Best Dog Food for Dogs That Vomit Frequently
Dogs that throw up often may suffer from a sensitive stomach, which can be triggered by numerous factors such as dietary intolerances, allergies, sudden diet changes, infections, or underlying health conditions. Certain breeds like German Shepherds and Great Danes are more prone to digestive issues, but any dog can be affected. Feeding your dog an appropriate, gentle diet can significantly alleviate these symptoms.
Recommended Dietary Strategies
- Limited-Ingredient Diets: These diets feature fewer components, often with a single, novel protein source (e.g. lamb, duck, or venison) which helps pinpoint and avoid triggers.
- Easily Digestible Carbohydrates: Foods like rice, pumpkin, oatmeal, or sweet potatoes provide energy and gentle fiber without irritating the digestive tract.
- Probiotics and Prebiotics: These support gut health by balancing intestinal microflora and enhancing digestion.
- Low-Fat Formulas: Especially helpful for dogs with pancreatitis or chronic gastrointestinal issues, as lower fat reduces digestive workload.
- High-Fiber Diets: Fiber helps regulate digestion, aids in stool formation, and may support dogs with IBD or anal gland problems.
- Hypoallergenic and Hydrolyzed Diets: Often prescribed for dogs with true food allergies, these require veterinary guidance and often involve specially formulated proteins.
Transitioning to a New Food
Changing your dog’s diet should be done gradually over 7–10 days. Start by mixing small amounts of the new food into their current diet and increase the proportion over time. Avoid sudden changes, treats, or table scraps, which can trigger further gastrointestinal upset.
Feeding Tips for Digestive Support
- Feed smaller, more frequent meals to reduce digestive burden.
- Ensure fresh water is always available.
- Stick to a consistent feeding schedule.
What to Look for in Dog Food
- AAFCO-Labeled: Assures complete and balanced nutrition.
- Recognizable, Whole Ingredients: Look for foods with a named protein (turkey, lamb, fish) as the first ingredient.
- No Artificial Additives: Avoid dyes, artificial preservatives, and byproducts.
- Life-Stage Appropriate: Puppies and senior dogs need food that matches their nutritional requirements.
- Functional Ingredients: Look for added probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber sources like barley or beet pulp.
Short-Term Home Diet Option
For acute issues, a bland diet of plain cooked rice with boiled chicken or turkey can temporarily settle the stomach. For long-term health, however, it’s advisable to use a nutritionally balanced sensitive-stomach commercial formula to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Top Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
- Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach: With options including salmon, rice, and lamb with oatmeal.
- Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin: Available for adults and large breeds, using salmon or chicken.
- JustFoodForDogs: Human-grade, fresh food with proteins like turkey, lamb, or fish.
- Royal Canin Digestive Care: Specialized veterinary formulas for more serious cases.
- Wellness CORE Digestive Health: Chicken, whitefish, and brown rice options.
- Spot & Tango: Fresh, tailored, limited-ingredient diets.
- Open Farm: Ancient grains and grain-free formulas using high-quality meats.
- Nulo Freestyle Limited+: Salmon-based recipes for puppies and adult dogs.
When to See a Veterinarian
- Continuous vomiting or diarrhea
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Weight loss or lethargy
- Little or no improvement after dietary changes
- Signs of pain or bloating
Dogs with sensitive stomachs benefit from high-quality, simple diets with limited ingredients, gentle carbohydrates, and supportive elements like probiotics. Pay attention to their response to dietary changes, and consult a vet to ensure that vomiting isn't a symptom of an underlying medical issue.
