If you haven’t raised dogs before, it’s easy to assume that your pet can digest all types of dog food. However, that’s not the case — some dogs or specific dog breeds may require the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
In certain cases, particular ingredients can cause digestive discomfort — common Symptoms include flatulence, loose stool, and vomiting. If this has been happening to your pet, it’s time that you consider transitioning to a special diet that meets their requirements.
To do this, it’s best that you consult a veterinarian first — they will be able to confirm the issue that your pooch is facing, letting you know the particular diet your pet may require. Most of the time, it would be a blend of highly digestible proteins, carbs, fats, and prebiotics or probiotics to better their digestive health.
Once you know the type of food your four-legged friend requires and what ingredients to avoid, you will be able to purchase a suitable option. Keep reading to find out more.
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Choosing the perfect food for dogs with a sensitive stomach can be a hard task. Below are some important factors to consider when you’re making a choice:
Ingredients
If your pooch is struggling with allergies and sensitives, then it’s of utmost importance that you pay close attention to the ingredients in dog food. Opt for products that contain simple and limited ingredients, ones that are made without common allergens. This way, you can rest assured that there’s no risk of allergic reactions, even if you’re unsure which ingredients exactly are triggering it.
Flavor
Nobody enjoys eating food that they don’t like, and it’s the same with your four-legged buddy. Look for allergy-friendly food that comes in a flavor your dog loves — most brands offer multiple options. Also, keep in mind that food with a single source of protein is better for sensitive pets.
Benefits
The food you choose will probably become the staple diet for your furry friend, so ensuring that they provide your pet with benefits is a smart idea. A lot of high-quality dog food offers support to the joints, teeth, skin, coat, heart, and immune system. Apart from that, the option for a dog food that promotes optimal digestive health can be a boon to your pet with a sensitive stomach.
Budget
You will find that dog food comes in a wide variety of prices. Typically, the higher the price, the better the quality. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. So do your research and opt for a dog food that will suit your budget in the long run.
Signs That Your Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach
There are some common signs that can point to your pet having a sensitive stomach; let’s look at some of them below:
- Flatulence, smelly stool, and loose stool
- Bad breath
- Frequently stool or stool in excessive volume
- A stomach that easily gets upset
- Bring up bile or froth
- Circling or scooting
- Reluctance to eat
Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs in 2025
We’ve narrowed it down to nine of the best available options. All of our recommendations for the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs are from reputable brands that craft products offering balanced and complete nutrition.
BEST OVERALL
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Tastes great
No artificial preservatives or flavors
No synthetic colors
Contains prebiotic fiber
Gentle on the stomach
Made in the USA
But…
Quite expensive
This dry dog food for adults comes in a smaller kibble size and promotes better digestive health while also nourishing the skin. It contains vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, and other nutrients that are beneficial for your pet’s skin while helping maintain a lustrous coat. Since it’s formulated to be highly digestible, it supports optimal nutrient absorption and makes your dog’s stool easier to pick up.
The recipe uses natural ingredients and contains added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. A review on Amazon reads, “My dog was having stomach problems. So far it has helped him a lot. Not getting sick like he was”.
BEST NATURAL
Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care
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Why We Love
Contains a single source of protein
Made with oats, brown rice, and pumpkin
Features vitamins E and C
Made in the USA
Formulas specifically for dogs with sensitivities
Offers allergy-relief
But…
Smell isn’t very appealing
The first ingredient in this dry dog food is real, high-quality salmon. Crafted with wholesome grains and other healthy ingredients, the recipe promotes gentle digestion and won’t upset your pet’s stomach. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are present to give your pooch healthy skin and a luscious coat while antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits offer support to the immune system.
The formula contains no poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy and is free from common allergens that may upset your fur baby’s stomach. Plus, the high-quality protein in the recipe contributes to healthy and strong muscles.
BEST VET-RECOMMENDED
IAMS Advanced Health Healthy Digestion
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Why We Love
Promotes healthy skin and coat
Guaranteed live probiotics
Supports bone and joint health
The crunchy kibble scrubs your pet’s teeth
You won’t run out quickly
Value for money
But…
Trace amounts of wheat and preservatives may be present
Your adult dog requires complete and balanced nutrition, and this dry food from IAMS provides just that, along with essential nutrients and 0% fillers. The formula is easy on the stomach and promotes regular and healthy stool — all thanks to the natural fiber and prebiotics. The recipe contains no wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives, and the main ingredient is real, farm-raised chicken.
Featuring prebiotics and fiber from beetroot pulp, this dry food helps absorb nutrients more efficiently. And if your pet requires that extra boost of energy, the carbs from the wholesome grains will help with that.
BEST LIMITED-INGREDIENT
AvoDerm Advanced Sensitive Support
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Why We Love
Lam is the first ingredient
Slow-cooked
Manages sensitivities
High in fiber
One source of animal protein
Tested for safety
But…
May make your dog thirsty
Specially developed for pet parents who prefer rotational feeding, this lamb and sweet potato formula can be switched for other recipes from AvoDerm, without causing your pooch’s stomach to become upset. It contains limited ingredients, is grain-free, and offers balanced nutrition — your pet will be able to digest this food easily. Plus, omega-rich avocados are also a part of the recipe, to promote healthy skin and a stronger immune system.
Moreover, all of the ingredients are natural, with added vitamins and minerals. There are no by-products meals, artificial flavors, corn, wheat, or soy present, to help minimize allergies and sensitivities.
