Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

7 best foods for dogs with a sensitive stomach

Top foods to help with your pup's sensitive tummy

Does your dog have a sensitive stomach? If your pup suffers from gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, excess gas, and diarrhea, his diet could be to blame. Although many dog food brands claim their food provides a balanced, nutrient-dense diet for all dogs, including those with sensitive stomachs, that might not be the case for your pooch.

We’ve rounded up the seven best foods for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Each brand featured on our list has been formulated to alleviate symptoms like gas and stomach upset, improve your dog’s digestion, and even provide a much-needed boost to his gut health. As always, we recommend speaking to your veterinarian before you start your dog on any new diet, especially if he has stomach issues

A bowl of bone-shaped dog food
Image used with permission by copyright holder

#1: Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Potato Recipe Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

According to Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, “Some dogs cannot handle a lot of variety in their diet or withstand ingredients that make their digestive systems work a little harder than normal.” Eliminating unnecessary ingredients with a basic formula like Blue Buffalo’s Limited Ingredient blend helps simplify your pup’s diet, allowing them to digest their food more easily. Blue Buffalo never uses chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy in their foods, so you’re also eliminating fillers and common allergens from your dog’s diet. Made with real turkey, potatoes, peas, and pumpkin, this formula aids in healthy digestion. Blue Buffalo’s formula also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which improve the condition of your pup’s skin and coat. 

#2: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

When it comes to dogs with sensitive stomachs, a simple diet is best. That means you want to look for dog foods containing immediately recognizable ingredients. Hill’s Science Diet features real chicken as the first ingredient, and this blend is also full of prebiotics, which are “a form of dietary fiber that support the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria so that harmful bacteria can’t overrun your immune health and make you sick,” as defined by Vetericyn. In addition to microbiome-supporting prebiotics, this formula also boasts vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids to promote skin and coat health. 

#3: Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entrée Canned Dog Food

Many dogs turn their noses up at dry kibble. If your senior pup is a finicky eater — or suffers from dental problems that make eating kibble a chore – they’ll love this nutritious wet food from Hill’s Science Diet. Older dogs begin to lose muscle mass and aren’t as active as they used to be, but this food was specially formulated to support muscle mass and help your pup stay active. Developed to support heart health, this food is made with easily digestible ingredients like chicken, pork liver, and cracked pearled barley. It also contains vitamins and supplements like niacin, folic acid, and vitamin D3, which support bone health.

#4: Purina ONE SmartBlend Sensitive Systems Formula Adult Premium Dry Dog Food 

Looking for a dog food formula that offers all nutrition and zero fillers? This is the one for you. Made with real salmon and easy-to-digest ingredients like rice and oatmeal, this formula contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Additionally, this blend features omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and natural glucosamine to improve your dog’s joint health. Even better, SmartBlend contains a dual-defense blend of antioxidants to give your dog’s immune system a boost.

#5: Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Puppy Food

Just like adult dogs, young puppies can suffer from sensitive stomachs. In fact, some food sensitivities also cause dry, itchy skin. This blend from Purina Pro Plan contains easily digestible ingredients like salmon and rice. Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A improve your puppy’s skin and coat, while fish oil promotes healthy brain and vision development. Live probiotics and prebiotic fiber improve digestion and support the growth of healthy gut bacteria, while calcium and phosphorus support teeth and bones. Best of all, this formula is free of artificial colors and flavors, so you can trust that every ingredient provides essential nutrients for your pooch.

#6: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Loaf Canned Dog Food

If your pup tends to carry excess weight, the last thing you want to do is feed them a fattening diet. Fortunately, this blend will improve your dog’s sensitive stomach without loading them down with too many calories. Prebiotics promote healthy gut flora, while dietary fiber improves digestion. This formula contains omega-3 fatty acids to calm your pooch’s aggravated gastrointestinal tract. Royal Canin’s formula also uses a proprietary S/O Index to prevent the formation of crystals in the bladder. 

#7: Solid Gold Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach Grain-Free Cold Water Salmon & Vegetable Dry Dog Food

Just like humans, some dogs can’t digest grains or gluten. This blend from Solid Gold is grain- and gluten-free and contains chickpeas and tapioca to provide your dog with much-needed carbohydrates. Cold-water salmon is packed with protein and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which improve your dog’s skin and coat without upsetting his delicate stomach. Solid Gold’s formula also contains a blend of 20 easily digestible superfoods to boost your pup’s immune health and support a healthy gut.

Mealtime can be tricky if your dog has a sensitive stomach. Fortunately, many dog food brands have expanded their options to accommodate even the most delicate digestive tract. Talk to your veterinarian about starting your pup on a sensitive stomach diet. They can tell you how best to transition your pooch to their new diet, and may recommend additional supplements to help support gut health. 

