Best Dog Food for Acid Reflux: Keeping Tummies Calm

After eating a particularly spicy meal, you know it’s only a matter of time before you feel that familiar tightness in the center of your chest. The feeling slowly creeps its way up into the back of your throat, causing a burning sensation and leaving behind a bitter taste. You know this feeling well – heartburn.

Heartburn is the primary symptom of acid reflux, a condition affecting about one-third of Americans monthly and 10% daily. While diet is a major trigger, the condition is rooted in the physiological failure of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to remain closed.

What you may not realize is that dogs can be affected by acid reflux as well! Sometimes called bile reflux in dogs, acid reflux causes symptoms such as burping after eating, bad breath, wheezing, and excessive salivation.

In this article, we’ll explore the subject of acid reflux in dogs including what it is, what causes the problem, and how it can be treated. We’ll talk about the role diet plays in dog acid reflux treatment and provide you with reviews of the best dry or wet dog foods for acid reflux.

 

Best Dog Food for Acid Reflux

The best dog food for regurgitation and acid reflux is one made with a limited number of high-quality, natural ingredients. Look for animal sources of protein and fat with limited content of these two nutrients as well as fortification with essential vitamins and minerals.

It is your choice whether you feed your dog wet food or kibble but consider adding moisture to your dog’s dry food if that’s what you choose. Here’s our top pick for the best dog food for acid reflux:

1. Ollie Baked Beef with Sweet Potatoes

When shopping for dog food, it is easy to become overwhelmed because there are so many options to choose from. If you’re really not sure what to choose, consider a popular brand like Ollie.

Not only is this brand popular among dog owners, but it is a good choice for dogs with acid reflux as well. This brand uses human-grade ingredients including real animal protein, healthy fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables to deliver complete and balanced nutrition in a highly digestible way.

Centered around real beef as the first ingredient, this high-quality protein source supports strong muscles and overall vitality, providing dogs with the energy they need for an active, healthy lifestyle.

Nutrient-dense oats bring a wholesome source of fiber to aid digestion and support sustained energy release, while chickpeas contribute plant-based protein and essential nutrients like iron and folate, promoting muscle health and a well-rounded diet.

To add even more nutrient richness, beef liver is included, offering an abundance of iron, vitamin A, and B vitamins, which help support healthy blood, vision, and immune function.

Apples bring natural sweetness along with powerful antioxidants and fiber for digestive health, while sweet potatoes offer a highly digestible source of complex carbohydrates, loaded with vitamin A to promote healthy skin, coat, and eyes.

Carrots complement the recipe with beta-carotene and other antioxidants to bolster immune health and support vision. Lastly, coconut oil is added for its healthy fats that nourish the skin and coat, while also providing an easily digestible energy source.

Every bite of it is thoughtfully formulated to deliver optimal nutrition with ingredients you can trust, offering dogs a meal that’s not only delicious but also deeply nourishing.

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2. Nom Nom Pet Food Delivery

High-quality nutrition is essential for any dog to be healthy, but whole-food ingredients are especially important if your dog suffers from acid reflux or other digestive issues.

Low-quality grains, fillers, and plant-based proteins can be tough on your dog’s stomach and may increase the risk of reflux. That’s where Nom Nom comes in. Nom Nom sends prepackaged portions of expertly prepared dog food right to your door.

Choose from four recipes, each made with premium-quality ingredients, and have it customized to your dog’s unique nutritional and calorie needs. Simply follow the included feeding instructions and watch your dog flourish.

Because it is prepared in small batches, it retains more of its nutritional integrity and as a gently cooked food, it is higher in moisture than most kibble. It may cost more than the average dog food, but it is well worth the price to give your dog the best of the best.

I have always been a fan of Nom Nom, the brand’s recipes have helped improve my pets’ overall health and wellbeing, which is why I frequently recommend them to friends and readers. And now, the company has come out with a new offering that is great for new customers to try: the Variety Pack.

This pack includes 200g of each of Nom Nom’s pet cuisines, including Beef Mash, Chicken Cuisine, Turkey Fare, and Pork Potluck. With this pack, you can easily find out if the recipes work well with your pup without committing to a meal plan first. And of course, to see which flavor your pupper prefers.

And as always, Nom Nom’s meals are cooked with care, made with whole, recognizable ingredients, and developed by Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists, ensuring that your dog gets optimal nutrition. And at just $20, you’ll get good dog food that won’t break the budget.

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3. Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula

All dogs deserve a high-quality dog food, but good dog food is not cheap. If you’re looking for a recipe that will meet your dog’s nutritional needs and help reduce acid reflux without breaking the bank, consider this multi-protein meal.

Formulated for dogs of all breeds and life stages, this recipe features multiple premium sources of protein including chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish. It is nutritionally dense but free from low-quality ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy.

This recipe is highly digestible with whole grains like brown rice and barley, plus it contains probiotics and natural enzymes to support healthy and regular digestion.

It may not be a limited ingredient diet, but it is packed with healthy nutrients and is easy for your dog’s body to digest. Overall, this formula contains 24% protein and 14.5% fat with 4% fiber and 468 calories per cup.

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4. Natural Balance LID Lamb & Brown Rice canned Formula

If your dog suffers from acid reflux and a sensitive stomach, you need to be extra careful in choosing a new dog food. High-quality, natural ingredients are always recommended but are particularly important for a dog with sensitive stomach.

Our top pick in the wet food category is this formula from Natural Balance. This is a limited ingredient diet which means it is made with a shorter list of ingredients, starting with real lamb as the first and followed by lamb broth for a boost of moisture and natural flavor.

This recipe is highly digestible with brown rice as the primary carbohydrate and it contains all of the vitamin and mineral supplements your dog needs for balanced nutrition.

With a moisture content of 78%, this recipe is highly digestible and palatable, and it will help resolve your dog’s acid reflux symptoms. If your dog doesn’t do well with lamb, there are other protein options to choose from as well.

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5. Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver

Every dog deserves a diet made with premium, natural ingredients and this kibble delivers just that. This formula is designed to nourish your dog’s body from the inside out, made with real, whole chicken and no rendered meat meals.

It features non-GMO fruits and vegetables which deliver a natural source of key ingredients, plus it is supplemented with Proprietary DreamCoat supplement to support your dog’s skin and coat. This recipe is considered highly digestible due to the quality of the ingredients and it is highly palatable as well.

Better ingredients means better nutrition and more regular digestion – all of this adds up to a holistic picture of improved health and wellness. This recipe provides 25% protein and 15% fat with 5% fiber at 403 calories per cup.

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6. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner

Many dogs with acid reflux do better on a high-moisture diet made with simple, natural ingredients. This meal is a great choice because it is a wet food recipe, containing 78% moisture.

This formula also features a limited number of main ingredients including real chicken and chicken liver, several fruits and vegetables, and whole grain carbohydrates like brown rice and oatmeal.

This wet food features vitamin supplements and chelated minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition, plus it has just 396 calories per cup.

You’ll be glad to know that this formula provides additional benefits such as added glucosamine and chondroitin to boost joint health and it is a lean source of animal protein. Use it as a meal or a meal topper.

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7. Instinct FreshRaw Meals Grass-Fed Beef Recipe

When it comes to treating acid reflux in dogs, digestibility is key. The best kind for healthy and regular digestion will be made from wholesome, natural ingredients with no low-quality grains or fillers and no artificial additives.