What is the best dog food for acid reflux?
Are you looking for the best dog food for acid reflux?
There are a variety of food options on the market that aid in the treatment and management of acid reflux and I have spent many hours researching and advising on the best dog foods to prevent and treat canine Acid reflux.
I used various Hills Science diets to manage this problem. This nutrient-dense diet is great for your dog’s delicate stomach, and it’s useful in managing acid reflux.
VIDEO: Gastric Reflux in Dogs Explained
It’s built especially to fight acidity and other stomach issues. Chicken is the first ingredient, along with omega 6, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and linoleic acid. It’s a great source of amino acids and probiotics for the stomach, and it helps in building strong muscles in your dog.
There are also other brands that make very good Acid reflux diets that might be more suitable for your individual dog.
What causes acid reflux in dogs?
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is the backflow of gastric juices into the esophagus.
The dog’s esophagus mucosa can be damaged and inflamed owing to this disease. (This sickness is especially common in pups because their esophageal sphincter isn’t fully developed.)
The majority of the time, canine acid reflux is triggered by eating a high-fat diet. It can also be caused by ingesting large amounts of hard-to-digest items.
What are signs of acid reflux in dogs?
Vomiting of bile or regurgitation of undigested food shortly after eating is a common symptom of acid reflux in dogs.
Bile, which is yellow in color, appears on an empty stomach. It generally travels through the stomach and into the intestines, although if a dog has acid reflux it can exit via the esophagus.
If the esophagus is irritated or has developed ulcers, bile can irritate it further and cause pain.
Regurgitated food that appears in the mouth of a pet may contain other digestive juices such as pancreatic enzymes, which are also commonly associated with acid reflux.
What is a natural antacid for dogs?
What is the most effective natural antacid for dogs?
Natural antacids include soothing herbs. Among them are ginger, slippery elm, licorice, and marshmallow root. The lining of the esophagus and stomach can be soothed by these medicines
How do you prevent acid reflux in dogs?
Treating acid reflux can be as simple as changing your dog’s food, or as major as surgery. Meals should be given in small amounts throughout the day.
The 12 Best Dog Foods For Acid Reflux Reviewed
Whether you go dry or wet food, one of the easiest ways for you to determine good dog food is by reading the label and looking out for the AAFCO Statement.
All of the dog foods on this list are in accordance with the AAFCO nutrient profile recommendations for dogs.
Best Dry Dog Food for Acid Reflux
Hills Science Diet Dry food, Adult, Sensitive stomach
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley
- Key feature: Sensitive Digestion
- Guaranteed Analysis: 21% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 382 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Dog Food is specially formulated for optimal digestive health.
This dog food for sensitive stomachs uses prebiotic fiber to fuel gut bacteria and support a balanced microbiome.
In addition, this dry dog food made with natural ingredients also provides an excellent source of vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids to nourish your dog’s skin, and help maintain a healthy, shiny coat.
About this item
- This adult dry dog food promotes digestive health while nourishing skin
- A source of prebiotic fiber to support a balanced gut microbiome in your grown dog
- This dog food is formulated to be highly digestible for optimal nutrient absorption & easier stool pick-up
- Packed with vitamin E & Omega-6 fatty acids to help your grown dog get a lustrous coat and healthy skin
- veterinarian recommended
Best Digestive Care Dog Food for Acid Reflux
Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet
- First 5 Ingredients: New: Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal
- Key feature: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, Sensitive Digestion
- Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 9% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 4% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 333 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat is clinical nutrition specially formulated to calm and soothe the digestive tract in dogs.
It’s made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust and was developed by Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians.
This food helps support heart and kidney health with controlled minerals.
Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat also includes prebiotic fiber, omega-3 & -6 fatty acids, and ginger.
Plus, it has clinically proven antioxidants to help support a healthy immune system and is formulated to promote an environment that makes it difficult for struvite and calcium oxalate crystals to form.
About this item
- Formulated to support your pup’s overall digestive wellness.
- This low-fat food is created with highly digestible protein.
- Actively promotes healthy digestion while ensuring proper nutrient absorption.
- ActivBiome+ technology activates beneficial gut bacteria and a healthy microbiome balance.
- Prebiotic blend aids in regular bowel movements and gastrointestinal health.
Best Grain free Dog Food for Acid reflux
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas,
- Key feature: Chicken-Free, without grain, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or artificial colors
- Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 360 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
Formulated with novel proteins including real smoked salmon, this grain-free recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes that deliver the highly digestible energy your active pup needs, along with natural antioxidant support from real fruits and vegetables and dried chicory root for prebiotic support and healthy digestion.
