Last Updated on 01/30/2021 by Veronica Jones
Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is an uncontrolled backflow of GI fluids into the esophagus.
This condition can easily damage the mucosal lining of your dog’s esophagus and lead to inflammation.
In most cases, acid reflux occurs when your pup feeds on a diet that has a high-fat content. It can also occur after your dog has eaten too much of hard to digest foods.
The solution lies with the best dog food for acid reflux. The most ideal nutrition contains highly digestible ingredients and low-fat content.
This will help your four-legged friend fight acid reflux and other stomach issues. Here are our selections of dog foods that can help prevent GERD.
Top Pick
Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food. This nutrient-packed nutrition is suitable for your dog’s sensitive stomach.
It is uniquely formulated to help fight acid and other stomach issues. It contains chicken as the first ingredient along with omega 6, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and prebiotic fiber.
The Best Dog Foods for Acid Reflux
1. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
This is an optimal digestive formula that is enriched with prebiotics, ascorbic acid, omega 6 fatty acids, and vitamin E to help fight acid reflux.
Key Nutrients
- Digestible proteins
- Prebiotic fiber
- Omega 6 fatty acids
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Chicken is the first ingredient, which is great because it is a good energy source without a higher calorie count.
This amazing ingredient contains higher levels of omega 6 for supporting healthy skin and coat.
It is also rich in glucosamine and amino acids for promoting bone health.
What we truly appreciate about this diet is the prebiotic fibers that support a balanced microbiome to help improve GI tract conditions.
They increase the presence of friendly bacteria in your dog’s gut to help deal with acid reflux.
This recipe contains a great amount of vitamin C that helps prevent acid reflux and its complications.
But the thing is, this diet contains chicken meal, which may be a problem for allergic dogs.
Pros
- Chicken is a good source of energy with a low-calorie count
- Prebiotic fiber supports a balanced microbiome and feeds healthy bacteria
- Ascorbic acid helps relieve and prevent acid reflux
- Highly digestible ingredients ensure optimal nutrient absorption
- Enriched with omega 6 fatty acids to boost skin and coat health
Cons
- Chicken may not be a suitable ingredient for allergic dogs
- Requires a prescription
Verdict
Nourish your four-legged friend with this premium diet and help her manage acid reflux. Just make sure she is not allergic to chicken.
2. Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Stress Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food
This is a proprietary anti-stress food that is formulated to help with acid reflux and other digestive upset in medium and small breed dogs.
Key Nutrients
- Highly digestible proteins
- Soluble fibers
- Clinically proven antioxidants
- Omega 3 and 6
- Prebiotic fiber
All Hill’s Prescription diets require you to have a prescription from your pup’s veterinarian. So, we advise you to consult your dog’s vet if you choose to buy this diet.
It is time you helped your dog overcome acid reflux and any other digestive issues.
This i/d digestive care stress diet provides clinically proven nutrients to help relieve all the digestive challenges your dog is experiencing.
It is a great recipe for boosting healthy digestion as well as stool quality.
We truly appreciate that this diet contains Brewers rice as the first ingredient, considering that rice is highly digestible.
The recipe contains oats and barley, which is great because they are incredible sources of soluble fiber.
Soluble fiber does a good job of absorbing liquid in your dog’s digestive system to help stop the displacement of stomach acid.
Another good thing about this diet is the presence of omega 3 and 6. These two nutrients are great for controlling inflammation. Omega 3; in particular, helps improve skin and coat health.
Pros
- The nutrition is clinically proven
- Boosts digestion health and stool quality
- Highly digestible ingredients go easy on the stomach
- High-quality sources of fiber prevent stomach acid displacement
- Omega 3 and 6 help control inflammation levels
Cons
- A prescription is needed to buy this diet
- Picky eaters may refuse the texture
Verdict
Help your pup maintain a healthy digestive system without the risk of acid reflux with this amazing nutrition from Hill’s Prescription.
3. Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Pacific Stream
One of the reasons why your dog is prone to acid reflux is probably because she can’t digest whole-grain carbs.
So, she will be better off with this great grain-free recipe from Taste of the Wild.
Key Nutrients
- High-quality and digestible proteins
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- K9 strain probiotics
- Prebiotic fiber
- Powerful antioxidants
The recipe contains salmon as the first ingredient, which is great for your sensitive dog because it contains omega fatty acids and high-quality proteins.
The proteins are easy for your dog to digest. The omega fatty acids; on the other hand, help control inflammation and boost skin and coat health.
Your pup’s sensitive stomach will appreciate the brand’s proprietary K9 strain probiotics that maximize nutrient absorption to help prevent acid reflux.
The diet is also enriched with dried chicory roots, which is a healthy source of prebiotic fiber (which helps feed good bacteria) that helps prevent acid displacement.
