Some dogs have a "steel stomach" and can eat anything without problems, while other owners struggle to find a dog food that suits their dog with a sensitive stomach. Puppies can also have an irregular and sensitive stomach - but what do you do and which dog food is best suited?
Is there dog food and puppy food for a sensitive stomach?
When it comes to a sensitive stomach, we have to start with the basics - there is no actual diagnosis called sensitive stomach. If you have a dog that repeatedly has problems with diarrhoea or vomiting, even though you feed a high-quality complete food, you should always contact your vet and start an investigation. Diarrhoea and vomiting, which come and go in flare-ups, can have underlying causes such as parasites, inflammation, hormonal diseases, intestinal diseases or allergies. No matter how many foods or supplements you try, the problems will persist, even if it can get better for periods. The cause should therefore always be investigated first.
A puppy can more often suffer from episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea, which is often due to all the new things the puppy encounters. They are more inclined to taste and lick new things, and can then take in bacteria that the immune system has not met before, or chew on something unsuitable. A somewhat sensitive stomach in a puppy is more to be expected, but it should not be serious or frequent, since even this should be examined by a vet. Puppies also become dehydrated faster than adult dogs, and require veterinary care sooner.
Then back to dog food for a sensitive stomach - because as mentioned, since there are many causes of a sensitive stomach, different types of food can suit. If the underlying cause is an allergy to a protein source, an allergy food or food with a hypoallergenic protein source can help. Insects are a new protein source for most dogs, and can therefore be beneficial for dogs with an allergy to traditional protein sources such as beef, pork or chicken. It is also the only protein source of animal origin in our food. Read more about our insect-based food in relation to food allergies in this article.
Grains are often blamed for causing stomach problems, but they are generally easily digestible sources of energy and carbohydrates. Allergy to grains or gluten is considerably less common than allergy to protein sources, but wheat allergy can occur in dogs. We have therefore chosen to exclude wheat from our food to also suit dogs with a known or suspected allergy or sensitivity to wheat or gluten.
How have we developed our food to improve gut health?
In our insect-based food we have also chosen to use ingredients that contribute to good gut health and can therefore benefit dogs that more easily end up with an imbalance in the gut flora. Recently, more and more research has shown how important the gut's good bacterial flora is for gut health. Including ingredients that provide nutrition to the good gut bacteria, that is prebiotics, and contribute to gut motility, that is dietary fibre, contributes to a healthy gastrointestinal system. We have therefore chosen to include the following ingredients in our food:
Potato and beetroot: Valuable sources of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre that promote the health and motility of the large intestine.
Inulin: A source of FOS, fructooligosaccharides, a prebiotic that supports the growth of beneficial gastrointestinal bacteria, and thereby contributes to optimal gut health and supports gastrointestinal function.
B vitamins from seaweed and brewer's yeast: Rich in B vitamins including vitamin B12 and antioxidants. Brewer's yeast supports a healthy gut flora through its function as an important source of dietary fibre, and both ingredients contribute B vitamins that fill many important functions in the body, especially in the digestive system where they are important factors in metabolism and enzyme activity.
Yucca schidigera: Helps reduce faecal odour via plant saponins that stabilise fermentation in the large intestine and help reduce ammonia production.
3 quick tips for a dog with a sensitive stomach:
- Book a visit with your vet and investigate the cause.
- Give the dog a high-quality complete food.
- Make sure the dog's diet contains ingredients that promote gut health; fibre, prebiotics and B vitamins for gut health