Do Pitbulls Have Sensitive Stomachs? Symptoms and How to Handle It
Even though Pit Bulls are not picky eaters, finding the proper diet for them can be challenging as some dogs have more sensitive stomachs than others.
If you have a dog with a sensitive stomach, you will need to be very careful about the kind of food it eats to avoid causing it further problems.
So, do Pitbulls have sensitive stomachs? Some Pit Bulls do have sensitive stomachs. This can be a condition they’re born with or it can be developed later on in their life due to a disease or a bad diet. Symptoms of sensitive stomachs in dogs include unstable appetite, vomiting, gassiness, frequent diarrhea, bloating, and lack of energy.
Keep reading to learn more about what causes Pit Bulls to have sensitive stomachs, what to feed Pit Bulls with sensitive stomachs, and how to treat stomach problems.
This article has been reviewed and edited by a vet, but it doesn’t replace your own vet. Please see your vet for specific and trusted advice. This site DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE and all the information provided here is meant for informational purposes only.
What Causes Pit Bulls to Have Sensitive Stomachs?

Pit Bulls are prone to have sensitive stomachs. It can be a condition that they’re born with, as some dogs are born with certain conditions that may cause a sensitive stomach, or it can be developed later on in their life due to several causes.
So, let’s take a look at some of the causes of sensitive stomachs in Pit Bulls:
Allergies
One of the main causes of sensitive stomachs in dogs is allergies. Some dogs are born with allergies to certain foods, which could cause to have stomach problems.
It’s important to discover which foods the dog is allergic to and be careful about introducing new foods into their diet to avoid triggering an allergic reaction.
Diseases
Another cause of sensitive stomach in dogs is being sick with any kind of disease, whether it’s a disease that specifically affects the dog’s stomach, such as parasitic infestations, or a disease that requires the dog to take a lot of medication.
Certain diseases and the medications prescribed to treat these diseases can have a side effect of impacting the dog’s appetite and may hinder the dog’s ability to digest food properly and normally.
Bad Diet
The meaning of ‘bad diet’ might vary from one dog owner to another, but it generally refers to any kind of diet that’s doing more harm to your dog than good.
Bad diets include any kind of food that contains little to no nutritional value as well as too many preservatives and artificial additives.
However, even if your dog is eating only healthy, nutritious foods, they might still have a sensitive stomach because its diet is not consistent or because it’s eating more food than it needs to.
When planning your dog’s diet, you need to introduce the new food gradually and avoid making sudden changes. You also need to make sure you’re not overfeeding your dog by limiting the number of times it eats in a day.
How to Tell That Your Pit Bull Has a Sensitive Stomach?
There are many symptoms of digestive problems in Pit Bulls, which vary depending on what’s causing them.
You can generally tell if your dog has a sensitive stomach when the symptoms are chronic.
The symptoms of a sensitive stomach in dogs include having an unstable appetite, vomiting, excessive gassiness, frequent diarrhea, bloating, and lack of energy.
There might also be some symptoms associated with food allergies, such as itching, scratching, skin inflammation, hair loss, red eyes, heavy breathing, and swelling in some body parts.
Make sure to keep track of all the symptoms your dog exhibits after eating, so you can get the right treatment for your dog and adjust its diet accordingly.
What to Feed Pit Bulls with Sensitive Stomachs?

If your dog does have a sensitive stomach, it’s recommended to consult a vet about what to feed your dog so you wouldn’t upset its stomach and cause it to have any digestive problems.
Generally, dogs with sensitive stomachs shouldn’t eat any foods with preservatives, artificial additives, sugar, or grains. It’s best for the dog to get all its nutrients from natural sources, especially when it comes to proteins.
The easiest way to make sure that your dog is eating natural foods is to feed it homemade meals, as you will have more control over the ingredients you put in your dog’s meal.
When it comes to treats, it’s also best to avoid store-bought treats as they’re high in preservatives and artificial additives. Instead, you can prepare your dog’s treats at home using natural ingredients or even leftovers.
How to Treat Stomach Problems in Pit Bulls?
The first step to treating stomach problems in Pit Bulls is to determine what’s causing them.
For example, if an allergic reaction causes the dog’s stomach problems, you need to figure out which food triggered the reaction and then remove it completely from its diet.
Meanwhile, if a sudden change in its diet causes the dog’s stomach problems, you need to reverse that change and give it a few days to recover before trying to make any other changes.
When making any change to the dog’s diet, you need to introduce the new food gradually over the course of several days to give your dog’s stomach enough time to adjust.
There’s no cure for sensitive stomachs in Pitbulls, but you can minimize their stomach problems as much as you can by improving their diet and making sure it doesn’t contain any foods that will upset their stomach.
You might also want to consult with a vet to see if they can give your dog probiotics to improve its digestive health. These probiotics will help break down the dog’s foods, extract nutrients, and protect its gastrointestinal system against any pathogens.
Related Questions
Can Pit Bulls Eat a Raw Diet?
Pit Bulls can eat a raw diet. However, many veterinarians advise against it. That is because raw foods are harder for the dog’s stomach to break down than cooked foods which could cause the dog to develop various digestive problems. It also puts it more at risk of bacterial infections such as salmonella.
When Can Pit Bull Puppies Eat Adult Food?
Pit Bull puppies can eat adult food when they are about 18 months of age. When changing your dog’s diet, you need to introduce the adult food gradually over the course of several days to avoid causing your dog to develop any digestive problems or trigger an allergic reaction.
I have a guide on when and how to switch your Pitbull from puppy foods to adult foods here.
How Many Meals a Day Do Pit Bulls Need?
Pit Bulls need about two meals a day, along with some snacks and treats in between. It’s recommended to divide the dog’s daily calorie intake proportionately over these meals. It’s also recommended to match the timing of the dog’s meals to your own meals to help the dog adjust to a routine.
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