Dog food for sensitive stomachs UK 2026: cost per day and main protein

What is the best dog food for a sensitive stomach and skin?

There is no single best food: the right one depends on what your dog reacts to, which your vet can help find. Of the foods we compared, Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin is the one sold for both: Hill's says it has prebiotic fibre for digestion and added omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat. For a 20 kg dog it costs £1.26 a day at its full zooplus price (about £38 a month), or £1.07 with the 15% voucher zooplus showed on 21 October 2026. Burns Original is the lowest daily cost here, at £0.72 using Burns' 10 g per kg amount for sensitive adults (about £22 a month).

What does hypoallergenic dog food mean?

“Hypoallergenic” describes a recipe made to lower the chance of a reaction, usually by leaving out common triggers or using one main meat. It is the maker's description, not a test result or a guarantee. James Wellbeloved labels its turkey and rice recipe hypoallergenic, and it also contains fish oil. Veterinary diets for suspected food allergy go further, breaking proteins down (hydrolysing them) so the immune system is less likely to react: Royal Canin Veterinary Anallergenic uses hydrolysed feather protein. Those cost about £61–£68 a month for a 20 kg dog here, against £22–£47 for the non-prescription foods.

Is wet food better for a sensitive stomach?

Not necessarily. Wet food can tempt a dog that is off its food, but the ingredients matter more than the format, and feeding only wet food costs far more: Lily's Kitchen tins work out at from about £5.23 a day for a 20 kg dog in our dog food comparison. If you mix wet into dry, keep to the same main protein so you know what your dog is eating. For cats with the same problem, see our cat food for sensitive stomachs.

When should I see a vet about my dog's stomach?

See your vet before changing food if your dog has repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, blood in its stools, weight loss or is off its food, and straight away if it seems unwell. A standard consultation at the six practices in our average vet bill guide costs £44–£64. Problems that start before you insure a dog are usually excluded later; see pet insurance and pre-existing conditions.

How to choose

Read the whole ingredient list

Product names can mislead. Arden Grange Sensitive is ocean white fish and potato but also contains chicken oil, krill and egg; James Wellbeloved's turkey recipes contain fish oil. If you are avoiding a particular protein, check every ingredient.

Change gradually and give it time

Switch over about a week and keep a simple diary of stools and symptoms. If problems continue, go back to your vet rather than trying food after food.

For the full range of adult foods and costs, see our dog food comparison; for portion sizes, the portion calculator; and for reading a label line by line, our guide to choosing dog food. Most prices here come from zooplus; our zooplus review covers its delivery and repeat-order terms.