Signs Your Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach
A sensitive stomach can show up in all sorts of ways, and it is often put down to a fussy dog rather than a diet that is not working for them. If any of these sound familiar, it may be time for a change.
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Loose stools or diarrhoea
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Vomiting or regurgitation
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Excess wind and gut noise
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Itchy skin and ear flare ups
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Fussy or reluctant eating
What Causes a Sensitive Stomach in Dogs?
A sensitive stomach is rarely just bad luck. More often, it comes down to what is actually going into your dog's bowl each day, and how their gut copes with it.
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Ultra-processed food and cheap fillers
Ultra processed kibble often relies on cheap fillers and additives that are hard for sensitive digestive systems to break down, leading to ongoing discomfort.
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Sensitivities to common proteins
Some dogs react to common proteins like beef or chicken, which show up in almost every mainstream food, making flare ups feel unavoidable.
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Sudden changes to their diet
Switching foods too quickly, without a proper transition, can shock the gut and trigger loose stools, even with a good quality food.
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An out-of-balance gut microbiome
An out of balance gut microbiome can make digestion harder work, leaving dogs more prone to wind, discomfort and irregular stools.
Why Gently Cooked Food Is Easier to Digest
5 Hounds meals are gently cooked at 75 degrees, not blasted at high heat, helping preserve nutrients and keep meals gentle on sensitive digestive systems.
Cooking gently at low temperatures helps protect natural nutrients and keeps meals easier to break down than heavily processed alternatives.
Every recipe uses human grade whole ingredients, with no cheap fillers or bulking agents that can irritate a sensitive gut.
Choose from single novel proteins like fish, goat or kangaroo, helping you avoid common triggers and pinpoint what works for your dog.
Our meals include synbiotic support, combining probiotics and enzymes to help settle digestion and support a balanced gut over time.
No lock in contracts, cancel any time
Vet-Formulated for Sensitive Digestion by Dr Will
"Sensitive stomachs are one of the most common issues I see in practice, and diet is very often the cause. Gently cooked meals with single proteins and no fillers give the gut a real chance to settle, rather than constantly reacting to what is in the bowl."
Dr Will Maginness, Veterinarian and Founder, 5 Hounds
How Your Dog's Sensitive Stomach Meal Plan Works
Getting your dog's gut back on track takes just a few simple steps.
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Step 1: Take the 2-minute meal plan quiz
Answer a few quick questions about your dog's symptoms, current food and any known sensitivities.
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Step 2: Get a plan matched to your dog's gut
We build a plan matched to your dog's gut, including protein choice and portion size.
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Step 3: Fresh meals delivered to your door
Your dog's fresh meals arrive frozen at your door, ready to thaw, portion and serve.
No lock in contracts, cancel any time
How to Switch Your Dog to New Food Without Upsetting Their Stomach
Switching too quickly is one of the most common causes of stomach upset. Here is how to move your dog onto fresh food gradually and safely.
Days 1 to 2
25% New Food
Mix 25% fresh food with your dog's current food, watching closely for any changes in their stools.
Days 3 to 4
Half and half
Move to a half and half mix of fresh and current food, giving their gut more time to adjust.
Days 5 to 6
75% new food
Increase to mostly fresh food, with just a quarter of their old diet remaining in the bowl.
Day 7 and beyond
Fully Fresh
Your dog is now fully transitioned onto fresh, gently cooked meals built to be gentle on their gut.
Real Results From Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
Thousands of dog parents have already made the switch, including dogs who had struggled with sensitive stomachs for years.
