What Is the Easiest Food for a Dog to Digest

The 9 Best Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs, According to a Veterinarian

Gentle formulas to ease tummy troubles

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The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang

If your pooch has a sensitive stomach, you might find that many foods cause loose stools, flatulence, or vomiting. There are many dog foods on the market that claim to be specially formulated for digestion and gut health, but it's always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to help find the best diet for your individual dog.

"Highly digestible proteins, carbs, and fat along with prebiotics and probiotics help dogs get back to normal quickly," says Dr. Lewis Singleton, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in Princeton, New Jersey.

We researched the market and consulted with Dr. Singleton to find the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs.

Our Top Picks

The first ingredient is chicken, followed by a blend of prebiotic fiber and other highly digestible ingredients.

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This natural kibble contains salmon, barley, rice, oat, and easy-to-digest animal fat.

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With simple gut-friendly ingredients, a superfood blend, and probiotics, this dry food is ideal for sensitive tummies.

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The low-fat formula is ideal for pups who have a hard time digesting fats.

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This wet dog food is specially formulated for senior dogs with high-quality protein and a special antioxidant blend.

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This kibble contains easily digestible salmon, rice, and probiotics for growing pups with sensitive stomachs.

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The recipe is free of wheat, soy, and artificial flavors, which can cause upset stomachs and allergies in some larger breed dogs.

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The small-bite kibble formula is easy for little pups to chew, swallow, and digest.

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These yummy soft chews contain six probiotic strains to balance the gastrointestinal system.

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Life Stage: Adult | Breed Size: All | Weight: 15.5 pounds | Food Type: Dry

What We Like

• Contains real chicken and prebiotic fiber

• Fatty acids and vitamin E promote a shiny coat

What We Don't Like

• Crafted with beet pulp which may not appeal to all dogs

Dr. Singleton recommends Hill's Science Diet. We can see why this tasty kibble recipe made the grade. The Sensitive Stomach & Skin Formula is ideal for pups with tummy troubles. Real chicken meat is the first ingredient blended with prebiotic fiber for digestion support and a balanced microbiome.

Dogs get the extra benefit of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for healthy skin and a shiny coat. All ingredients are highly digestible to encourage nutrient absorption and ease your pup's upset stomach.

Life Stage: Not listed | Breed Size: All | Weight: 31.1 pounds | Food Type: Dry

What We Like

• Made with highly digestible ingredients

• Contains real salmon

• Promotes a strong immune system

What We Don't Like

• Contains grains which may not suit all dogs' diets

If you're on a budget, Purina One SmartBlend Sensitive Systems is a great choice. This natural dog food is made with salmon, rice, barley, oat, and animal fat—all are highly digestible. Dogs also get a blend of vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids to promote a healthy coat and skin. Although this formula is for a sensitive stomach, keep in mind it's not grain-free which is another sensitivity some dogs may have.

Life Stage: Adult | Breed Size: All | Weight: 22 pounds | Food Type: Dry

What We Like

• Nutrient-rich with probiotic support

• Contains a special blend of 20 superfoods

What We Don't Like

• More expensive than other brands

The best dry food for dogs with sensitive stomachs is Solid Gold Leaping Waters. The nutrient-rich, grain-free formula is packed with simple ingredients: cold-water salmon, chickpeas, lentils, peas, and chicken fat.

Leaping Waters contains a special blend of 20 superfoods that are easy to digest and selected to protect your fur baby's gut health. The recipe also includes omega-3s and omega-6s for healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Life Stage: Adult | Breed Size: All | Weight: 20.4 pounds | Food Type: Canned/wet

What We Like

• Great for dogs with gastrointestinal issues

• Low-fat formula

• Has digestible proteins to balance gut bacteria

What We Don't Like

• Requires a prescription from a veterinarian

Dr. Singleton also recommends Royal Canin Gastrointestinal for dogs with tummy woes. This gut-friendly wet food provides tasty nutrition for dogs struggling with diarrhea, vomiting, appetite loss, and other gastrointestinal issues.

This food requires a prescription from a veterinarian. However, you can buy it from pet-supply sites like Chewy and Petco by entering your prescription info at checkout.

It has digestible proteins and prebiotics to balance bacteria in the gut, plus antioxidants and hearty fibers to promote digestion.

Life Stage: Adult | Breed Size: All | Weight: 9.79 pounds | Food Type: Wet

What We Like

• High-quality protein great for older canines

• Helps build and maintain muscle mass

What We Don't Like

• Food is extra dry which may be hard on certain dogs

Hill's Science Diet Wet Food 7+ is the best option when it comes to a senior dog with a sensitive gut. This chicken and barley recipe is chock full of high-quality protein to help older canines build and maintain muscle.

This canned dog food has a special antioxidant blend, omega-6 fatty acids, vegetable fibers, and essential vitamins and minerals. All ingredients are carefully selected for easy digestion and immunity support. However, it's extra dry which is something to keep in mind if your canine has a tough time with certain foods.

