Stanley the working Cocker Spaniel was unable to find a food that suited his sensitive digestion. Read his owners' heartbreaking story below.
Stanley ate a piece of plastic which completely tore apart his digestive system. He couldn't eat anything at all. His vet could not recommend a food which was suitable enough for his sensitive digestion. They told them to feed him pasta. His stools were a 'watery yellow' and he was losing weight quickly. His owners were worried that he wasn't receiving the nutrients he needed and were desperate to find something he could eat. They went to various pet shops and were asking numerous people for advice. It got to a point where they had tried everything they could find. When someone suggested a kibble or dog food they replied "It doesn't work, it just makes him poorly"
Stanley's owners got in touch with us via social media to try our clean, fresh food and treat kits. Stanley was instantly able to eat again and had his first solid poo since eating the plastic. Stanley now only eats Fleetful dog food and dog treat kits. Watch Stanley's owners talk about their ordeal in the video below.
Best Dog Food for Sensitive Digestion
Dogs who have sensitive digestion have problems absorbing the nutrients they need. Dogs eat quickly and have short digestive tracts. There is only a small window of opportunity for nutrients to enter their system.
Highly processed dog food (Kibble, tins) contains non-natural ingredients. Most are developed for a long shelf life, not the health of your dog in mind. A dog's digestive system will find it hard to process any non-natural ingredient. There are often ingredients in these dog foods which aggravate sensitive tummies too. Fleetful Dog Food and Dog Treat Kits are excellent for dogs with sensitive tummies because they are unprocessed and organic. Our unique blended protein powder makes digestion even easier as nutrients can be absorbed as soon as they reach the dog's mouth.
Top Tips for Dogs with Sensitive Digestion
We all love to treat our dog, slip them a treat under the table when they give us those puppy dog eyes! When dogs have sensitive digestion, it is crucial that you control everything they eat. When you have found a suitable diet (food and treats) for your dog, make sure you stick to it! Here are our top tips for dogs with sensitive digestion.
1. Make your home dog safe.
One of the ways dogs can eat things that they shouldn't is in the home. Some dogs eat and drink anything that they can get their paws on, so it's always best to be as tidy and clean as you can.
Make sure lids on bins are shut, the toilet lid is closed and all cupboard contents are not available to your dog! Regular brushing of the kitchen floor will help avoid sneaky snacks!
Take a lookout in any outdoor areas too. You might have little things for your dog to pick up, or even poisonous plants in the garden. Try not to use chemicals in your garden too as your dog can walk on these and then lick their paws after.
2. Be careful with treats
It's what we all love doing - giving treats to our dog. Find a treat that suits your dog's tummy and then stick to it. Try making fresh, healthy treats using our protein powder. Or find a healthy vegetables and fruits that your dog enjoys and does not have a reaction to.
Don't allow other people to give their own treats - no matter how small. Dog treats are usually full of cheap, nasty ingredients and have nothing that benefit your dogs sensitive digestion. Instead, carry your own treats and allow them to treat your dog using your treats instead. People will understand if you say 'Fido has a poorly tummy, please feed him these treats instead'.
Be aware during events and gatherings. This is the hardest time to control what your dog eats, especially if there are children about. Busy house gatherings can be scary and overwhelming for dogs. Try and be mindful about when they mingle with large groups. Make people and children aware that your dog is not to be fed anything.
3. Slow feeding and regular smaller meals
Dogs with sensitive digestion may suit a diet which allows for smaller, more regular meals. This allows time for nutrients to be processed. If you are unable to give three or four smaller meals a day, try feeding natural 'treats' in the middle of the day so your dog has something healthy to digest.
Every dog and owner situation is different, so the above is something each person should experiment with.
Using a slow feeder may also help with digestion. Dogs are naturally fast eaters - it is their survival instinct. Slowing the pace that they eat will help ensure more of their food can be digested.
Does your dog have sensitive digestion?
Signs that your dog might have sensitive digestion are:
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Not eating food at all
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'grazing' on food
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Hard stools
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Soft stools
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Vomiting
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Eating grass
If this is the case, your dog may not be digesting their food properly and could have long term health problems. Try our Dog Food Kit and Treat Kits to see if your dog's digestion improves.