Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs (7 Tried & True Picks)

There are an overwhelming number of dog foods on the market, so what do you choose if your precious pup has a sensitive stomach?

First of all, see a vet to make sure there isn’t an underlying health condition. According to Wag Walking, they will want to know the history of your dog’s symptoms, when they started, and how they have changed. They may suggest a special diet for particular health complications.

If your dog simply has a sensitive stomach, it’s not alone. This is a common ailment, and you’re now faced with the daunting decision of what food to choose. Read on and find out our top picks for the best dog food for sensitive stomachs! 

Our Top Picks

How We Narrowed Down the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs

We considered some of the top brands known for their quality ingredients, flavor, scent, and value.

We started with Purina, a known leader in the dog food industry. This global company veterinarian recommended, and a leader in using products that support their commitment to being environmentally friendly through their Climate Pledge. 

What distinguishes Purina is not only that they address your dog’s dietary needs, they are able to reduce their shipping and packaging carbon footprint by removing excess air and water from their formula and bags. 

We also looked into Hill’s who made our list at the top spot. Hill’s is made in the USA with global ingredients and vet recommended. Hill’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationship between people and their pets.

They extend this care to shelter animals through their Shelter & Love program which has helped over 11 million shelter pets since 2002.

We also considered dog foods suitable for all life stages from puppy to senior as recommended by veterinarians, trainers, and dog experts. We looked at the quality of the ingredients and additives that soothe a sensitive stomach but can add gut health, immune system support, skin comfort, and mental health.

We searched for highly-rated dog foods from Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy. We compared ratings and reviews of 50 dog foods for sensitive stomachs. Finally, we chose to test 18 dog foods with our dogs and sorted them into a list of our 7 favorites and 7 honorable mentions.

READ MORE: How Long Can a Dog Go Without Eating? This guide to the canine diet and eating behaviors explores when a lack of appetite in your dog should be cause for concern.

Our Top Picks: Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs Reviewed

1. Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

Product Ratings

Ingredient Quality	5/5
Flavor	4/5
Scent	4/5
Value for the Money	4/5

Package Dimensions: 16.5 x 12 x 5 inches | Package Weight: 15.5 pounds | Brand: Hill’s | Top Ingredients: Chicken and Barley | Dogs: All Breed Sizes

Hill’s Science is a leader in the dog food field and is backed by veterinary recommendations. They are a global leader in science-based dog food and made in the USA. 

We loved this dog food formula! What makes this dog food so special is the prebiotic fiber which balances out their digestive microbiome. Additives like vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids help with your dog’s skin and immune system. It’s also made with natural ingredients.

We found Hill’s formula is made to be highly digestible so that the consistency of your dog’s poop improves. The high fiber content helps your dog to be less likely to suffer from hemorrhoids and intestinal scratches from food that is too hard.

Some owners reported stools that were too soft but that was not the norm, and all our dogs that tried this food showed a significant improvement.

Even though the food is expensive, it is well worth trying out because of all the fiber and nutritional additives that are formulated to ease all aspects of canine digestion.

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2. Runner Up: Instinct Raw Boost Dog Food

Product Ratings

Ingredient Quality	5/5
Flavor	4/5
Scent	4/5
Value for the Money	4/5

Package Dimensions: 23 x 13.5 x 4.5 inches | Package Weight: 18 pounds | Brand: Instinct | Top Ingredients: Chicken, Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes | Dogs: All Breed Sizes

Here is another dog food that definitely delivers the goods when it comes to sensitive stomachs! Instinct Raw Boost is a dry kibble that’s complemented by raw ingredients. 

The raw food is freeze-dried so it’s packed with a lot of good grain-free ingredients including cage-free chicken to give your dog the high-protein boost he needs.

We also love that there are no artificial coloring or preservatives that can compromise your dog’s health. There are no potato, corn, wheat, or soy ingredients that can irritate those sensitive stomach problems.

Balanced and nutritious, Instinct Raw Boost Dog Food is definitely top on our list for your pup. Our dogs love the flavor of this food and we noticed digestive improvements in those who tried it.

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3. Best Budget Food: Purina ONE SmartBlend Dog Food

Product Ratings

Ingredient Quality	4/5
Flavor	4/5
Scent	4/5
Value for the Money	4/5

Package Dimensions: 23.5 x 20 x 5.25 inches | Package Weight: 31.1 pounds | Brand: Purina ONE | Top Ingredients: Salmon | Dogs: All Breed Sizes

What happens when you cross a minimally processed formula containing uncooked raw food with whole ingredients that help improve your dog’s skin and excessive shedding at a great price? We call it the Purina ONE SmartBlend Dog Food, and it’s our best budget pick.

We loved the recipe! It’s real salmon packed with vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids. This wonderful food is made by one of the top dog food manufacturers around, Purina.

The salmon is a little more smelly on the dog’s breath, and it can cause a bit more smelly stools and gas. However, these smells seemed to decrease as our dogs got used to the food, and the overall health boost was noticeable. 

