2023‘s Best Dog Food for Loose Stool: Diets For A Dog’s Sensitive Tummy

Real lamb meat is the first ingredient in this adult dry dog food, which is a high-quality protein. And the other ingredients in this recipe are also remarkable, including the sources of carbs and fibers.

By the way, this kibble has a max of 11% fiber, which is among the highest in all premium brands, and the highest on this list. 

The protein load is a decent 24%, and the fats are very low at 7% min, which is suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs and soft stool.

Moreover, this dry dog food includes pumpkin, which is a superfood considered to be excellent in controlling diarrhea. The formula also includes chicken fat, which apart from enhancing the taste also supplies omega fatty acids. 

This remarkable dog's diet is also loaded with essential vitamins and minerals for complete health, and free of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

This best dry dog food runner-up received a 4.6 stars grade out of 5 at Chewy.com, with 95% of respondents recommending this brand.

Many customers said their dogs loved this diet and that it helped their overweight dogs cut down on their weight. There are however a few complaints about this dog's food as having too many fibers.

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4. Earthborn Holistic Unrefined Smoked Salmon with Ancient Grains & Superfoods

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Quinoa, Pumpkin, Buckwheat, Dried Eggs

This dry dog food clearly has first-class ingredients to make a stellar premium product. Real salmon from trustworthy sources is the first ingredient, which is a novel protein with prominent other health gains.

The rich carbs and fibers, including prebiotic fiber, in this diet come from an astonishing array of human-grade plant-based ingredients that include blueberries, cranberries, apples, kale, broccoli, spinach, carrots, and high-quality grains like quinoa.

What’s even more impressive is that pumpkin is the third ingredient in the recipe, which is again a great ingredient for unhealthy stool.

This dry dog food offers 24% minimum protein and 17% minimum fat. And it has a generous 9.5% max fiber content.

And like a true premium dog food, the formula doesn’t have any undesirable ingredients like cheap grains and artificial preservatives.

It’s surely enriched with essential vitamins and minerals too. And yes, it has probiotics to support digestive health and help alleviate a pup's sensitive stomach.

96% of the respondents at Chewy.com gave this choice food for dogs the thumbs up. The most common word used in the comments is “great.” There were just a few comments about their picky pups not too impressed with the taste.

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5. Wellness Simple LID Lamb & Oatmeal Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Meal, Oatmeal, Peas, Ground Rice 

Among our top choices for the best dog food for loose stool is Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb and Oatmeal recipe because it is specially formulated for dogs with a sensitive stomach.

Made with real lamb meat, a high-quality animal source, lamb meal, and other first-rate natural ingredients, this dry dog food is also great for dogs with food allergies and food sensitivities. 

The fat content is just 12% minimum, plus 4.75% max fiber content. It is teeming with vital vitamins and minerals, including a generous dose of glucosamine for bone and joint health.

For the extra boost in your dog’s digestion and to assist in calming sensitive stomachs, this dog food is also enhanced with probiotics.

With 4.6 stars rating out of 5 at Chewy.com and with over 90% of reviewers recommending it, this highly regarded food for dogs received highly positive reviews, mostly about how it helped allergic dogs and also those with GI issues.

However, one customer said her dog had allergic reactions after feeding on this dry food. And a few also said their finicky pups didn’t touch this chow.

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6. Natural Balance Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Chickpeas, Dried Peas, Oat Groats

Another notable food for dogs that’s hard to ignore in this list of best dog food for loose stool is Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie formula.

A quick look at the ingredients and guaranteed analysis will instantly tell you that it’s suited for dogs with sensitive stomachs as much as it is for obese canines.

Chicken meal and salmon meal are the main protein sources for the ample 26% minimum proteins in this diet. Amazingly, this dry dog food has low-fat content of just 7.5% min (from chicken fat) but is abundant in fibers with 10.5%, which is appropriate for dogs with loose stools. 

Salmon oil is added in the recipe as fish oil that’s rich in omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. And it has sufficient essential nutrients for a complete food for dogs. It has zero artificial flavors and enhancers.