Essential minerals are chelated with amino acids to optimize their absorption and ensure maximum benefit.
About this item
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream with SMOKED SALMON dry dog food; REAL FISH is the main ingredient; high protein (32%) to help support bones, joints, and LEAN, STRONG MUSCLES
- Nutrient-rich and provides the energy to thrive; vitamins and minerals from FRUITS and SUPERFOODS; omega fatty acids for healthy SKIN and COAT
- Each serving includes species-specific K9 Strain PROPRIETARY PROBIOTICS — plus antioxidants and prebiotics — to help support healthy digestion, IMMUNE system, and overall health and wellness
Best wet Dog Food for Acid Reflux
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Lamb & Brown Rice Formula Canned Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Lamb Broth, Lamb Liver, Brown Rice, Lamb Meal
- Key feature: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet
- Guaranteed Analysis: 8% Crude Protein, 6.5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 500 kcal /can
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
The formula contains a premium quality protein source not commonly used in pet foods, and a premium quality carbohydrate. This unique blend assures a high digestibility and contains all of the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary for your dog.
About this item
- A complete and balanced formula for all breeds from puppies to adults.
- There are a limited number of ingredients, perfect for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities
- This unique blend of food is highly digestible allowing for maximum nutrient absorption
- Added vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A and Vitamin B12 help support a healthy immune system
- Healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat.
Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food for Acid Reflux
Natural Balance LID salmon & sweet potato formula dry dog food
- First 5 Ingredients: Whole Grain Corn, Pork Fat, Soy Protein Isolate, Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor
- Key feature: Limited Ingredient Diet, Sensitive Digestion, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Grain-Free, Pea-Free, Chicken-Free
- Guaranteed Analysis: 24% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 373 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
This limited-ingredient dry food for dogs features real salmon as the very first ingredient and sweet potatoes as an easily digestible source of carbohydrates.
It is formulated by a team of board-certified clinical veterinarians, animal nutritionists, research scientists, design engineers, and pet feeding analysts with over 125 years of combined experience.
It does not contain any added peas, pea protein, lentils, legumes, corn, wheat, or soy.
About this item
- Limited-ingredient dry food for dogs.
- Features real salmon as the number 1 ingredient.
- Does not contain any added peas, pea protein, lentils, legumes, corn, wheat, or soy.
Best Sensitive Stomach Dog Food for Acid Reflux
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Formula Turkey & Potato Recipe Indoor Adult Dry Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Peas, Turkey Meal (source of Glucosamine)
- Key feature: Sensitive Digestion, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Limited Ingredient Diet, Chicken-Free
- Guaranteed Analysis: 20% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 352 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
A limited-ingredient diet made with fewer ingredients for adult canine companions with food sensitivities.
This recipe starts with real turkey and includes pumpkin and easily digested carbohydrates like potatoes and peas.
It’s also crafted with BLUE’s exclusive LifeSource Bits—a combination of selected antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins picked by veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support your dog’s overall health and wellness
About this item
- STARTS WITH REAL TURKEY: This adult dry dog food features a single animal protein source along with potatoes, peas, and pumpkin to support gentle digestion, making it a good option for dogs with a sensitive stomach
- LIMITED INGREDIENT DOG FOOD: BLUE Basics is a limited ingredient grain-free dog food that doesn’t contain any chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs making it a good option for dogs with food sensitivities
- ANTIOXIDANT-RICH LIFESOURCE BITS: A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life stage needs, and a healthy oxidative balance
- A NATURAL DOG FOOD: BLUE dry dog food is made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals; BLUE contains NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives
Best Small Breed Dog Food for Acid Reflux
Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Adult Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product, Oatmeal, Pearled Barley
- Key feature: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet
- Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 403 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
Halo is a holistic blend of nutritious whole meat, with non-GMO fruits and veggies plus the essential vitamins and minerals that your dog needs. Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, our wholesome dry puppy food is also highly digestible.