If your pup is not into the dry formula, it’s also available in wet form with a slightly different nutrient profile. Overall we found this is a good recipe at a great price.

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4. Best Limited Ingredient Food: Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dog Food

Product Ratings

Ingredient Quality	5/5
Flavor	4/5
Scent	4/5
Value for the Money	5/5

Package Dimensions: 13.5 x 8 x 4.25 inches | Package Weight: 4 pounds | Brand: Blue Buffalo | Top Ingredients: Turkey & Potato | Dogs: Small Breed

Next on our list is Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dog Food. We love the limited ingredients on this because it helps with those dogs that not only have sensitive stomachs but can have allergic reactions to certain foods. 

The first ingredient is Turkey which is great for those dogs who cannot digest chicken. There are no fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives that can compromise your dog’s health.

We found that this is a great food for small breeds because of the size of the kibble. Our tiny dogs love the lip-smacking goodness of Blue Buffalo, and we love that it keeps them healthy and helps them live as long as possible.

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5. Best for Puppies: Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Dog Food

Product Ratings

Ingredient Quality	5/5
Flavor	4/5
Scent	4/5
Value for the Money	4/5

Package Dimensions: 5 x 19 x 24 inches | Package Weight: 30 pounds | Brand: Purina Pro | Top Ingredients: Salmon & Rice | Dogs: Small Breeds and Puppies

While talking about sensitive stomachs, we needed to consider puppies. Your baby furball needs protein-rich and nutrient-dense food to help him grow and develop, but it must be easy on his digestive system. 

Purina has developed a high-fat, high-calorie recipe that contains live probiotics that help with growth and encourage gut and immune health. Salmon gives it a high protein boost.

Salmon is a perfect first food, but it also will make for fishy dog breath, and possibly increase smelly stools and gas. We have found this decreases with time, but some puppy owners find this is unacceptable.

This food is a great way of starting your pup off on the right paw and we highly recommend it because it is a fantastic food for our puppies too.

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6. Best for Adult Dogs: Diamond CARE Adult Dry Dog Food 

Product Ratings

Ingredient Quality	5/5
Flavor	4/5
Scent	4/5
Value for the Money	4/5

Package Dimensions: 5x5x5 inches | Package Weight: 4 pounds | Brand: Diamond Care | Top Ingredients: Potatoes & Egg Protein | Dogs: All Breed Sizes, Adults

Diamond care dog food is an all-natural formula that takes care of a sensitive stomach but is also helpful for weight management and senior care. This dog food is backed by a family-owned business that’s based in the USA.

Vitamin E and probiotics are part of this formula and they’re great for immune system health, skin comfort, and give stomach-soothing nutrition. It’s high in egg protein instead of chicken, making it highly digestible and easier on those dogs who cannot digest chicken very well. 

There is no corn, wheat, soy in this formula so you won’t have to worry about compromising your dog’s health. An added bonus is that there are no artificial colors or preservatives.

This is a uniquely formulated dog food, and we appreciate the different approach. We tested it on some of our dogs with sensitive stomachs, and they responded very well. Some preferred the more mild flavor of this kibble compared to salmon-based formulas.

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7. Best for Senior Dogs: Hill’s Science Wet Dog Food 

Product Ratings

Ingredient Quality	4/5
Flavor	4/5
Scent	3/5
Value for the Money	4/5

Package Dimensions: 13-oz cans | Package Weight: 13 ounces | Brand: Hill’s | Top Ingredients: Beef & Barley | Dogs: All Breed Sizes, Seniors

Here’s another hit from the Hill’s Science brand. Hill’s is a great manufacturer because it also considers dogs of different ages and stages. This formula is made for senior dogs that are 7 and over.

Hill’s Science has found that wet dog food is usually easier for older dogs to eat and digest, and we couldn’t agree more! The main ingredient is protein-rich beef coupled with vitamin E and omega fatty acids to soothe stomach issues and keep your dog’s coat shiny and lustrous. 

We love that this is a natural ingredient dog food made to help your elderly dog grow old gracefully. We felt that our senior dogs’ health and energy improved with the switch to this food, so we highly recommend it.

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Comparison Chart

Ratings	Overall Rating	Ingredient Quality	Flavor	Scent	Value for the Money
Best Overall	4.7	5/5	4/5	4/5	4/5
Best Runner Up	4.6	5/5	4/5	4/5	4/5
Best Budget	4.7	4/5	4/5	4/5	5/5
Best Limited Ingredient	4.8	5/5	4/5	4/5	5/5
Best for Puppies	4.7	5/5	4/5	4/5	4/5
Best for Adults Dogs	4.5	5/5	4/5	4/5	4/5
Best for Senior Dogs	4.5	4/5	4/5	3/5	4/5

The Winner

We thought that Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food for sensitive stomachs was the clear winner. Considering the quality of the ingredients, flavor, scent, and value for the money, this dog food exceeded our expectations!

The reviews are in and pet owners were pleased with the results of the Hill’s Science on their dogs’ tummies and skin conditions. Our testing backs this up, and our dogs agree. We don’t think you can go wrong with this one!