This kibble from the prominent Natural Balance brand has quite a steady loyal following, which is why about 93% of reviewers at Chewy.com gave it their approval.

Many said it worked in reducing the pounds of their fat pups, while some rave about the quality ingredients. There was one customer with multiple dogs however that said not all her furry friends loved it.

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7. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas 

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream recipe is surely one of the best-loved dry dog foods in the market today. It prides itself on having human-grade natural ingredients and proper nutrition.

This grain-free chow boasts novel proteins as primary ingredients, led by real salmon and ocean fish meal, and supplemented by high-quality fruits and veggies for the needed carbs and fibers. 

On top of the whole list are sweet potatoes, potatoes, and peas, along with prebiotic fiber from chicory root, blueberries, and raspberries. Simply put, this dry food has most of the qualities found in the best food for loose stools and sensitive stomachs in dogs.

The guaranteed analysis reveals that the protein pack is at least 25%, which is great for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and life stages.

The fat content is just 15%. All components in this diet are sources from highly reliable and sustainable suppliers in the USA and worldwide. 

This Taste of the Wild grain-free food for dogs is never wanting in essential nutrients as it’s loaded with all the vital vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids your four-legged kid could ever need. Probiotics are definitely part of the mix for healthy digestion and sensitive stomach relief.

Close to 3,000 respondents at Chewy.com gave Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream an average 4.7 out of 5 stars satisfaction rate.

The great majority of comments were friendly towards this meal with various benefits given like shiny and healthy coat, more energy, and healthier-looking poop.

Many also mentioned how their pups go crazy over this kibble. But there have been some strong comments against it too like this one dog owner who thinks this diet may have caused his pup to die of a heart ailment. And yes, some think it’s too pricey.

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8. Whole Earth Farms Chicken & Turkey Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Canola Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat

Here’s another great option for dog food for loose stools – Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free dry dog food.

Like most premium brands in this article, this grain-free kibble is also made of excellent ingredients that are mostly sourced in the USA.

Chicken meal is the first ingredient, plus real chicken and turkey meat, and a host of prime caliber plant-based ingredients like sweet potato, apples, and carrots.

This dry dog food features a rich 27% minimum crude protein, and only 14% fats. Rich in healthful vitamins and minerals for a dog's healthy life, this diet is also bountiful in probiotics for gut health and sensitive stomach alleviation.

With a 94% approval rating at Chewy.com and an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars grade, this grain-free formula is also a popular choice among pet owners.

The reviews are highly encouraging with some saying their picky pups love it, and also some allergic dogs not having any reactions to this diet. But one reviewer claimed the vet asked to change this brand for heart issues being a grain-free product.

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9. Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Chicken

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Peas

For dog parents that are a bit financially challenged, Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition offers budget-friendly but high-quality dog food for loose stools and sensitive stomachs.

This diet is applicable for dogs with an upset stomach as it has sufficient proteins but is very low in fats and calories. 

Chicken meal is the first ingredient of an astonishing roster of natural food components including carrots, spinach, New Zealand green mussel, cranberries, blueberries, and apples.

And it also features pumpkin and probiotics that are highly beneficial in efforts to mitigate the dogs' sensitive stomach. 

It’s also rich in omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants to augment the immune system and attain a healthy life for your furry babies.

93% of the more than 1,000 respondents at Chewy.com gave this kibble the thumbs up. Most of the reviews gave very kind words for this diet including “fantastic,” “impressive,” and “great.”

A few pet owners also shared that this dry food helped their pups get rid of loose stools. There were a few gloomy comments like their dogs won’t even touch the food and that the kibble was too small.

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10. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal

First 5 Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat, Barley, Natural Flavors

For loose poop, one prescription diet stands out as one of the best dog foods for dogs with loose stools and other digestive issues and that’s Royal Canin GI Low Fat dry dog food.

Although you can’t purchase it without a vet’s authorization, you can expect this product to be highly recommended for dogs with soft poop. 

