If your puppy has a sensitive stomach, you’re probably on the lookout for the best hypoallergenic dog food to address that issue. However, like the article I wrote on hypoallergenic dog food for sensitive skin, there is no such thing. These types of dog foods are all made to address the causes of allergies or food sensitivities, not the symptoms.
Related: Low-Down on Hypoallergenic Dog Food
The Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food for Sensitive Tummies
The right hypoallergenic dog food for sensitive tummies is the one that works for your dog or puppy. It sounds a bit harsh, but what I mean is that there is no food of this type specifically designed for stomach issues. Rather, these foods address the root causes of stomach issues.
Talk to Your Vet
I’m sure I’ve said this in the majority of my writings, but it holds true in almost any situation. Talk to your vet. Vets have years of experience, and they can help guide you down the path of finding the right hypoallergenic food for your dog. It’s important to keep them updated on your dog’s condition as you try new foods. They can help you decide when it’s time to try something new.
A Guessing Game
Not every hypoallergenic dog food will work for your dog or puppy, so finding the one that fits your pooch is basically a game of chance. Talk with your vet first, and he or she can help you decide on which protein and carbohydrate combination to try first. After that, it’s just a matter of feeding it to your dog and seeing what happens.
Related: How to Pick Hypoallergenic Dog Food
Give the food a solid trial run of 12 weeks to see if you notice any appreciable decrease in vomiting or loose stool. If you don’t, you’ll need to try another formulation.
Trial and Error
If you’ve spoken with your vet about your dog or puppy’s sensitive stomach, they’ll most likely keep a log of the foods you try. You should do this as well. That way, there’s no chance that you forget the food you fed or how your dog reacted to it. A good food log can help you determine if the frequency of your puppy’s symptoms decrease and, couple with the type of food, help you decide which kind of food to try next, should you need to.
The Guessing Game to Success
That’s basically what finding the right hypoallergenic dog food for sensitive tummies is. You just have to try different brands until you find the one that works for your dog. However, if you speak with your vet and keep a log, you should have an easier time finding the right hypoallergenic dog food for your sensitive little guy or girl.
Author
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A former Veterinary Assistant at Southwest Animal Care Hospital, Ben is an animal lover, blogger, and all-around geek. Along with writing for DogVills, Ben runs his own virtual assistant company, BizzyBim.
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