A sensitive tummy in dogs refers to a digestive system that reacts more strongly to change. It often shows as intermittent loose stools, gurgling, wind, or fussier eating after new foods or stressful episodes. Some dogs are simply more reactive than others, but repeated flare‑ups suggest an underlying imbalance in digestion, or some form of intolerance. Keeping notes on diet, treats and 'timing' helps spot patterns early.
quick summary
A sensitive tummy means the gut isn’t digesting or absorbing food smoothly.
Can follow food changes, stress, or bacterial imbalance
Look for loose stools, wind, or noisy digestion
Feeding consistency and improved diet quality usually make the biggest difference
What is actually going on?
A dog’s digestive tract relies on a balanced microbiome and stable enzyme activity to break down food and absorb nutrients. When that system is disrupted - by stress, dietary changes, infection, or intolerance - the gut lining becomes irritated and digestion less efficient. Undigested food then moves through the gut more quickly, leading to softer, loose stools, excess wind, or tummy rumbling.
Some dogs are naturally more prone to this than others, and past bouts of diarrhoea can make the gut more reactive over time. Ongoing sensitivity can also follow low-grade inflammation or dietary intolerances that take time to pinpoint. Supporting a sensitive tummy is mostly about restoring calm and consistency - stable diets, measured changes, and close observation of what triggers particular flare-ups. It can be a full time job!
