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Illusive digestive disturbances can be stressful for both you and your pup. If it’s not a food allergy, it might be a side effect of medication, a result of dietary indiscretion, or even a symptom of chronic illness. Without a specific diagnosis, dogs who experience frequent digestive issues are often said to have sensitive stomachs.
Chronic tummy troubles may necessitate dietary adjustments, but a dog with a sensitive stomach doesn’t have to go entirely without treats. The best options are simple, easily digestible, and compatible with your vet’s treatment plan. Whether your dog is recovering from a temporary bout of illness or has a chronically sour stomach, we’re here to help you find the right treats for your individual dog.
We spoke to Danielle Opetz, a PhD Companion Animal Nutritionist for Fromm Family Foods, and Nell Ostermeier, DVM, CVA, FAAVA, a veterinary advisor at Figo Pet Insurance, to determine the qualities of the best dog treats for sensitive stomachs.
Best Single Ingredient: PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
When choosing dog treats for sensitive stomachs, Dr. Ostermeier recommends keeping the ingredients simple—or even single. Her treat of choice is a dehydrated or freeze-dried meat with no added ingredients.
These PureBites chicken-based dog treats fit the bill. If your dog is sensitive to chicken, PureBites offers an array of single-ingredient options like beef liver, lamb liver, salmon, and duck liver. The brand also offers single-protein, jerky-style treats made with one or two ingredients.
Low in both calories and fat, these crunchy chicken breast treats are an easily digestible choice for dogs. Because they’re low in calories, PureBites treats are appropriate for training as well as everyday rewards.
Key Nutrients:
- 3 kcal/piece
- Protein: 77.9%
- Fat: 3.2%
- Carbohydrate: 17.8%
- Crude Fiber: 1.1%
Ingredients: American Sourced Human-Grade Chicken Breast.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest Limited Ingredient: CANIDAE Pure Grain-Free Biscuits
Even if you don’t choose a single-ingredient treat for your dog, Dr. Ostermeier cautions against products with too many ingredients. “The more ingredients,” she says, “the more chance that something is going to offend their system.” Available in two flavors, these crunchy biscuits from CANIDAE’s Pure line offer a limited-ingredient option.
Each flavor contains a single source of animal protein: salmon or duck. The biscuits contain an easily digestible blend of high-fiber flours along with nutrient-rich sweet potato and pumpkin. They’re lightly sweetened with cane molasses for enhanced palatability and naturally flavored with dog-safe spices like ginger and turmeric.
Key Nutrients:
- 20 kcal/piece
- Protein: 14.1%
- Fat: 7.1%
- Carbohydrate: 63.7%
- Crude Fiber: 5.1%
Ingredients: Salmon, Pea Flour, White Potato Flour, Sweet Potato, Cane Molasses, Pumpkin, Canola Oil, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Ginger, Turmeric.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonHigh-Value Pick: Stewart Beef Liver Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
For training and behavior modification, it helps to have some high-value treats to offer—something extra enticing to hold your dog’s attention. When working around a sensitive stomach, Dr. Opetz recommends sticking to proteins you know your dog can tolerate. “High-quality animal proteins,” she says, “and other functional ingredients will help deliver the best reward and purpose-driven nutrition for your dog.”
Freeze-dried, single-ingredient treats from Stewart are packed with protein and the rich, meaty flavor dogs love. Options like beef liver and chicken liver may be particularly appealing to picky eaters. If you’re looking for a low-calorie option however, there’s always lean chicken breast or wild salmon.
Key Nutrients:
- 6 kcal/piece
- Protein: 54.1%
- Fat: 5.4%
- Carbohydrate: 37.3%
- Crude Fiber: 3.2%
Ingredients: 100% Pure Beef Liver.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoTraining Pick: Cloud Star Crunchy Tricky Trainers Liver Flavor Dog Treats
For everyday training applications, a quick bite usually does the trick. Tricky Trainers from Cloud Star come in several limited-ingredient formulations and multiple textures (crunchy or chewy). Available in cheddar, liver, and salmon flavors, the crunchy treats contain a shorter list of main ingredients than the soft and chewy treats.
With just two calories per piece, these crunchy treats work well for dogs of all ages and sizes. Each recipe contains a single animal protein with a fiber-rich blend of pearled barley, oat flour, and oat fiber. The treats are free from wheat and dairy, as well as any artificial additives that might trigger stomach sensitivity.
Key Nutrients:
- 2.1 kcal/piece
- Protein: 21.6%
- Fat: 10.2%
- Carbohydrate: 62.5%
- Crude Fiber: 5.7%
Ingredients: Pearled Barley, Oat Flour, Dried Chicken Liver, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Oat Fiber, Salt.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest with Probiotics: Get Naked Digestive Health Grain-Free Dental Sticks
In some cases, Dr. Opetz suggests that probiotic treats may be appropriate for dogs with sensitive stomachs. “Probiotics are live microorganisms,” she says, “that can have beneficial effects on host health.” As a complement to veterinary treatment, probiotics may help support a balanced gut microbiome and improved digestive health.
