Dog Treat Recipes For Sensitive Tummies

Sensitive tummies are just as uncomfortable and inconvenient for canines as they are for humans. If your pooch has a tendency to develop gas, diarrhea or vomiting whenever you give her doggy treats, she may suffer from a dietary sensitivity, allergy or food intolerance. Don't despair, however; once your veterinarian helps you to identify her triggers, you can make delicious treats that don't upset her tummy and still let give her the enjoyment other dogs get from regular nibbles.

Fruit and Veggies

Some dogs love chunks of fresh apple or carrot to gnaw on. If your dog is one of them, you have a perfect solution to the sensitive tummy issue. Pumpkins, green beans, broccoli, bananas, pears, peaches, strawberries, plums and pineapples are all healthy for treats, but give them in moderation until you see how your dog's sensitive tummy reacts. Remove stones and seeds from everything that contains them, particularly apples, peaches and plums. Never give your dog grapes, onions, avocado or most nuts, including almonds and pecans, because these can be harmful even to healthy dogs.

Boiled Chicken Chunks

Most dogs love chicken, and although some pooches may be allergic to it, the majority of veterinarians are comfortable recommending skinless, boiled chicken breast for dogs with sensitive tummies or bouts of diarrhea. Take this one step further by removing the breasts from the water once they are cooked through, allowing them to drain and then chopping them into tiny squares. Keep them refrigerated and feed them to your dog in small quantities when she needs a treat. The downside of chicken chunk treats is that you have to make small quantities of treats every couple of days, because they don't stay fresh for long. Alternatively, dry them out in the oven at 100 degrees for an hour. This will give them a slightly longer shelf-life and easier portability on walks and training sessions.

Grain-Free Liver Treats

As much as 10 percent of all dog allergies are food-related, with sensitivity to grains such as wheat, corn or rice being a primary cause. Make delicious grain-free treats for your furbaby using human-grade, organic calf liver.

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb organic calf liver

INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut the liver into strips of around 1/4-inch thick and lay them out on a baking sheet lined with paper. Bake them at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours. Remove them from the pan to cool and dry them out on a paper towel. You can keep these in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for several months.

Oatmeal Cookies

Veterinarian Doc Truli of the VirtuaVet website adapted this oatmeal cookie recipe specially for your pooch's sensitive tummy. Make only if your dog is tolerant to oats and wheat.

INGREDIENTS:
1 ¼ cup rolled oats
¾ cup boiling water
2 Tbs sesame oil
Pinch sea salt
3 – 4 tsp barley or rice syrup
½ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup cooked brown rice
3 Tbs sunflower seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:
Lightly roast oat flakes in a skillet on the stove, stirring them until they start to smell warm. Add 3/4 of a cup of boiling water and let them steep for 10 minutes. Drop in a tiny pinch of sea salt, sesame oil and barley or rice syrup. Add whole-wheat flour, cooked brown rice and sunflower seeds. Spoon onto an oiled baking tray in cookie shapes and bake them at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

By Tracey Sandilands

References:

VetInfo: Wheat Allergy in Dogs
Dog Treat Kitchen.com: Liver Training Treats Equals a Very Easy Dog Treat Recipe
VirtuaVet: Treat Recipes for Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs
VetInfo: The 4 Best Fruits and Vegetables for Dogs
MedicineNet.com: Diarrhea in Dogs: Causes and Treatment

About the Author
Tracey Sandilands has written professionally since 1990, covering business, home ownership and pets. She holds a professional business management qualification, a bachelor's degree in communications and a diploma in public relations and journalism. Sandilands is the former editor of an international property news portal and an experienced dog breeder and trainer.