About this item
- ONLY REAL WHOLE MEAT HERE – We proudly give your dog delicious and healthy whole meat – never any of that rendered “meat meal,” like “chicken meal” or “fish meal”
- CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLY SOURCED, MADE IN THE USA – As much as it is healthy, our dog food is also humane; Halo says “NO” to factory farming, sources our high-quality chicken from Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Certified cage-free farms, and uses non-GMO fruits and vegetables All Halo products are made in the USA, with quality ingredients sourced from US farms and around the world
- HIGHLY DIGESTIBLE WITH HEALTHY GRAINS – Our healthy and holistic dry dog food is highly digestible since there are no rendered meat meals, artificial ingredients, or preservatives We also use healthy, wholesome grains as a source of energy, fiber, and digestive health
- DESIGNED FOR ADULT DOGS – with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, plus whole meat to help adult dogs maintain their strength and energy level
Best Low Fat Dog food for Acid reflux
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced-Fat Turkey & Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Whole Grain Corn, Pork Fat, Soy Protein Isolate, Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor
- Key feature: Grain-Free, Weight Control, Gluten-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, High-Protein
- Guaranteed Analysis: 33% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 12% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 410 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Reduced Fat Weight Management Turkey & Chicken Recipe is healthy, 100% natural grain-free dog food for adult dogs made with turkey, chicken, salmon oil and fruits and vegetables to help support your dog’s optimal health, and fortified with antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, including fish and flax omega blend for healthy skin and coat.
About this item
- Specially formulated to help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
- Fortified with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, taurine, vitamins, and minerals.
- Crafted using carefully chosen ingredients that include premium proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
- Developed without any meat by-products, fillers, corn, soy, wheat-gluten or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
- Designed to encourage lean body mass and muscle tone, support a healthy coat and skin and promote whole-body health.
- Manufactured in a facility that also processes grains.
Best Digestive Support Dog Food for Acid Reflux
American Journey Limited Ingredient Diet
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes
- Key feature: Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Chicken-Free, High-Protein, Sensitive Digestion
- Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 327 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
About this item
- This limited ingredient dog food has a single animal protein source and is also grain-free, so it makes a great option for dogs that may experience itchy skin and have a sensitive stomach.
- Delivering high-quality animal proteins that help maintain lean muscles, this kibble is made with 25% protein and starts with deboned salmon as the first ingredient.
- Gives your pup a wholesome meal that provides easily digestible carbohydrates like peas and sweet potatoes, so the carbs can be more easily absorbed by the body.
- Complete and balanced nutrition with no ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meals or artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
- Contains nourishing omega fatty acids to nurture your dog’s skin and coat, with omega-3 from flaxseed and omega-6 from sunflower oil.
Best grain Free Wet Dog Food for Acid reflux
MerrickLimited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Wet Dog Food Real Lamb Recipe
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Water Sufficient for Processing, Lamb Liver, Natural Flavor, Salt, Sunflower Oil
- Key feature: Sensitive Digestion, Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy
- Guaranteed Analysis: 7% Crude Protein, 9% Crude Fat, 1.4% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 487 kcal/can
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
This is specially formulated for sensitive stomachs while delivering a complete and balanced diet.
This limited-ingredient dog food does not contain any grains, potatoes, corn, or soy–and features important amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
About this item
- Specially formulated for sensitive stomachs.
- Does not contain any peas, grains, potatoes, corn, or soy.
- Packaged in a pull-tab can for your easy serving convenience.
- Always made with real deboned lamb as the very first ingredient and a single source of protein.
Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food for Acid Reflux
American Natural Premium Turkey with Pumpkin Recipe Legume-Free Premium Dry Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Grain Sorghum
- Key feature: Pea-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Flax-Free, Chicken-Free
- Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 4.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric Content: 364 kcal/cup
- Life Stage: Adult All Breed
It features deboned turkey as the first ingredient for a wholesome alternative to chicken.
This food includes pumpkin to help with healthy digestion and added prebiotics and probiotics to support immune health.
It also has Omega-3 fatty acids from menhaden fish oil for healthy skin and coat. With no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
About this item
- Premium formula made with turkey and pumpkin instead of legume and chicken.
- Features deboned turkey as the first ingredient for the protein your pup needs.
- Added prebiotics and probiotics help support a healthy immune system.
- Promotes healthy skin and coat with Omega-3 fatty acids from menhaden fish oil.
- Contains no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives for a meal you can trust.
What can I give my dog for acid reflux at home?
Here are a few things to consider when looking for quality nutrition that will help your dog with acid reflux.
Highly digestible ingredients
The digestibility of the food should be your first concern. Because they are easily digested, high-biological-value foods are often the finest protein sources, this helps improve your dog’s nutrient absorption rate.
Foods that are highly digestible help prevent stomach issues like acid reflux and constipation. Chicken, beef, lamb, and turkey are excellent sources of high-quality protein.
Probiotics and prebiotics
The microbiome is the collection of bacteria that live in your dog’s intestines. Your dog’s microbiome is made up of a variety of microorganisms.
