The Best Puppy Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Do you have a sensitive puppy with a finicky stomach? If so, you need to be especially careful about what food you offer them.

The best puppy dog food for sensitive stomachs is one that is high in protein and low in fillers and grains. This will help keep your puppy's tummy feeling healthy and happy.

Finding a dog food that suits puppies stomachs and is good for your dog breed can be difficult when there are so many brands on the market.

Some good options to consider include raw dog food diets with premium ingredients. Food that is nutrient-rich and formulated specifically to meet the needs of sensitive puppies with good fat, omega oils and probiotics.

In this article, we talk you through everything from the benefits of a limited ingredient meal plan, to the pitfalls of dry dog food, why brown rice isn't necessarily a health food for dogs, and why turkey is a winner for a dog that needs to lose weight. Wet or dry food? What formula to feed an adult or puppy? Does a dog breed determine its digestion?

Whatever you are dealing with, we have the answers below.

 bulldog puppy

Giving your Puppy the Best Dog Food means Giving Them the Best Start in Life

If you want to give your puppy the best chance at a healthy, happy life, be sure to choose high-quality, age-appropriate food for him.

With the right diet, he will be sure to thrive and grow into a strong, healthy adult dog.

Digestive problems are often controlled by changing your dog food, but more than that, a high protein, high quality raw meat diet that is more easily digestible has also been shown to improve a dog's skin and coat, teeth, eyes and overall health and temperament.

Puppy Power:

Puppies should be high in energy, but not hectic or hyper. The best dog foods to maintain a calm temperament, and avoid nervous energy will consist of a natural balanced diet, without additives and artificial flavors that can not only aggravate a sensitive dog but also upset his mood and his stomach.

This is so important with puppies, as they are going through key training and learning phases with you and you want them to be able to focus, and follow instructions, so you can reward and praise them and form a happy owner-dog relationship.

Quite simply the best start is supported by the best dog food.

 Fresh Prime Beef Cut

The Best Dog Food for all Dogs contains Fresh Ingredients

Looking for the best dog food for all dogs, whether adult or puppy? Look no further than a diet rich in fresh, natural wholesome ingredients.

A premium dog food should contain plenty of protein and healthy fat, along with essential vitamins and minerals to support your dog's digestive health and wellbeing.

Some good options to consider include well balanced dog foods made from real, whole ingredients. We only recommend wet food, predominantly made up of fresh raw meat (including widely available easy to digest proteins such as chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon and the correct formula of vegetables, omega 3, probiotics and fat to support good digestion and keep your dog healthy).

These foods are nutritionally dense and provide your dog with the nutrients he needs to stay healthy and strong.

If you want to give your dog the best possible nutrition, you may also have to pay a premium price but it will save on bills from the vet in the long run! Best of all your pup will love this kind of dog food.

As an important note, you should always consult your vet before starting a new diet as some dogs and puppies require specialized diagnostic assistance and advice.

 puppies with sensitive stomachs

Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs

Just like humans some dogs have gastrointestinal problems.

Both dogs and puppies can sometimes get stomach pain. Although it's not often usually a life-or-death issue, it can be upsetting for an owner, and confusing to know what to do.

A significant proportion of dogs may require a special diet, or elimination of some types of food including dry dog food, to avoid allergic reactions or stomach problems.

Some dogs have more severe problems than others and can therefore benefit from a vet guided approach.

In almost all cases, it will benefit your dog to feed them the best dog food made from the best fresh ingredients as this can ease sensitive stomachs and this approach will avoid irritants, additives and chemical processes that can aggravate allergies and are gentler on the digestive system.

You should always consult a vet about the best way to alter your dog's diet but this is even more important if you have dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies.

 Avoid Dry dog food

Dog Food to avoid if your Pup has a Sensitive Stomach

Dry Dog Food:

We recommend avoiding dry dog food, and choosing a wheat and grain free, natural and where necessary limited ingredient diet.

Crucially well balanced dog foods should be focused on high protein, premium raw meat, balanced with fresh vegetables, omega 3 and just enough good fat and probiotics to produce a diet as close to the food that a dog would eat in the wild, as dry food can lead to food allergies, digestive issues and nasty tummy troubles.

