What's the difference between a sensitive tummy and food allergies in dogs?

The distinction matters because the solutions differ.

Sensitive stomach

A digestive system that struggles with certain foods but doesn't involve the immune system. Symptoms are usually gut-focused: loose stools, wind, gurgling, occasional vomiting. The reaction often depends on quantity - a small amount might be tolerated, larger portions cause upset.

Triggers tend to be:

• Rich or fatty foods
• Sudden dietary changes
• Low-quality or hard-to-digest proteins
• Dairy, grains, or certain fibres

Food allergies

A true allergy involves an immune reaction to specific proteins. The body treats a food component as a threat, producing antibodies that trigger inflammation. Symptoms often include skin issues - itching, ear problems, paw licking - alongside or instead of digestive signs (1).

Key differences:

• Reactions are consistent regardless of quantity
• Usually linked to specific proteins (chicken, beef, dairy are common)
• Skin involvement is a strong indicator
• Symptoms don't resolve without complete elimination of the allergen

The grey area

Food intolerances sit between the two: not immune-mediated but more consistent than general sensitivity. Lactose intolerance is a classic example. Without veterinary testing, distinguishing allergies from intolerances can be tricky (2).

Getting answers

If symptoms persist despite dietary adjustments, your vet can guide elimination trials or allergy testing to identify specific triggers rather than guessing.

References

1. Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals: common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res. 2016;12:9. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4710035/
2. Verlinden A, Hesta M, Millet S, Janssens GPJ. Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(3):259-273. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16527756/