The Best Dog Food for Digestive Problems: How to Feed your Dog Properly

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We all love seeing our fluffy little friends cheerful and satisfied, yet sometimes providing the proper care for a dog can be tricky.

The essential requirement for a healthy dog is rife, balanced nutrition that potentiates normal digestion. However, sometimes, despite all the precautions and care taken, digestive problems still occur. Even when it happens, there is no need to panic; most digestive problems can be solved simply by changing your dog's diet.

Now you’re probably wondering:

“What is the best dog food for digestive problems and overall health?”

Well, in the following text, you can read all about the best dog food for digestive problems, what nutrients constitute it, and why they are substantial for your dog's health.

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Best Dog Food for Digestive Problems - Top 6 Recommend

Editor's Picks

Product​​​​ Name

Price

Best Choices

Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded

Runner-Up Dog Food for Digestive Problems

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dog Food

Most Economical Dog Food for Digestive Problems

Pedigree Dog Food 

Best Wet Dog Food for Digestive Problems

Natural Balance Limited Wet Dog Food

Best Senior Dog Food for Digestive Problems

Nulo Senior Grain Free Dog Food

Best Puppy Food for Digestive Problems

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy

Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend Adult Dry Dog Food - Top Pick Dog Food for Digestive Problems

Every dog has its own needs, and you should always consider them before buying any food or supplements. If your dog has digestive problems, Purina Pro Plan Adult Dry Dog Food has everything needed for proper nutrition.

This holistic bag of 100% balanced nutrition was specially made to help your dog’s digestion and improve the utilization of ingredients. How?

Since it has lamb and no other ingredients, this food is high in quality protein that is essential for your dog's health and wellbeing while easily digestible carbohydrates from the rice will give energy.

Furthermore, your dog’s gastrointestinal flora will love this excellent meal since it contains live probiotics and natural prebiotic fibers from wheat bran, essential for a healthy metabolism.

Other than the GI system, it is also good for the skin due to vitamin A, linoleic acid, and omega-6 fatty acid it contains.

Finally, the dual texture of hard kibble and shredded meaty bits contribute to the unique experience your dog will have with this gala meal.

Pros
  • High-quality protein
  • Probiotics, prebiotics
  • Easily digestible grain
  • Shredded blend
Cons
  • Only for adult dogs

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dog Food - Runner-Up Dog Food for Digestive Problems

With Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food, you won’t have to worry about what’s in your dog’s food anymore, since it consists of all-natural high-quality ingredients.

Being comprised of protein-rich real pork, beef, and lamb with added vitamins and minerals, this wholesome bag was made to support the nutritional needs of your dog through all the stages in its life.

As the bag says, it includes all-natural ingredients with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives guaranteeing your dog a healthy life. Moreover, its grain-free formula ensures proper digestion. It prevents any possible stomach issues, which is especially convenient for dogs with allergies since it has no wheat, no corn, no soy, and no by-products.

Now, this is not all. Being cooked in the USA with high-quality natural ingredients, this formula is not only good for digestion but also for less shedding, shinier coat, increased energy, stronger nails, and healthier skin.

And when it comes to the flavor, dried blueberries, rosemary, sage, and thyme all contribute to the exotic flavorful mixture; your dog will love it.

Pros
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Grain-free
  • High-quality protein
  • For dogs in all stages
Cons
  • No probiotics or prebiotics

Pedigree Dog Food - Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor - Most Economical Dog Food for Digestive Problems

If what you care about is getting the best quality for the price in the most economical package, Pedigree Dog Food - Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor is the best product for you.

Although this product comes in a 33lb bag for only about below $20, it provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs. Made of real meat protein, whole grains, and a unique blend of fibers, it improves digestion and keeps the gastrointestinal flora healthy.

In addition to this, it has the optimal levels of omega-6 fatty acids to nourish skin and keep your dog’s coat shiny and soft.

What it also features is a delicious grilled steak flavor that provides vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals working in favor of your dog’s overall health and wellbeing.

Another positive feature is the lack of artificial flavors, added sugars, and high fructose corn syrup so you won’t have to worry about the allergens and stomach reactions.

Overall, this formula presents a reliable solution in providing your dog complete, healthy nutrition without spending too much money and worrying about the possible side effects.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Contains fibers
  • Has no added sugar or artificial flavors
  • Rich in omega-6 fatty acid
  • Real meat protein
  • Tasteful
Cons
  • Whole grains
  • No probiotics or prebiotics

Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Wet Dog Food - The Best Wet Dog Food for Digestive Problems

Every pet owner knows that providing your dog with both dry and wet food is essential in supporting the good health of your little friend. That is precisely why Natural Wet Dog Food is on our list.

First of all, this canned wet food is formulated with a limited list of quality protein and carbohydrate sources, thus being perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs and allergies.

Secondly, grain-free formula, high in fibers, makes Natural Balance Wet Dog Food easy to digest and bioavailable. Plus, it has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, so It is perfectly safe.

However, it is not just beneficial for the GI system, but it also has many positive effects on the skin and coat. And being limited in ingredients can be served to dogs of all ages, even puppies.

Interestingly, Natural balance performs nine safety tests on each batch of food to ensure the premium quality and safety of their ingredients. Tests are performed by microbiologists and shared on the internet so you may know what is precisely in your dog's bowl.