Notice that the fat content is only 5.5%, which is ideal for sensitive tummies. It’s also fortified with essential nutrients and omega fatty acids from fish oil.

This specialized food for loose stools should be working well for most dogs' digestive issues if we base it on the incredible reviews from about 1,600 respondents at Chewy.com that gave it an impressive 4.8 stars out of 5.

It has an astounding 98% acceptance rate. A great number of comments said that they liked the results of this dry dog food in their dogs. But there are a few that claimed it didn’t solve their pups’ digestive disorders, or that their dogs didn’t like it.

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11. Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Anchovy and Sardine Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal

Now here’s another interesting recipe that’s worth checking out. It’s a fish-filled dry dog food that both adult dogs and puppies can enjoy. 

Hence, we find Holistic Select’s grain-free recipe as the most efficient for young dogs with a sensitive stomach.

Real salmon as the first ingredient plus anchovy and sardine meal make up most of the high 29% proteins in this grain-free diet, making it rich in omega 3 fatty acids that help boost brain, heart, skin, and coat health. 

Aside from all the essential nutrients, it also has prebiotics and probiotics that can boost your puppy’s overall health by helping him improve his digestion and absorb more nutrients.

With over 100 Chewy.com customer reviews, this premium dog food got a high rating from owners of canine fish fans. The price however is a bit steep for most pet parents. 

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12. VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Weight 

First 5 Ingredients: Beef Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Millet, Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat

For senior and older adult dogs, Victor Purpose Senior Healthy Weight is a good and economical option. It is high in protein at 27% and has a low 11.5% fats, plus 4.5% fiber.

It is also enriched with a wealthy supply of vitamins and minerals suited for senior and adult dogs, plus probiotics to aid in digestive problems like unhealthy stool. 

With their enriched formula, you can still feed the amount the pup is used too without worrying if they are getting too much.

This is beneficial in the transition stage from adult to senior. Not only that but you will also find enough vitamins and minerals that support joint, bone and tooth health to keep your dog happy and healthy.

While it does have grains, the ones used in this formula are wholesome, high fiber grains, and not wheat or corn. If your adult dogs have food sensitivities to these ingredients, it is best to choose another meal.

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13. Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin 

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Turkey, Carrots, Pork Liver, Rice

Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Tender Turkey & Rice Stew is crafted for adult dogs who need special care when it comes to their digestive and skin health.

The ingredients are chosen to make the food as easy as possible on sensitive tummies and to reduce the risk of skin itching and other sensitivity issues.

Fresh turkey is an excellent choice to start off the recipe, but unless there’s a huge volume of it in a canned meal, it will need to be supported by other ingredients to keep the protein content up. In this instance, pork liver and chicken deliver the support.

It’s prominent for its savory taste too, which could be enticing to finicky dogs. This best wet food for dogs with loose stools is loaded with essential nutrients too. 

Made for pups with sensitive skin and tummies, this stew is formulated to be easy to digest. Aside from carrots, another superfood is added to the mix – flaxseed. Flaxseeds are naturally high in omega fatty acids that support multiple aspects of dogs’ overall health.

This tasty stew is quite popular among pet parents. According to feedback, many dogs with digestive issues have shown improvement when switched to this meal. 

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Bonus Review

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora 

Best Supplement: This supplement is one of the most recommended by vets as support for a dog’s digestive system.

It is meant to add digestive enzymes that can help calm Fido's sensitive stomach and eventually solidify those loose stools. Aside from gut nutrition, this supplement also offers more proteins, vitamins and minerals, and other important health gains.

What To Look For In The Best Dog Food For Loose Stool

Your dog’s health depends largely on the diet you give her. After all, many health disorders in canines are direct results of a poor diet.

While there are thousands of dog food options out there, many commercial dog foods are sadly made of inferior quality ingredients and artificial enhancers. 

This is why it’s vital for dog owners to check carefully the label of the dog food products and be guided on what to look for in the best dog foods.

High Quality and Natural Ingredients

Whether your pup has health issues or not, always go for the best dog food that you can afford. And the best dog foods are always made with high-quality and natural ingredients.

