protein source. It’s specifically formulated for dogs with food allergies and doesn’t contain any other type of meat, making it a viable option for dogs that are allergic to beef or chicken.

As a limited-ingredient dog food, the recipe omits filler ingredients and doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. It’s also free of meat by-products, dairy, and eggs. However, it does list peas as one of its main ingredients, which may possibly be linked to non-genetic heart issues. Make sure to consult your veterinarian beforehand, especially if your dog’s breed is susceptible to heart issues, specifically dilated cardiomyopathy.

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7. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food supports healthy digestion by using natural ingredients that are gentle on the stomach. It contains healthy portions of fiber that aid in digestion and help improve stool quality. It also contains vitamin E to support the immune system and omega fatty acids to nourish the skin.

The formula was created specifically with dogs with food sensitivities in mind. It doesn’t contain any animal meats that are common food allergens for dogs. While the formula looks great on paper, one common issue is that picky dogs don’t seem to like it. Fortunately, Natural Balance creates several other limited-ingredient recipes that use other types of meat, including beef, chicken, duck, and lamb. So, you might have better luck with those formulas. 

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8. The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet Dehydrated Dog Food

The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet Chicken Recipe allows you to control the consistency of your dog’s food. It’s a great option for picky eaters because you can determine how dry or wet their meals are by how much water you add to it. You can also add it as a meal topper to your dog’s regular meals.

This dog food has a simple ingredient list that only contains six nutritious natural ingredients, including organic quinoa, sweet potatoes, and spinach. It’s also formulated for all life stages, so you can continue to feed it to your dog throughout their lifetime.

As with many dehydrated dog foods, this recipe is at higher risk of becoming powdery, which leads to gloopy dog food. So, it’s important to mix it well before scooping it out of the box to prevent all the finer pieces from settling to the bottom.

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9. Hills Digestive Care Prescription Diet, Low Fat

A veterinary prescription diet that is formulated for dogs with complex gastro-intestinal conditions, including pancreatitis, malabsorptive disorders and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adult dogs. It contains easily digestible ingredients and ActivBiome+ prebiotic blend (Dried beet pulp, flaxseed, ground pecan shell, dried citrus pulp, dried cranberries) that has been developed by Hill’s to rapidly activate the microbiome and help with digestion.

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10. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal High-Fiber Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin is a well-known dog food brand, but there’s no denying that its dog food is often more expensive than its competitors. The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal High-Fiber Dry Dog food is no exception. However, if you’ve been struggling to find safe food for your sensitive dog, you may want to look into this recipe.

This dog food is a veterinary diet, which means you’ll need your veterinarian’s prescription to purchase it. It contains a high amount of fiber to help with digestion and improve stool health and quality. The recipe uses highly digestible proteins and has a prebiotic blend to improve the gut biome. It also has a wet food version that you can mix with dry food to support healthy hydration. So, if you’re at your wit’s end and haven’t found a good option for your dog, it may help to speak with your veterinarian to see if this prescription diet would be appropriate for your dog.

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Shopping for dog food for sensitive stomachs can get overwhelming due to all the different options. However, by paying attention to a few key factors, you can narrow down your search fairly quickly. Here are some key things to keep in mind when looking for dog food for sensitive stomachs.

Easily Digestible Ingredients

Start making notes of natural foods that are easy for dogs to digest. Some common ingredients that are gentle on the stomach include canned pumpkin, white rice, plain chicken, and bone broth.

Dogs with sensitive stomachs may have a difficult time digesting certain natural ingredients. It’s best to steer clear of beans and lentils because they can cause flatulence. It’s also important to pay attention to how much fiber your dog consumes. While fiber can help with digestion, too much fiber can lead to gassiness, bloating and diarrhea.

Limited-Ingredient Recipes

If your dog has a lot of food sensitivities, you may want to look into limited-ingredient diets. A good limited-ingredient diet will contain less than 10 ingredients, and the ingredients will be natural whole foods. Because grain allergies are rare in dogs, you don’t necessarily have to opt for a grain-free diet.

Beware of low-quality dog food that only claims to have a limited-ingredient formula. Because limited-ingredient dog foods don’t have strict regulations, the label is often used as a marketing tactic. Therefore, make sure to check the ingredient list to ensure it has less than 10 ingredients and is free of artificial flavors and ambiguous ingredients. The most important thing to look out for is that there is a limited number of protein sources used, ideally only one.

Novel Meat

Novel protein is often recommended for dogs that are allergic to meats commonly found in dog food. This is because dogs will get food allergies from foods that they’ve already eaten in the past. This commonly includes beef, chicken, and turkey. Therefore, trying new types of meat can be easier on a dog’s stomach. Some novel proteins used in dog food include duck, venison, rabbit, and fish.

Aids Digestion

Many dog foods for sensitive stomachs include ingredients that aid digestion. Along with containing a healthy amount of fiber, these types of dog food may also contain prebiotics and probiotics. Prebiotics are food for the good bacteria in your dog’s gut. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms in the gut that help with breaking down food, creating nutrients and vitamins, and strengthening immunity. Both prebiotics and probiotics can help aid with digestion and improve your dog’s overall gut health.

Conclusion

According to our reviews, The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe is the best dog food for sensitive stomachs because it uses high-quality, natural ingredients and has a limited ingredient list. Wholesomes Sensitive Skin & Stomach With Lamb Protein Dry Dog Food is our budget-friendly pick because it doesn’t significantly sacrifice quality.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Tender Turkey & Rice Stew Canned Dog Food is a worthwhile premium option due to its veterinarian-formulated recipe. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Puppy is a good choice for puppies due to its gentle formula and balanced formulation, and we recommend Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach 7+ Salmon & Rice Dry Dog for older dogs because it’s easily digestible and rich in nutrients that are necessary for senior dogs.

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Featured Image Credit: sophiecat, Shutterstock