Does your canine companion have a sensitive stomach? You’re not alone. Many dogs suffer from digestive issues throughout their lives. While some pets only experience the occasional episode of constipation or diarrhea, other pups with frequent gastrointestinal upset benefit from specially formulated diets that are gentle on troublesome tummies.
Ready for a mealtime makeover? Read on for everything you need to know about how to select the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
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Best Overall Dog Food for Sensitive StomachsHill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Sensitive Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog F... $82 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$82 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
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Best Wet Dog Food for Sensitive StomachsRoyal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Canned Dog Food, 13.5-oz c... $120 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$120 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
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Best Dry Dog Food for Sensitive StomachsHill's Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Dry Dog Food, 27.5-lb bag $133 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$133 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
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Best Grain-Free Dog Food for Sensitive StomachsTaste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 28-lb bag $59 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$59 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
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Best Small Dog Food for Sensitive StomachsHill's Science Diet Small & Mini Breed Sensitive Stomach & Sensitive Skin Dry Dog Foo... $56 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$56 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
How To Find the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
While you always want to select the best food for your best friend, if your dog has a sensitive stomach, finding the perfect fit can be a little trickier.
“If your dog has a sensitive stomach, it’s important to choose a dog food that is easily digestible and gentle on their digestive system,” says Dr. Alejandro Caos, DVM, a Miami-based veterinarian with national, mobile, pet-care service The Vets.
Thanks to advances in veterinary nutrition and science, pet parents today have plenty of options when it comes to diets for sensitive stomachs. While this is great news, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the number of brands and formulas on the market.
Where to start? Here’s what to consider when selecting a new food for your dog:
- Your veterinarian’s input: “If your dog has a sensitive stomach, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and to discuss dietary recommendations specific to your dog’s needs,” says Dr. Caos. “Your vet may recommend specialized prescription diets or provide guidance on selecting commercial diets that are suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.”
- AAFCO standards: All commercial dog foods should meet standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a nonprofit that ensures pet foods contain the necessary nutrient profiles.
- Ingredients: Every pup is different, but dogs with sensitive stomachs frequently benefit from recipes made with a limited amount of quality ingredients, easily digestible carbohydrates and natural fiber sources. (More on that below.)
- Your dog’s age: Select a food formulated for your pet’s correct life stage (puppy, adult dog or senior dog) to ensure they receive the appropriate amount of nutrients and calories.
- Your dog’s size: If purchasing dry food, select an appropriate kibble size for your pet.
- Your dog’s overall health and symptoms: Different foods are formulated to address different health concerns. For example, if your dog’s stomach issues are caused by food allergies, ensure that the food you select does not contain any potential allergens.
9 Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
To help you choose, we’ve rounded up the best dog food for sensitive stomachs as tested and approved by Chewy customers. These top-selling, top-rated dog foods get two paws up from dog parents like you.
Best Overall Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
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Great food!
My dog has had problems with soft stools and this is the only one that has helped. One of the best foods!
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Perfect for my pet's belly
Ozzie has a very sensitive stomach. I have tried other foods with no luck, but Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach came through. AND Ozzie loves it!
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She Loves It
Though our little girl (60lb Labradoodle) was on Hill's Large Breed, switching her to the Sensitive Stomach has curtailed much of her distress after eating.
Best Wet Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
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17+ year old 4 pound Yorkie mix is alive bc of this food
She lost a ton of weight (life threatening) so we added high fat food which caused pancreatitis. No meds, just changed to this food and her bloodwork returned to normal. Best part, this spoiled and finicky eater likes it
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Great for Gut Health
Our vet told us to try this food for our dogs severe pancreatitis. She loves it and I am now mixing in some of the dry also.
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On-Line Canned Dog Food Order
As always, Chewy is an amazing place to shop on-line with. We place the order, and the items are delivered as promised without any issues. Great Site to shop and our little dog, Zoe lets us know when she needs anything special, we can usually find whatever she wants quickly and at a reasonable price. Thank You Chewy. RMP
Best Dry Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
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Intestinal issues resolved !
We tried quite a few veterinary diets with limited success. Then Hill's came out with this dog food. I initially refused to try it since I had just transitioned to another variety. Our vet convinced us to give it a chance . . . and it was like magic. No more problems. It may not do this for every dog but it's certainly worth a try.
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Great for upset tummies & diarrhea
I give him 1/4 C with each meal and it keeps his tummy in great shape. Also helps when transitioning him from one food to another.
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A solution to our dog's stomach distress
After months of trying different dog foods and struggling with loose stool, this prescription food has solved the problem. Thanks to Chewy's fast delivery.
Best Grain-Free Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
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Ava loves it!