The best ingredients for dog foods are made with real animal meat and wholesome foods. Check the ingredients deck for the first five ingredients. 

The first two components on the list must be high-quality animal protein sources from a named animal. Don’t settle for an unnamed animal source, e.g. animal derivatives, meat meals, meat by-products.

Even the plant-based ingredients must be from fine quality whole food and not cheap grains. Additional digestive enzymes may be supplied by fruits and veggies to aid in a dog's sensitive stomach.

Also, some dogs have food allergies to certain common food ingredients like dairy, eggs, beef, chicken, and some grains. This is why it’s very important to review the ingredients in your dog food.

Remember, poor quality dog food may save you some money but you could be spending more on medication and visits to the animal clinics.

High in Fiber

For a dog’s loose stool, it helps to have more fiber in the diet. The fibers help in densifying the poop by absorbing the fluids.

The fibers in dog foods are supplied by plant-based ingredients like beans, peas, legumes, nuts, broccoli, potatoes, apples, pumpkin, and grains. Fibers are beneficial to the digestive system too. Choose a dog food with a fiber content of at least 5%.

High in Protein, Low in Fat

Choose a dog food that offers more proteins and less fat. The extra proteins can aid in solidifying the poop, while too much fat can only aggravate diarrhea. So if your pup has diarrhea, look for a low-fat diet. For dry food, the crude fat should not be over 20%.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

For healthy digestion in dogs, dog foods with probiotics are preferred. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Casei are good bacteria that support the digestive tract and protect it from bad bacteria. Probiotics also aid in the absorption of nutrients, enhance detoxification in the body, and boost the immune system.

Prebiotic fiber refers to non-digestible fibers derived from whole foods that augment the growth of probiotics in the colon.

Complete and Balanced Nutrition

Your dogs not only need clean and natural ingredients in their food to achieve optimal health. They also need complete and balanced nutrition in their meals.

Apart from the essential amino acids, canines will also need a number of vitamins and minerals to boost their overall health.

Most of the best dog foods are fortified with these essential nutrients, plus sufficient antioxidants and omega fatty acids to strengthen the immune system, heart, and brain health, and attain a healthy skin and coat.

No Food Allergens

It’s very possible that the root cause of your dog’s loose stool is a food allergen in dog food that triggers a digestive disturbance resulting in unhealthy poop.

Studies identified the following protein sources as common food allergens in dog food – beef, chicken, lamb, eggs, dairy, soy, and wheat gluten. 

Although not all dogs have food allergies and intolerances to certain proteins, it’s probably better to avoid these ingredients when your pup is having allergic reactions like diarrhea. Most specialized food formulas for sensitive skin and stomach avoid these ingredients.

Limited Ingredients

Additionally, if your furry friends have symptoms of food allergies and food sensitivities, it may be safer to go with a limited ingredient dog food, especially if you don’t exactly know which ingredients cause the reaction.

There are many limited ingredients diet dog foods to choose from. Also, if you’re unsure of the food allergen, it may be best to get a limited ingredient diet grain-free formula as some grains are known to induce allergic reactions in dogs too. 

A good-quality and limited ingredient diet grain-free dog food could be the best food, at least until the symptoms are gone.

Free of Artificial Flavors, Colors, and Preservatives

Avoid getting dog foods that contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or any other non-natural ingredient. Natural ingredients compose the best dog foods.

Many pet food manufacturers settle for artificial ingredients to keep costs down and prices low. But unhealthy ingredients also turn into excessive medical bills for dog owners in the long run. The best food only contains natural components.

Manufactured in Countries with High Safety and Quality Standards

For your peace of mind, choose dog foods that are created in countries with very strict safety and health standards in foods.

Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and some European nations have very high standards in pet food production, which protect your pets from common health hazards obtained from commercial pet diets.

About Diarrhea And Loose Stools in Dogs

What Causes Diarrhea and Loose Stools in Dogs?

There are several possible causes for loose stools and diarrhea in dogs. First of all, a soft stool doesn’t necessarily mean diarrhea. Loose stools from diarrhea are more watery or very soft. Some loose stools are just not firm enough to be considered a healthy poop. 

