Are Dog Chew Treats Good for Sensitive Stomachs
Posted by Greg C. on Feb 24, 2025
Every dog’s first love is chewing. This is something that every pet owner is concerned about. No matter if it’s edible or not, your dog will chew it if it likes it. It will happily munch on your slippers and socks as if they are its toys (but admit it, we all love it when our dog does that, right?)
Sometimes, we try to get our shoes from our cute dog’s mouth by bribing them with something else. Now, this “something else” is usually some kind of human food. But do you know that every type of human food is not suitable for dogs, especially those with sensitive stomachs?
So, to solve this problem you can give them some chewy dog treats to fulfill their chewing needs. But, again, the issue is your dog’s sensitive stomach. Don’t worry, this is the main highlight of today – dog chew treats for sensitive stomachs. So, let’s begin by understanding what a sensitive stomach really is.
What Does it Mean by a Sensitive Stomach?
When it is said that your dog has a sensitive stomach, this means that it has some kind of digestive issues. This implies that your dog faces difficulty digesting certain foods or can not handle frequent changes in its diet.
A sudden dietary change, an underlying health issue, or some food ingredients can easily upset or irritate your dog’s stomach. These issues can trigger certain symptoms in your pet such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive gas or bloating, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, fever, excessive licking, or decreased mobility.
If your dog faces any of the above-mentioned symptoms frequently, it has a sensitive stomach. The first thing to do is consult a vet when you notice any of these symptoms. But, does this mean you can not feed yummy chewy treats to your dog? Well, let’s see.
Are Dog Chew Treats Good for Sensitive Stomachs?
You may not feed your dog every type of treat but you can surely feed it some of them. There are certain things you need to pay attention to while looking for a chew treat for your dog.
When it comes to dogs with sensitive stomachs, there are not a lot of options for chew treats. But that does not mean that you won’t pamper your precious pup with yummy chewy treats.
What you can do is look for the right type of treat. Among the vast variety, you can look for the ones that will not upset your dog’s stomach. You can also consult a vet about specific chew treat brands that would be good for a sensitive stomach.
What to Look For in Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs?
There are not many options for dog chew treats for sensitive stomachs. You need to look for certain things while giving your pet a yummy chewy treat. Let’s see what you should look for in dog treats for sensitive stomachs.
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Limited and Simple Ingredients
The foremost and the easiest factor in determining any chewy treat for your dog’s sensitive stomach is its ingredients. Look for simple and limited ingredients, nothing fancy. Avoid any additional artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. The less is better.
Go for natural ingredients. They are the best if your dog is not sensitive or allergic to them. There are lots of brands that offer special dog chew treats for such pets. You can introduce some of them to your dog, monitor its health, and take further action accordingly.
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Hypoallergenic Options
Even when you are looking for limited and simple ingredients, there may be certain ingredients that your dog can be allergic to. For example, an all-natural bully stick with just a single ingredient – beef muscle – can upset your dog’s stomach.
The reason for this stomach issue is the high protein content. Even if bully sticks are completely natural, your dog can suffer from stomach issues. For an alternative, you can give your pet sweet potato chews or carrot sticks.
TipConsult your vet about your dog’s allergies and look for chew treats accordingly. |
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High-quality Protein
Protein is necessary for every dog for healthy muscles. One of the best protein sources for dogs is bully sticks. But if your dog has a sensitive stomach, this goes out of option. Well, this does not mean you can not give high-quality and good protein to your precious pup.
Some great alternatives for bully sticks are chicken, turkey mince, fish, duck, and lamb. These animal proteins are easy to digest which makes them good for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Homemade Treats for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs
One of the best options for dog treats for sensitive stomachs is homemade food. There are a lot of human food items that are good for your dog’s tummy as they are easy to digest.
Following is a list of some really good kitchen food items that are good for dogs with sensitive stomachs. You can combine them and create some good homemade treats to pamper your dog.
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Pumpkin
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Oatmeal
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Sweet Potato
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Chicken
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Rice
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Fresh Fruits
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Raw/Steamed Vegetables
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Peanut Butter
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Salmon
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Yogurt
There are many more kitchen ingredients that you can experiment with to make the best dog chew treats for your precious little one. But be careful to avoid allergens and difficult-to-digest items.
TipIf you want to introduce a new treat to your dog’s sensitive stomach, firstly consult with the vet and then gradually introduce it in a limited amount. |
Bottom Line
So the simple answer to the question “Are dog chew treats good for sensitive stomachs” is – not always. They are good until your dog’s stomach is not getting upset. There are lots of options for dog treats for sensitive stomachs to keep your pup busy chewing while maintaining its health.
Chewing is really important for dogs as it helps maintain their dental health and is good for brain stimulation. It makes them happy and thus you should not stop your dog from chewing something (though you can change the item they are chewing).
So, for dogs with sensitive stomachs, look for specific factors in the treats and always consult the vet. To fulfill your dog’s chewing needs while taking care of its little tummy, you can switch to easily digestible dog chews. It’s as simple as that.