How much she loves a food that's so good for her is what is important. Thank you Chewy for all you do for stray and other animals that need help!
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The Best
I just wanted to leave this review seeing how happy I am with chewy with me and my Doberman pincher Koba!! The Ultimate Destination for Pet Lovers When it comes to caring for our furry friends, having the right products is essential. For pet owners, finding a reliable source for high-quality dog products can be a game-changer. Enter Chewy a company that has quickly become the go-to destination for dog lovers everywhere. With an impressive range of products, unbeatable customer service, and lightning-fast delivery, Chewy stands out as the best in the business. Unmatched Product Selection Chewy offers an extensive selection of dog products...
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My dog loves this
My Rottie loves this. I mix it with a wet food that I make being sure to add natural grains for a healthy, well balanced meal.
Best Small Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
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Quality studies food
This food has the balance we are looking for with food studies and quality. Dogs enjoy it and I feel safe feeding this. Other brands resulting in various GI issues
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The price
My little dog likes the small bites, I don't give him alot at one time I give him a hand full & he'll eat that.
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My Little loves it!
The kibble size is perfect for little ones. Taste must be good because she always finishes everything last bite. She isn't itchy anymore and doesn't seem to scratch as much.
Best Large Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
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Convenient and timely
It is so nice to have our pets food delivered to our door and not stress out about hoping the store has our dog food when we need it.
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Works like a charm!
I recently changed my German Shepherd's food from Hill's Science Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken flavor to this brand and could tell a difference with his skin and coat within 3-4 weeks! He went from having a very coarse coat to a more glossy one, and his skin hasn't had a more hot spots since. We usually have to take him in for a cytapoint allergy shot every 6 weeks to relieve his itchiness, but haven't had to yet. He still scratches occasionally but not enough for me to have to take him back to the vet! I would definitely recommend this brand of dog food to anyone who's GSD might have skin and coat issues like my fur baby! I also like...
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Good dog food
My spirit dog loves her food. She gobble it right up gone in about 12 seconds so far so good.
Best Dog Food for Sensitive Skin and Stomachs
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Great product
My dog has a skin problem & the Vet told me to try this food. I did & now she has no more skin problems so I'll buy this until she dies.
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Sensitive Stomach & Skin
Our Jack Russell has super sensitive skin as well as a sensitive tummy. This is the only food he’s ever been able to tolerate!
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Pitbull stomach
My pitty has one of those sentive stomachs. The kind we’re she’s straight allergic to any type of chicken or beef doesn’t matter if it’s dog food or table food, I’ll wake up to a mess in the morning. I’ve had her for 8 years and this food was the first time she ever in her 8 years of life had solid poop. It’s absolutely amazing.
Best Puppy Food for Sensitive Stomachs
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Highly recommend!
We've had our puppy, Husky/German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix, on another puppy food brand that gave her bathroom emergencies several times in the middle of the night. After doing some research and within 2 days of switching her to this, along with a daily probiotic, her poops have been the most solid they've ever been since we've had her!
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seems fine
Kibble size is good for my golden retriever. He might be a picky eater though. I always get the chicken flavor and some days he’ll devour it and other days he won’t bother eating it. He also has itchy skin and will gnaw at his paws/legs/tail. So it might be the chicken/and or turkey that’s in the food that he might be allergic to. But he eats it, doesn’t throw up or have diarrhea. He’s 1 now so I’m switching him to adult food. I’ll be sticking with wellness core but doing fish and no chicken products this time to see if that helps him.
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Awesome and helpful
My lab puppy has had tummy problems since the day I brought her home. I moved her to the regular Wellness Core Puppy food and still had problems. Probiotics from the vet didn't help. Adding yogurt and pumpkin to her food didn't do the trick. Switching her to this did. Markedly so. "Things" are still a little soft, but no more frantic cries from the crate at night nor unpleasant surprises in the morning. Love this food.
Best Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs
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The vet uses them as treats and my dog loves them.
These are great treats but a bit hard to break if you just want a smaller treat. My one dog needs to use just these but the other two dogs do like them too.
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New Dog Treats
My mini Cockapoo has a very sensitive stomach. She eats a prescription diet but still has times of upset. I asked my vet what treats to turn to since I don’t want any stomach issues. I am so happy they recommended these prescription treats. My dog is very picky about hard crunchy treats but absolutely loved these! She gets so excited when she knows she’s going to get one. And so far her tummy has had no issue.
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Hypo Crunchy Dog Treats
My dog has inflammatory bowel disease and cannot consume any animal protein. Our vet recommended these treats and Remi loves them. Been buying them for a few years and have had very good results with them. And they are just the right size for a treat. Highly recommend them!