Both probiotics and prebiotics do a good job of breaking down and digesting food.
Taste of the Wild also packed this recipe with powerful antioxidants like raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes.
These antioxidants ensure that your dog’s system gets enough vitamin E, selenium, and zinc to enhance immune health.
Pros
- Salmon is a good source of digestible proteins
- Omega fatty acids help control inflammation and enhance skin and coat health
- Proprietary probiotics maximize nutrient absorption
- High-quality prebiotic fiber prevents acid reflux
- Powerful antioxidants help boost immune health
Cons
- Some new formulation may cause vomiting in some dogs
- The fishy smell may be disturbing to some dog parents
Verdict
Give your dog a taste of the wild and help her maintain a healthy GI system without the risk of gastroesophageal reflux with this premium quality diet.
4. Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein Dry Dog Food
This incredible recipe from Canidae is prepared for canines of all breeds and ages.
It is the ultimate best choice for a household with more than one dog.
Key Nutrients
- Highly digestible proteins
- Nutritionally dense protein sources
- Probiotics
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Powerful antioxidants
The very first thing that we like about this diet is the Health-plus solution that includes omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and probiotics.
The omega fatty acids improve skin health and help control inflammation. The probiotics are added to the recipe after cooking to boost healthy digestion.
Antioxidants; on the other hand, boost the immune system.
The diet features a chicken meal, turkey meal, and lamb meal as the first ingredients. All these meat ingredients are optimal sources of proteins that are nutritionally dense.
Cracked pearled barley and oatmeal are good sources of soluble fiber that supports healthy digestion to prevent acid reflux.
Apart from helping your pup with acid reflux, this diet is also rich in chondroitin and glucosamine.
These two nutrients help prevent the degeneration of joints and bones. The diet also contains vitamin E that helps prevent stomach acid displacement and its complications.
Pros
- Healthy soluble fibers improve digestion and stop acid reflux
- Omega fatty acids improve skin and coat health
- Probiotics support good digestion and prevent digestive issues
- Vitamin E helps relieve acid reflux and its complications
- Enriched with chondroitin and glucosamine for improved joint health
Cons
- The texture and taste may be unappetizing for some pups
- Possible quality control issues with some packages
Verdict
This multi-protein diet doesn’t contain soy, wheat, corn, or by-products. So, it is a great option that will help your pup avoid acid reflux.
5. Natural Balance L.I.D Lamb and Brown Rice Canned Dog Food
If you are looking for tasty nutrition that will help with your dog’s acid reflux issues, try this amazing canned food from Natural Balance.
Key Nutrients
- High-quality proteins
- Vitamin B12 and vitamin A
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Highly digestible carbs
- High-quality fiber
This high-quality diet is prepared to reduce food sensitivities and maximize nutritional value.
With limited carbohydrates and protein sources, your dog will have no problem digesting the food.
The diet features lamb as the first ingredient, which is great because it is an excellent source of digestible proteins, contains optimal amounts of dietary fat and iron, and omega 3 fatty acids.
Canola oil ensures that your dog receives enough linolenic and linoleic acids without increasing fat content in the diet.
This food is supplemented with vitamin E and vitamin A to help prevent stomach acid displacement and any other complications.
The diet is enriched with zinc proteinate and zinc sulfate, two nutrients that help prevent gastric acid secretion.
This provides prolonged therapy for pups suffering from the overproduction of acid.
Another good thing about this diet is the fact that it has a higher moisture content, which helps dilute and weaken stomach acid.
Pros
• Higher moisture content helps dilute and weaken stomach acid
• Limited ingredients make the diet ideal for sensitive stomachs
• Highly digestible food sources boost nutrient absorption
• Vitamin A and E help prevent acid reflux
• Omega fatty acids support skin health and control inflammation
Cons
• Quality may be inconsistent from one can to another
• In rare cases, you may receive defective products
Verdict
This is a limited ingredient diet, which means it contains a few ingredients that are completely safe for your pup.
6. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken and Turkey Dry Dog Food
This incredible nutrition from Whole Earth Farms features healthy vegetables and highly digestible protein sources that will help your pup fight acid reflux.
Key Nutrients
- Highly digestible proteins
- All-natural grains
- Vitamin A and vitamin E
- Soluble fiber
- Omega 3 fatty acids
The first ingredient is chicken meal, which is great because it is packed with highly digestible protein that allows for easy nutrient absorption.
Chicken meal is also an amazing glucosamine source for building cartilage tissue.
The diet is packed with flaxseed, a great source of omega 3 and 6. These healthy fatty acids will help boost the health of your pup’s skin and coat.