Pros
  • Limited ingredients
  • Rich in premium protein and carbohydrates
  • No grain formula
  • No artificial additives
  • Tested
  • For dogs in all stages
Cons
  • No significant cons

Nulo Senior Grain Free Dog Food - Best Senior Dog Food for Digestive Problems

As your dog grows older, it becomes more demanding and challenging to care for them. Thus, you have to provide a diet that is specially formulated to meet all their demands like, for example, Nulo Senior Grain-Free with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, Trout and Sweet Potato Recipe.

With the coming of ages, dogs become less food-tolerant and more prone to allergies. That is why grain-free formula with no corn, wheat, soy, white potatoes, tapioca, artificial colors, flavorings, or preservatives works to reduce sensitivities and allergies and improve digestion.

Furthermore, this well-balanced diet is based on a high percentage of protein from animals and a low level of carbs as well as glycemic ingredients for more amino acids and improved flavor.

Aging comes with mobility limitations; hence, glucosamine and chondroitin with anti-inflammatory properties in this formula serve for joint flexibility and pain relief. And when it comes to slow digestion, patented BC30 probiotic with L-Carnitine takes care of the metabolism and protects the GI system.

Pros
  • High protein/low carbs
  • With probiotics
  • Joint support
  • Grain-free
  • Well-balanced and nutritious
Cons
  • No prebiotics

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food - Best Puppy Food for Digestive Problems

Being the most demanding dog group when it comes to care and nutrition, puppies require special diets. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food was made by the special recipe for young dogs, having all the essential constituents their body in growth needs.

Farm-raised chicken, as the primary source of proteins, is the No1 ingredient of this formula. It is blended with brown-rice (which is an easy-digestible grain; the source of carbohydrates) and sweet potato to form a complete and tasty diet.

Since puppies are dogs in development, Nutro food is enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acids Like DHA and Calcium to ensure healthy growth and overall health. In addition to this, it is high in vitamins, minerals, and Omega-6 Fatty Acids, which is vital for healthy skin and coat as well.

Finally, all the ingredients are GMO-free with no chicken by-products, corn, wheat, or soy protein, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. These features make Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Puppy Dry Dog Food perfectly safe for your puppy.

Pros
  • Farm-raised chicken
  • Easy digestible brown rice
  • Omega Fatty acids and calcium
  • No GMO ingredients
Cons
  • No probiotics and prebiotics

What Causes Digestive Problems in Dogs?

While dogs generally have a durable and resistant digestive system, due to some external factors, their gastrointestinal health may deteriorate. Consequently, your dog cannot digest food properly and absorb all the essential nutrients, which further leads to certain digestive disorders. What are some of these factors?

  • Improper diet
  • Sudden change in diet
  • Trauma
  • Bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites
  • Medications
  • Allergies
  • Food intolerances
  • Toxins
  • Foreign objects etc.

Though every owner knows his pet and can assume what caused the change in dog's health and behavior, it is always necessary to take your dog to a veterinarian to get the exact diagnosis as well as advice on possible treatment.

Symptoms of Digestive Problems

Any change that occurs in a dog's regular eating and defecating habits along with the strange behavior can indicate poor digestion still, not every turn is a cause for alarm.

However, if your dog is showing some of these symptoms, you may have a reason to be concerned

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lack of interest in food
  • Constipation
  • Gases
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Blood or mucus in the stools etc.

How to Choose the Proper Food for Digestive Issues

First of all, it is imperative to realize that each dog is different and hence may differently react to certain ingredients. Having that in mind, before choosing the right food for your dog It is of high importance to determine the exact cause of poor digestion and select the menu accordingly.

What you should look for in dog's food?

1. A Limited Number of Ingredients

Well, this is quite logical. If your dog has a problem digesting some nutrients, the lower the number of elements is, the less the food intolerance is.

Simple recipes usually consist of protein and fibers, are hypoallergenic, and easily digestible.


2. Grain-free Dog Food

Be careful with this one! With the variety of grain-free products on the shelves, people started believing grains are bad for their dogs, not necessarily. Grains provide your dog with many crucial constituents such as protein, vitamin E, and linoleic acid. So, what’s the catch?

Dogs lack amylase, an enzyme crucial in breaking down complex carbohydrates and cereal grains, which leads to a slow metabolism. Furthermore, if your dog has a sensitive stomach, you should opt for easily digestible and fully processed grains such as brown rice and oats, or choose the grain-free dog food, enriched with fibers.

Pro Tip: 

*Before you start the grain-free diet, consult the veterinarian since some studies speculate that there can be some connection between grain-free food and canine dilated cardiomyopathy.


3. Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics are essential for boosting the immune system and healthy gastrointestinal flora.

Probiotics contain "good bacteria" that improve digestion, while prebiotics serves as nutrients for the “good bacteria” already present in your dog’s GI system.

Final Thoughts

During its lifetime, your dog may confront many different digestive issues, which is why it is of high importance to choose the right diet and support his well being. Purina Pro Plan SAVOR Shredded Blend with Probiotics Adult Dry Dog Food has all the ingredients to potentiate healthy metabolism. It has easily-digestible grains, highly usable premium proteins, and both probiotics and prebiotics. Show that you care by choosing wisely!

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