Dry dog food, otherwise known as kibble, has long been recognised to be a poor substitute for a raw, protein based wet food diet.

Kibble Recipe: not the best dog food

It makes sense that a dog wouldn't thrive on kibble. Whether the dry dog food recipe contains wheat, grain or rice which you might think are 'natural' foods, you need to recognise that these are not foods that a dog would choose in the wild. A dog is a predator by design and would eat protein from a kill. If a dog is hungry, it will eat the food you put in front to it, but that is no indication that it is the best dog food for its digestive system, particularly for a dog with a sensitive stomach.

Often a kibble recipe lists artificial flavors, fillers and sugars but even where dry dog food is marketed as 'natural' or 'protein rich', it is still not fresh food and not as easy for a dog's digestive system to process as raw protein.

Kibble is not 'Natural' Dog Food whatever the packet says:

Ultimately, kibble formula cannot be 'natural' when it relies on factory processing, preservatives and chemicals for its production and where it contains substances such as soy, or corn.

In contrast raw protein such as chicken, lamb, turkey or salmon are highly digestible. A dog can access the vitamins, minerals and protein more easily as they come in a natural format.

For dogs with sensitive stomachs and tummy troubles, a process of elimination may help you to isolate any foods that upset your dog's sensitive stomach skin or cause other food allergies.

Raw meat and fish are the best dog food for all dogs because the protein is highly digestible and mimics the dog food a canine will choose in the wild.

Whether your dog has a sensitive stomach or not, it will benefit from more protein, omega 3, fresh vegetables as these are foods it can digest easily, whatever the breed or age of the animal.

Click here to read The Truth About Kibble in our Learn section

Salmon Protein

Why Natural Protein is Best for all Dogs:

Your dog's teeth and stomach are designed to eat protein.

Protein is one of the most important nutrients for dogs, regardless of their age or breed. It plays a vital role in helping to maintain healthy skin, muscles, and tissues, as well as supporting strong bones and a healthy immune system in puppies and adults.

If your dog has a sensitive stomach or other food allergies, it can be even more important to ensure that you are feeding them plenty of high quality protein. This is because protein is easier for the dog to digest and process, making it less likely to cause tummy troubles or trigger food allergies.

Some of the best sources of high quality protein for dogs include chicken, lamb, turkey, and salmon, all of which can be found in raw form, as Nature intended, that are easier for your dog to digest.

So if you want to keep your dog healthy and happy, be sure to include plenty of premium protein in their diet - regardless of whether they have a sensitive stomach or not!

Click here to find out why the best way to feed a dog is like a wolf!

Puppy with sensitive tummy

Why Puppies in Particular can have Sensitive Stomach, Skin and Digestion issues


Puppies are prone to sensitive stomach, skin, and digestive problems for a number of reasons. Their smaller size means that their bodies are still developing and growing, making them more susceptible to changes in diet or environmental factors like stress.

Additionally, puppies also tend to be more active than adult dogs and therefore can require higher levels of protein and other nutrients in their diet to support their bodies.

Puppies that need extra help:

If your puppy is experiencing digestive problems, skin irritations or food allergies, it is important to consult with your vet about the best course of treatment. This may involve adjusting their diet to include more high quality and easily digestible foods, proteins like chicken, lamb, turkey, or salmon.

Alternatively, you may also want to consider incorporating supplements like probiotics or digestive enzymes into their diet to help improve their gut health and prevent further issues.

Always consult a vet before you introduce new food or put your puppy on a new dog food diet. With the right care and attention, your puppy can stay happy, healthy, and comfortable for many years to come.

 Three Bird Raw Dog Food

Sensitive Puppy Food

Puppies can have a sensitive stomach, especially those that have been weaned from their mother's milk too early, so what food should you choose if you are worried about tummy troubles, and if you know you have a dog with a sensitive stomach?

The best dog food is a type of dog food that is specially designed to meet the nutritional needs of puppies with sensitive stomachs. That means grain free, premium wet food, protein rich and balanced for optimum nutrition.

This type of food often contains limited ingredients, such as only one or two easily digestible proteins and other nutritious foods that are gentle on the digestive system.

When choosing dog food for sensitive tummies and puppies in particular, it is important to consider the type of protein that is included in the formula.

