Your puppy deserves the best meals with a tasty experience that’s also high in nutritional content. However, puppies are still growing and have sensitive tummies. Some meals that meet the right requirements may lead to upset stomachs, causing discomfort.
In this guide, we recommend the best puppy food for sensitive stomachs, including the leading brands with tips on how to help your puppy avoid food sensitivities.
Best Puppy Food for Sensitive Stomachs: Our Recommended Products
The most recommended puppy food for sensitive stomachs are as follows:
- Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Puppy Food
- Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care, Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food
- Lucy Pet Formulas for Life Salmon, Pumpkin & Quinoa Dry Dog Food
- Solid Gold Mighty Mini Small Breed Dog Food
1. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Puppy Food
This food contains calcium and phosphorus, which help achieve strong bones and teeth. It’s made of prebiotic fiber, which improves digestion and nutrient absorption
This is a great puppy food for sensitive stomachs, but be careful with giving it to younger puppies due to the presence of allergens.
Pros
- The ingredients help with sensitive stomachs and skin.
- Rice is a primary ingredient and is easily digestible, helping with sensitive stomach issues. It is also hypoallergenic.
- Another ingredient is sunflower oil, rich in Omega-6 fatty acids that help with sensitive skin.
- The food contains antioxidants that are great for the immune system.
Cons
- It contains traces of soy, wheat, and other allergens, and adverse reactions include diarrhea.
- The food can cause digestive upset in sensitive dogs.
- It may contain too much fat for some puppies, so remember to monitor calorie intake.
2. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care, Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food
To help with sensitive stomach issues, the food is made from potato and oatmeal, which contain plenty of fiber, and are great for digestion.
A unique feature of this puppy food for sensitive stomachs is that it uses limited ingredients and doesn’t contain the complex materials that cause stomach upset for puppies.
This is a great product if your focus is on your dog’s digestive issues rather than other health conditions.
Pros
- The food uses single-source animal protein (turkey) for an impressive protein count.
- It contains peas and pumpkins, which have plenty of fiber and are great for digestive health.
- Arachidonic acid (ARA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) help with cognitive development.
- Omega-3 fatty acids improve skin and coat health.
Cons
- It can lead to allergies and skin issues like bumps and rashes.
- The food is somewhat nutrient-light.
- It lacks important vitamins and minerals.
3. Lucy Pet Formulas for Life: Salmon, Pumpkin & Quinoa Dry Dog Food
Made in small-bite kibbles, it features a combination of pumpkin and quinoa, which are rich in nutrients that help maintain digestive health.
This puppy food for sensitive stomachs focuses on helping dogs with digestion issues and less on other health concerns.
Pros
- Kibble is small and easy for dogs to chew, and the food is highly palatable.
- The primary ingredient is salmon, which is a high-quality source of protein.
- Nutrient-rich ingredients like pumpkin give fiber, and quinoa is a digestible protein.
- It focuses on healthy digestion.
Cons
- The ingredients are too targeted at providing fiber and other materials for healthy digestion.
- All dogs do not tolerate quinoa, as it can be an incomplete protein source and may also lead to digestive issues.
- The food hardly achieves any other health benefits.
4. Solid Gold Mighty Mini Small Breed Dog Food
Containing a carefully-developed sensitive stomach formula, this food also contains other vitamins and minerals that support overall health.
Young puppies will benefit from this product the most. It’s helpful for stomach upsets and offers immune system and coat health support.
Pros
- It is ideal nutrition for small breeds and puppies.
- The food is kibble-size, which is great for puppies with delicate canines.
- It’s gluten-free.
- The food features probiotics for a resilient immune system.
Cons
- High concentrations of methionine may cause bladder stones and imbalanced nutrient intake.
- Picky eaters may not enjoy the flavors.
- Storage may be challenging because it develops a smell quickly.
Feeding Your Puppy with a Delicate Stomach
Finding puppy food for sensitive stomachs can be challenging, especially if you share different tasty things with them. Nevertheless, the tips below can help you out.
Choose High-quality and Easily Digestible Protein Sources
Choose food with a single-animal protein source (chicken, lamb, or fish) that is gluten-free, as these will improve gut health and nutrient adoption and address digestive issues in your puppy.
Avoid Fillers and Artificial Ingredients
Fillers, like corn and wheat, can be difficult for some dogs to digest. Similarly, artificial ingredients, such as preservatives and flavors, can irritate dogs with digestion issues.
Consider a Limited Ingredient Diet
A limited-ingredient diet is made with a single protein source and a limited number of ingredients.
Small Frequent Meals
If your puppy has a sensitive stomach, feeding them smaller, more frequent meals may be helpful instead of one or two large meals per day.
Specific Nutrients
Some nutrients, including antioxidants, are best for sensitive stomachs, and it’s best to look for food that contains them.
The Best Food Options for Puppies with Sensitive Stomachs
Puppy food for sensitive stomachs tends to include:
- Limited ingredient diets (single protein source and minimal ingredients)
- Gentle proteins (chicken, turkey, and fish)
- Wet food
- Grain-free diets
- Hypoallergenic diets (lamb, salmon, and pea protein)
Top Dog Food Brands
Some of the best brands making puppy food for sensitive stomachs include:
Purina
Purina has been producing pet food and supplements for more than 100 years. A Nestle company, Purina’s products focus on helping pets who have different health needs.
Blue Buffalo
Just over two decades old,Blue Buffalo is known for healthy meals made from the highest-quality ingredients. Its diet for sensitive stomachs is part of its Blue Buffalo Basics division.
Lucy Pet Products
Committed to animal health and wellness, Lucy Pet Products started in 2011. They have an extensive product line of kibble, wet food, supplements, and grooming materials.
Solid Gold
With a remarkable legacy, Solid Gold makes food with the finest ingredients. They also have specific products for different health needs, including grain-free and limited ingredient diets, senior pet formulas, and specific supplements like joint health and digestive health products.
FAQs
Here, we provide answers to some questions you may have about puppy food for sensitive stomachs:
What is a sensitive stomach in puppies?
A sensitive stomach in puppies refers to a digestive system that is easily upset, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
How can I tell if my puppy has a sensitive stomach?
Signs of a sensitive stomach in puppies include vomiting, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and a loss of appetite.
Can I make my own food for my puppy with a sensitive stomach?
While making your own food for your puppy with a sensitive stomach is possible, their nutritional needs must be met. Consult a veterinarian to determine the best diet for your puppy.
How long does it take for a puppy’s sensitive stomach to heal?
The length of time it takes for a puppy’s sensitive stomach to heal depends on the underlying cause of the upset stomach. Sometimes, it may take several weeks to months for a sensitive stomach to heal, while in others, it may be a permanent condition.
Final Thoughts
Getting the right puppy food for sensitive stomachs requires careful consideration of their dietary needs and individual health factors. Getting this right will also help you prepare them when you switch to adult food.
A diet that’s easily digestible and formulated with limited ingredients can be beneficial in promoting digestive health. Every puppy is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.