Diarrhea is usually caused by the consumption of toxic and unhealthy food like rancid food, while soft stools are normally the product of a poor-quality diet, insufficient fiber, too much fat, or food sensitivities and intolerances.

Healthy dog stool looks firm but not dry. A dry stool typically means constipation, which is also an unhealthy situation for your dog. 

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are 12 common causes for a dog’s loose stools, namely:

Change in diet

It normally takes a few days for a dog’s gut system to adapt to new proteins, for instance, if you shift from chicken to lamb, or beef to fish. The best way to transition to the new food is to gradually change the proportion of old food and new food in about a week’s time. A sudden shift to unfamiliar food could result in loose stools.

Food intolerances

Some dogs are food intolerant to some foods, which can cause unhealthy poop. The most common food intolerance is lactose intolerance caused by milk, yogurt, and other dairy products.

Food Allergies

An allergic reaction to food could trigger diarrhea or at least provoke the dog’s GI tract, which could result in loose stools.

Parasites

Some parasites like roundworms and hookworms are known to potentially cause soft stool in canines with a poor immune system.

Dietary Indiscretion

Dogs, especially outdoor dogs, are prone to digesting unhealthy foods like spoiled or rancid food, or inedible objects, dead animals, and garbage. If you have a rescue dog, he may be used to eating food from any surface. These unsanitary items can upset the stomach.  

Poisonous substances or plants

Toxic substances are rejected by the digestive system resulting in diarrhea or loose stool.

Viral Infections

Some viruses like parvovirus, distemper, and coronavirus are among the common viruses that can cause diarrhea and loose stools in dogs.

Bacterial infections

Various bacteria such as Salmonella and E. Coli are also known to trigger diarrhea and loose stool in dogs.

Illnesses

An illness or disorder in canines such as kidney and liver disease, colitis, and cancer can disrupt the digestive system and cause loose stool and diarrhea.

Antibiotics and other medications

Some medications like antibiotics also cause the digestive system to react adversely and cause loose stools.

Stress or Emotional Upset

When your dog is anxious or upset, the digestive system somehow reacts adversely as well, resulting in loose stools, or even diarrhea.

Overfeeding

Overfeeding could also trigger loose stools according to vets. This is typically indicated by the dog’s poop getting softer throughout the day from a firm first stool in the morning.

Is Dog Diarrhea Life-Threatening?

Diarrhea is not an uncommon health condition in dogs. Most cases are temporary and normally last for just a day. Observe your dogs.

If the symptoms persist after 48 hours, it could be a more serious condition or chronic diarrhea, in which case it’s best to see the animal doctor.

Other symptoms in more serious cases of diarrhea include:

• Fever
• Blood in the stool
• Blackish stool
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Drop in dog’s energy

 

Conclusion 

Loose stools happen once in a while in dogs. A number of possible causes are known to result in canine diarrhea and loose stools. 

One of the most common roots is a simple change in the dog’s diet, which upsets the digestive system and needs time to adjust to the new food.

Changing dog foods is pretty common, and sometimes necessary. What you can do to avoid loose stools is to slowly transition from the old to the new food, by changing the proportions each day for about a week.

Healthy food is necessary not just to prevent diarrhea or loose stools but also for a long, healthy, and happy life for your canine companions. Choose the best quality dog food that you can afford. 

The best quality diets are made of high-quality ingredients and clean animal proteins from a named animal. Balanced and complete nutrition is also ideal, with all the essential omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants vital to a dog’s health.

To firm up your dog’s loose stools, it helps to feed her dog food, preferably dry dog food, that’s high in protein and fiber, low in fat, and with probiotics and prebiotics. If your pup is food sensitive, check the ingredients list for the presence of food allergens.

Also, always provide your dogs with fresh water in a clean bowl daily along with the meals. Keep their surrounding areas clean and disinfected too. 

Consult the veterinarian if your dog’s poop remains soft beyond 48 hours.