It’s a mess (both literally and figuratively) to have a dog with a sensitive stomach There are daily episodes of inappetence, frequent vomiting, loose stools, and an unhappy dog overall. The first step to take is locating a dog food that is suitable for your dog’s stomach if your veterinarian has given you the all-clear regarding your dog’s health and these symptoms have been identified as being caused by a sensitive stomach.
Your veterinarian should perform a thorough examination and complete blood work to make sure there isn’t a more serious underlying health issue before determining whether your dog has a sensitive stomach. If not, it is safe to assume that your dog’s stomach is just fussy.
Finding a dog food that doesn’t irritate your dog’s obviously sensitive digestive system is the only option you have once this diagnosis is made.
Switching Dog Food for a Sensitive Pup
It’s always a good idea to switch your dog’s food slowly and gradually, but it’s crucial to do so for dogs with poor digestion in particular. Making a sudden change to a dog’s diet is asking for trouble, so make sure to go slowly.
Most veterinarians recommend starting by giving your dog a bowl of food containing about 80% to 90% of their old food, and 10% to 20% of their new dog food. Increase the percentage of new dog food to about 30% to 40% on the next day, while reducing the quantity of the old dog food to about 60% to 70%.
The process should take 5-7 days to complete once you start feeding your dog 100% of the new food in this manner.
A new dog food may not cause stomach upset in all dogs with sensitive stomachs, and it may even start to show results right away. In these circumstances, quickening the switch’s pace might make sense. You’ll just have to use your best judgment.
Your dog is allergic to some of the proteins in his dog food
Food allergies typically result in symptoms of the skin or ears, but they can also upset the digestive system.
An elimination-challenge diet is frequently used to treat food allergies. This method entails removing all common allergens from your dog’s diet until the issue is resolved, followed by testing your dog’s reaction when each allergen is reintroduced one at a time.
Is it good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Certain protein types are simply not as easily absorbed by some dogs as they are by others. Similar to how we may not respond well to certain foods for an unknown reason, it may be a natural predisposition.
However, it is best to avoid feeding lamb to your dog if its stomach is delicate due to medical issues. For dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and related conditions like colitis, it is not recommended to feed them meat.
IBD is a condition that causes the walls of the GI tract to become inflamed. Frequent vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, loose stools, frequent urination, or liquid or bloody diarrhea are all signs of IBD.
The inflammation is an immune system overreaction to something your dog may have eaten or an immune system disorder known as an autoimmune disease. This causes discomfort and hinders the GI tract’s ability to absorb nutrients properly.
FAQ
What meat is best for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, one of the best foods you can give him is boiled lean breast of chicken or turkey. Fresh meat is not only very tasty but also rich in protein and free of excess fiber, fat, or seasoning, all of which can contribute to stomach sensitivity.
Is lamb good for dogs with digestive issues?
Stick to easily digestible proteins – chicken and lamb are two good options – and stay away from high-fat dog foods and table scraps because dogs with sensitive stomachs may not be able to digest some protein sources or large amounts of fat.
Is lamb an inflammatory food for dogs?
Lamb is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids in addition to having the right amount of dietary fat. Omega-3 fatty acids will benefit your dog’s heart health, joint health, skin and coat health, among other things.