2 Best Grain Free Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach – Handpicked and Reviewed!

A lot of dog owners have gone gaga over grain-free food. It’s a wholesome choice for Pitbulls with sensitive tummies and food allergies. Aside from ditching the grain, it’s also important to check if the ingredients are living up to its hype of being the ‘better’ choice. So for this post, I personally reviewed 2 of the best grain free dog food for sensitive stomach and why this diet is ideal for your pooch.

DOG FOOD	DOG FOOD BRAND	EXPERT RATING	CHECK PRICE
	Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Pacific Stream Canine Recipe		Check Price
	Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Grain-Free Nature‣s Evolutionary Diet		Check Price

Why choose grain-free dog food?

Simply put, grain-free dog food doesn’t have any grains on its ingredients. For dogs with allergies, food without grains or one with the least grains is ideal.

Grains are considered as the common culprit to food allergy. A lot of pet owners believe this too which is why grain-free products continue to be a trend.

Another thing is that canines don’t have the enzyme called amylase in their saliva to break down the carbs found in grains. This enzyme is only present in the saliva of humans which explains why we can easily digest any carb source given that allergies are not in the picture.

Still, amylase is present in the small intestines of dogs. This lets them consume small amounts of grains in their food.

Like what the trite line says, too much of anything is bad. After all, grain-free dog food is just one of the options you have for your dog. If in doubt, I always suggest that you consult with a vet.

In this video, dog expert Marissa Squires tells us the pros and cons of a grain-free diet for dogs. Shes’ also with the adorable doggo, Belle:

Benefits of a grain-free diet

Grain-free dog food has a growing popularity. Here are some reasons why many pet owners like me switch to this type of diet:

-It has a higher protein content

Since there are no grains, most of the food’s component would be meat. This gives dogs, especially Pitbulls, a powerhouse protein source.

Most grain-free dog food contains at least 25% of protein.

-It’s good for your dog’s digestion

Since this diet is packed with healthy fats, it will support the GI tract of your pooch. Also, there are no hard-to-digest grains that your dog has to deal with.

-It reduces gas

When it comes to my Pitbulls, this is one benefit that I really observed. Grain-free diets help reduce gas and bloating while keeping the dog’s stool soft.

-It reduces the risk of allergies

Not all Pitbulls have allergies to grains. Still, a grain-free diet will reduce any negative reactions to grains like soy and corn.

Still, this doesn’t guarantee that your pooch won’t be allergic to the protein source of the food. It’s always imperative to observe your dog whenever you’re switching to a new diet.

Not all grains are bad

Contrary to the beliefs of newbie pet owners, not all grains are bad for dogs. It’s important that we also know the fact that some grains are healthy for dogs.

Whole grains like brown rice, flaxseed, quinoa, and more are excellent sources of carbs and fiber. These are also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Some dogs would even do well on corn and soy. In fact, these two grains constitute only 10% of all the allergies that veterinarians have diagnosed.

So why switch to a grain-free diet? If your dog doesn’t exhibit any grain allergy, I don’t find any reason to rush into this new food. However, in the case of doggos with sensitive tummies and allergies, a new diet is urgent.

Remember, allergies won’t go away on its own. The more that the dog gets exposed to the allergen the worse the attacks become.

The first ingredient rule

The first ingredient of the grain-free dog food you’re purchasing should always be a specific meat type. Always opt for actual meat like chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, and others. Meat meals are fine but it shouldn’t be the number one ingredient.

Next to the meat are carb sources like potatoes, peas, lentils, and so on.

How to choose the right grain-free food

Here’s my personal guide to choosing the best grain free dog food for sensitive stomach:

-Protein source

It should be the first ingredient on the bag. Always choose real meat and not by-products or meals. Remember that the protein source is also a leading cause of allergies among dogs.

Running an allergy test for a week or two will let you know if your pooch has allergies. You’ll need to switch to another food if your pooch exhibits signs of allergies.

-Carb source

Next, look for carb sources like sweet potatoes, peas, and non-grain ingredients. Wholesome fruits and veggies are also great additions as sources of micronutrients.

-Fat source

Healthy fats from avocado, salmon, fish oil, and fish meal helps keep your Pittie’s coat healthy. The likes of Omega-3 and Omega-6 are ideal for your pet’s health.

Avoid the following

You’re free to choose the dog food that you think suits your pooch. However, avoid these ingredients if possible:

-By-products

Some dog food manufacturers use meat by-products to up the protein content of their product. As much as these meat pieces indeed have protein, it’s stripped of essential nutrients.

-Additives

Additives like artificial preservatives, colorants, and flavorings are no-nos. These synthetic substances can trigger stomach problems on your dog.

-Fillers

Remember, don’t base your purchase on quantity. Many dubious manufacturers stock the dog food with fillers like corn and soy just to meet the caloric target.

Top 2 Grain-Free Dog Food

RUNNER-UP:

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Grain-Free Nature’s Evolutionary Diet

If your pooch doesn’t seem to do well on the first grain-free food I reviewed, my second recommendation is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dog Food.

In this food, the main ingredient is real chicken that provides a complete protein source for your pooch. This is paired with chicken meal, peas, Menhaden fish meal, tapioca starch, dried tomato pomace, and more.

This also has the proprietary LifeSource Bits. These are cold-formed bits packed with the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s like multivitamins added on your dog’s food.

Each serving contains 34% of protein which is higher than what the Taste of the Wild has. If you want to pack some muscles on your Pittie, this might be the right diet for them.

It also has 15% of fat, 6% fiber, 1.4% calcium 0.9% phosphorus, and 400 mg/kg of glucosamine. And to keep your pooch’s coat shiny, this food has the right balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

This used to be my diet of my now senior Goldie. It’s packed with superfoods that will keep an adult dog in good shape.

Personally, this dog food helped with my dog’s itchy skin before. Still, I recognize that each dog is unique from the other. If your pooch has a sensitive condition, I always suggest that you consult with a veterinarian first.

Conclusion

By purchasing the best grain free dog food for sensitive stomach, you’ll get to provide your dog with excellent nutrition sans the allergies. What do you think of my two personal picks? Do you have suggestions for grain-free dog food? Let me know below and I’ll consider adding it to my roundup!