As our dogs get older their nutritional needs change. A specially formulated senior dog food can provide your pup with the proper quantities of nutrients they need for their age. Some senior dogs have a sensitive stomach and have trouble digesting certain ingredients. Senior dog food for a sensitive stomach can provide your dog with the nutrients they need and is gentle on their sensitive tummies.
Our Top Selections For Senior Dog Food For A Sensitive Stomach Include:
What Age Is A Dog Considered A Senior?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, small dogs are senior at 7 years of age and large dogs are senior at 5 to 6 years of age.
When Should I Consider Changing My Dog’s Food?
If your senior dog has been diagnosed with a medical condition, this is one instance when you might want to change your dog’s food.
Senior dog food may contain special ingredients or different concentrations of minerals that may help your dog with medical conditions associated with aging like:
- Arthritis (Glucosamine and Chondroitin).
- Kidney disease (Low Phosphorus).
- Dental issues (Shape, Size, Texture).
- Pancreatitis (Low Fat).
If your dog is experiencing loose stools or other digestive issues, you may also want to change your dog’s food to better support your dog’s digestion.
Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s conditions and your concerns for them as they age to determine a senior dog food that is right for your pup.
How Do I Change My Dog’s Food?
When changing your dog’s food, it is always best to start small. Use a small amount of the new food mixed with your dog’s old food.
Gradually increase the amount of new food and lessen the amount of old food as the days go by.
A complete change to a new dog food should take approximately 7-10 days. If your dog has a very sensitive stomach, you may want to take a longer amount of time to transition to the new food, up to 14 days or more.
What Dog Food Is Best For Senior Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs?
There are certain ingredients you may want to look for when considering a senior dog food for a sensitive stomach.
- Prebiotics. Used to improve gut health, prebiotics act like food for the intestinal microbiome and promote good bacterial health.
- Probiotics. Maintain the good bacteria in the gut.
- Pumpkin. High in fiber, it absorbs water from your dog’s intestines, therefore, hardening their stool.
- Other Fiber. Can help reduce both diarrhea and constipation and can help your dog maintain a healthy weight by helping them feel full. These can include whole grains and sweet potatoes.
Other ingredients to look for to support your senior dog:
- Antioxidants. Can help decrease inflammation and boost the immune system.
- Omega Fatty Acids. Contributes to healthy skin and coat and decreases inflammation.
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These help to relieve joint pain from arthritis.
Check the ingredients carefully, especially if your dog has special dietary needs, like needing to eat grain free, low fat, or low phosphorus dog food due to allergies, pancreatitis, or kidney disease, respectfully.
Shape, Size, And Texture
If your dog is experiencing dental issues, pay attention to the type of food you are buying.
The shape of the dog food can help combat dental issues by rubbing against the teeth and getting rid of plaque or tartar.
The size of the kibble needs to be small enough and soft enough that your dog can chew it without any difficulty.
If your dog is unable to chew food, look into getting wet dog food, which may be easier for them to swallow.
Best Senior Dog Food For A Sensitive Stomach
These are top rated senior dog foods specially formulated for a sensitive stomach. They contain ingredients to help maintain digestive health, like prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber.
Included in this list are regular, grain free, potato free, and meat/poultry free foods for dogs with different dietary needs.
Blue Buffalo Blue Basics Skin And Stomach Care
- Also available in wet form.
- Available in 2 sizes: 4 lbs. and 24 lbs.
- Turkey and potato recipe.
- Limited ingredients.
- Includes pumpkin.
- Easy to digest carbohydrates.
- Chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and egg free.
- Contains a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support the immune system and life stage.
- Made in the USA with US and globally sourced ingredients.
Check Price At: Petco, Amazon, Chewy, Petsmart, Walmart
Check Price of Wet Dog Food At: Petco, Petsmart, Amazon, Chewy
Canidae Pure Grain Free Limited Ingredient Senior Dog Food
- Available in a 12 lb. and 24 lb. bag.
- Uses a limited number of ingredients.
- Grain free.
- For dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- Contains omega fatty acids.
- Has glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints.
- Antioxidants.
- Probiotics to support healthy digestion.
- Made in the USA.
Check Price At: Petco, Amazon, Chewy, Petsmart
Solid Gold Holistique Blendz
- Available in 2 sizes: 4 lbs. and 24 lbs.
- For gut health and immune support.
- Balances whole grains and fish based protein.
- Potato free.
- Includes prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber for digestion.
- Contains omega fatty acids.
- Made in the USA.
Check Price At: Chewy, Petco, Amazon, Walmart
Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Digestion
- Available as a 3.5 lb.,12 lb., and 22 lb. bag.
- Contains antioxidants.
- Has Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
- No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
- Cultivates a healthy microbiome and digestive well being.
- Supports regular and healthy stools.
- Blends pumpkin, whole grain oats, and prebiotics.
- Small bite kibble.
- Made in the USA with US and globally sourced ingredients.
Check Price At: Chewy, Petco, Amazon, Petsmart, Walmart
Purina Proplan Complete Essentials Senior Dog Food With Probiotics
- Also available: Sensitive Skin and Stomach formula.
- Available in 2 sizes: 6 lbs. and 34 lbs.
- Contains probiotics to support digestive and immune support.
- Hard kibble mixed with tender pieces.
- Includes omega fatty acids and glucosamine for joint health.
- Contains prebiotic fiber to support intestinal bacteria.
- Has Vitamin A and Linoleic Acid to promote healthy skin and coat.
- Easily digestible.
- Made in the USA.
Check Price At: Petco, Chewy, Petsmart, Walmart
Check Price of Sensitive Skin And Stomach At: Petco, Chewy, Petsmart
Wellness Core Digestive Health
- Available in 2 sizes: 6 lb. and 24 lb.
- Contains prebiotics, probiotics, pumpkin, and papaya for easy digestion.
- Firms stool.
- Has antioxidants and vitamins to support immune health.
- Contains omega fatty acids for skin and coat.
- Includes Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Calcium to support bone and joint health.
- Has no added corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
- Made in the USA.
Check Price At: Amazon, Petco, Chewy, Petsmart, Walmart
Bil-Jac Sensitive Solutions Dog Food
- Available in 2 sizes: 6 lbs. and 30 lbs.
- Also available: Skin and Stomach Support.
- For all life stages.
- Includes prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber for digestive support.
- Has Vitamin C and Vitamin E to support immune function
- Wheat free.
- Soy free.
- Made in the USA.
Check Price At: Petsmart
Annamaet Original Senior Dog Food
- Available in 3 sizes: 5 lbs.,12 lbs., and 25 lbs.
- Contains L -carnitine and high protein to support lean body mass.
- Has omega fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory.
- Includes prebiotics, probiotics, and pumpkin to support GI health.
- Made in the USA.
Check Price At: Chewy, Amazon, Walmart
Holistic Select Senior Dog Food
- Grain free.
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics for digestive support.
- Includes live yogurt cultures, natural fiber and digestive enzymes to aid healthy digestion.
- Has omega fatty acids to support coat and skin.
- Contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin to support joints.
- No meat by-products, wheat or wheat gluten, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Royal Canin Digestive Care Wet Dog Food
- Available in 13.5 oz. cans.
- Highly digestible.
- Promotes healthy digestion.
- Supports balanced intestinal flora.
- Promotes optimal stool quality.
Check Price At: Petsmart, Chewy, Petco
Senior dog food for a sensitive stomach can provide your senior dog with the nutrition they need balanced with ingredients to help support a healthy digestive system.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.