Does your dog suffer from a sensitive stomach?
As someone who owns two dogs who have experienced bouts of tummy upset in the past, I understand the emotional turmoil of seeing your pup struggle with loose stools or vomiting.
My dogs have sensitive stomachs but they tend to do better on a fresh food diet comprised of whole ingredients that are freshly prepared rather than eating kibble or wet dog food.
Your dog may have an allergy or food intolerance that you are unaware of that could trigger a bout of diarrhea and vomiting or other symptoms such as flatulence, itchy skin or weeping eyes.
If you suspect your dog may have a sensitive stomach or a food intolerance, you should contact your veterinarian to learn more about treatment options and how to adjust your dog’s diet accordingly.
I believe in the benefit of feeding fresh dog meals made with locally-sourced ingredients and prepared in human-grade kitchens, having seen firsthand the positive impact the food had on the health of my two mini huskies.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at three of the best dog food options for sensitive stomachs in the UK, hoping to provide pet owners eager to feed their canine companions in a fresh way some high-grade alternatives to kibble and wet food.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. Our articles and the products featured in them are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems for you and/or your pet. It's always best to consult your vet regarding any health issues your pet may have.
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Current Top Rated Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs UK
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butternut Box |
|
• Gently cooked • Low-fat recipes • Human grade | Buy Now | |
| Different Dog |
|
• Homecooked • Health+ Range • Sensitive trial box | Buy Now | |
| Pure |
|
• Air-dried food • Backed by vets • Customised | Buy Now |
What Causes Sensitive Stomachs?
Pomeranian under a blanket (Photo: Adobe)
Every dog is different so while you may have previously owned a four-legged friend who could handle a range of different foods, other dogs may be susceptible to subtle changes in their diet which can lead to a sensitive stomach.
PetMD outline on their website that dogs can have different tolerance levels.
Some dogs have guts of steel and can eat almost anything they find in the yard or on a walk with no ill effects. However, not every dog is so lucky. Many tend to be more sensitive than this.
Just like their pet owners, some dogs could be sensitive to certain types of food. For example, my family’s dog was particularly sensitive to greasy foods such as bacon, sausages and black pudding that would find their way from the plate to my dog’s mouth on a Saturday morning.
If you’re guilty of feeding your dog scraps from the table and you’re worried your dog is suffering from a sensitive stomach, you should stop this habit immediately. If your pets are scavengers like my Alaskan Klee Kai, you’ll need to keep a keen eye on your pets when they’re outside to make sure they don’t eat discarded food left on the pavement.
Your pup could be sensitive to a certain protein in their kibble or wet food that is triggering their spells of sensitivity. Alternatively, your dog’s tummy upset could signal that your furry friend isn’t getting sufficient fibre, vitamins or minerals in their diet.
Sensitive tummies can also be caused by environmental stresses and undetected health issues so it’s important to speak to your vet to rule out any serious conditions or illnesses. Dogs may also experience some stomach upset if they’re recovering from being on medication or a surgery.
Even though I switched my mini huskies to a fresh dog food delivery company that cost a lot more than traditional kibble, I’ve saved money in the long run because I no longer have to deal with regular trips to the vet or emergency vet.
Symptoms Of A Sensitive Tummy
Pug is checked over by vet (Photo: Adobe Stock)
The Kennel Club outline on their website that the term “sensitive stomach” is usually used to describe mild intestinal upset in dogs.
If you suspect your four-legged friend has a sensitive stomach, you should contact your regular veterinarian to schedule a consultation.
There are some symptoms to look out for which could be an indicator of a sensitive tummy. These include vomiting, regurgitation and diarrhoea.
In my experience, one of the first signs that my mini huskies are experiencing tummy upset is loose and runny poo, especially if their bowel movements were previously regular and stools firm.
You may notice your dog pacing or acting uncomfortable. My female Klee Kai will usually revert to a crouching position when she’s experiencing some tummy discomfort, with her bottom in the air.
If you’ve got a dog that is potty trained but they’re no longer able to control their bowel movements and as a result are having accidents inside the house, you should contact your veterinarian without delay.
You may also notice your dog suffering with constipation or flatulence.
Your dog could have one or all of these symptoms – and if they’re severe, you should ring your vet immediately. Vomiting, diarrhoea and flatulence could all be signs of a serious illness so it’s important to seek the help of a medical professional.
Remember: it may take weeks for your dog’s tummy to settle after a bout of sensitivity.
Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs
As I mentioned above, my mini huskies struggled with sensitive tummies in the past when I fed them kibble or wet food bought from my local supermarket.
On the advice of my vet, I made the switch to a fresh dog food company and I haven’t looked back since transitioning my Alaskan Klee Kai onto their new food.
Commercially produced kibble and canned dog food are often made up of many different ingredients and the amounts can vary from batch to batch. They usually have confusing labels with mysterious ingredients and a long list of preservatives to ensure a long shelf life.
That’s why I like fresh dog food delivery companies who used limited ingredients in their recipes with clear labelling and transparent manufacturing processes.