Formulated with live probiotics and prebiotic fiber, these treats offer an easily digestible and long-lasting option for pups with sensitive stomachs. They’re high in fiber but low in fat, which can be a benefit for dogs who have trouble tolerating high levels of dietary fat.
These treats may also support dental health, gently scraping plaque off your dog’s teeth as they chew. Plus, they come in an array of different sizes for dogs of different breeds and ages.
Key Nutrients:
- 25 kcal/piece
- Protein: 21.2%
- Fat: 2.4%
- Carbohydrate: 69.3%
- Crude Fiber: 7.1%
Ingredients: Dried Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Gelatin, Water, Chicken, Natural Chicken Flavor, Organic Flaxseed, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharides (From Chicory Root), Parsley, Chia Seed, Cinnamon, Ginger, Peppermint, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest Plant-Based: Wholesome Pride Pet Treats
If you’re not sure what’s triggering your dog’s digestive issues, your veterinarian may recommend an elimination diet to narrow down the trigger. In the case of food allergies—typically triggered by animal protein—switching to a plant-based treat could reduce your dog’s exposure to potential triggers.
Wholesome Pride Pet Treats offers several dehydrated dog treats, each made with a single plant-based ingredient: sweet potato, banana, or apple. These treats have a chewy texture dogs seem to enjoy and they’re easily digestible.
Dr. Opetz notes that some dogs with sensitive stomachs can benefit from “a treat with healthy sources of fiber… to influence stool consistency and help with bowel regularity.” All three of Wholesome Pride Pet Treats’ recipes provide a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber.
Key Nutrients (for Sweet Potato Chews):
- 39 kcal/piece
- Protein: 7.1%
- Fat: 0.6%
- Carbohydrate: 85.2%
- Crude Fiber: 7.1%
Ingredients: Dried All Natural Sweet Potatoes.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoPrescription Pick: Hill’s Prescription Diet Hypo Crunchy Dog Treats
Dogs with chronic digestive issues may require a prescription diet. To avoid further upsetting your dog’s stomach, select a treat compatible with their prescription diet. These crunchy treats from Hill’s Prescription Diet are formulated specifically for dogs with food sensitivities. They’re also compatible with the brand’s various prescription digestive support diets.
Made with a short list of main ingredients, these treats contain a single source of animal protein: hydrolyzed chicken liver. They’re enriched with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential nutrients to support whole-body health. The treats have a crunchy texture and contain about 17 calories each.
Key Nutrients:
- 17 kcal/piece
- Protein: 14.8%
- Fat: 9.1%
- Carbohydrate: 68.1%
- Crude Fiber: 8%
Ingredients: Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Powdered Cellulose, Soybean Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Glyceryl Monostearate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, DL-Methionine, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for Freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest Chicken: Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
To avoid upsetting your dog’s sensitive stomach, Dr. Ostermeier recommends treats with similar ingredients to their regular diet. Because it’s important to limit the number of ingredients, one option is to simply offer your dog a treat version of the main protein in their daily diet.
For dogs eating a chicken-based diet, these freeze-dried treats from Stella & Chewy’s are a high-value pick. They’re made with a single ingredient—chicken hearts—which makes them easily digestible.
Measured as dry matter, these treats contain nearly 72% protein and about 12% fat. For an option lower in fat or calories, the brand offers freeze-dried chicken breast treats as well.
Key Nutrients:
- 119 kcal/oz.
- Protein: 71.7%
- Fat: 12%
- Carbohydrate: 14.1%
- Crude Fiber: 2.2%
Ingredients: Chicken Heart.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoBest Fish: The Honest Kitchen Beams Ocean Chews Dehydrated Cod Fish Skins
For dogs eating a fish-based diet, freeze-dried salmon or tuna treats offer a simple, no-nonsense option. But if you’re looking for something extra enticing, try these dehydrated fish skins. They’re an easily digestible alternative to rawhide and made with a single ingredient: dried cod fish skin.
The cod used in these chews is wild-caught and sourced from Europe. The treats come in two sizes, small or large, with approximately 24 or 40 calories per chew. If the flavor of cod isn’t quite to your dog’s liking, the wolffish flavor might be more appealing.
Key Nutrients:
- 24 kcal/piece
- Protein: 93%
- Fat: 4.7%
- Carbohydrate: 1.1%
- Crude Fiber: 1.2%
Ingredients: Dehydrated Codfish Skins.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on PetcoHow We Chose
We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive analysis of customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts.
We selected dog treats made with short lists of easily digestible ingredients, prioritizing products made with a single source of animal protein to minimize the risk of sensitivity. Our picks are also influenced by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
