What dog food is suitable for a dog with a sensitive stomach?

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 to do and which dog food is best suited?

Is there dog food and puppy food for sensitive stomachs?

When it comes to sensitive stomach, we have to start with the basics - there is no real diagnosis called sensitive stomach. If you have a dog that repeatedly has problems with diarrhea or vomiting, even though you are feeding with a high quality complete food, you should always contact your veterinarian and start an investigation. Diarrhea and vomiting, which come and go in relapses, can have underlying causes such as parasites, inflammation, hormonal diseases, intestinal diseases or allergies. No matter how many feeds or supplements you try, the problems will persist, although it can be better in periods. Therefore, the cause should always be investigated first.

A puppy can more often suffer from episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, which is often due to everything new the puppy encounters. They are more likely to taste and lick new things, and can then ingest bacteria the immune system has not encountered before, or chew on something inappropriate. A slightly sensitive stomach in a puppy is more to be expected, but it should not be severe or frequent, as this should also be examined by a veterinarian. Puppies also get dehydrated faster than adult dogs, and require veterinary care earlier.

Then back to dog food for sensitive stomachs - because as mentioned, as there are many causes to a sensitive stomach, different types of food can fit. If the underlying cause is an allergy to a protein source, an allergy food or feed with a hypoallergenic protein source can help. Insects are a new source of protein for most dogs, and can therefore be beneficial for dogs with allergies 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.

Cereals are often blamed for causing stomach problems, but they are generally easy-to-digest sources of energy and carbohydrates. Allergy to grains or gluten is significantly more uncommon 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 known or suspected allergies 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 intestinal health and therefore can benefit dogs that more easily end up in imbalance in the intestinal flora. In recent times, more and more research has shown how important the gut's good bacterial flora is for gut health. Including ingredients that nourish the good intestinal bacteria, ie prebiotics, and contribute to intestinal motility, ie dietary fiber, contributes to a healthy gastrointestinal system. We have therefore chosen to include the following ingredients in our feed:

Potatoes and beets: Valuable sources of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber that promote colon health and motility.

Inulin: Source of FOS, fructooligosaccharides, a prebiotic that supports the growth of beneficial gastrointestinal bacteria, thus contributing to optimal intestinal health and supporting 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 intestinal flora through its action as an important source of dietary fiber, and both ingredients contribute with B vitamins that fulfill 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 stool odor via plant saponins that stabilize the fermentation in the colon and help reduce ammonia production.

3 quick tips for a dog with sensitive stomach:

1. Book a visit to your vet and investigate the cause.

2. Give the dog a high-quality complete feed.

3. Make sure the dog's diet includes ingredients that promote gut health; fibers, prebiotics and B-vitamins for gut health