Finding the right food for a dog with a sensitive stomach can be challenging. While some digestive problems, like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, might be solved with a simple diet change, others could be signs of more serious health issues that need a vet’s attention.
After your vet has ruled out any major medical problems, you might want to consider whether your dog’s digestive problems are due to a food allergy or intolerance. If that’s the case, a diet change could be the solution.
You must remember that dogs need a balanced diet with the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. However, picking the right food option for dogs can be overwhelming since there are so many options available both in stores and online.
This helpful guide will explore the best dog foods for digestive issues offered by Under the Weather. Let’s get started!
What is the Best Dog Food for Dogs With Digestive Problems?
Dogs need to be fed according to their life stage since their nutritional needs change as they grow. For example, what a puppy needs is very different from what an older dog needs.
While it’s possible to cook meals for your dog at home, it’s surprisingly hard to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. Studies show that many homemade dog food recipes found online are lacking in essential nutrients.
The simplest and most affordable way to make sure that your dog gets the right nutrition is to feed them commercial dog foods that have been scientifically designed by experts. Pet food labeled as “complete” is legally required to provide all the nutrients a dog needs.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the best options for dogs with digestive issues:
Chicken & Rice Bland Diet for Dogs
Under the Weather’s Chicken & Rice Bland Diet is a convenient and effective way to soothe your dog’s upset stomach with an exceptionally gentle meal. This freeze-dried diet is developed by veterinarians, and it’s designed to restore healthy digestion and make sure that your dog stays hydrated.
The Chicken & Rice Bland Diet is a great choice because it provides an easy and healthy option for your dog without the hassle of major preparation. The careful formulation is made with cage-free chicken and rice and, most importantly, it’s perfect for calming your dog’s digestive system until they’re back to normal.
It has a 3-year shelf life, which means you’ll always be ready — and the simple, natural ingredients mean you can feel confident about what you’re feeding your fur baby. They deserve the best, after all!
Under the Weather’s freeze-dried formula includes electrolytes to help with hydration and energy. It's made with chicken that’s been raised without antibiotics or hormones. It’s 100% sourced and produced in the USA, with no meat by-products, gluten, artificial flavors, dyes, or chemicals.
Ingredients
- White Rice
- Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast
- Glycine
- Sodium Chloride
- Potassium Chloride
6 Flavor Bland Diet Pack
These six bland diet options are designed to make it easy to help calm your pet’s stomach and keep them hydrated when they’re feeling under the weather.
If your dog is a bit picky, you can let them try all of our bland diet flavors. With six packs of our freeze-dried bland diets, you'll always be ready to soothe your dog’s stomach until they’re back to their normal self.
Our recipes use simple, natural ingredients, so you can feel confident about what you’re feeding your dog. The freeze-dried formulas are packed with electrolytes to improve hydration and energy. Plus, they're made with cage-free chicken and grass-fed beef that's raised without antibiotics or hormones.
Ingredients
- Chicken & Rice
- Chicken, Rice & Pumpkin
- Hamburger, Rice & Sweet Potato
- Turkey, Rice & Sweet Potato
- Chicken, Rice & Bone Broth
- Hamburger, Rice & Bone Broth
How to Pick the Best Dog Food for Digestive Health
Keeping your dog healthy starts with good nutrition, but figuring out the best food for your dog can feel overwhelming. The key is to break down the process into simple steps, which makes it easier to answer the big question: "What should I feed my dog?"
Store-bought vs. dog food made at home
First, decide if you have the time and energy to make your own dog food. Making healthy homemade meals for your dog is tough, takes a lot of time, and can be expensive. Plus, many online recipes don't meet all of a dog’s nutritional needs. It's safer to consult with a veterinary nutritionist or use a service that specializes in making balanced dog food.
Feeding your dog raw food is risky because of the chance of foodborne illnesses from bacteria like salmonella, E. Coli, and Listeria, as well as parasites like Sarcocystis and Toxoplasma. These can seriously harm your dog and also pose a significant risk to anyone handling the food or coming into contact with the dog.
Consider your dog’s age
Your dog’s diet should match their life stage since puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional requirements. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between puppy food and adult dog food below:
- Puppy Food: Growing puppies need more protein, certain amino acids, fats, essential fatty acids, calcium, and phosphorus than adult dogs. Puppy-specific foods are made to meet these needs. If you have a large-breed puppy (one that will weigh around 50 pounds or more when fully grown), it’s important to feed them food made for large-breed puppies. This type of food helps them stay lean and has controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus.
- Adult Dog Food: Your vet will be able to guide you on when to switch your dog from puppy food to adult food. Adult dog food typically has less fat and protein since fully grown dogs don’t need as many of these nutrients. If they consume too much, the excess will be stored as fat — which is certainly something to keep in mind when it comes to picking out dog foods.
Some dog foods are labeled for “all life stages,” but these foods are actually more suited for puppies because of their higher nutrient levels. Feeding these to an adult dog can, unfortunately, lead to weight gain.
However, there are situations where an adult dog might benefit from puppy food — such as if they are very active or have trouble keeping on weight. However, in most cases, adult dogs should stick to food designed for their age.
Benefits of Dog Food for Digestive Problems
There are plenty of benefits that come with dog foods that are specifically designed for dogs with digestive problems. Dog food that’s specifically designed for dogs with food sensitivities helps by:
- Providing dogs with lean proteins — like chicken, turkey, or fish — to support muscle and tissue repair. This is especially important for older dogs.
- Including probiotics and prebiotics to balance your dog’s gut bacteria and support their gut health.
- Providing vitamins and minerals that keep your dog comfortable and healthy during recovery from their digestive problems.
How to Feed a Dog With Digestive Issues
If your dog is having digestive problems, a temporary switch to a bland diet can help more than you might think. For example, boiled plain chicken and rice are usually really easy on a dog’s stomach.
Not a lot of people know this, but a little canned pumpkin can help with diarrhea, too. You may have to experiment with different things, but, eventually, you should find something that works well for your pup.
Your vet might also recommend a probiotic, which comes in a powder or liquid form that you can mix into your dog’s food. Probiotics help by restoring healthy bacteria in the gut, which improves digestion. Under the Weather has plenty of probiotics for pets available, so don’t hesitate to check out their wide selection.
Switching to food for sensitive stomachs
If your dog frequently has stomach issues, you may want to talk to your vet about switching to a food that’s specifically designed for sensitive stomachs. These diets, which are available both over-the-counter and by prescription, are made with ingredients that are easy for dogs to digest (and can help soothe your dog’s digestive system).
Dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs should usually:
- Contain plenty of fiber, like psyllium or beet pulp, to help firm up the dog’s stools.
- Have low fat content, which is important because fat can be difficult for some dogs to digest.
- Include probiotics, since probiotics encourage the growth of good bacteria in the dog’s gut.
Conclusion
Here at Under the Weather, we want to make absolutely sure that finding the right food and supplements for your pets is simple and easy. This, of course, includes ensuring that we have plenty of options for dogs with digestive problems.
We have plenty of dog foods and other products available for those who want only the best for their pets with sensitive stomachs. As always, a healthy pet means a happier home. Don’t wait to do what’s best for your furry companion! Help Your Pet Here.