Probiotics and prebiotics work together with other bacteria to restore proper microbiota balance by entering the digestive system and collaborating. This helps to treat acid reflux and other gastrointestinal diseases.
Can I give my dog yoghurt for acid reflux?
When your dog is in the throws of indigestion, probiotics are an excellent remedy for indigestion in dogs
Best Probiotic for Dogs
Did you know that a dog’s gut health has a significant influence on its overall health?
A recent scientific study reports that 70% to 80% of all illness begins in the gastrointestinal tract!
Discover why this supplement is vital for your dog’s immune system and overall health- check out our expert review on:The best probiotics for dogs
“Once the formula got out there, other veterinarians began to tell us this was exactly what they had been looking for and it has become their ‘go to’ product,”
Limited ingredient and grain-free diets for dogs
A grain-free diet or a limited ingredient diet (LID) would be great for dogs with sensitive stomachs and acid reflux.
A limited ingredient diet contains no food allergies that might irritate your dog’s stomach.
A grain-free diet, on the other hand, will guarantee that your dog receives highly digestible carbohydrates that won’t cause acid reflux.
Common symptoms of Acid Reflux in Dogs
- Lip licking or trying to lick the air.
- Decreased appetite.
- Vomiting bile.
- Grinding their teeth or snapping their jaw.
- Painful swallowing (they may cry or whine).
- Regurgitation of their food.
- Weight loss.
- Restlessness or signs of discomfort.
A reversal of the stomach contents’ flow soon after eating can occur in dogs with acid reflux as a result of greater pressure on the muscle that separates the stomach and esophagus.
Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, is possible as a consequence of chronic bile vomiting. Swallowing might be uncomfortable owing to this condition, which will also predispose the dog to esophageal stricture or narrowing, and your dog may develop an aversion to food.
Causes of Acid Reflux in Dogs
– Anesthesia – Incorrect positioning can relax the gastro-oesophageal sphincter (the opening between the stomach and esophagus), and not fasting beforehand can exacerbate reflux.
– Hiatal hernia – Usually congenital (a birth defect) and hereditary (e.g. in the British Bulldog and Shar Pei), although it can be acquired via injury. The obstructive, partially protruding stomach can impair or weaken the gastro-oesophageal sphincter’s ability to close.
– Weak oesophageal sphincter – Reflux is quite typical in infants. Because the sphincter is still growing, it is more vulnerable in puppies, and this generally improves with maturity. Some adult dogs may not have such a good mechanism as others, owing to the fact that their sphincter isn’t yet fully developed.
– A higher than normal amount of gastrointestinal fluid production – Gastric ulcers can develop for a variety of reasons. These include stress, bacterial infections, feeding your dog spicy food, or overfeeding him with greasy food.
This can cause stomach ulcers and cancer since it increases the production of gastrin, the hormone that encourages the stomach to secrete digestive fluids.
– Prolonged acid production – Excess fiber in the diet leads to this, since food remains in the stomach longer, allowing acid production to continue until it is empty.
– Accumulation of secreted acid in the stomach – This is usually due to missed feedings or lengthy intervals between them.
– Vomiting – Vomiting may be symptomatic of acid reflux, but it can also be the cause due to the harm it can do to the esophagus.
Treatment of Acid Reflux in Dogs
A veterinarian will establish a diagnosis of acid reflux by looking inside the esophagus internally or finding a direct cause of the reflux, such as a throat illness or hernia.
Medications can be given to improve stomach fluid flow and strengthen the sphincter muscle.
Diet adjustments may be required when taking these medicines. Small-portion, multiple-meal feeding is popular with pet parents and some vets.
Raising the food bowl so that gravity can help bring down any excess acid is also recommended, as are elevated beds.
With therapy, most dogs improve significantly in terms of clinical symptoms. Your veterinarian will closely monitor your dog’s progress and response to therapy.
Whether a short course of treatment is enough or whether your dog needs to stay on medicines long-term depends on your dog’s reaction to therapy.
The best dog food for acid reflux - the Bottom Line!
The above list is the best dog food for Acid reflux that one can find on the market today.
I personally really like how much research and effort Hills Science Diets have invested in their acid reflux diets, they have a lot of happy patients doing well on them, though that said, you will find that the above 10 Diets are a definitive review of the best dog food for acid -Reflux in 2023!
References:
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/dog-food-label-lessons-what-is-an-aafco-statement
- https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- pdsa.org.uk
