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10 Best Dog Foods for Poodles with Sensitive Stomachs – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Poodle dog eating from a food dish in the garden

Do you have a Poodle with a sensitive stomach? If so, you know how hard it can be to find the right food for them. With so many brands and formulas on the market, it can be challenging to figure out which is right for your pup. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best dog food for poodles with sensitive stomachs. We’ve gathered reviews from pet parents and made a list of the top picks in this category.

So, whether you’re looking for dry food, wet food, or treats, we have you covered! At the end of this post, you’ll be a full-fledged poodle food expert. Well, maybe not a true expert, but you’ll know enough to make the best choice for your furry friend.

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A Quick Look at Our Favorites (2024 Update)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
The Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription Service The Farmer's Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription Service
  • Prepared fresh and delivered to your door
  • 100% human-grade ingredients
  • No fillers, by-products, or preservatives
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    American Journey Limited Ingredient American Journey Limited Ingredient
  • Affordable
  • Grain-free
  • Made with high-quality ingredients
  • Third place
    Royal Canin Veterinary Adult Gastrointestinal Royal Canin Veterinary Adult Gastrointestinal
  • Made with high-quality ingredients
  • Highly digestible
  • Low in fat and calories
  • Black Gold Explorer Puppy Dry Food Black Gold Explorer Puppy Dry Food
  • Made with high quality ingredients
  • Highly digestible
  • Grain-free formula
  • Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food
  • Affordable
  • Grain-free
  • Made with high-quality ingredients
  • The 10 Best Pet Foods for Poodles with Sensitive Stomachs

    1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription Service – Best Overall

    Main Ingredients: Deboned beef, organic vegetables, oats, barley, and brown rice
    Protein Content: 38-42%
    Fat Content: 28-32%
    Calories: Varies by pet and formula

    The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food is our top pick for the best overall dog food for poodles with sensitive stomachs. Their recipes are made with only the highest quality, freshest ingredients. Formulated to be highly digestible, The Farmer’s Dog food contains no fillers, artificial preservatives, or byproducts.

    All of the ingredients are locally sourced and made in the USA. It’s also customized to meet your pet’s needs. It can be pricey, at about $23 -$40 per week, and you can’t run to the store to grab it. You have to order online so they can customize your dog’s portions.

    Pros
    • Prepared fresh and delivered to your door
    • 100% human-grade ingredients
    • No fillers, by-products, or preservatives
    • Highly digestible
    • Customized to your pet’s needs

    Cons
    • On the pricier side
    • Only available online


    2. American Journey Limited Ingredient Dry Food – Budget Buy

    Main Ingredients: Deboned lamb, sweet potatoes, peas, chickpeas
    Protein Content: 22%
    Fat Content: 12%
    Calories: 325 kcal/cup

    If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend American Journey’s Limited Ingredient Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe. It’s made with high-quality ingredients and is free of common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy.

    It’s also grain-free, which is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs. American Journey is packed with protein and fiber to keep your pup feeling full and satisfied. At only 325 calories per cup, it’s also a great choice for dogs watching their weight.

    One downside to this food is that it’s not as widely available as other brands. It also contains legumes, which have been linked to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. Some dogs do very well on a diet with legumes, so you’ll have to make that choice with your vet.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Grain-free
    • Made with high-quality ingredients
    • Packed with protein and fiber

    Cons
    • Not as widely available
    • Some dogs may need to avoid legumes


    3. Royal Canin Veterinary Adult Gastrointestinal Dry Food

    Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat

    Main Ingredients: Brewer’s rice, chicken meal, brown rice
    Protein Content: 20%
    Fat Content: 5%
    Calories: 248 kcal/cup

    For a third option, we recommend Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food. It’s specifically designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs and gastrointestinal issues. It’s made with high-quality ingredients and is highly digestible. It’s also low in fat and calories to help your dog maintain a healthy weight. Some dogs with sensitive stomachs do better on a reduced-fat diet.

    The main downside of this food is that it can be difficult to find. You can only get it if you have a prescription from your vet. Then, you’ll need to order it online or get it through your vet. It’s also pricier, as it’s a specialty prescription food. It contains chicken by-product meal, and some poodles are allergic to chicken.

    Pros
    • Made with high-quality ingredients
    • Highly digestible
    • Low in fat and calories

    Cons
    • Difficult to get without a prescription from your vet
    • Contains chicken meal
    • Expensive compared to other brands.


