Heed these takeaways

• Loose stools, excess flatulence and vomiting can all indicate a sensitive stomach.
• From underlying health issues to a poor diet, there are many potential causes of an upset tummy.
• Cutting out fatty treats and table snacks and changing to a different protein source can help solve stomach issues.
• Feeding a high-quality food like Heed Foods designed to aid digestion is also essential.

An upset stomach can be a real cause for concern — for you as well as your pup.

Unfortunately, working out what’s causing your dog’s sensitive stomach issues can be a tough task. There are many different factors that can potentially contribute to tummy troubles, so it might take a little while to get to the bottom of the problem.

But with a thorough approach to solving the issue, and perhaps with the help of your veterinarian, you’ll be able to find the perfect food for your pup’s tricky tummy.

Sensitive Stomach Symptoms

When someone says their dog has a “sensitive stomach”, that can mean one or more of a few different things.

In some pups, it might mean excess (and sometimes very stinky) flatulence. In others, it might result in loose stools or diarrhea, or maybe even occasional vomiting.

The symptoms can vary between dogs, but if any of them are severe or particularly worrying, it’s important that you seek veterinary attention straight away.

Determining the Cause of a Sensitive Stomach

Here’s where things get a little complicated.

While it’s easy to jump to conclusions about what’s causing your dog’s upset stomach, if it’s a recurring problem, the first thing you need to do is make an appointment with your vet.

There are several serious health problems that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even flatulence, so it’s important to get them ruled out first.

You can then start looking at other potential causes. In some cases, emotional stress can lead to an upset tummy. If this is true for your dog, finding a way to relieve this stress and help them cope with any anxiety is crucial.

In other situations, some dogs may simply struggle to tolerate certain ingredients — for example, some protein sources may just be a little too much for your dog to handle. And if you regularly give your pup fatty table scraps, they could be the cause of her recurring stomach issues.

If this is the case, it’s time to eliminate the ingredient that’s causing all the problems. This means cutting out fatty treats and table snacks, stopping her finding “snacks” from the trash, and considering switching to a food that uses higher quality ingredients.

One other common cause of a sensitive stomach is feeding a low-quality dog food. These are often too high in fat and are usually harder for dogs to digest than premium foods. Low-quality dog food also may not have all the nutrients your pup needs for optimum health — for example, maybe your pup needs more fiber in her life to help her digestive system function efficiently.

With all of this in mind, switching to a premium food is a step you must consider taking.

Choosing the Best Food for Your Dog

The old saying that you are what you eat reflects just how important it is to feed your dog the right diet. No two dogs are the same, so keep in mind to find the diet that works for YOUR pup.

By feeding your pup a high-quality food specially formulated to meet all their nutritional needs, you can help soothe their sensitive stomach.

Dr. Laurie Johnson (DVM) says, "Food is medicine! In my practice, when a pet is struggling with any health concern, the first thing we look at is the diet. There are a lot of factors that need to be evaluated when making diet recommendations for a dog with a sensitive stomach. It's important for pet parents to work closely with their integrative veterinarian to diagnose any medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms. You'll want to choose a food that supports a healthy gut microbiome, one that makes sense for the individual dog."