According to a study, out of every 3 dogs, one dog tends to have digestive issues. The results show 4 common digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia and even constipation. But how many pet owners can acknowledge these issues, it’s merely a few of them. We found a lack of information among them regarding appropriate dog food and bereft of essential requirements for their furry friends’ sensitive stomachs.
To embrace the overall health of a pet, it is necessary to understand their digestion process and prepare a well-balanced diet that suits their sensitive stomach. However, goat milk for dogs has grabbed the attention of several pet owners for its incredible health benefits and nutritional value.
However, there are numerous other healthy dog foods to tackle digestive issues too. Let’s discuss them!
What are the symptoms to identify a pet’s sensitive stomach?
Before choosing a gentle dog food for digestive issues, it’s necessary to understand the dog’s behavior and the symptoms they are struggling with. Common symptoms may include:
- Frequently vomiting, especially after eating
- Suffering from diarrhea and loose motions
- Excessive bloating and gas
- Lack of appetite and eating avoidance
- eight loss due to inappropriate absorption of nutrition
- Eating grass (majorly to get relief from digestive issues)
- Continuously drooling
Identify the common Causes of Sensitive Stomachs in Dogs
A dog dealing with a sensitive stomach may feel discomfort and suffer from several types of gut problems. Below mentioned are some of the common causes:
- Allergies and food intolerance: Some dogs are highly sensitive to food ingredients like soy, wheat, dairy etc. It can trigger an allergic reaction and may upset their gut.
- Frequent change in diet: The frequent switching in a dog’s diet without letting them settle on a single may disrupt their digestive system.
- Feeding low-quality food: The quality matters the most! Choosing low-quality, adulterated fillers may have the absence of nutritional values and might irritate their digestion process.
- Lactose intolerance: Being lactose sensitive is mostly common in dogs. Feeding them with low-quality dairy products may raise symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. However, adding goat milk to a dog’s diet can be the best.
- Parasites/chronic conditions: The unwanted intestinal worms can also weaken the gut tract and may lead to diseases like IBD, pancreatitis and liver infections.
Essential Considerations for a Sensitive Stomach
Several factors must be taken into consideration before adding any food ingredient to a dog’s diet.
- Select easily digestible items: It is essential to feed dogs with gentle food items and ingredients, especially those having relatively sensitive stomachs. In the case of lean protein, fish and chicken are more tender and easier to digest than any red meat.
Also, choose low-fat diets and simple carbohydrates like sweet potato and rice.
- Limited ingredients: Try to minimize the excessive number of different food compounds in a dog’s diet. Stick to limited and nutritious ingredients, especially protein and carbohydrate-based sources.
- Probiotics and prebiotics: Create a healthy gut micro-biome in your pup by introducing probiotics which helps in infusing beneficial bacteria in the gut. Additionally, prebiotics help in the nourishment of beneficial bacteria.
- Avoid common allergens: Some dogs are highly sensitive to specific food items like beef, dairy, wheat etc. In this scenario, always stick to hypo allergens formulas which can be a healthy choice.
Highly Recommended Food for a Sensitive Stomach
- Commercial dog food items: It is the easiest way and convenient way for pet owners. But before picking any commercial, read down the label properly. Ensure the absence of any ingredient that doesn’t suit the pet’s digestive system. Even check for the label mentioned “digestive care” or “sensitive stomach”.
In terms of dairy products, goat milk for dogs can be the best selection which is easier to digest and contains 85% water with useful protein and immunoglobulins.
- Prescribed diets: If your dog faces severe gut problems, it is your responsibility to follow a proper prescription diet. Several brands provide natural dog food for sensitive digestion and you should always do your research before switching anything in your dog’s diet if they have a sensitive stomach.
- Hydrolyzed protein diets: Such types of diets help in the proper breakdown of proteins making them more suitable and easy to digest without any digestive issues.
- Home-cooked meals: To get overall and complete control over every food ingredient, home-cooked meals are the best option.
Try to cook easily digestible dog food such as boiled chicken, steamed vegetables and white rice. However, before feeding a dog home-cooked meals, take valuable recommendations from a veterinarian to provide a balanced dog diet.
Some additional tips to a overcome sensitive stomach
Let’s have a glance at additional tips that every individual should follow:
- Always stick to a proper dog’s meal schedule. Unnecessary food habits of dogs may lead to digestion issues.
- Even after following a frequent meal system, dividing them into smaller portions can be much more effective. It is easier for the stomach to sync with pre and post-food items in a proper process.
- Lack of water may raise digestive issues recurrently. Keep the dog hydrated and always add wet/liquid food items to their diet like broth and warm water.
- Choose high-quality supplements, probiotics, and prebiotics like goat milk, omega-3, and vegetables. It keeps gut health soothing and improves the digestion process.
- In the case of diet transition, avoid quick change. Start slow and mix around 25% of new food and gradually increase the portion within 7-10 days. Along with this, monitor the behavior and improvement in dogs.
Final thoughts!
If health is wealth for humans, then similarly pets also deserve to live healthy lives. Keeping their gut health at optimum level can eliminate the risk of their life. So, always have a keen eye on every food item and choose the best ingredients for your favorite furry friend!