    4. Black Gold Explorer Puppy Food

    Black Gold Explorer Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food (1)

    Main Ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat
    Protein Content: 30%
    Fat Content: 20%
    Calories: 444 kcal/cup

    If you’re looking for the best food for poodle puppies with sensitive stomachs, we recommend Black Gold’s Explorer Puppy Formula. It’s made with high-quality ingredients formulated to be highly digestible. It’s also grain-free and has no artificial preservatives or flavors. Unlike many brands, Black Gold is packed with good fats for healthy vision, joints, and skin.

    The downside is that it’s more expensive than other brands on our list. You can find it online or in select pet stores. You might also need to avoid the main ingredient if your dog has a poultry allergy.

    Pros
    • Made with high-quality ingredients
    • Highly digestible
    • Grain-free formula
    • Contains DHA, Omega 3s, and Omega6 fatty acids
    • No artificial preservatives or flavors

    Cons
    • More expensive than some other brands
    • Only available online or in select pet stores
    • Made with chicken meal


    5. Merrick Healthy Grains Adult Dry Dog Food

    Merrick Healthy Grains Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food (1)

    Main Ingredients: Deboned salmon, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
    Protein Content: 25%
    Fat Content: 16%
    Calories: 395 kcal/cup

    Merrick’s Healthy Grains Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe is an excellent choice for puppies with sensitive stomachs. It’s made with high-quality ingredients and is free of common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy. It’s also grain-free and is packed with protein and fiber to keep your pup feeling full and satisfied.

    At only 395 calories per cup, it’s also an excellent choice for dogs watching their weight. One downside to this food is that it’s not as widely available as other brands. It also contains legumes, which have been linked to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, though more research needs to be done.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Grain-free
    • Made with high-quality ingredients
    • Packed with protein and fiber

    Cons
    • Not as widely available as some other brands
    • Some dogs may need to avoid legumes


    6. Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Dry Food

    Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly Digestive Care Formula Dry Dog Food

    Main Ingredients: Deboned salmon, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
    Protein Content: 25%
    Fat Content: 13%
    Calories: 394 kcal/cup

    Blue Buffalo’s True Solutions Blissful Belly Digestive Care Formula is suitable for poodles with sensitive stomachs. Well, one brand that is known for its quality ingredients and nutritional value is Blue Buffalo. This formula is poultry-free and contains fruits, vegetables, and fiber to help with digestion.

    The kibble doesn’t contain corn, wheat, and soy. In addition, Blue Buffalo is formulated by veterinarians and does not contain any artificial flavors or preservatives. It’s also grain-free and has added probiotics for gut health. It’s packed with protein and fiber to keep your pup feeling full and satisfied.

    At only 394 calories per cup, it’s ideal for overweight pups. One downside is that some dogs with sensitivities don’t do well on probiotic diets.  You can find it online or in select pet stores.

    Pros
    • Grain-free
    • Formulated by veterinarians
    • No artificial flavors or preservatives
    • Added probiotics for gut health
    • Packed with protein and fiber

    Cons
    • Not as widely available as some other brands.
    • Some dogs with sensitivities don’t do well on probiotic formulas


    7. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Senior Food

    Blue Buffalo Basics Skin and Stomach Care Turkey and Potato Recipe

    Main Ingredients: Deboned turkey, potato, peas
    Protein Content: min 20%
    Fat Content: min 12%
    Calories: 333 kcal/cup

    Blue Buffalo’s Basics Skin & Stomach Care Turkey & Potato Recipe Senior Dry Dog Food is suitable for senior poodles with sensitive stomachs. It’s made with high-quality ingredients and doesn’t contain wheat, corn, and soy. It’s also grain-free and has added probiotics for gut health. It’s packed with protein and fiber and only has 333 calories per cup.

    One downside to this food is that it contains poultry and isn’t suitable for dogs with chicken allergies. You can find it online or in select pet stores.

    Pros
    • Grain-free
    • Formulated by veterinarians
    • No artificial flavors or preservatives
    • Added probiotics for gut health
    • Packed with protein and fiber

    Cons
    • Not as widely available as some other brands.
    • Contains poultry
    • Some dogs with sensitivities don’t do well on probiotic formulas


    8. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI

    Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support Low Fat Grain-Free Wet Dog Food (1)

    Main Ingredients: Deboned turkey, potato, peas
    Protein Content: 8%
    Fat Content: 5%
    Calories: 299 kcal/can

    Blue Buffalo’s Natural Veterinary Diet GI Wet Dog Food is a nutritious blend of deboned turkey, potatoes, and peas.  It’s grain-free and has added probiotics for gut health.  This food is also low in fat, so it’s perfect for dogs who get an upset stomach when they eat too much fat.

