Tips for Choosing Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Dogs are playful, smart and, for the most part, pretty tough. With all the running around and furniture chewing they’re doing, you tend to forget that they sometimes can’t handle sudden change. So when your dog gets one too many treats in a day, or when there is an abrupt change made to their diet, you find that they have developed a sensitive stomach.
Just as you would be picky when shopping for cat food online, so should you pay extra attention when choosing dog food for a sensitive stomach. It’s important to consider several factors to ensure your furry friend gets the nutrition they need without upsetting their digestive system.
Here, we discuss important details you need to inspect closely in dog food, the common symptoms of an upset stomach in dogs, and specific dog breeds that are most likely to develop stomach issues.
4 Things to Check When Choosing Dog Food
1. Ingredients
It’s typically better for any food to contain fewer ingredients because fewer options cause tummy troubles. Apply the same thinking when shopping for your dog (dry food and wet food). So the first thing to look at is the ingredients list. The fewer the ingredients, the easier your dog can digest the food.
Ensure that the ingredient list contains healthy sources of protein and carbohydrates. Look for food that contains easily digestible proteins, such as chicken, turkey or fish. Avoid food with common allergens, like corn, wheat and soy.
Also, consider your dog’s age; a puppy will need higher levels of protein, calcium, amino acids and other essential nutrition than an adult dog.
2. Grain-Free Options
What does grain-free mean? Grain-free means the dog food doesn’t contain wheat, rice, barley and oats, among other grains. Grain isn’t usually bad for dogs, but some are intolerant to this ingredient. Some dogs have difficulty digesting wheat, corn and soy, which can cause flatulence or bloating. If your dog has been passing gas a lot, you may need to switch their diet to grain-free.
Some dogs with sensitive stomachs may benefit from a grain-free diet because they’re easy to digest. The diet helps a dog respond better and look better, with healthier skin and coating.
Grain-free doesn’t necessarily mean carbohydrate-free. Some options will substitute grains with other carbohydrate sources, like sweet potatoes or legumes, which are easier to digest. Your dog will still get adequate carbs from these sources.
3. Prebiotics and Probiotics
A dog’s gut, much like humans, has good bacteria that break down food particles and digest them. When good bacteria are lacking, the bad bacteria can take over the gut flora and cause stomach problems.
Your dog needs a good amount of probiotics (the good bacteria) and prebiotics (food for the good bacteria). Both live microorganisms maintain balance in your dog’s gut.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help support a healthy gut. Dog food that’s fortified with probiotics not only helps to promote digestive health, improve sensitive tummy and reduce flatulence. The good bacteria also strengthen your dog’s immune system.
In combination with probiotics, prebiotics help promote a healthy gut for your dog.
4. Fiber Content
Adequate fiber can help regulate your dog’s digestive system. Look for dog food containing soluble and insoluble fiber, such as psyllium seed husk, beet pulp and peas.
Before making significant changes to your dog’s diet, it’s always a good idea to consult a veterinarian. They can provide personalized advice based on your dog’s specific needs and health history.
What Are the Symptoms of Upset Stomachs in Dogs?
Dogs with sensitive stomachs may exhibit a variety of symptoms. Aside from increased flatulence, some common signs are:
Nausea
Changes in or loss of appetite
Increased burping
Excessive salivation
Vomiting
Swallowing
Blood in stool
Soft stool
Diarrhoea
Stressful situations also cause tummy troubles for some dogs. Big groups of people, loud noises and new environments can cause fear in dogs, which leads to anxiety. Separation is also a cause for anxiety. High stress levels trigger the release of hormones that lead to gastric secretions. This response results in an upset tummy. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones could damage your dog’s immune system.
Which Dog Breeds are Prone to Stomach Issues?
Some dogs, more than others, are prone to tummy troubles. They’ll likely need more visits to the veterinarian and more attention in terms of their diet.
Poodles
From toy to miniature, poodles can suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD can cause constipation, stomach cramps and diarrhea. On the other hand, a standard poodle is prone to bloating since it’s a deep-chested breed. Deep-chested breeds are at risk for bloat, which is when gas and fluid accumulate because the stomach is blocked, causing it to stretch to several times its normal size.
Shar-Peis
The Chinese Shar-Pei can develop a few stomach problems. Among them are megaesophagus (the abnormal expansion of the esophagus and loss of normal movement), eosinophilic gastroenteritis and IBD.
Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkies, like other small breeds, suffer from a sensitive stomach and other serious conditions, such as pancreatitis.
Labrador Retrievers
Food allergies are common in Labrador retrievers. They tend to chomp on things they shouldn’t eat, leading to upset stomachs. They’re also prone to bloating and a megaesophagus.
Basset Hounds
Another deep-chested breed, the basset hound is prone to bloating. The dog also suffers from food allergies and sensitivities.
Great Danes
One of the largest dog breeds, the Great Dane can develop bloat and megaesophagus.
Boxers
Boxers can suffer from inflammation of the colon, ulcer-causing colitis, pancreatitis and bloat. Some boxers also inherit pyloric stenosis, a condition wherein the abnormally narrow opening of the stomach prevents the food from flowing out into the intestines.
Irish Setters
Much like boxers, the Irish setter can inherit a stomach condition. This dog breed can become intolerant of gluten. They’re also at risk for IBD, bloat and megaesophagus.
German Shepherds
The typical guard or police dog is prone to food allergies. Like Labrador retrievers, they’re also predisposed to megaesophagus. When a German shepherd has this condition, food and water get stuck on their way to the stomach. The result is regurgitation. The dog breed is also prone to bloating and inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining.
Choose Only the Best for Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
Every dog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. Finding the best food for your dog’s sensitive stomach may take some trial and error. Patience and persistence are key in this process.
More Lifestyle Articles
