Do you sometimes wonder if your dog has a sensitive stomach? He or she might if he or she has one or more of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to recognize that these symptoms can occur for plenty of reasons. An inability to tolerate a particular food ingredient, an infection caused by a virus or bacteria, a food allergy, snacking on something that he or she shouldn\u2019t have, internal parasites and several other medical conditions can all result in digestive system problems.<\/p>\n
Because diarrhea, vomiting and gas can indicate potentially serious health conditions, you\u2019ll want your veterinarian to examine your dog to rule out other possible medical reasons for your dog\u2019s symptoms before assuming your furry friend simply has a sensitive stomach. If your veterinarian finds that your dog\u2019s tummy troubles aren\u2019t a sign of an identifiable and treatable medical issue, then you\u2019ll want to take a close look at your dog\u2019s entire diet.<\/p>\n
Some dogs\u2019 digestive tracts simply can\u2019t handle a lot of variety or foods made with ingredients that cause the digestive system to work a little harder than usual. First, you\u2019ll want to simplify your dog\u2019s diet by reducing or eliminating the \u201cextras\u201d \u2014 table scraps, treats and access to garbage and other \u201cdelicacies\u201d when outdoors. Then, you\u2019ll want to scrutinize your dog\u2019s current food in terms of digestibility (see below), fat content and fiber as well as ingredients. Depending on what you learn about the food you\u2019re currently feeding, you may need to consider switching your furry friend to a food formulated specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs, such as Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula for Dogs<\/a><\/p>\n Sensitive stomach dog foods are formulated to be highly digestible, with a limited number of high-quality ingredients, so they\u2019re easy for your dog\u2019s digestive system to process. Digestibility,<\/em> which measures the amount of nutrients that are absorbed by the body, reflects a food\u2019s ability to deliver essential nutrients to the dog that\u2019s eating it and ultimately affects his or her long-term health. Dog food digestibility can also influence the volume, appearance and smell of your dog\u2019s stool and the likelihood for flatulence.<\/p>\n Some types of ingredients are considered to be more digestible than others. For example, protein ingredients have higher digestibility than fiber ingredients, but specific types of fiber are critical for optimal digestion.<\/p>\n The term quality<\/em> is often used to describe the digestibility of an ingredient or food. Dog foods made from high-quality ingredients tend to be much more digestible than lower-quality ingredients. Veterinary nutritionists also use quality<\/em> to describe whether a protein contains all the essential amino acids in the appropriate ratio for a particular animal.<\/p>\n Generally speaking, dietary fat is more complex and difficult for dogs to digest than carbohydrates and protein. Undigested fat that reaches the large intestine can be fermented by bacteria and contribute to diarrhea. But a sufficient amount of dietary fat is necessary for good health. That\u2019s why veterinary nutritionists recommend foods with moderate amounts of fat (12 to 15 percent on a dry matter basis) for dogs with digestive system issues.<\/p>\n Although some people talk about fiber as though it\u2019s one thing, the truth is that there\u2019s more than one type of fiber, and they\u2019re not all equal when it comes to canine digestive system health.<\/p>\n For dogs with digestive system issues, the traditional approach is to recommend low-fiber foods (5 percent or less on a dry matter basis). Fiber-containing ingredients should provide a balance of soluble and insoluble fibers. Most soluble and some insoluble fibers are fermented by bacteria in the large intestine, producing short-chain fatty acids that help feed the cells of the intestinal lining. Good, balanced sources of soluble and insoluble fibers include dried plain beet pulp, tomato pomace, psyllium seed husk, peas, flaxseed and several others.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no one food that works best for all dogs with sensitive stomachs. Finding the best food for your<\/em> dog may require a little time and patience, and what works for your friend\u2019s dog may not work for yours. Before spending a lot of time and money trying different dog foods, be sure to ask your veterinarian to help you determine what type of food would be best for your dog. To find a retailer who sells Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula for Adult Dogs, please visit Where to Buy<\/a>.<\/p>\nDogs with sensitive stomachs need highly digestible food<\/h3>\n
Moderate fat level avoids overworking the digestive system<\/h3>\n
Fabulous fiber helps support digestive system health<\/h3>\n