    It has under 299 calories per can, which is ideal for dogs trying to lose weight. It’s formulated by veterinarians and has no preservatives of artificial flavors. Since it contains poultry, it isn’t suitable for dogs with chicken allergies.

    Pros
    • Grain-free
    • Formulated by veterinarians
    • No artificial flavors or preservatives
    • Added probiotics for gut health
    • Low in fat and calories

    Cons
    • Not as widely available as some other brands.
    • Some dogs with sensitivities don’t do well on probiotic formulas
    • Contains poultry


    9. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers

    Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Crunchy Dog Treats

    Main Ingredients: Potato flour, chicken meal, glycerin
    Protein Content: 16%
    Fat Content: 7,5%
    Calories: 14 per serving

    Purina Pro Plan’s Veterinary Diets Gentle Snackers Crunchy Dog Treats are ideal for poodles with sensitive stomachs. The treats are made with high-quality ingredients and are free of common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy. They’re also grain-free and have added probiotics for gut health. You can use them as a training reward for your super smart poodle!

    Pros
    • Free of common allergens
    • Contains probiotics for gut health

    Cons
    • Not a full meal


    10. American Journey Limited Ingredient Dry Food

    American Journey Limited Ingredient Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (1)

    Main Ingredients: Deboned venison, sweet potatoes, peas
    Protein Content: 18%
    Fat Content: 10%
    Calories: 348 kcal/cup

    If your dog has a sensitive stomach and you’re looking for an alternative protein source, we recommend American Journey’s Limited Ingredient Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe. This food is made with high-quality ingredients and is grain-free. It’s also free of wheat, corn, and soy. This food is packed with protein and fiber to keep your pup feeling full and satisfied.

    At 350 calories per cup, it has more calories than some of the other brands, but it can still be used for dogs watching their weightt. It also contains legumes, which some pet owners choose to avoid.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Grain-free
    • Made with high-quality venison
    • Packed with protein and fiber

    Cons
    • Not as widely available as some other brands
    • Some dogs may need to avoid legumes

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Dog Food for Poodles with Sensitive Stomachs

    Let’s take a look at everything we need to know to keep our poodles happy, healthy, and, most importantly, fed.

    When it comes to finding the best food for your poodle, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Poodles with sensitive stomachs often do best on a diet that is:

    • Grain-free: Many poodles are allergic or intolerant to grains like wheat, corn, and rice. A grain-free diet can help relieve diarrhea, vomiting, and gas.
    • High in protein: Protein is an essential nutrient for all dogs, but it’s especially important for poodles with sensitive stomachs. A high-protein diet can help reduce inflammation in the gut and promote a healthy digestive system.
    • Low in fat: Fat is a common trigger for stomach upsets in poodles. A low-fat diet can help keep your dog’s digestive system functioning properly.

    Other Considerations

    There are a few other things to remember when choosing the best food for your poodle. Poodles with sensitive stomachs often do well on:

    • Probiotic formulas: Probiotics are live bacteria that help promote a healthy gut. Adding probiotics to your dog’s diet can help relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.
    • Hypoallergenic formulas: Hypoallergenic formulas are made with limited ingredients to reduce the risk of allergies and sensitivities. These formulas can be helpful for poodles with sensitive stomachs.
    • Poultry-free Formulas: Some poodles are allergic or intolerant to poultry. A poultry-free diet can help relieve signs like diarrhea, vomiting, and gas.

    Ingredients to Avoid

    When shopping for the best food for your poodle, you should avoid a few ingredients. These ingredients are common triggers for stomach issues. Ingredients to avoid include:

    • Artificial flavors and preservatives: Artificial flavors and preservatives can trigger stomach upset in some dogs. Look for foods that are made with natural ingredients and do not contain artificial flavors or preservatives.
    • Fillers: Fillers like corn, soy, and rice are often used in pet food to bulk up the product. However, these fillers can trigger allergies and sensitivities in some dogs. Choose a food that is made with high-quality protein sources and does not contain fillers.
    • Byproducts: Byproducts like chicken meal, soybean meal, and corn gluten meal are often used in pet food as a cheap source of protein. However, these ingredients can trigger allergies and sensitivities in some dogs. Choose a food that is made with high-quality protein sources instead of low-quality byproducts.

