How The Right Food Can Help Your Dog’s Sensitive Skin and Stomach

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic

Gut health is much more important than we realize – if this delicate microbiome is out of balance or disrupted, it can affect so much more than just the digestive system. This is why a sensitive stomach often goes hand in hand with sensitive skin: dogs that have issues with diarrhea, poor digestion, and irritable tummy frequently have itchy skin, dull and brittle coats, dandruff, and so on.

Quality, specialized nutrition can help promote your pet's healthy skin and coat, as well as support their stool regularity, gut health, and overall digestion. And right now, you can get Hill’s Science Diet featured products for up to 15% off.


How To Support Your Dog's Sensitive Stomach and Skin Health

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Does your pet get gassy? Are diarrhea or constipation frequent occurrences for your dog? Are they bloated after eating? These could all signs of a sensitive stomach and digestive considerations. Provided that your veterinarian has ruled out any more serious underlying causes that could be causing your pet’s digestive distress (e.g., poisoning, pancreatitis, parvovirus, etc.), there are a few ways you help promote your pet's digestive health. Offering a meal of plain cooked chicken breast and white rice, or a serving of pumpkin puree may help, but always follow your veterinarian's advice when changing your pet's diet, even for a short time.

 

However, if your pet doesn’t have just a momentary problem with digestion, but rather a chronic one, you may notice that their skin and coat are affected, too. Their coat might have lost its shine and look dull, their skin may be dry and flaky, and they might seem to be scratching more, even though there are no fleas to be seen. The culprit may be inadequate nutrition, which needs to be addressed properly if you want your pet to live their best life. You may also want to try oatmeal baths or chamomile tea soaks to moisturize their skin and nourish their coat.


Get 15%-off Select bags of Hill's Science Diet Specialty Foods at PetSmart.com! Valid 5/1 - 5/31


Nutrition Matters: How the Right Food May Help

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Both digestive problems and skin and coat issues that stem from them may have a mutual underlying cause – poor nutrition. Healthy, balanced food is essential for your dog’s wellbeing, and if something is lacking or isn’t supposed to be in their diet, it could show itself through a sensitive tummy and skin. This is why it’s essential to choose your pet’s food with great care, and ensure that it is formulated to meet their unique needs and contains all the essential nutrients that will support their digestive and skin health.

Hill's® Science Diet® Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Dry Dog Food is a great example of what a gut-friendly, skin supporting formula should look like. It is highly digestible and easy on the tummy, thanks to the combination of chicken and barley, and provides better nutrient absorption to boot. Thanks to the beet pulp, which is a nourishing prebiotic fiber, this formula supports a thriving gut microbiome and beneficial bacteria, which are essential for your dog’s overall wellbeing, but primarily digestive health. This formula also contains Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids to help nourish your pet's skin and promote a lustrous coat.

Image by Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock.com


As a result, this well-rounded formula is optimal for dogs with sensitive skin and stomach as it and contains ingredients that support their overall health and well-being. However, don't expect results overnight! You have to be consistent with your pet's diet for it to take effect. With the right diet in place, though, you can provide the nutritional support your dog needs for optimal digestion, healthy skin and coat, and to help them live their best life, by your side of course!


Get 15%-off Select bags of Hill's Science Diet Specialty Foods at PetSmart.com! Valid 5/1 - 5/31



Feature Image by GoodFocused/Shutterstock.com

Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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