If your dog has a sensitive stomach, finding the right food can be a game-changer.
Many Pet Owners struggle with dogs that experience digestive issues, allergies, or intolerances. What’s more challenging is identifying the cause of the sensitivity and finding the best solution.
First, what causes a dog food allergy or intolerance?
When a dog develops a food allergy, their immune system has identified something in their food as harmful, triggering a response. An intolerance occurs when their digestive system has trouble processing certain ingredients.
Reactions can present in various ways, such as itching, gastrointestinal upset, and skin issues. The most common triggers are: dairy ingredients, grains, and proteins (the main culprits being chicken and beef).
When this response occurs, your furry friend can experience any or all of the following symptoms:
- Chronic ear infections
- Constant itching / scratching
- Skin rashes & hot spots
- Tear staining
- Diarrhoea
- Excessive gas
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Paw licking / gnawing
- Wheezing / sneezing
While some proteins can cause gut unrest, it’s certainly not to say that dogs should go without it. So, it’s important to identify the source of the issue, not simply to rule out meat altogether. After all, canines are carnivores so they need protein in their diet.
You may ask, ‘What’s the best meat for dogs, then?’
Sorry, it’s not that simple. There is no one best meat for dogs because, like us humans – every dog is different and it depends on many factors. A single protein diet, however, gives you a good chance to understand what’s best for your dog.
In order to find out what the trigger of your dog’s food allergy or intolerance may be, a veterinarian-supervised elimination trial – also known as a novel protein diet – is the safest and best course of action. How it works is, ingredients are systematically removed to pinpoint the cause of the allergy.
Once you know what the cause of the allergy or intolerance is, you can then start the process of sourcing the most appropriate diet for your dog. While there are countless options on the market, it’s important to know exactly what to look for beyond the labelling.
So, let’s dive deeper and list the most important elements to consider.
What to look for when choosing a sensitive stomach dog food
- Limited ingredients: The general rule of thumb is the same as it is when looking at the best food for us humans. The first ingredient listed on the packaging is the main one. In the case of dog food, it should be a protein source. Thereafter, the fewer ingredients the better.
- High-quality ingredients: Dog food that’s rich in highly digestible ingredients is easier on the stomach, promoting smoother digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Single-protein source: Many dogs with sensitive stomachs are intolerant to certain proteins. A single-protein diet reduces the chance of triggering allergies or digestive issues.
- Australian made: Locally made food ensures fresher ingredients, home grown proteins and produce from facilities intended for human consumption. You’ll also be supporting local business too.
- Vet recommended: Choosing a food that is recommended by veterinarians ensures that it meets the specific dietary needs of dogs with sensitive stomachs.
With the understanding that food ingredients are the main cause of digestive & skin irritations in dogs, Australian business Prime100 set out to provide ready-made meals that steer clear of allergens and dietary red flags. Not only does this give pets a better chance at being healthy and happy, it also allows pet parents to bypass expensive and lengthy tests needed to diagnose allergies in dogs.
So, they teamed up with industry leading expert dermatologists, vets, and nutritionists to create complete Single Protein Diets (SPD™).
Check out this clip from TV show, Bondi Vet, explaining how Prime100’s Single Protein Diet is ideal for dogs that need sensitive stomach dog food:
How a single protein diet solves the sensitive stomach dog food dilemma
A single protein diet (SPD) is considered low allergen. This essentially means you’re limiting the chance of your dog experiencing digestive discomfort or an allergic reaction.
Many dogs with sensitive stomachs are intolerant to certain proteins. A single-protein diet, like Prime100, isolates one protein source.
Before they were domesticated, dogs would hunt for their own meals. Single-protein sources like chicken, fish, duck, and lamb is what their bodies are built to consume. This is why many pet nutrition experts recommend feeding single-protein diets as sensitive stomach dog food, because it’s similar to what they would have eaten in the wild.
Why Prime100 is the answer to your sensitive stomach dog food search:
• Made in Australia with fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers
• Produced in HACCP audited human-grade facilities
• AAFCO compliant
• All recipes are preservative free
• All recipes are gluten free
• Promote healthy bone and joint support
• Supplemented with: taurine for heart function, prebiotics, postbiotics, vitamins and minerals, essential Omega 3 and 6