Another good thing about flaxseed is the fact that it is rich in alpha-linolenic acid that helps control inflammation.
The nutrition is enriched with zinc, which does a good job of inhibiting gastric acid reflux.
This mineral also helps with carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
Vitamin E and vitamin A; on the other hand, prevent stomach acid displacement.
Another good feature of this great recipe is soluble fibers that help with healthy digestion and acid reflux prevention.
Pros
• Highly digestible proteins boost nutrient absorption
• Enriched with glucosamine to help build cartilage tissue
• Contains optimal levels of alpha-linolenic acid for controlling inflammation
• High-quality fiber boosts digestion and prevents acid reflux
• Vitamin E helps prevent stomach acid displacement
Cons
• May take longer for your dog to transition to this nutrition
• Picky eaters may refuse the texture and taste
Verdict
Instead of grains that are high in allergens, this diet is packed with high-quality proteins and highly digestible carbohydrates that support a healthy GI system.
7. Wellness Simple L.I.D Grain-Free Salmon and Potato Dry Dog Food
Help your four-legged friend overcome acid reflux and its complications with this great grain-free diet from Wellness Simple.
Key Nutrients
- Quality, digestible proteins
- Omega fatty acids
- High-quality prebiotics
- Powerful antioxidants
- Easily digestible carbs
This diet has limited ingredients, which is great because it helps reduce the number of food sources your pup is exposed to.
At the same time, the recipe is grain-free to help your dog fight acid reflux and other complications.
Instead of grains, Wellness Simple contains potatoes. A great source of grain-free carbs, vitamin C, zinc, potassium, niacin, magnesium, iron, and copper.
All these nutrients play a significant role in preventing acid reflux.
The ground flaxseeds in the diet are rich in omega 3 and fiber. They help support healthy skin and coat and also boost healthy digestion.
Chicory root extract; on the other hand, is a good source of prebiotics that increase good bacteria and help fight digestive issues.
Pros
- The limited ingredient diet is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- The grain-free diet uses alternative carb sources to increase the number of good bacteria
- Powerful antioxidants support a healthy immune system
- Enriched with prebiotics to help fight digestive issues and acid reflux
- Contains essential fatty acids that support coat health
Cons
- Some recipes may come with altered ingredients
- May not be every dog’s favorite in terms of texture and taste
Verdict
This diet has limited ingredients and it is grain-free. So, it is one of the safest food to feed dogs who are prone to gastroesophageal reflux.
Things to Consider When Looking for Dog Food for Acid Reflux
Here are a few things to consider when looking for quality nutrition that will help your pup fight acid reflux.
Highly digestible ingredients
The first consideration should be the digestibility of the food. Foods that have a higher biological value are usually the best protein sources because they are highly digestible.
This helps improve your dog’s nutrient absorption rate. Foods that are highly digestible help prevent stomach issues like acid reflux and constipation.
Protein sources with a higher biological value that we recommend are chicken, beef, lamb, and turkey.
Probiotics and prebiotics
Your pup’s intestinal bacteria composition is referred to as the microbiome. Your pooch has her unique microbiome that is made of different bacteria.
Healthy probiotics and prebiotics get into the digestive tract and work together with other bacteria to restore proper microbiome balance. This helps to combat acid reflux and other digestive issues.
Limited ingredient and grain-free diets
If your dog has a sensitive stomach and prone to acid reflux, she will do well with a limited ingredient or grain-diet.
A limited ingredient diet doesn’t contain any allergens that may upset your pup’s digestive tract.
A grain-free diet; on the other hand, will ensure that your dog eats highly digestible carbs that will not promote acid reflux.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Have a look at these questions and their answers to enhance your comprehension of the ideal dog foods for acid reflux.
At what time of day is acid reflux most frequent in puppies?
It is dependent upon how many times you feed your pet. As an example, if you feed your pet just once every day, then the heartburns are somewhat more likely to happen at night.
Therefore, attempt to raise the frequency with which you feed your pet.
How do I tell my dog is undergoing acid reflux?
If you discover your dog regurgitating following ingestion, complaining as he feeds, or overall loss of desire, then this can be an indication of heartburn.
Is it secure to use antacids?
Generally, we advise you against using antacids because they are largely created for humans and might cause complications into the pet’s gut.
Final Thoughts
The winner of this roundup is Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food.
This is a great diet for adult dogs that are prone to acid reflux. Apart from promoting digestive health, this nutrition is great for supporting a healthy coat and skin.
It also does a great job of boosting immune health.
The food is packed with nutrients that have a higher biological value, which is great because they are highly digestible and will not upset your dog’s stomach.
It is packed with high-quality prebiotic fiber that helps fuel beneficial bacteria. This guarantees good digestion and helps prevent acid reflux.