These high-grade dog food companies source their ingredients predominantly from local suppliers, while their meals are gently cooked to retain their nutritional integrity before being frozen for freshness.
Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs UK
Editor's note: Be sure to check the latest information shown on the official website of any product you're considering purchasing, as details may change from time to time and therefore may differ from what's shown on this page.
So, now we’ve taken a look at some of the things to consider when you’re trying to find the best dog food for sensitive stomachs , it’s time to take a look at our pick of the best options on the market in the United Kingdom right now.
1) Butternut Box
Website: butternutbox.com
Alaskan Klee Kai Copper with his Butternut Box delivery (Photo: @lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Butternut Box are a great option for British pet parents looking to change their dog’s food and adopt a fresh approach to canine nutrition.
They use human-quality meat and vegetables that are cooked to create simple, tasty and complete meals. Their website explains that Butternut Box strike the right balance of vitamins and minerals for dogs of every age.
Their freshly-cooked meals don’t contain nasties or grains and they’re not cooked at harsh temperatures unlike some traditional dog food companies. For pet owners with dogs who have a history of sensitivity, Butternut Box’s low fat recipes may be of particular interest.
Read our full Butternut Box review here.
Pros
• Gently cooked
• 10 healthy recipes (four low fat options)
• Human-quality ingredients
• No nasty preservatives
• 98% of customers rated ‘excellent’ or ‘great’
Cons
• Costs more than standard dog food
• Food packets can’t be recycled
• Freezer space
What Customers Are Saying
Butternut Box get an average rating of 4.9 stars based upon over 15,000 reviews on Trustpilot which is an impressive track record. Of those testimonials, 98% rated their dog food as “excellent” or “great”.
Arthur is delighted to report his dog’s flatulence problems are a thing of the past!
My dog was having stomach issues with his kibble, since switching to Butternut Box his stomach is a lot better and his farts are a lot less smelly! I really like the fact that he gets various recipes now instead of the same kibble all the time. You can clearly see the ingredients in the pouches and my dog absolutely loves it!
Fiona shared a similar success story.
After years of dealing with a dog with a sensitive stomach, being a picky eater and recently off all food, I started Twiglet on Butternut Box food about 8 days ago. She loves it and finishes the bowl. After years of rather loose poo, it is now firm and easy to pick up so I’m thrilled. I’m so glad I started her on it.
Our Verdict
Alaskan Klee Kai Copper and Skye with their Butternut Box delivery (Photo: @lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Butternut Box are another great option for pet parents who are looking for a dog food company who can cater to their sensitive canine’s dietary requirements.
They provide dog owners with a slightly cheaper option than some of the other options in this article without having to compromise on the quality of the dog food.
Having fed Butternut Box to my dogs for a number of years, I can speak firsthand about the positive impact their meals had on my Alaskan Klee Kai. I liked the variety of recipes with lots of low fat options along with tasty pork, beef, lamb and duck as an occasional treat.
We have an exclusive offer for helloBARK! readers who are thinking about signing up to Butternut Box. You can get 50% off your first Butternut Box order and 50% off your second Butternut Box order by clicking here.
2) Different Dog
Website: differentdog.com
Copper and Different Dog’s Health+ range (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Different Dog have formulated easy to digest complete recipes, with gut health boosting ingredients and specially selected superfoods to support dogs with sensitivities. Their website explains that their recipes are cooked using the finest human-grade locally-sourced ingredients before being frozen for freshness and delivered to your home.
They’re the first dog food company in the UK to launch a health-focused range aimed at dogs with certain health conditions in mind, including sensitive stomachs. Their meals all comprise of 60% meat, 40% fruit, vegetables and superfoods. So you have total confidence and transparency about what is going into your dog’s food.
They’ve got a recipe aimed at dogs with sensitive stomachs called Comforting Chicken. The meal incorporates slippery elm, ginger and alfalfa which can help to reduce inflammation in the gut, soothe tummies and aid digestion. They’ve even gone as far as creating a trial box for sensitive tummies, including two of their most easily digestible and nourishing recipes, alongside bone broth and a probiotic.
Read our full Different Dog review here.
Pros
• Health+ range targeting specific health conditions
• Human-grade, locally-sourced ingredients
• No grains, legumes, pulses, fillers or nasties
• Compostable insulation and recyclable packaging
• Sensitive/recovery trial box
Cons
• Premium price for premium dog food
• Freezer space
What Customers Are Saying
Different Dog get an average rating of 4.8 stars based upon over 1,000 reviews on independent website Trustpilot.
Anjy explained how Different Dog completely transformed her sensitive puppy’s life.
This food has totally transformed our 15 month old pup’s life – he had terrible stomach problems which a vet recommended diet had not helped and we were constantly in and out of the vet’s trying to find out what was wrong. He was frequently lethargic, growling (in pain) and not a week went by without him being ill. Since we changed his diet to Different Dog he is literally a “different dog” and he is a happy, playful, active dog. Can’t recommend highly enough. Thanks to the Different Dog team also for their responsive help when we need it. Truly 5 star.
Adam revealed that he exhausted all other options for giving Different Dog a try.
