How to Build a Gentle Bowl for Sensitive Stomach Pets.

• Posted on 11 April 2025
• By Dr. Jill Tack, Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor
• Posted in Cat Digestive Issues, digestive health for pets, Gentle Diet for Pets, Holistic Pet Nutrition, Limited Ingredient Pet Food, Sensitive Stomach Dog Food
• 0

Sensitive stomachs often improve with simple, moisture-rich, limited-ingredient diets. Learn how to build a gentle bowl for digestive comfort at The Pet Beastro.

Simple, moisture-rich, raw, and fresh foods help calm sensitive stomachs.

If your dog or cat struggles with vomiting, loose stools, gas, or an inconsistent appetite, you’re not alone. Sensitive stomachs are one of the most common reasons pet parents walk into The Pet Beastro looking for answers.

The good news is that many digestive issues improve when we simplify what’s in the bowl. A “gentle bowl” focuses on clean ingredients, easy digestion, and reducing inflammation — not masking symptoms.

What does “sensitive stomach” mean?

A sensitive stomach is often a sign that something in the diet isn’t agreeing with your pet’s body.

Common triggers include:

• Highly processed ingredients
• Too many proteins at once
• Starchy fillers
• Artificial additives
• Low moisture diets

When digestion is overwhelmed, the gut becomes inflamed, which can lead to ongoing discomfort.

How Dr. Jill + our team approach sensitive digestion

At The Pet Beastro, Dr. Jill starts with one simple question: What can we remove to make digestion easier?

Rather than adding more and more products, we focus on:

• Fewer ingredients (sometimes single ingredients)
• Cleaner protein sources
• Better moisture
• Digestive support when needed

This gentle approach gives the gut time to calm down and rebuild resilience.

What makes a “gentle bowl” work?

A gentle bowl isabout creating a calm foundation so digestion can reset.

Key components often include:

• Limited ingredient diets
• Single, well-tolerated protein
• Moisture-rich food (raw, gently cooked, or wet)
• Minimal fillers and starches
• Digestive enzymes or probiotics, if appropriate

Many pets improve simply by switching how and what they’re fed.

Why moisture matters so much for digestion

Dry food contains very little moisture, which means the body has to pull water from elsewhere to digest it. For sensitive pets, this can increase irritation.

Moisture-rich food:

• Supports smoother digestion
• Helps prevent constipation or diarrhea
• Supports gut lining health
• Is often easier to tolerate

This is especially important for cats, who naturally have low thirst drives.

Choosing the right protein for sensitive pets

Protein is essential, but not all proteins work for every pet.

Sensitive pets often do best with:

• One protein at a time
• Novel proteins they haven’t eaten before
• High-quality, clearly named sources

Once digestion stabilizes, we may slowly rotate proteins to build tolerance and nutritional variety.

Can raw food help sensitive stomachs?

In many cases, yes.

Raw food can help because it:

• Is less processed
• Contains natural enzymes
• Avoids many common irritants
• Is highly digestible when chosen correctly

That said, raw feeding should always be introduced slowly for sensitive pets. Some do better starting with gently cooked or freeze-dried options before moving fully raw.

Signs your pet’s digestion is improving

As the gut begins to heal, pet parents often notice:

• More consistent stools
• Less gas
• Improved appetite
• Better energy
• Calmer behavior around meals

These changes are signs the digestive system is finally getting what it needs.

What pet parents ask us most

“Has my pet tried everything already?”
Usually not. Simplifying the bowl often opens new doors.

“Is chicken always bad?”
Not necessarily, it depends on the pet.

“Do I need expensive prescription food?”
Often no. Many pets do better on fresh diets.

“Should I remove all treats?”
Temporarily, yes, while digestion resets.

Sensitive stomachs often improve with simpler, moisture-rich diets that reduce inflammation and support digestion. A gentle bowl helps the gut calm down, so pets can feel better over the long term.

How The Pet Beastro Helps You Build a Better Bowl

Sensitive digestion can be frustrating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At The Pet Beastro, our team takes the time to understand your pet’s history and help you build a bowl that feels good for them.

Feel free to stop by the store to talk through options, get guidance, or explore gentle diet upgrades. You can also call us or join our text list for tips and reminders.

Better digestion starts with better food, and we’re here to help.