Just like humans, dogs can be prone to occasional digestive issues that can be the result of consuming certain triggering foods, or even from small changes to their diet, such as newly introduced treats.

How to tell if your dog has a sensitive stomach:

If you think your dog might be struggling with a sensitive stomach then there are a number of telltale signs to look out for, and some are easier to identify than others:

• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting or nausea
• Hypersalivation (excessive drooling)
• Diarrhea or loose stool
• Excessive gas

While understandably a cause of concern for any dog owner, solving the problem of a sensitive stomach can be accomplished with something as simple as eradicating certain foods from your dog’s diet, or by moving to a tailor-made dog food that better fits their nutritional needs.

With this in mind, Sean McCormack, Head Vet at dog food brand tails.com has compiled a list of the best foods to feed a dog suffering from a sensitive stomach.

CAUTION: Always check with your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet.

1. Lean boiled chicken or turkey breast

Lean-boiled chicken or turkey breast meat is a winning option for any dog suffering from the symptoms of an upset stomach.

Not only will the tasty meat appeal to the appetite of dogs during a potential period of illness but it will also keep up their strength. These meats are also packed full of protein without containing too much fat or seasoning that could further exacerbate their symptoms.

Top Tip: Before letting your dog devour the chicken or turkey breast, make sure to check it is as ‘lean’ as possible, as foods high in fat can exacerbate digestive problems, and cause unnecessary weight gain.

2. Sweet or boiled potatoes

Both sweet and boiled white potatoes can also be great options to add to your dog’s food bowl if they struggle with sensitive stomach issues.

This is because they are light on the tummy and contain plenty of essential vitamins and nutrients that are key to a balanced diet.

Top Tip: Make sure to peel your potatoes before serving them to your dog. Potato skins can contain oxalates that can be harmful to your dog if they are consumed in large quantities.

3. White Rice

Bland or plain-tasting foods can be key to settling any symptoms dogs might be experiencing, like loose stool or a lack of appetite.

A good ‘plain’ option to feed a dog feeling under the weather is white rice. Its blandness makes it easy for our pups to digest and still contains all the nutrients that they need.

Top Tip: Before your pooch gets their paws on the rice, make sure it is fully cooked and has gone cold completely to avoid any burns or scalding on the roof of their mouths.

4. Carrots

Another food that is great for dogs with an upset stomach is carrots. Like white rice, they are packed full of vitamins and bland in taste, so are easily digestible for our pups.

Make sure to boil and mash them or cut them into small pieces first, as large chunks of carrot could be a potential choking hazard for our canine companions.

Top Tip: Do you find at meal times your pooch has the tendency to become overexcited and wolf down their dinner in seconds flat? Unfortunately, our dogs don’t know when they are eating too fast, and doing this can cause vomiting, stomach upsets and worsen existing digestive issues.

To help ease this habit, try pureeing the carrot and spreading it on a lick mat to encourage your pup to eat slower. Lick mats will also provide your pooch with great mental stimulation too!

5. Eggs

Another food that can be great to add to your dog’s diet if you find they struggle with a sensitive stomach is eggs.

Eggs are full of nutrients, rich proteins and vitamins that will benefit canine health. However, that being said, eggs should only be given as an occasional treat, and served boiled, or scrambled without any added ingredients. Fried eggs on the other hand are better off avoided as they can come with a lot of grease that could further upset their digestive system or cause weight gain.

Top Tip: If you’re going to treat your dog to eggs, make sure that they are fully cooked – no dippy eggs for your canine friends. Raw eggs aren’t particularly safe for our canine companions, as they could potentially contain salmonella that can make them extremely sick.

Tails.com can also provide your dog with a tailor-made dry food recipe, that’s not only nutritionally balanced, but also made with high-quality ingredients and is irresistibly tasty!

Under the guidance of your veterinarian, you can begin to feed these foods and keep your dog on them until their symptoms are under control. After that, you can slowly begin to introduce other foods to identify any specific food that upsets your dog’s stomach.

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