Life Stage: Not listed | Breed Size: All | Weight: 24 pounds | Food Type: Dry

What We Like

• Combines salmon, rice, and live probiotics

• Supports a healthy coat and skin

• Omega-6s support growing pups' vision and brain development

What We Don't Like

• More expensive than other brands

Purina Pro Plan is another brand Dr. Singleton often recommends. The Sensitive Skin & Stomach puppy kibble combines easy-to-digest salmon and rice with live probiotics. With omega-3s in the form of fish oil, this dry food supports a healthy coat and skin. It also has omega-6s from sunflower oil to nourish your growing pup's vision and brain development.

Life Stage: Adult | Breed Size: All | Weight: 35 pounds | Food Type: Dry

What We Like

• Stomach-friendly barley, rice, and oat

• Contains highly digestible fibers and probiotics

• Wheat, soy, and artificial flavor-free

What We Don't Like

• More expensive than other brands

For canines over 50 pounds, Purina Pro Plan's Adult Sensitive Large Breed Formula is a good option. With balanced nutrition and easy digestion in mind, this dry dog food's main ingredient is salmon. After that, you'll find tummy-friendly barley, rice, oat, animal fat, and fish oil, along with highly digestible fibers, probiotics, and prebiotics.

The recipe is free of wheat, soy, and artificial flavors, which can cause upset stomachs and allergies in some larger breed dogs. Your furry friend will love the appetizing salmon flavor and appreciate not having a belly ache.

Life Stage: Not listed | Breed Size: Small | Weight: 11 pounds | Food Type: Dry

What We Like

• Includes real turkey, oatmeal, and pumpkin

• Contains a medley of vitamins and minerals

• Easy for small breeds to chew

What We Don't Like

• Only comes in four and 11-pound bags

For pups weighing 11 pounds and lighter, consider Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Small Breed food. The pooch-approved recipe begins with real turkey and includes brown rice, oatmeal, peas, potatoes, and pumpkin. These ingredients all support the unique energy needs of smaller fur babies. It also has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and a medley of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, the small-bite kibble is easy for small breeds to chew, swallow, and digest.

Life Stage: Not listed | Breed Size: All | Weight: 12 ounces | Food Type: Chewables

What We Like

• Specially formulated to balance and support the gastrointestinal tract

• Contains six different probiotic strains

• Treat-like flavor

What We Don't Like

• Texture can be too crumbly sometimes

The right dog food can be a game-changer, and some cases call for a special supplement. We recommend NaturVet Advanced Probiotics & Enzymes, specially formulated to balance and support your dog's gastrointestinal tract.

PB6 Probiotic means it has six different probiotic strains. This helps the gut maintain a healthy level of good bacteria for a settled stomach and balanced intestines. Your pet will gobble up this supplement since these soft chews taste just like a treat.

Final Verdict

Overall, Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin (view at Amazon) is the best dog food for sensitive stomachs. This vet-recommended brand uses chicken as the first ingredient, along with an easily digestible blend of prebiotic fiber, omega-6 fatty acids, and other gentle ingredients for a balanced microbiome. If you're looking for a wet food option, talk to your vet and see if you can get a prescription for Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat (view at Chewy). This tasty canned food nourishes dogs with appetite loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.

This roundup was researched and written by Theresa Holland, a professional writer and animal lover with substantial experience covering pet products and breed guides.

To make this list, she consulted Dr. Lewis Singleton, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in Princeton, New Jersey. She also researched the market and reviewed ingredient lists.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Swanson, Kelly S. "Are Prebiotics Good For Dogs And Cats? An Animal Gut Health Expert Explains - International Scientific Association For Probiotics And Prebiotics (ISAPP)".International Scientific Association For Probiotics And Prebiotics (ISAPP), 2020, https://isappscience.org/are-prebiotics-good-for-dogs-and-cats-an-animal-gut-health-expert-explains/.

2. Hunter, Tammy, and Ernest Ward. "The Importance Of Your Pet's Skin And Coat And The Role Of Diet".VCA, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/the-importance-of-your-pets-skin-and-coat-and-the-role-of-diet.

3. Coile, Caroline. "How To Feed The Senior Dog".American Kennel Club, 2016, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/how-to-feed-the-senior-dog/.

4. Arford, Kaitlyn. "Fish Oil For Dogs".American Kennel Club, 2020, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fish-oil-for-dogs/.

5. Barnette, Catherine, and Ernest Ward. "Allergies In Dogs".VCA, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/allergy-general-in-dogs.

6. AKC Staff. "Probiotics For Dogs".American Kennel Club, 2020, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/probiotics-for-dogs/.

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What Is the Easiest Food for a Dog to Digest

Source: https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-dog-food-for-sensitive-stomachs-4172575

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