Does your puppy struggle with loose stool, vomiting, and excessive gas or flatulence? These could be signs of gastrointestinal upset, which could be caused by their diet. Though most puppies take around 1 to 2 weeks to fully adjust to new solid food, if symptoms become persistent or severe, it may be best to seek veterinary advice.
In this Sploot Vets guide, we talk about some of the best puppy food for sensitive stomachs and what to do if your puppy shows signs of food sensitivity. As always, this article is meant to be a starting point as you discuss options with a trusted veterinarian.
Overview:
- When puppies show signs of gastrointestinal upset, they may need puppy food for sensitive stomachs.
- Most puppies take a week or two to have firm, healthy stools after changing foods or starting solid food for the first time. However, persistent loose stools can mean they need sensitive stomach puppy food.
- Both wet and dry puppy food can be formulated for sensitive stomachs.
I. Assessing Needs: Wellness Exam, Sick Visit, or Urgent Care?
The following symptoms of gastrointestinal upset in puppies indicate that something in their diet may not be compatible with their system:
- Loose stools
- Flatulence
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Dull coat condition
- Inability to gain weight or being underweight
So, what does a pet parent do next? Depending on the condition of your puppy, you can either opt for a wellness exam, a sick visit, or urgent care:
- Opt for a veterinary wellness exam – if your puppy’s condition is improving, but still showing occasional symptoms (e.g., soft stools every now and then). A wellness exam will allow you to explore sensitive stomach puppy food options.
- Opt for a sick visit – if your puppy’s condition is stable but NOT showing meaningful improvement regarding a mild symptom (e.g., the puppy is strong but consistently has flatulence). A sick visit will allow the vet to provide any needed treatment, along with discussing other puppy food options. Another common cause of gastrointestinal upset in puppies is the presence of intestinal worms (e.g., roundworms, hookworms), which can be transmitted from the pup’s mother. A puppy exam can rule this out and determine whether or not nutrition is also playing a part in a puppy’s gastrointestinal upset.
- Opt for urgent vet care – if your puppy is showing signs of weakness OR has been experiencing vomiting or diarrhea multiple times over a few hours. An urgent care visit will stabilize your puppy’s condition (i.e., supportive therapy) and give you the next steps in caring for your puppy’s sensitive stomach.
Note: If you’re in need of urgent vet care or emergency vet services in Denver, Colorado Springs, or Chicago, Sploot Vets is here to help. Give us a call at 720-770-8656, so we can accommodate your pup during our clinic’s extended hours.
II. Common Ingredients in Puppy Food for Sensitive Stomachs
The main thing that sets sensitive stomach puppy food apart is their carefully selected ingredients. These can include:
- Hydrolyzed protein – These are proteins broken down into smaller pieces, making them easier to digest and less likely to trigger food allergies or sensitivities. Foods that contain this kind of protein are usually available only through a vet’s prescription.
- Easy-to-digest protein – Lean proteins like fish or chicken are gentle on a puppy’s stomach, reducing digestive strain and promoting healthy gut function. These proteins are beneficial as long as the puppy does not have any allergies to these lean proteins.
- Prebiotics and/or probiotics – Prebiotics feed healthy gut bacteria, while probiotics add more good bacteria, creating a balanced microbiome that supports digestion and firm stool formation.
- Rice – Rice is a mild, easily digestible carbohydrate that provides energy without irritating a puppy’s sensitive stomach.
- Natural fibers – Natural fibers from certain vegetables help firm up stools, regulate digestion, and keep a puppy’s sensitive stomach healthy.
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids –These fatty acids help soothe inflammation in the gut lining. There are cases, however, in which fish oils can worsen gastrointestinal symptoms; this highlights the importance of consulting a vet for the best sensitive stomach puppy food.
III. What Is The Best Food For A Puppy With A Sensitive Stomach?
The best puppy foods for sensitive stomachs are AAFCO-compliant, made by respected brands (e.g., Royal Canin, Hill’s Science, Purina, etc), and are formulated to support healthy digestion and reduce inflammation.