Types of Protein:

Some adult dogs or puppies may be sensitive to certain types of protein, such as beef or chicken, or salmon, while others can tolerate these proteins just fine but cannot process carbohydrates such as wheat or rice and need a grain free, limited ingredient diet.

For this reason, it is generally recommended to introduce new foods one at a time.

Premium Ingredients:

Another important factor to consider when choosing food for sensitive stomachs is the overall pedigree of the ingredients.

Because puppies with sensitive stomachs may be more prone to digestive problems, it is critical that they are fed premium ingredients, a grain free, high protein recipe for the best dog food diet that contains only the most nutritious and digestible ingredients.

This will help minimize the risk of digestive upset and ensure that your puppy gets all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that they need for growth and overall health.

 

Which Brand to Choose From?

If you are looking for a puppy food for sensitive stomachs that meets all these criteria and more, you will have no doubt been looking for a formula from a trusted brand.

You might want to beware the price tag with a premium brand, and ensure you read the labels carefully. Just because a dog food has a well known brand name, it won't necessarily mean that it is the best dog food for your puppy or for a dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Look at the recipe to see what the meal actually contains and if the source of ingredients is mentioned. Are whole proteins included such as beef, turkey, chicken, lamb and salmon? Are nutrients listed such as protein and fat, omega 3 and probiotics? Is it grain free?

Avoid dry dog food, grain free is best!, and start your pup on the right diet for life. Embed good digestive health from the start with dog food that meets every nutritional need, and prevents the onset of allergies or skin issues.

 

Rawgeous Pet Food Company Logo

The Rawgeous Difference:

With only the freshest, most nutritious easy to digest ingredients and a variety of different protein options, Rawgeous focuses on the health of your dog supplied through your dog's food.

We care about the source of every ingredient in every recipe, and with our three Ts promise we can also ensure that there are no nasty bacteria in our well balanced meals.

Click here to shop for our hypoallergenic food for sensitive stomachs and single protein dog foods: premium grain free, wet food for dogs with sensitive stomachs! 

Limited ingredient diet: Food for Sensitive Stomachs

Rawgeous has a delicious range of single protein (limited ingredient) and hypoallergenic foods designed specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs or, who are allergic to certain proteins.

Our Limited Ingredient Options include highly digestible lighter protein dog food such as Chicken and Veg, or Turkey and Veg, both are low fat and great for dogs that need to lose weight or dogs with sensitive stomachs, intolerant to rich foods.

For dogs that can tolerate fish, Rawgeous Salmon and Veg is another light dog food option, full of essential vitamins, protein and good fat.

Puppy Under 12 weeks

A Word About Dog Food for Puppies Under 12 Weeks

Tiny Puppies under 12 weeks need finely milled highly digestible dog foods, without bones.

We recommend Rawgeous Beef and Veg mix, or our Three Bird Mix as the best dog foods for a little tummy that might be too sensitive for rich foods such as lamb or salmon.

Our formula is easy to digest and great for a puppy's tummy, skin and coat.

Rawgeous dog food is sure to provide your puppy with the support they need for healthy digestion and overall well-being.

Click here to shop for your younger puppy.

Dogs with Food Allergies: Ingredients to avoid

If your dog has food allergies or a sensitive stomach, it can be important to take extra care when choosing the dog food you feed them to maintain optimum health and digestion.

This is because certain ingredients and preservatives in dog food (and particularly in dry food) can cause adverse reactions in dogs, leading to digestive issues like upset tummies, gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

 

Common Allergens:

Some of the most common food allergens in dog food include wheat, soy, corn, and dairy products often found in dry food but sometimes also in wet food), but some dogs may also be allergic to chicken or salmon. In those instances an elimination diet can help a vet identify a health issue and they may recommend a limited ingredient dog food diet.

Heavily processed dog food and trigger ingredients such as soy, corn, wheat and dairy can prove difficult for a dog's digestion, which can lead to unpleasant side effects like discomfort, gas and pain in the stomach or elsewhere. You'll see the nasty outcome in your dogs poop!

We would always recommend a grain free dog food diet for dogs, we've already mentioned that corn and wheat are common triggers, but you might also need to beware some healthy sounding ingredients such as brown rice or potatoes as these are not always good for dogs with sensitive stomachs, and obviously always avoid added flavors, processed fat, chemicals and sugars.

