Just like humans, some dogs are more prone to digestive issues than others. Whether it’s an occasional upset stomach or a long-term sensitivity, digestive discomfort in dogs can be distressing for both pets and owners. Fortunately, choosing the right food can make a huge difference to your dog’s overall health and wellbeing.
In this guide, we explore the best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs and introduce our specially formulated diets that are gentle on digestion and made with high-quality ingredients. From our Life range to Expert Nutrition and Veterinary Diets, we’re here to support your dog’s digestive health every step of the way.
Causes of Sensitive Stomachs in Dogs
There are many potential causes behind a sensitive stomach in dogs. Some dogs may have a natural predisposition to digestive sensitivity, while others may develop it due to food intolerances or allergies. Eating rich or fatty foods, sudden changes in diet, stress, medication, or underlying health conditions can also trigger digestive issues.
If your dog regularly experiences symptoms after meals or has a persistently upset stomach, it’s a good idea to speak with your vet to rule out any underlying conditions such as pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease or infections.
To learn more about identifying food-related issues, take a look at our blog ‘How Do I Know if My Dog Has a Food Allergy?’
Symptoms of Sensitive Stomachs
Dogs with sensitive stomachs may show a variety of signs, ranging from mild discomfort to more persistent symptoms. The most common include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loose or irregular stools
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Gurgling or noisy digestion
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea (often shown by lip licking or swallowing)
- Lethargy after eating
- Weight loss
- Signs of abdominal discomfort such as whining or restlessness
- Eating grass frequently
- Bad breath or unusual stool odour
- Excessive lip licking after meals
- Whining or pacing shortly after eating
Some dogs may also show more subtle signs, such as general restlessness or appearing uncomfortable after meals. If you notice repeated patterns of digestive upset, it’s worth speaking to your vet to investigate the cause.
It’s also worth noting that food sensitivities can sometimes appear as skin issues like itching, redness or ear infections, particularly if your dog has an intolerance to certain ingredients.
The Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
When choosing food for a dog with a sensitive stomach, the goal is to offer recipes made from high-quality, easily digestible ingredients with limited potential allergens. We offer several tailored sensitive dog food options to support digestive health, each developed by our expert team of veterinary nutritionists.
Life Dog Food Range
Within our Life dog food range, we offer sensitive canned recipes specifically created for dogs with delicate digestion. These wet foods use gentle ingredients and single protein sources, with added prebiotics and nutrients to support digestive function.
Our top picks include:
- Calibra Dog Life Can Sensitive Rabbit – A grain-free, single-protein recipe made with rabbit, ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies
- Calibra Dog Life Can Sensitive Salmon & Rice – A highly digestible, gentle recipe combining salmon with rice, perfect for dogs who prefer wet food
These complete wet foods are a great option for dogs who need a softer texture or added moisture in their diet, while also being kind to the stomach.
Expert Nutrition – Sensitive Salmon
From our super premium Expert Nutrition range, sensitive salmon dry food is ideal for dogs with digestive sensitivities. This recipe uses salmon as a single source of animal protein and includes prebiotics and salmon oil to support gut and skin health. It’s also grain-free, making it a suitable choice for dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies. To find out more about grain-free diets, read our blog ‘What is Grain-Free Dog Food?’
Veterinary Diet – Gastrointestinal and Pancreas
For dogs with long-term digestive challenges, our Gastrointestinal and Pancreas veterinary diet provides targeted nutritional support. This specialised formula is made with highly digestible ingredients, low fat content, and added prebiotics to help reduce intestinal stress and support dogs with conditions like pancreatic insufficiency and chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
These diets should be used under veterinary supervision and are part of our specialised diet-specific collection.
Joy Treats for Sensitive Dogs
Even dogs with sensitive stomachs deserve a tasty treat. Our Joy dog treat range offers soft, semi-moist snacks made with high-quality meat and no grains, artificial colours or preservatives. They’re suitable for dogs with dietary sensitivities and make training or rewarding safer and more enjoyable. Discover more in our collection of dog food and treats.
What Ingredients Should I Avoid?
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, it’s important to read ingredient lists carefully and avoid common irritants. These can include:
· Wheat, corn and soy - These grains are harder for many dogs to digest and are some of the most common triggers for food sensitivities.
· Dairy products - Many dogs are lactose intolerant, so ingredients like milk, cheese or yoghurt can lead to bloating, diarrhoea and gas.
· Artificial preservatives, colours and flavours - These synthetic additives can disrupt gut bacteria and cause inflammation, especially in sensitive dogs.
· Low-quality or unidentified meat by-products - These can be inconsistent in content and may include hard-to-digest tissues, making it difficult to pinpoint any intolerance.
· Excessive fat or rich ingredients - Foods that are too fatty or rich can overwhelm a dog’s digestive system and increase the risk of vomiting or diarrhoea, particularly in dogs with pancreatic issues.
We clearly label our recipes with straightforward, transparent compositions so you always know exactly what your dog is eating.
How Often Should I Feed My Dog with a Sensitive Stomach?
Dogs with sensitive stomachs often do better on a consistent feeding schedule. Rather than giving one or two large meals, it’s best to divide their daily food into two or three smaller portions. This helps reduce the workload on their digestive system and can prevent vomiting or bloating.
Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water and allow plenty of time when transitioning to a new food. Gradual changes over 5 to 7 days help the gut adapt and reduce the risk of discomfort.
Why Choose Us?
At Calibra, we are committed to creating science-based, vet-formulated food that supports your dog’s health at every stage. Our sensitive dog food ranges are carefully developed to be gentle on digestion without compromising on taste or nutrition. We are passionate about transparency and our compositions are clearly stated, so you always know what you’re feeding your dog. With a focus on quality ingredients, functional benefits and expert formulation, we’re proud to help dogs with sensitive stomachs feel their best.
Support Your Dog’s Digestive Health Today
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, the right diet can make all the difference. Browse our full range of sensitive dog food, including gastrointestinal and pancreas support diets and sensitive-friendly dog treats to help your dog feel healthier and happier every day.