We’ve been so happy with our experience using 5 Hounds
I can't recommend 5 Hounds by Dr. Will highly enough. My little girl, Pinkie, has always been a fussy eater and has had a sensitive tummy, so finding a food that agreed with her wasn't easy. Since switching to 5 Hounds, the difference has been amazing. She gets excited for every meal, happily cleans her bowl, and, best of all, her sensitive tummy is no longer an issue.It's such a relief to see her happy, healthy, and enjoying her food. You can tell the quality of the ingredients is exceptional, and I'm so grateful we found it.Thank you, Dr. Will and the team, for creating such a wonderful product 🩷🐾
5 Stars
I can't recommend 5 Hounds by Dr. Will highly enough. My little girl, Pinkie, has always been a fussy eater and has had a sensitive tummy, so finding a food that agreed with her wasn't easy. Since switching to 5 Hounds, the difference has been amazing. She gets excited for every meal, happily cleans her bowl, and, best of all, her sensitive tummy is no longer an issue. It's such a relief to see her happy, healthy, and enjoying her food. You can tell the quality of the ingredients is exceptional, and I'm so grateful we found it. Thank you, Dr. Will and the team, for creating such a wonderful product 🩷🐾
No more fussy or sensitive tummy Groodle
I have an almost 3 year old Groodle, Winnie. Since having her she has always been a “fussy” eater and a grazer ... Started Winnie on this food and couldn’t believe how much she now loves food and dances with excitement. 😄 I’ve put a few “fussy” fur parents onto this brand as well. Love it! Highly recommend it!
Great Quality
My furbaby is a lab x cocker spaniel so loves food but has a sensitive stomach. He loves all the flavours but I'm most impressed by his tolerance for the red game meats. Usually kangaroo and the red meats do not agree with him so I'm pleasantly surprised by no issues at all with these meals.
Sensitive Stomach Dog Food FAQs
What is the best dog food for a dog with a sensitive stomach?
What is the best dog food for a dog with a sensitive stomach?
The best option is usually a fresh, gently cooked diet with a single novel protein and no fillers or additives. Simpler ingredient lists make it far easier to identify and avoid whatever is triggering symptoms. Look for meals that are transparent about sourcing and cooking method, since both affect how easily your dog's gut can process each meal.
How long does it take for a dog's sensitive stomach to settle after a food change?
How long does it take for a dog's sensitive stomach to settle after a food change?
Most dogs show improvement within one to two weeks of a proper, gradual transition, though some take a little longer depending on how sensitive their gut is. Rushing the switch is the most common reason it takes longer than expected, so a slow transition over seven days or more gives the best chance of a smooth result.
Is fresh food better than kibble for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Is fresh food better than kibble for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
For many dogs, yes. Fresh, gently cooked meals are generally easier to digest than heavily processed kibble, which often contains fillers, additives and high heat processing that can irritate a sensitive gut. Fresh food also tends to use simpler ingredient lists, making it easier to identify and avoid whatever might be causing your dog's discomfort.
Can I feed a single protein diet if my dog has food sensitivities?
Can I feed a single protein diet if my dog has food sensitivities?
Yes, and it is often one of the most effective ways to manage sensitivities. A single novel protein, such as fish, goat or kangaroo, reduces the chance of a reaction to common triggers like beef or chicken. It also makes it much easier to identify a problem ingredient if symptoms do appear down the track.
Do I need the Synbiotic powder as well as the meals?
Do I need the Synbiotic powder as well as the meals?
The Synbiotic powder is not essential for every dog, but many dog parents find it helpful for dogs with more persistent digestive issues. It combines probiotics and enzymes to support gut balance alongside your dog's meals. If your dog's symptoms are ongoing, it is worth discussing with your vet whether added support could help.
When should I see a vet about my dog's sensitive stomach?
When should I see a vet about my dog's sensitive stomach?
See your vet if symptoms are frequent, severe or getting worse, especially if there is blood in the stool, repeated vomiting, sudden weight loss or your dog seems unwell in themselves. A vet can rule out underlying conditions before you settle on diet changes alone, particularly if a food switch has not made a noticeable difference within a few weeks.
Give Your Dog's Gut Health a Fresh Start
Give your dog's gut health a fresh start with meals designed to be gentle from the very first bite.
Fresh delivery, no lock-in, cancel any time.