    A Note About Byproducts

    Byproducts are not necessarily unhealthy. They can be a good source of protein for your dog. However, some byproducts are more likely to trigger allergies and sensitivities than others. For example, chicken meal is more likely to trigger stomach issues than soybean meal in dogs without poultry allergies.

    Finding a food with the right mix of ingredients can feel like a balancing act, so if you find a food that’s perfect for your dog, there’s no need to worry if it contains byproducts. An otherwise high-quality dog food will most likely have a high-quality source of byproducts.

    Poodle puppy eating kibbles_thamKC_shutterstock
    Image Credit: ThamKC, Shutterstock

    Background on Food Sensitivities in Dogs

    There are many reasons a dog could have a stomach sensitivity, and we’ll take a look at the most common reasons below.

    • Intolerance: An intolerance is when a dog’s digestive system cannot properly digest a certain ingredient. This can be due to a lack of enzymes needed to break down the ingredient or simply because the ingredient is hard to digest. Intolerances are different from allergies because they do not involve the immune system.
    • Allergy: An allergy is when the immune system reacts to an otherwise harmless substance. Allergies can cause various signs, including itching, redness, swelling, and gastrointestinal distress.
    • Dietary indiscretion: Dietary indiscretion is when dogs eat something they shouldn’t have. This can include garbage, spoiled food, or even plants and flowers. Dietary indiscretion can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.
    • Infection: Infections of the gastrointestinal tract can cause stomach sensitivity in dogs. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites can cause infections. The signs of an infection include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite.
    • Inflammatory bowel disease: Inflammatory bowel disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. This can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.
    • Cancer: Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract can cause stomach sensitivity in dogs. The signs include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite.

    Treatment for Stomach Sensitivity

    The best way to treat stomach sensitivity is to avoid the triggers. This may mean switching to a food that does not contain the ingredients that trigger your dog’s signs. It may also mean avoiding certain foods altogether. If you’re unsure what’s causing your dog’s stomach sensitivity, your veterinarian can help you find the root of the problem.

    They may recommend a food trial or allergy testing to identify the trigger. Once you know what’s causing your dog’s stomach sensitivity, you can take steps to avoid the trigger and keep your dog happy and healthy.

    The previous list is not comprehensive but covers some of the most common reasons for stomach sensitivities in dogs

    Tips on Switching Your Dog’s Food

    If you think your dog’s food is the cause of their stomach sensitivity, it’s important to switch their food slowly. Sudden changes in diet can cause even more gastrointestinal distress, so it’s best to make the switch over the course of a week or two.

    Start by mixing a small amount of the new food into their old food. Gradually increase the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food. By the end of the week or two, your dog should be eating only the new food. If you’re unsure how to slowly transition your dog’s food, talk to your veterinarian.

    dry dog food in bowl and on wooden table
    Image Credit: 279photo Studio, Shutterstock

    Stomach Sensitivity FAQs

    Now that we’ve covered some of the basics of stomach sensitivity in dogs, let’s answer some common questions.

    Q: My dog has a sensitive stomach. What should I feed them?

    A: The best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs is a hypoallergenic diet. It’s made with limited ingredients and is designed to be easy on the digestive system.

    Q: Can I give them human food?

    A: It’s best to avoid giving your dog human food if they have a sensitive stomach. Some human foods can be hard to digest or trigger an allergic reaction. If you’re unsure whether a brand is safe for your dog, talk to your veterinarian.

    Q: Can I give them over-the-counter medication?

    A: You should avoid giving your dog over-the-counter medication unless directed by your veterinarian. Some medications can make stomach sensitivity worse or have other side effects.

    Q: What should I do if they start vomiting or have diarrhea?

    A: If your dog starts vomiting or has diarrhea, it’s important to contact your veterinarian. This can be a sign of a more serious condition, and you’ll want to ensure your dog gets the proper treatment.

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    Final Verdict

    Hopefully,, you’re confident in choosing high-quality dog food for your sensitive poodle. We covered a lot of information, so let’s recap our top 5 choices:

    The right dog food for poodles with sensitive stomachs will depend on the dog’s needs. Some dogs do well on a grain-free diet, while others need food that is high in fiber. There are a variety of brands to choose from, but it’s important to talk to your vet.

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    Featured Image Credit: Lucas Seijo, Shutterstock

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