How We Chose These Products
Gastrointestinal symptoms are no fun for dogs—or dog parents! That’s why we rounded up only top-selling dog foods for sensitive stomachs that have at least a 4-star rating by Chewy customers. Backed by thousands of ratings and reviews, these bestselling formulas are pet-parent approved.
Guidelines for Feeding Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
Finding the right food for your sensitive pup may take some trial and error, and introducing the new food requires a slow-and-steady approach. While every pet is an individual, Dr. Caos says to consider the following for your dog’s digestive health:
- Limited-ingredient diets: “Look for dog foods with a limited number of ingredients, as this can help identify and avoid potential triggers for digestive upset,” says Dr. Caos. “Limited-ingredient diets typically contain a single-protein source and a few easily digestible carbohydrates.”
- Novel protein sources: Consider trying protein sources that your dog hasn’t been exposed to before, suggests Dr. Caos. “For example, if your dog has been eating chicken-based food and experiencing stomach issues, switch to a food with a different protein source, like lamb, venison or duck,” he adds.
- Easily digestible carbohydrates: Choose dog foods that contain easily digestible carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, brown rice or oatmeal. “These ingredients can provide energy while being gentle on the stomach,” says Dr. Caos.
- Natural fiber sources: Look for natural sources of fiber like pumpkin, beet pulp or prebiotic fibers. “These can help promote healthy digestion and regulate bowel movements without causing irritation,” he says. “Be cautious, as too much fiber may cause constipation.”
- Avoid common allergens: “If you suspect your dog has specific food allergies or intolerances, avoid ingredients known to be common allergens, such as wheat, soy, corn and dairy products,” says Dr. Caos.
How To Introduce New Foods to Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
It’s always advisable to slowly introduce a new food, but this is especially true for dogs with sensitive stomachs, who are more prone to common food-switching side effects like diarrhea and flatulence.
“It’s important to introduce any new food gradually to your dog’s diet, transitioning over a period of several days to minimize the risk of digestive upset,” says Dr. Caos.
Most experts recommend a week or two for transition. Follow these three steps when transitioning:
- Begin by mixing a bit of the new food into your pet’s current food, for a ratio of 25 percent new food to 75 percent current food.
- After two to three days, if your pet isn’t experiencing any adverse effects, increase the ratio to 50/50.
- Increase the ratio to 75/25 after another two to three days, and then finally fully transition to the new formula.
(For step-by-step tips and troubleshooting, consult our veterinarian-written guide to switching foods.)
Be on the lookout for signs the new formula isn’t agreeing with your pup. “Monitoring your dog’s response to the new food is also crucial,” says Dr. Caos. “If you notice any continued issues or worsening symptoms, consult your veterinarian for further guidance.”
Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs FAQ
Q: What are the signs of a sensitive stomach in dogs?
A: Dogs with sensitive stomachs may experience gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, excessive gas, vomiting, food avoidance, and excessive drooling or swallowing (which are signs of nausea). Consult your veterinarian to determine the cause of the sensitive stomach and develop a treatment plan.
Q: What causes dogs to have sensitive stomachs?
A: Dogs can have sensitive stomachs for a variety of reasons, including food allergies and sensitivities, stress, parasites, bacterial and viral infections, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, poor diet and cancer.
Q: What dog breeds are prone to sensitive stomachs?
A: Any dog can experience a sensitive stomach, but some breeds are more prone to problems. Irish Setters, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Shar-Peis, Great Danes, Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers are breeds known to have genetic predispositions to gastrointestinal upset, Dr. Caos says.
Q: Do puppies grow out of sensitive stomachs?
A: Most puppies grow out of sensitive stomachs. The stress and excitement of experiencing new environments can cause an upset stomach, as can eating new foods. Symptoms usually resolve after the puppy is settled into their home and routine.
Q: Is wet or dry food better for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
A: Both wet food and dry food can be appropriate for dogs with sensitive stomachs, depending on what is causing the sensitive stomach and which symptoms are present. Wet food contains more water, so it can be preferable to dogs who experience constipation or dehydration.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, a change in diet could help relieve symptoms. However, first consult your veterinarian to determine the cause of any gastrointestinal problems. Together, you’ll develop a personalized plan to address your pet’s stomach troubles, as well as any potential underlying health issues.
Sensitive Stomach: Next Steps
No one enjoys tummy troubles, including our four-legged friends. That’s why it’s important to feed your pup a high-quality diet that’s formulated for their individual health concerns and nutritional needs. It’s just as important to feed the appropriate amount for your dog’s size, age and activity level. Find out how much to feed a dog here.
Expert input provided by Dr. Alejandro Caos, DVM, a Miami-based veterinarian with national, mobile, pet-care service The Vets.
This content was medically reviewed by a veterinarian.
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