BEST LOW-CALORIE
Royal Canin Digestive Care
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Why We Love
Low calorie
Stays fresh for extended periods
Great flavor
Made with high-quality ingredients
Very nutritious
Crunchy texture
But…
High price point
Small breed dogs with stomach issues will greatly benefit by consuming this Digestive Care dry dog food from Royal Canin. The recipe contains the perfect blend of highly digestible protein, prebiotics, and dietary fibers to help your pooch’s digestive system be healthier. Plus, it supports balanced intestinal flora that contributes to optimal quality stool.
Furthermore, this product features an enticing savory aroma and a satisfying texture and is perfectly sized for small breeds. Here’s what a customer has to say — “Our 7-year-old Yorkie has a sensitive tummy and this food is very helpful – she loves the taste!”.
BEST WET DOG FOOD
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly
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Why We Love
Maintains the muscles
Supports the immune system
Makes the coat shine
Makes the coat shine
Comes in a pack of 12
Nourishes the skin
But…
Cans get damaged easily
Made with highly digestible ingredients like prebiotic fiber, this wet dog food is clinically proven to improve digestive health. Recommended by veterinarians, it is enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Moreover, it also contains chicken, fruits, and vegetables, all of which are very gentle on the stomach.
Unlike most dog foods, wheat or other thickening agents are not added to the formula. It’s also free from poultry by-product meals, corn, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
BEST FOR PUPPIES
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach
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Why We Love
Delicious flavor
Premium ingredients
Builds strong teeth and bones
Offers advanced nutrition
Helps itchy skin
No artificial colors or flavors
But…
Contains potassium chloride
If you’re looking for a protein-rich dry dog food for your puppy with a sensitive stomach, there’s no better choice than this one — it contains real salmon and fish oil. It’s also super gentle on the digestive system and promotes optimal stool quality. The omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A that are present help nourish the skin and add a desirable shine to the coat.
Furthermore, the omega-rich fish oil helps in supporting brain and vision development, while antioxidants help maintain the immune system. Last but not least, natural prebiotic fiber fosters specific intestinal bacteria that improve digestive health.
BEST GRAIN-FREE
Solid Gold Nutrientboost Sensitive Stomach
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Why We Love
For all life stages
Promotes gut health
Offers antioxidant support
Gluten-free recipe
Crave-worthy taste
Recommended by vets
But…
Expensive
This dry food features a natural formula and is made with special cold water salmon and vegetables. It’s safe for the stomach and aids immune, skin, coat, and digestive health. The best part is that it contains 90 million patented love probiotics per pound — this enhances digestive function, balances gut flora and bacteria, and offers immune support for dogs.
Furthermore, it contains a pure blend of 20 superfoods, all of which are high in nutrients and superfoods that nourish dogs of all sizes. Plus, the formula is crafted in the USA and is devoid of dyes, BHA, BHT, and Carrageenan.
BEST GLUTEN-FREE
Dave’s Dog Food Bland Diet
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Delicious flavor
Premium ingredients
Builds strong teeth and bones
Offers advanced nutrition
Helps itchy skin
No artificial colors or flavors
But…
Contains potassium chloride
If you’re looking for a protein-rich dry dog food for your puppy with a sensitive stomach, there’s no better choice than this one — it contains real salmon and fish oil. It’s also super gentle on the digestive system and promotes optimal stool quality. The omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin A that are present help nourish the skin and add a desirable shine to the coat.
Furthermore, the omega-rich fish oil helps in supporting brain and vision development, while antioxidants help maintain the immune system. Last but not least, natural prebiotic fiber fosters specific intestinal bacteria that improve digestive health.
How We Chose the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Though there were quite a few good contenders, our team performed full-fledged research to bring you only the best. We considered the ingredients, flavor, benefits, and budget while also reaching out to experts for their suggestions.
Furthermore, we also spoke to pet parents who have been caring for dogs with sensitive stomachs. This gave us better insight into what brands we can trust — we discovered some of the most commonly purchased dry and wet foods that are safe and gentle, suitable for upset stomachs.
FAQ
What is the best food to give a dog with a sensitive stomach?
Generally, vets and pet experts suggest that you feed pets with sensitive stomach gentle options such as boiled chicken and rice.
What dog food brand is best for sensitive stomachs?
Brands such as Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, and Purina Pro Plan offer formulas that are crafted for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
What food is good for my dog’s upset stomach?
If your dog has an upset stomach, we suggest you feed them a bland diet. Options such as boiled chicken or turkey with cooked rice or sweet potatoes can be gentle are safe to consume.
What protein is good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Opt for protein that is easy to digest like chicken, turkey, or fish.
What is the easiest food for a dog to digest?
Boiled chicken and rice are known to be one of the easiest foods for dogs to digest.
Is Royal Canin good for a sensitive stomach?
Yes, Royal Canin is good for dogs with sensitive stomachs since they offer specialized formulas that are gentle on the stomach.
What is a natural remedy for a dog’s stomach?
Natural remedies for a dog’s upset stomach include plain, cooked sweet potato or pumpkin — the high-fiber content can be soothing. Additionally, added probiotics or digestive enzymes can help.
How can I tell if my dog has a sensitive stomach?
If you notice signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, stomach upset, or changes in appetite, it could indicate that your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Is sensitive stomach dog food better?
Sensitive stomach dog food is highly digestible and there is a lesser chance that it may upset your pooch’s stomach. For this reason, it can be a better option when compared to regular dog food.