I have an English Bull Terrier with a very sensitive stomach. We’ve tried a number of different options (including raw, hypoallergenic, wet and dry) with mixed results and varied levels of enthusiasm from our dog. Since switching to Different Dog we’ve been able to swap flavours and proteins around and, so far, we’ve had no digestive trouble at all. It’s a bonus that he seems to really enjoy the texture and flavours and tucks in without any encouragement. He also loves his new weekend bone broth treat!
Our Verdict
Skye and Different Dog’s Health+ range (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
If you’ve got a dog with a sensitive tummy, you should give Different Dog a try. I love that their meals are handmade and contain real ingredients that are gently cooked to retain all their tasty goodness.
While a lot of dog food companies claim that their dog meals are human grade, Different Dog really fit the billing. Once you warm up their meals, you’ll be hit by how great it smells and I’ll admit, it tastes like proper food.
I found feeding fresh transformed the lives of my mini huskies with good digestion and smaller but firmer poos. My dogs loved their low-fat meals while I really appreciate their environmentally-friendly approach to their dog food business.
If you would like to purchase Different Dog, you can get a 35% discount off your first 2 boxes by entering the HELLOBARKCC35 coupon code at checkout. To place your first order, click here.
3) Pure Pet Food
Website: purepetfood.com
Alaskan Klee Kai with their Pure Pet Food (Photo: www.hellobark.com)
Pure Pet Food differ to Different Dog and Butternut Box as their meals are dry food and pet parents won’t need to dedicate a shelf of their freezer to store their meals. Instead, they can be placed in a cupboard.
They claim on their website that their air-dried dog food is “proven better for digestion”. Their recipes contain high-quality ingredients that are air dried to remove moisture and lock in nutrition goodness.
To make your dog’s meals, you’ll need a scoop of air-dried dog food, a scoop of water before you mix them together to create your pup’s supper.
Read our full Pure Pet Food review here.
Pros
• Cooked at low temperatures
• High quality ingredients
• 8 healthy recipes
• Don’t need freezer space
Cons
• More fuss at mealtime
• Fresh but not as fresh as other options in this article
• Not all ingredients sourced in UK
What Customers Are Saying
Pure Pet Food get an average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 based upon over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot.
Alice shed light on the impact of Pure on her two Labradors.
I decided to put my two Labradors on good natural food and after some research settled on Pure. Our 8 month old puppy was being very fussy with food and our old boy, age 13, had had the same food for a long time and had regular stomach upsets after a serious bout of pancreatitis 3 years ago. It was very easy to make the transition and we were helped through it with advice from Pure. Old boy Lucca loves it and hasn’t had any stomach problems and puppy Leo finally decided to embrace food as a lifestyle choice!
Elizabeth loved the convenience of Pure coupled with the benefits it’s brought to her dog.
My 16 month old dog Bonnie, a PomSpitz, is really thriving on Pure Pet Turkey. Her sensitive stomach tolerates it really well, so much better than other food, especially as it doesn’t contain grains other than rice. It’s so quick and convenient to prepare too. I love that it’s easy to pack when we all go away – no heavy tins or bags of kibble. She’s in great health with a shiny coat and bags of energy.
Our Verdict
Alaskan Klee Kai with Pure Pet Food (Photo: www.hellobark.com)
Although I haven’t consistently fed Pure Pet Food to my Alaskan Klee Kai over a number of months, they have tried it and they enjoyed it.
It’s relatively easy to prepare but while there’s no doubt their air-dried food is fresh, it didn’t appear to get my dogs quite as excited as the fresh dog meals mentioned in this feature already.
Having said that, Pure have lots of satisfied customers who speak about how their dogs with sensitivities tummies are happy and healthy since switching to this Yorkshire-based company.
Anything Else To Consider
If you’ve decided to give one of the dog food companies in this article a try, you should speak to your vet before you make the switch. Your vet can help guide you through the transition process. If you make the transition too quickly, you could risk causing a tummy upset. All three of the dog food companies listed in this article have trained customer service who can also help with the process.
Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts
Skye and Different Dog’s Health+ range (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
We’ve reached the end of our article on the best dog food for sensitive stomachs.
Butternut Box have a range of tasty recipes formulated by their team of experts to ensure your dog is getting the very best in pet nutrition.
We have an exclusive offer for helloBARK! readers who are thinking about signing up to Butternut Box. You can get 50% off your first Butternut Box order and 50% off your second Butternut Box order by clicking here.
With a Health+ range created for dogs with specific health conditions, Different Dog’s nutritionists and veterinarians have designed their Comforting Chicken recipe for dogs who have sensitive tummies.
They’ve also got a sensitive/recovery trial box so dog owners can give their recipes a try before deciding to take the plunge and signing up to their subscription plan.
You won’t go wrong with Butternut Box, Different Dog or Pure Pet Food who all have an array of encouraging reviews from customers with dogs who have a history of tummy upsets.
If you would like to purchase Different Dog, you can get a 35% discount off your first 2 boxes by entering the HELLOBARKCC35 coupon code at checkout. To place your first order, click here.
