Dogs with a sensitive stomach shouldn’t have to miss out on all the good treats. These Dog Treats For Sensitive Stomachs are specifically for those dogs. Tasty and easy to digest!
Whether you have a young dog, an old dog, special needs dog, or just a dog with a sensitive stomach, most dogs have gone through a period where they cannot digest typical treats or food. This could be for medical reasons, from inflammation, or just because. When this occurs, it can be hard to find safe treats for them to enjoy because they probably still want some of that peanut butter or a piece of cheese but just can’t stomach it.
That is where these treats come in! They are made with plain white rice, an egg, and hydrating salmon. If your pup is on a bland diet, be sure to check out our post on the bland food diet for more explanation as to why white rice and a basic protein is the preferred food of a bland diet.
So before your dog takes that steak from the table, let’s make these homemade dog treats for sensitive stomachs to serve them instead.
Ingredients for These Sensitive Stomach Treats
When serving a pet with a sensitive stomach, it is super important to stick with food that is easy to digest. This means no seasoning whatsoever, simple starches, and basic proteins that are not tough.
- Salmon: Canned salmon is the simplest way to make these treats. Aim for salmon packed in only water (no seasonings or oil). If you do use a can that’s packed in oil, simply rinse the salmon before cooking with it (your dog doesn’t need all that extra fat).
- White Rice: Cooked white rice is a staple of the bland diet for dogs because it provides carbs for energy but is very easy to break down because it is a simple carb (versus a complex carb like whole grains).
- Egg: The egg is needed to bind these baked dog treats. Eggs are also easy for dogs to digest and provide a little protein.
Why is salmon easy to digest?
Salmon is one of the lightest fishes and is packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Because it is light and flake, it takes less work for the stomach to break down. The omega-3s help to reduce inflammation which includes inflammation of the gut. Salmon should always be cooked before feeding to your dog!
How to make Treats For Sensitive Stomachs
Not only do these treats only require a few ingredients, but they also only take a few steps making them the best dog treats for sensitive stomachs!
Step 1: Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Drain and rinse the salmon well to remove any excess oil or salt it may have been canned with.
Step 2: Stir
Stir together salmon, cooked rice, and egg.
Step 3: Roll
Portion dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake
Bake until dry to the touch and firm, about 30.
Step 5: Serve
Let cool completely before serving as an occasional treat to your pup!
Recipe tips
Feeding Treats with a Sensitive Stomach: In general, treats should not make up more than 10% of a dog’s diet. However, for dogs with sensitive stomachs or on a bland diet this percentage is even less. Only serve these treats to your dog once or twice (At most) a day and monitor them for any reaction or worsening of symptoms. When they don’t feel the best, foods that they might normally be ok with may not be for a short time.
Storage: Store these treats in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. These can be served frozen, but I prefer to let them thaw before serving.
Medication In Disguise: These treats also make a great alternative to store bought pill pockets! Check out our guide on how to shape pill pickets for dogs.
Helpful Links For Sensitive Stomachs
If your dog is struggling with what its stomach can handle, be sure to check out these other posts. Some are educational posts and others are ideas of what to feed them.
- Bland Diet For Dogs is a comprehensive dive into the bland diet for dogs. This is not to serve as a nutritional guide but can be used to help you through a bland diet if your vet has recommended it.
- Kefir For Dogs is great for getting those digestive enzymes going. It can be helpful to mix some into their food to ease an unsettled stomach.
- Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin? Pumpkin is packed with digestible fiber that can also help settle an uneasy stomach by acting as a type of reset button.
- Frozen Carrot Dog Chews are also great for treating your dog while they’re having an upset stomach.
Dog Treats For Sensitive Stomachs (3 Ingredient Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 13-oz can salmon 370 g
- 1 cup cooked white rice 150 g
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Drain and rinse the salmon well to remove any excess oil or salt it may have been canned with.
- Stir: Stir together salmon, cooked rice, and egg.
- Roll: Portion dough into tablespoon sized balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake until dry to the touch and firm, about 30.
- Serve: Let cool completely before serving as an occasional treat to your pup!