Editors' Recommendations

Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
What is the best food for older dogs? These 6 vet-approved kibbles and canned foods won’t steer you wrong
Try these veterinarian-approved dog food products for your senior dog
Senior golden retriever and Chihuahua sitting in front of food bowls

As your dog gets older, you'll need to make some changes to your home and routine to keep them feeling their best. That includes changing their dog food, too!
Although the best food for older dogs varies depending on your buddy's health, size, and specific needs, there are several guidelines you can follow to help you find a product that does the trick. Of course, your local veterinarian will be your most knowledgeable resource, especially if they have a long history with your pet. They can also recommend and approve a prescription diet for your dog, giving you even more brands, flavors, and nutrients at your disposal. And since nutrition greatly impacts overall health, investing in high-quality food is paramount.
We did some research since it can be tricky to know which kibbles and canned foods make a veterinarian's approved list. Here’s what we found, including a selection of six vet-recommended dog foods you can try with your senior dog.

What's the best food for older dogs? Here are six options and what makes them so good
Though your senior dog may be as energetic as ever, their body will need a different diet as they age. Banfield Pet Hospital’s Dr. KT Boyle, DVM, told NBC News that because older pets have particular nutritional needs, you’ll need to think about a few different factors when choosing their food.
Older dogs need fewer calories and more supplementation than younger pups, for example. This reduced caloric need is because of the way an animal's metabolism slows as they age, though the exact supplements they need depend on the individual. To find out exactly what will benefit them, have a conversation with your veterinarian. It's that easy!
Dr. Boyle notes that even though senior dog foods contain many helpful nutrients — like glucosamine and fatty acids for joint health — you might need to add supplement drops or chews to your pet’s diet. Luckily, there are many to choose from and many ways to get them.
When it comes to wet versus dry food, though, there can be benefits to both. Dogs with dental issues may find wet food easier to eat, but the texture in kibble can help fight plaque and tartar buildup on your pup’s teeth. The pet nutrition pros at Pedigree remind owners that there is no one right answer. When in doubt, ask your vet!
That being said, there are a few senior dog foods that Dr. Boyle recommends over others. These include:

Read more
Are Starbucks Puppuccinos bad for dogs? Here’s what veterinarians have to say
Can my dog have a Starbucks puppuccino? Here's what the experts say about whipped cream
A pug stands in front of a pink background and licks whipped cream off of his nose

Whether you’re inspired by the adorable viral videos or that sweet look of pleading in your dog’s eyes, letting Fido enjoy a Starbucks Puppuccino can be the highlight of your day. Despite being a little messy, this yummy treat is so worth it — who doesn’t love some happy tail wags and a cream-covered nose?
This popular Starbucks trend has left many dog owners with questions, though. What exactly is in a Puppuccino -- or "Pup Cup" -- and is it safe for dogs? Several veterinarians and canine experts have weighed in with their opinions and advice, so you’ll know exactly what to do next time you and your buddy hit up Starbucks -- or anywhere else that offers a similar treat.

What is a Puppuccino? Will I always get the same thing when I order one?
When you order your dog a Starbucks Puppuccino, or Pup Cup, all you get is a cup of whipped cream for your buddy to enjoy. Most of the time, you’ll get a three-ounce espresso cup filled with the sweet treat, but every now and then, you’ll run into a location that offers Pup Cups in kids’ or short-size cups, which are eight ounces in size. That's great news for larger dogs!
Starbucks makes its whipped cream out of two popular ingredients: heavy whipping cream and vanilla syrup. It’s rare to find a store that’s out of either of these products, so whipped cream is virtually always on the menu. Puppuccinos have become more and more popular, too — especially since viral videos of dogs enjoying this treat are nearly everywhere online — so your barista will know exactly what you’re talking about no matter what you call it. Puppuccino, Pup Cup, a cup of whipped cream -- it’s all the same!
And, as TikTok can confirm, the baristas love meeting your fur babies just as much as you love bringing them to coffee.

Read more
Are Himalayan dog chews safe for your pet? Know this before you buy
Himalayan dog chews are still trendy, but are they safe for your pup?
A close-up shot of a pug standing in the grass with a bone-shaped treat in his mouth

What do blueberries, kale, and broccoli all have in common? In addition to being delicious, all three are superfoods, labeled by the health food world. Unfortunately, there's no federally regulated definition for the term, but Harvard scientists claim food that "offers high levels of desirable nutrients, is linked to the prevention of a disease, or is believed to offer several simultaneous health benefits beyond its nutritional value" can be labeled superfoods. 

Just like you might add chia seeds to your granola or spirulina powder to your smoothies for additional vitamins and minerals, you also want to make sure your dog's food and treats pack a beneficial wallop. Made famous on Shark Tank, Himalayan dog chews have become one of the most hotly debated treats in the pet food game, which begs the question, "Are Himalayan dog chews as healthy as some people think?"

Read more