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Sensitive stomach? Start with what's in the bowl

Loose stools, wind, a noisy tummy or food that simply doesn’t seem to agree with your dog can make feeding frustrating.

There isn’t one single “sensitive stomach food” that suits every dog. The useful place to start is understanding what you’re feeding; the protein source, carbohydrate, fibre, prebiotics and, importantly, what works consistently for your individual dog.

At Nature’s Harvest, we make a range of complete wet and cold pressed foods, alongside our Daily Balance Mixer, giving you different ways to build a diet that suits your dog.

HELP ME CHOOSE

What are you noticing?

Digestive sensitivity can look different from one dog to another.

What should you look for in dog food for a sensitive stomach?

There is no universal sensitive-stomach recipe, but understanding a few key parts of the food can make choosing much easier.

A clearly identified protein source

Knowing whether the main animal protein is chicken, lamb, salmon, turkey or another source makes it much easier to understand what your dog is eating.

A carbohydrate that suits your dog

A sensitive stomach doesn't automatically mean your dog needs to avoid grains. Some dogs do very well with recipes containing brown rice. Others may suit a grain-free recipe using sweet potato instead.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics provide a food source for beneficial bacteria naturally present in the gut. Some Nature’s Harvest recipes contain prebiotics including FOS and MOS as part of their formulation.

Fibre

Fibre supports normal digestive function. Different ingredients provide different types of fibre, so it’s worth looking beyond the headline meat percentage when comparing foods.

Consistency

For sensitive dogs, once you find a food that suits them, keeping flavours, proteins and feeding routines simple and consistent can help you understand what agrees with them.

Which Nature’s Harvest option might suit your dog?

I want a grain-free complete wet food

If you'd prefer to feed without cereals, our Grain Free range combines clearly identified animal proteins with sweet potato and vegetables.

Nature's Harvest Grain Free Adult - Lamb and Sweet Potato ***FLASH SALE***.

Grain Free Lamb and Sweet Potato - Adult

Made with 60% lamb, alongside sweet potato, vegetables and carefully selected ingredients.

The recipe also contains the prebiotics FOS and MOS.

Why consider it?

  • 60% lamb
  • Clearly identified animal protein
  • Grain-free recipe
  • Sweet potato
  • Contains FOS and MOS
  • Complete wet food for adult dogs
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My dog is happy eating grains

If grains suit your dog, choose a complete recipe that fits their usual routine.

Nature's Harvest Adult - Variety Pack (10x395g).

Nature's Harvest Variety Pack - Adult

A sensitive stomach does not automatically mean grain free.

Our traditional wholegrain wet foods use brown rice alongside meat or fish, vegetables and other carefully selected ingredients.

If your dog digests rice comfortably, there may be no reason to remove it simply because another dog benefits from a grain-free recipe.

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I prefer dry food

Consider Cold Pressed

Cold Pressed Ocean Fish and Sweet Potato 3KG Hypoallergenic Dog Food - Raw Made Easy.

Cold Pressed Ocean Fish and Sweet Potato 3KG Hypoallergenic Dog Food - Raw Made Easy

Our Cold Pressed recipes offer another way to feed a complete everyday diet.

Rather than conventional high-temperature extrusion, the ingredients are pressed together at a lower processing temperature to create dense, nutrient-rich pieces.

They can be fed dry or softened with warm water if your dog prefers a softer meal.

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I want to add something to my dog’s existing food

Daily Balance Mixer is a complementary food, rather than a complete food.

Nature’s Harvest Daily Balance Mixer with Prebiotic - 300g Sample

Nature’s Harvest Daily Balance Mixer with Prebiotic - 300g Sample

It contains ingredients including oats, peas, linseed and seaweed, together with the prebiotic FOS.

It can be combined with Nature’s Harvest wet food or incorporated into another suitable feeding routine.

Because it is complementary, it shouldn't simply replace a complete food on a like-for-like basis.

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Sensitive stomach or food allergy?

They're not the same thing.

“Sensitive stomach” is a broad description owners often use when a dog regularly experiences digestive upset. A genuine food allergy involves the immune system and can cause symptoms that extend beyond digestion.

Possible signs can include gastrointestinal symptoms alongside problems such as persistent itching or recurrent skin or ear issues. Trying different foods at random isn't a reliable way to diagnose a food allergy.

If you suspect your dog may have a genuine allergy, speak to your vet. They may recommend a carefully controlled food trial or elimination diet.

READ MORE ON OUR BLOG

Sensitive stomach myths

SENSITIVE DOGS SHOULD ALWAYS EAT GRAIN-FREE FOOD

Not necessarily.

Many dogs tolerate grains such as rice perfectly well.

A grain-free recipe is simply another feeding option and may suit some dogs better than others.

IF MY DOG HAS DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS, THEY MUST BE ALLERGIC TO SOMETHING

Not necessarily.

Digestive upset can have many causes, including sudden dietary changes, scavenging, infections and underlying medical problems.

I SHOULD KEEP TRYING DIFFERENT FOODS UNTIL I FIND THE RIGHT ONE

Changing food repeatedly can make it even harder to work out what agrees with your dog.

Once you find a nutritionally appropriate food your dog digests well, consistency can be useful.

EXPENSIVE FOOD MUST BE EASIER TO DIGEST

Price alone doesn't tell you whether a particular recipe will suit your dog.

Look at the actual formulation, ingredients, nutritional suitability and how your individual dog responds.

Changing your dog's food

Not sure which food to choose?

Tell us about your dog.

Our Food Finder asks a few simple questions about your dog's age, preferences and needs and recommends a Nature’s Harvest option to explore.

Question 1 of 5 20%

First, tell us a little about your dog

What's your dog's name?

This just helps us personalise the recommendation.

Question 2

How are you looking to feed your dog?

Question 3

Which style of food suits you best?

Question 4

Do you have a preference when it comes to grains?

One last question

What matters most when choosing their food?

Your Nature's Harvest match

We've found a food to suit your dog.

Based on the way you told us you like to feed, we'd start here.

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Want to try before committing to a full size?

Explore our sample sizes and single trays to find out what your dog enjoys.

Explore samples

This food finder is intended as a helpful starting point based on your feeding preferences. If your dog has a diagnosed medical condition, allergy or specific dietary requirement, please seek advice from your vet.