READ MORE: Best Dog Water Fountains. Prevent your dog’s water bowl from becoming stagnant with these best dog water fountains – TESTED!

What to Look for in the Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

We did some research on what types of dog foods are best for your dog’s sensitive stomach and found that it’s best to choose one of the following types of dog food.

Limited Ingredient Dog Food

These dog foods have fewer ingredients than regular formulas. This is especially useful if you’re trying to determine which ingredient is provoking stomach sensitivity. This type of food usually contains a single source of protein, limited ingredients, and low to moderate levels of fat. 

Most of the protein should be sourced from meat. You’ll typically find probiotics to aid digestion. Avoid limited-ingredient formulas with artificial colorings, unnecessary additives, and cheap fillers, because these ingredients are usually the ones that are causing your dog’s digestive distress.

Prescription GI Dog Food

This type of dog food is purpose-made for dogs afflicted with digestive issues. They contain ingredients that encourage healthy digestion.

These are the most expensive options for dog food, will require a veterinarian’s prescription, and must be purchased from the vet’s office or an online pet pharmacy. 

These prescription foods are rarely necessary, but for dogs with serious health issues causing digestive distress, the expense is worth it to help them live life to the fullest.

When paired with slow feeder bowls or softening the food, these prescription dog foods can nurture your dog’s digestive system.

Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Hypoallergenic dog food is made using proteins that have been fractured into blocks of amino acids. This process minimizes any allergies your dog will experience, with the ingredients sliding down undetected by his immune system. 

If you want to know the most common foods that cause allergies in dogs, read up on those ingredients in our guide. If your dog suffers from GI distress, it is wise to avoid these ingredients as much as possible.

If you are concerned about changing your dog’s food without causing problems, check out our article on just how to do that. Testing new foods will be a long process, and it may take a while to see improvement. This patience will pay off in the long run with a healthier, happier pup.

Honorable Mentions

1. NaturVet Advanced Probiotic Dog Chews

NaturVet Is a soft chew food that’s made of brewer’s yeast, glycerin, and dry potato. It’s a probiotic that’s easily absorbed by your pup and helps him get the good bacteria he needs. This supplement comes with a no-quibble satisfaction guarantee, so if your pup doesn’t like it, there’s nothing to lose!

This is a fantastic treat that will help your dog’s GI health, but it isn’t a food, so it didn’t make our top picks. We recommend the Diamond CARE Adult Dry Dog Food with this supplement chew to increase your dog’s digestive health and comfort.

2. Nulo Limited Ingredient Dog Food 

Nulo is a limited-ingredient dog food that’s not only good for a sensitive stomach, but it helps avoid food allergies. We loved that the single source of protein is turkey and not chicken which is more easily digestible. There are no cheap fillers, corn, soy, or wheat. 

While we had a good experience with this product, we found too many reviews that question quality control, so we chose to recommend Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dog Food as an alternative.

3. Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diet Food

Here is another limited ingredient dog food by Natural Balance. Again, limited ingredients are much easier on a sensitive dog’s stomach and can help with dogs that have food allergies. The primary ingredient is beef. 

Natural Balance L.I.D. food has a 32% protein comment content which is the highest protein content on this list. If you’re concerned about a high level of protein in your dog’s food, then consider Purina ONE SmartBlend Dog Food which is more balanced.

4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canned Dog Food 

Royal Canin Is a canned dog food for all ages and stages. It’s a blend of dietary fibers and fish oils in a low-fat formula that will help soothe even the most aggressive digestive issues.

Our issue with Royal Canin is that the first ingredient is pork by-products. If you have a problem with this ingredient, we would highly recommend the Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food. Even though it’s made for seniors, it’s a lot healthier for your pup.

5. Solid Gold Grain-Free Dog Food 

Solid gold is another grain-free and chicken-free food for your pup. It also contains 20 superfoods and has a blend of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Solid Gold also provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

One of the issues we had with Solid Gold is that the new formula removes some of the key ingredients making it a little less balanced for your dog. We feel confident recommending Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food as an alternative.

6. Canidae Dry Dog Food

Canidae Dry Dog Food contains lamb meal, brown rice, and barley. This formula is packed with nutrients and has no corn, soy, or cheap fillers. It also has antioxidants and fatty acids to help with skin and overall joint health.

We love that this food is based on lamb meal and is comparably priced to other major brands. Our dogs preferred the flavor Purina One SmartBlend Dog Food and it worked well for their sensitive tummies, so it earned the top pick.

7. Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient Dog Food 

Last but not least on our list of dog foods for pups with sensitive stomachs is Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient dog food. This food is also made from deboned turkey and not chicken, which is easier on sensitive tummies.

It also has fatty acids and vitamins to help with your dog’s coat and skin. Prebiotics will also help with his digestive health and over time they help to soothe sensitive stomach problems.

Even though this is a grain-free dog food with limited ingredients, it’s made in a factory that processes grains that can affect your dog, so we consider Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dog Food to be a safer pick for the most sensitive dogs.