The 4 best dog treats for sensitive stomachs, according to a vet

If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you’ve probably realized that it’s hard to find the right treats. We’re here to help you stop scanning every treat label — these biscuits are made with non-irritating ingredients.

👉 Eating a new ingredient can cause an upset stomach, so remember to gradually add these treats to your dog’s diet.

Our methodology: How we picked treats for sensitive tummies

Partnered with our veterinarian to review products — We chose products with our vet, Dr. Erica Irish, to make our selection of the best dog treats for sensitive stomachs. Before you feed your dog any new treats, you should make sure that your vet gives the go-ahead. This goes for all dogs, not just those with sensitive stomachs.

Avoided treats with “raw” ingredients — Raw ingredients can be harmful, especially to dogs with sensitive tummies. Raw food diets, in general, involve an increased risk of exposure to pathogenic bacteria for both pets and humans! Raw foods can also be particularly destructive to a dog’s tummy and digestive tract.

Checked for recent recalls — It’s best to avoid treats containing ingredients that are under review or have a past of recalls.

👉  To check if a dog treat or product has a history of recalls, you should check the FDA’s list.

We avoided fillers and controversial ingredients — While there aren’t necessarily ingredients that treats must have, there are a few ingredients that you should always steer clear of. Try to avoid treats with fillers and artificial colors. Look for treats that contain fiber, omega 3s, vitamins, and probiotics.

Sensitive tummy basics

• Dogs with sensitive stomachs can have treats too — Avoid treats with fillers, raw ingredients, and artificial flavoring.
• If your dog has an upset tummy, it might be a sign of an underlying illness — Allergies, autoimmune diseases, and IBS can all cause upset stomachs in dogs.
• There are ways to determine your dog’s food sensitivities — Speak to your vet when in doubt about what to feed your pup.

A note on ingredients to avoid in dog treats

There are a variety of ingredients you should try to avoid in your dog’s treats:

• Garlic
• Onion
• Pork
• Dyes
• Chemicals and preservatives
• Wheat

What human foods are safe for sensitive dog tummies?

While it’s always best to avoid feeding your dog table scraps, there are a few exceptions. If your dog is a big fan of human food as treats, there may be a few foods you can feed them in moderation. These include some fruit, vegetables, and lean means:

• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Sweet potatoes
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Cooked salmon

Canned pumpkin is a popular treat because of its fiber content (but avoid pie filling types). Blueberries are a good source of antioxidants. Kale and spinach are also healthy snacks.

Dr. Erica Irish

DVM

Dog health conditions associated with upset stomachs

If your dog constantly has an upset stomach and you’re not sure why they could be struggling with an underlying health issue. Illnesses that may cause sensitive stomachs in pups include:

• Food allergies. Dogs with allergies often exhibit signs of an upset stomach, like diarrhea vomiting, or constipation.
• Autoimmune disease. When dogs have autoimmune diseases, their own bodies attack their immune systems. This can wreak havoc on a dog’s digestive system to falter.
• Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS in dogs causes inflammation in the lining of the bowels. This causes stomach upset, diarrhea, excessive gas, and constipation.
• Stress. Anxiety-related things like moving and changes to a dog’s routine can cause stomach upset.
• Chronic kidney disease. Dogs with kidney disease experience nausea which causes them to become unwell, most often vomiting.
• Pancreatitis. With acute pancreatitis, dogs have a lot of abdominal pain as a result of inflammation in the intestine. Constipation and diarrhea are common signs of pancreatitis.

🚨 If your dog is suffering from repeated stomach upset, you should take them right to the vet. It could be a sign of an underlying illness.

Common dog food allergens

Some of the most common food allergens in dogs include beef, chicken, lamb, dairy, and wheat. It’s estimated that less than 5% of the canine population has food allergies. Dogs with food allergies are usually allergic to one specific type of protein, like chicken or beef.

How do I test my dog for food allergies?

If your dog exhibits signs like itchiness or diarrhea, they might have allergies. You need to consult your vet in order to figure out whether or not your dog has food allergies. Your vet can help you identify the allergen and place your pup on an elimination diet.

Signs your dog may have an upset stomach

If your dog has an upset stomach they’ll likely display one or more of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Eating grass or licking the floor
• Loss of appetite
• Flatulence or a gurgling stomach

Are some breeds more likely to have sensitive stomachs?

According to Dr. Irish, there aren’t breeds that are more likely to have sensitive stomachs. However, some breeds are more prone to diarrhea:

• Bichon frisé
• Cavalier King Charles spaniels
• Maltese
• Dachshunds
• Poodles
• Miniature schnauzer
• Miniature pinschers
• Shetland sheepdogs
• Yorkies

Frequently asked questions

What do vets recommend for dogs with sensitive stomachs?

Every dog is different, so you should talk to your vet about diets and remedies for your dog’s stomach. In general, if your dog has a sensitive stomach they should eat a well-balanced diet, help keep their stress levels low, and drink lots of water. Ice cubes are a great trick if your dog doesn’t want to eat or drink!

How do I know more about a food’s digestibility?

It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s stools, noticing daily changes so you know what’s normal and what’s not. That way, you’ll know when their poop isn’t looking normal. Some foods are more digestible than others, depending on the dog. Pay attention to what your dog eats before they experience stomach upset.

How do I know if my dog’s upset stomach is an emergency?

If your dog is having bloody or tarry stools, continuous vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, or fever, get them to the vet right away.