1. Hill's® Science Diet – Puppy Sensitive Stomach & Skin [Salmon & Vegetable Wet Food]
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- Wet food, sensitive stomach puppy food, AAFCO-approved puppy food
Hill's Science Diet – Puppy Sensitive Stomach & Skin offers a great blend of ingredients that supports growth and overall health while also being beneficial for a puppy’s digestion and skin health.
Some of the key ingredients in this sensitive stomach puppy food include natural fibers to help firm up stools, omega-6 to soothe gut inflammation, and vitamin E for antioxidant effects. DHA from fish oil also helps promote brain development and eye health.
2. Purina® Pro Plan® – Focus Puppy [Chicken & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Food]
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- Wet food, sensitive stomach puppy food, AAFCO-approved puppy food
Purina Pro Plan – Focus Puppy is another wet puppy food that can help soothe sensitive stomachs. Though not explicitly labeled for “sensitive stomachs” or “digestive support,” this puppy food is made with real chicken, a lean meat, and rice as its carbohydrate source; both of which are easy to digest.
This puppy food also contains omega fatty acids that can help soothe gut inflammation. All in all, this puppy food’s balanced formulation is also great for supporting overall health and growth.
3. Hill's® Science Diet – Puppy Sensitive Stomach & Skin [Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Food]
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- Dry food, puppy food for sensitive stomachs, AAFCO-approved
Hill's Science Diet – Puppy Sensitive Stomach & Skin offers a dry food variant with salmon as the main source of protein. Salmon is rarely a trigger for canine food allergies; it is also relatively easy to digest, making it beneficial for sensitive stomachs in puppies. This dry puppy food also contains natural fibers, which help promote healthy digestion and firm stools.
The formulation also includes vitamin E, an antioxidant, and omega-6, which helps in soothing gut inflammation. DHA from fish oil also supports brain and eye development in growing puppies. Overall, this sensitive stomach puppy food is packed with the right balance of minerals and ingredients to support health and growth.
4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet® – Canine Gastrointestinal Puppy [Dry Puppy Food]
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- Dry food; puppy food for sensitive stomachs, AAFCO-approved, contains prebiotics
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet® – Canine Gastrointestinal Puppy is a dry puppy food that is formulated for sensitive stomachs. It is packed with prebiotics that help maintain a good balance of good bacteria in the puppy’s gut, which helps make their digestive system more resilient.
In addition, this dry puppy food for sensitive stomachs offers highly digestible proteins and electrolytes, which support easy digestion, promote hydration, and help form healthy stool. Last but not least, the formulation includes omega-3 fatty acids, which are not only beneficial for overall health but also help reduce gut inflammation.
5. Royal Canin® – Canine Hydrolyzed Protein Puppy [Dry Puppy Food]
- Available on SplootRX online pet store. Get 35% off (up to $20) on your first order with the promo code WELCOME
- Dry food, puppy food for sensitive stomachs, AAFCO-approved, with hydrolyzed protein
Royal Canin® – Canine Hydrolyzed Protein is a special dry puppy food formulation containing hydrolyzed soy protein, which is easy to digest and great for puppies with canine food allergies.
In addition, this dry puppy food for sensitive stomachs also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which soothe the gut lining with their anti-inflammatory effects and contribute to overall health. Last but not least, EPA and DHA support healthy vision and brain development in puppies.
Final Reminders: Choosing the Best Puppy Food for Sensitive Stomachs
If your puppy has a sensitive stomach, consulting a vet is the surest way to find the most compatible puppy food for them. Each puppy has a unique set of needs, affected by their age, size, breed, and other health factors. Veterinarians consider all of these to make personalized recommendations that make a big difference.
We always remind pet parents to bring their puppies to the vet for a puppy exam, right after bringing them home. The puppy exam gives your puppy the strongest start in life with personalized recommendations for their diet, exercise, vaccination schedules, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and other important aspects of puppy care.
Learn more about amazing puppy care with our vet-approved guides:
- How to Take Care of a New Puppy 101: The 1st Year→
- 5 Best Puppy Food for Small to Large Breeds→
- How to Potty Train a Puppy [Tips, Techniques, & Timeline]→
Get Complete Puppy Care at Sploot Vets
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