Dog Food for Digestive Problems: Finding A Gentle Diet

If your sweet pooch has been suffering from persistent gastrointestinal issues, it might be time to think about changing their diet. While medical intervention might also be needed, a gentle dog food for digestive problems might help them receive the nutrition they need without upsetting their system.

Common Signs of Digestive Upset

Digestive problems can affect dogs in many ways, so it is important to recognize the common signs that your dog's stomach or intestinal system may be struggling. These are some of the most common signs of digestive or gastrointestinal issues.

• Diarrhea, constipation, or unusually soft stool
• Excessive gas
• Abdominal bloating or tenderness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, which may appear as drooling, repeated swallowing, or lip licking
• Loud stomach noises
• Straining during bowel movements
• Mucus or blood in the stool
• Eating grass
• Lethargy or reduced interest in normal activities
• Weight loss, particularly when digestive problems are ongoing
• A hunched posture or the "praying position," with the front end lowered and hindquarters raised

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to schedule a visit with your dog's veterinarian. While changing their diet to a dog food for digestive problems can be beneficial, the first step should be to identify the source of the problem. Dietary changes should only be made after a thorough workup and recommendations from your veterinarian.

Why A Limited-Ingredient Diet Can Be Beneficial

A limited-ingredient diet contains fewer components, which can reduce a dog's exposure to potential dietary triggers and make it easier to identify an ingredient that may be contributing to digestive discomfort. These diets often use one primary protein source and a short list of simple, easily digestible ingredients.

This type of diet may benefit dogs with sensitive stomachs because it reduces the number of potential dietary triggers in each meal. Using fewer, carefully selected ingredients can also make it easier to determine whether a particular protein or other food is contributing to digestive discomfort.

Consider Opting for a Novel Protein

A novel protein is meat that your dog has not eaten before. If your dog frequently has an upset stomach or other digestive issues, switching to a "novel" protein may be a good option because their immune system is less likely to recognize a protein it has never encountered and may be less likely to react to the protein source.

For instance, commercial dog foods use chicken or beef as the main source of protein. Switching to a diet that includes proteins such as lean pork, lean turkey, or perhaps even a meat such as rabbit, venison, or bison might be a good choice. The latter three do tend to be more difficult to find and more expensive.

It's also important to note that for many dogs, selecting a lean source of protein is a good option. Low-fat meat tends to be easier on a dog's digestive system. For dogs prone to medical conditions such as pancreas issues, a low-fat diet likely will be recommended by your veterinarian.

Avoid Processed Foods & "Human" Snacks

As veterinarians, we don't recommend providing any dog with a diet that includes kibble (dry food) or canned pet food. These options are heavily processed and contain chemical preservatives, flavorings, and colors.

Additionally, these foods often contain cheap fillers such as corn and wheat. Corn has almost no nutritional value aside from providing calories, and some dogs have sensitivity or even allergies to wheat. The proteins used in canned and dry food also tend to be poor quality and often high in fat, which can be tough to digest, particularly if your dog has stomach issues or food sensitivities.

Of course, we know that it is sometimes tempting to provide your dog with a morsel of food from the human table; we strongly recommend that you do not feed bits of human food to your pooch, especially those prone to digestive issues and pancreatitis.

While these treats or table scraps might be "human-grade," they could contain chemical preservatives and high amounts of sodium and fat. Many human foods also are flavored with garlic or onions, and these can be highly toxic for dogs.

If you wish to reward your furry friends with a tasty treat, we recommend a nibble of low-fat whole food, such as a blueberry or perhaps a bit of watermelon or perhaps a piece of lightly steamed carrot. Keep these tidbits small, and if your dog has a health condition, ask your veterinarian for treat recommendations.

Every dog is unique, and, especially for dogs with health issues or stomach problems, a limited ingredient diet is always best, and too many treats, even if they are healthy, unseasoned whole foods, can be problematic for some dogs.

Gently Cooked Food Vs. Raw Food

While raw food can be a high-quality option, if your dog struggles with digestive issues, it's likely not the best option. Raw food can be difficult to digest, and we don't recommend it for dogs with stomach issues or even older dogs, as they can have a more difficult time digesting raw food.

Gently cooked whole foods are a better option. Light cooking can soften ingredients, making it easier to chew and digest while still preserving the important nutrients in the food.

Additionally, gently cooked foods still retain much of their moisture, which helps hydrate your dog. You also reduce the potential risk of introducing harmful bacteria or parasites to your dog, which can be an issue with raw food.

Holistic Dog Food: Why This Can Be a Smart Approach

Fresh dog food with just a few human-grade ingredients is often the best option for any dog. Whether you need dog food for digestive problems or perhaps are searching for kidney friendly dog food or perhaps an anti inflammatory diet for dogs, opting for fresh dog food without preservatives or artificial flavors can be a great way to provide your dog with quality nutrition.

As veterinarians, we also recommend taking fresh dog food a step further and looking for food that is designed with a holistic approach in mind. Holistic food for dogs is food where each ingredient has been chosen to serve a specific purpose. For instance, for dogs with stomach issues, this might include proteins, grains, and vegetables that are especially easy to digest while still providing a complete and balanced diet.

At Chi Dog, our vet developed dog food contains gently-cooked, human-grade ingredients, and each of our five diets was created based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, which views food as a tool for healing as well as providing optimum nutrition.

Our Wood Diet, for instance, was developed specifically for dogs with tummy troubles. This is a low-fat option with chicken breast, chicken eggs, brown rice, carrots, and broccoli. Foods lower in fat can be easier to digest, and this food also was designed to support healthy liver function. It's also an ideal choice for puppies, promoting healthy growth in our little furry friends, but is also suitable for all life stages.

Of course, if your dog does need a novel protein or has other health concerns, we have four additional options. All contain a limited number of ingredients, and all of our gently-cooked foods are designed to be easy to digest, while still providing a complete nutritional profile.

Again, if you need dog food for digestive problems, the first step should be a visit with your veterinarian to determine why these issues are occurring. However, if your vet does recommend switching to a fresh holistic dog food, we deliver right to your door and offer a dog food subscription, so you will always have quality food on hand.

FAQ's

1. What is the best dog food for digestive problems?

The best dog food for digestive problems is typically a fresh, gently cooked diet made with limited, easy-to-digest ingredients. Many veterinarians recommend foods with a single lean protein source, simple carbohydrates, and no artificial preservatives, colors, or fillers to help reduce digestive stress.

2. Can a limited-ingredient diet help dogs with sensitive stomachs?

Yes. A limited-ingredient diet can help reduce exposure to ingredients that may trigger digestive upset. Using fewer carefully selected ingredients also makes it easier to identify potential food sensitivities while providing balanced nutrition.

3. Are novel proteins better for dogs with digestive issues?

Novel proteins, such as rabbit, venison, bison, lean turkey, or lean pork, may benefit some dogs with digestive problems because their immune systems are less likely to react to proteins they haven't eaten before. Your veterinarian can help determine whether a novel protein diet is appropriate for your dog.

4. Is gently cooked dog food easier to digest than raw food?

For many dogs with digestive issues, gently cooked dog food is easier to digest than raw food. Light cooking softens ingredients while preserving important nutrients and also reduces the risk of bacteria or parasites that can be present in raw diets.

5. Should I change my dog's food if they have ongoing digestive problems?

If your dog experiences persistent diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or other digestive symptoms, schedule a veterinary examination before changing their diet. Once the underlying cause has been identified, your veterinarian may recommend switching to a fresh, limited-ingredient diet that supports healthy digestion.