Digestibility of dog food ingredients can have a big impact on your dog’s health as it determines the nutrients it gets and how easily they can be assimilated. Dogs with sensitive stomachs are especially prone to problems with digestibility, so it’s important to choose a wet food that is easy on their system.
Digestibility scores for most commercial wet food range from 80% to 90% on a dry matter basis. This means that if a wet food has a digestibility of 80%, only 80% of the nutrients in the food are available to your dog. The other 20% is lost in the feces.
Read more about dog food digestibility scores here.
What are sensitive stomachs in dogs?
A dog has a sensitive stomach if he is prone to vomiting or diarrhea, or if he has a poor appetite. These problems can be caused by many things, including stress, food intolerance, infection, parasites, or other health conditions.
Causes of sensitive stomachs in dogs?
Sensitive stomachs in dogs can be caused by a number of different things, including:
* Food allergies or intolerances
* Digestive disorders
* Poor quality ingredients
* Stress
* Infection
* Parasites
Table of Contents
The Ideal ingredients to look out for when choosing the best wet dog food for sensitive stomachs
When choosing a wet food for dogs with sensitive stomachs, it’s important to look for foods that are highly digestible and contain quality ingredients. Some of the best ingredients to look for include:
- * A single protein source: Dogs with sensitive stomachs often do best on a diet that contains only one protein source. This helps to reduce the risk of food allergies and intolerances.
- Meat meals: Go for wet food that use meat meals such as chicken meal, turkey meal, fish meal, or lamb meal. These are highly concentrated sources of protein that are easy to digest.
- * Quality carbohydrates: Look for quality carbohydrates such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, and oats. Avoid fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy.
- * Healthy fats: Good sources of healthy fats include flaxseed oil, fish oil, and olive oil. These help to support a healthy coat and skin as well as joint health.
- * Probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria that help to maintain a healthy digestive system. Go for dog food with added probiotics to help support a sensitive stomach
- * Hydrolyzed proteins: Proteins that have been hydrolyzed (broken down into smaller peptides) are easier to digest than whole proteins.
- * Omega-3 fatty acids: These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce inflammation in the gut.
Why wet dog food is better than dry dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs:
- Ready ingredients: Wet dog food is easier to digest than dry dog food because the ingredients are already broken down and ready for the digestive system to process.
- Hydration: Wet dog food also contains more moisture than dry food, which helps to keep your dog hydrated and prevents dehydration, which can aggravate sensitive stomachs.
How to transition your dog to a new wet food:
If you’re transitioning your dog to a new wet food, it’s important to do so slowly. Start by mixing the new food with the old food, gradually increasing the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food. It’s also important to make sure your dog is getting enough water. Dogs on a wet food diet should have access to fresh, clean water at all times.
How we scored the best food in our list for dogs with sensitive stomachs:
The 6 factors used to score dog food brands for dogs with sensitive stomachs | Score |
---|---|
Does the dog food brand use meat meals such as fish meal, chicken meal, lamb meal, or turkey meal? | Those with the listed meat meals scored 30 more |
Does the dog food brand have fillers? | Those without fillers scored 10 points more |
Is the dog food brand wet or dry food | Wet food brands scored 10 points more |
Number of ingredients | Those with less than 30 ingredients scored 10 points more |
Does the dog food brand have additional enzyme supplements | Those with enzyme supplements for digestion scored 10 points more |
Does the dog food brand have grain or is grain-free | Grain-based brands scored 10 points more |
Total | 100% |
Factors to consider when picking the best wet food for dogs with sensitive stomachs:
- * Digestibility: Look for highly digestible wet food with a digestibility of 80% or higher. Most digestible wet dog food will have a meat meal as the first ingredient.
- * Protein content: Dogs with sensitive stomachs often do best on a diet that is lower in protein. Look for wet food with 20% or less protein on a dry matter basis.
- * Carbohydrate content: Avoid wet food with high levels of carbohydrates such as corn, wheat, and soy. Instead, choose wet food with quality carbohydrates such as brown rice and sweet potatoes.
- * Fat content: Healthy fats are important for dogs with sensitive stomachs as they help to reduce inflammation and support a healthy coat and skin. Look for wet food with healthy fats such as flaxseed oil, fish oil, and olive oil.
- * Probiotics: Probiotics help to maintain a healthy digestive system. Choose wet food with added probiotics such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium.
- * Limited ingredients: Foods with limited ingredients are easier to digest. This is because there are fewer ingredients for the digestive system to process.
- * Limited ingredients: Foods with limited ingredients are also easier to digest. This is because there are fewer ingredients for the digestive system to process.
- Protein source: Dogs with sensitive stomachs often do best on a diet that contains only one protein source. This helps to reduce the risk of food allergies and intolerances.
Best Wet Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs Reviews 2022
1. Nature’s Variety Instinct:
Our pick for #1 is Nature’s Variety Instinct Grain-Free Canned Dog Food with Real Chicken. This wet food got a straight 5/5 rating from Dog Food Advisor.
This healthy blend of real chicken and wholesome ingredients keeps your dog hydrated and satisfied between meals. It contains no grains, gluten, or potatoes, and is free of carrageenan, an additive that some dogs cannot digest.
2. Wellness Core
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Recipe Dry Dog Food provides a balanced diet for adult dogs. This healthy formula is high in protein and low in fat, making it a sensible choice for any dog – regardless of their age or size. It contains antioxidants and Omega-6 fatty acids, and is a great choice for dogs with food sensitivities.
3. Royal Canin Sensitivity Control
Royal Canin Sensitivity Control -Dry Dog Food contains three key ingredients to help improve the digestive process. It has been specially formulated for adult dogs with sensitive stomachs, so you can rest easy knowing that your pup’s getting all of the nutrients they need.
4. Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food is ideal for sensitive dogs, and provides complete and balanced nutrition in every serving. It contains prebiotics that can help reduce gas and stool odor, control diarrhea, and improve general digestion. This formula is free from corn, soy, and wheat – common allergens for pets.
5. Natural Balance:
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Chicken & Brown Rice dry dog food is one of the top-rated best wet dog food – for sensitive stomachs on Amazon. With only four main ingredients – chicken, brown rice, pearled barley, and oatmeal – your dog’s sure to love the taste, and you’ll feel good knowing that they’re receiving a healthy meal.
6. Royal Canin:
Royal Canin Sensitivity Control -Canned Dog Food is formulated to help reduce digestive upset in adult dogs with sensitive stomachs. The precise blend of nutrients helps to improve digestion and features a limited ingredient formula for easy feeding.
7. NUTRO:
NUTRO ULTRA Adult Dry Dog Food provides balanced nutrition to support your dog’s energy levels and immune system health. This healthy formula is made with high-quality protein from chicken meal, as well as wholesome whole grains and vegetables.
8. Nutrisca:
The top wet dog food for sensitive stomachs – Nutrisca is a flavorful and healthy blend of high-quality protein, whole grains, and produce that offers complete and balanced nutrition to help your pup stay healthy from nose to tail. It’s grain-free, gluten-free, and made with non-GMO ingredients.
9. Wellness:
Wellness Core Grain-Free Original Formula Can Dog Food features a complete and balanced diet that’s appropriate for adult dogs of all breeds and life stages. Made from high-quality protein from chicken, turkey, and salmon, it offers the energy your dog needs to stay active.
10. Blue Buffalo:
Made with real deboned chicken as the number one ingredient, BLUE Life Protection Formula Grain-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food is a healthy and hearty option for active dogs who need a lot of energy to keep going. This chicken-based formula contains a precise blend of antioxidants for immune support, as well as fiber and fatty acids for healthy digestion.
11. Instinct:
Instinct Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Diet Real Chicken Formula Adult Dog Food is the number one best selling wet dog food – sensitive stomachs on Amazon. Made with real deboned chicken and wholesome vegetables and fruits, your healthy pup will love the taste and you’ll feel good about providing them with a balanced diet.
FAQs
Q: best wet dog food for sensitive stomach with diarrhea
A: Royal Canin Sensitivity Control -Dry Dog Food and Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food contain three key ingredients to help improve the digestive process and control diarrhea. Royal Canin provides antioxidants and Omega-6 fatty acids, while Hill’s contains prebiotics that can reduce gas and stool odor, control diarrhea, and improve general digestion. These formulas are both free from corn, soy, and wheat – common allergens for pets. A vet visit is recommended with frequent or persistent stomach upset to better understand the cause of your dog’s discomfort.
Q: best wet dog food for sensitive stomach with vomiting
A: Royal Canin Intense Beauty Dry Dog Food is able to provide complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs with sensitive stomachs. With a precise blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids, prebiotics, and protein from duck meal, this formula has been shown to improve skin’s luster and shine by maintaining the health of the skin and hair coat.
Q: best wet dog food for sensitive stomach with weight loss
A: Royal Canin Intense Beauty Dry Dog Food was specifically designed to provide balanced nutrition for adult dogs who need help putting on or maintaining their weight. With precise blends of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, and lipids – it can help improve skin’s luster and shine by maintaining the health of the skin and hair coat, as well as a precise blend of fiber to help control hunger cravings.
Q: best wet dog food for sensitive stomach with low protein
A: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food contains high-quality protein from chicken meal, while also containing Omega-6 fatty acids to help improve skin’s overall health. The formula is free of corn, soy, and wheat – which are common allergy triggers for dogs with sensitive stomachs. A vet visit is recommended with frequent or persistent stomach issues to better understand the cause of your dog’s discomfort.
Q: best wet dog food for sensitive stomach with chicken
A: Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe Adult Dog Food is made without any corn, soy, or wheat. This combination provides high-quality protein that’s easily digestible and gentle on the tummy. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints and mobility, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat.
Q: best wet dog food for sensitive stomach with lamb
A: Blue Buffalo: BLUE Life Protection Formula Grain-Free Lamb & Pea Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food is crafted specifically to keep dogs of all breeds and life stages healthy. It contains no wheat, artificial flavors or preservatives, as well as ocean fish that provides high-quality protein for lean muscle mass. This formula is rich in antioxidants like vitamin E to promote a healthy immune system, as well as balanced Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids to help maintain skin and coat health.
Q: best wet dog food for sensitive stomach and skin
A: Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food helps maintain a healthy immune system and control dry skin and itchy allergies as part of a balanced diet. The first ingredient is chicken, which provides high-quality protein for lean muscle mass. It also contains omega-6 fatty acids to help improve the overall health of your dog’s skin and coat.
Q: What is the best wet dog food for sensitive stomach and vomiting
A: Royal Canin sensitive stomach dog food is formulated for dogs with digestive sensitivities. The first ingredient, salmon meal, provides high-quality protein that’s easy to digest and gently removes excess fluids from the skin to help reduce irritation associated with diarrhea and/or vomiting.
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Hi there! My name is Alex Landy, one of the co-founders here at Our Pets HQ and a parent to a small-breed Yorkie. I am a published author of two books on dog breeding and currently write on various pet-related blogs about caring for dogs. I am a parent of two daughters and live outside Boston where I spend a lot of time with family and serve in different breeding clubs. You can reach me at alex@ourpetshq.com