To help keep your dogs (whether adult or puppy) in the best of health it is important to avoid dog food that is high in common allergens and fillers.

 

Dog Breeds that are more likely to have a Sensitive Stomach:

A sensitive stomach is a common issue for many dog breeds, particularly puppies but some dog breeds are more prone to digestion problems than others, including terriers, dachshunds, bulldogs, shih tzus, corgis, and pugs.

These smaller dogs tend to be more prone to stomach issues due to several different factors, including their shorter digestive tracts and higher sensitivity to certain types of foods.

It is advisable to choose dog food for sensitive stomachs such as grain free, limited ingredient, single protein options, and to avoid dry dog food altogether.

 When to call a vet

When to Call in the Vet

If your dog has a sensitive stomach (adult or puppy), it is important to be aware of any potential triggers that might cause them discomfort or distress.

For some dogs these are the obvious culprits we have already mentioned: dry dog food fillers, sugar, soy, corn, wheat or potatoes, but for some dogs it might also be regularly recommended food such as beef, chicken, salmon or turkey, brown rice or potatoes!

Every animal is different and you will need to get to know your dog and its digestion. A highly digestible, grain free, limited ingredient diet can help you eliminate the suspects and find what's right for your dog's diet.

Symptoms to watch!

Symptoms to watch in an animal would include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, bloating, and gas.

In some cases, if you notice these symptoms in your dog, it may be necessary to call in the vet for additional support and advice. Potential causes of a sensitive stomach in dogs can include food allergies and dietary changes but don't always assume it's the dog's food, it can also be stress or anxiety, parasitic infestations, or a gastrointestinal infection.

If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it is important to talk with your vet about possible treatments and management strategies that may help alleviate their discomfort.

This may include changes to the dog's diet, the use of probiotics or antacids added to their food, or other medications to help soothe a dog's sensitive stomach.

Overall, if you are concerned about your dog's sensitive stomach, it is important to be proactive and seek out the help of a trusted veterinarian for guidance and support.

By working closely with your vet, and perhaps putting your dog on a limited ingredient diet, and choosing dog food for sensitive pups, you can help ensure that your dog remains comfortable and happy.

 Slowly Feeding a puppy

A Note on How to Feed Your Puppy

To begin introducing new types of dog food to your puppy, start with small portions and gradually increase the amount of food over time. This will allow your puppy's sensitive stomach to adjust and get used to the new food without becoming overwhelmed.

In addition to introducing new ingredients slowly, it is also important to choose the right environment for feeding. Ideally, this should be a calm and quiet area, such as your puppy's crate or bed. This will help minimize distractions and prevent your puppy from getting overexcited or overwhelmed during feeding time.

Finally, when introducing new food to your puppy, it is important to be consistent and patient. This will help ensure that your puppy's sensitive stomach is able to adjust effectively and comfortably over time.

With the right routine, timing, and environment, and by choosing dog food for sensitive stomachs (grain free, protein rich and full of fresh ingredients!) you can ensure you don't develop a fussy or sensitive dog.

In Conclusion:

Looking for the best dog food for sensitive stomachs, whether for an adult dog or puppy, can be a challenge, as there are many different factors to consider and the market is confusing and full of highly promoted dry dog food.

Some key considerations include the types of ingredients used in the food, as well as its overall quality and nutritional value.

For puppies with sensitive digestive systems, we recommend looking for wet dog foods that are high in good protein, omega oils, probiotics and don't contain fillers, as this formula is often better tolerated by more sensitive stomachs. Sometimes a limited ingredient meal plan can help a puppy that is struggling to adapt.

Additionally, it is important to avoid foods that contain artificial additives or preservatives, which can exacerbate digestive issues. Ultimately, the best food for a puppy with a sensitive stomach will be one that is both nutritious and well-tolerated by their delicate digestive system.

All dogs (adult and puppy) deserve food that is rich in nutrition and offers them the best health and fullest life. We believe that Rawgeous provides the best dog food for every breed, with a range of delicious meals, including hypoallergenic and limited ingredient (single protein) options, that will give every dog Rawgeous health and vitality.

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