What are the best dog foods for dogs with a sensitive stomach? A guide to fresh dog food

Butternut Box was founded in 2016 by David Nolan and Kevin Glynn after David saw improvements in the health of his family dog when switching to feeding fresh, home-cooked food.

With the aim of putting the ‘food’ back in dog food, Butternut Box recipes only use whole, human-quality ingredients including juicy meat, flaky fish and tender vegetables. These are gently steam-cooked at 90C before being frozen to help preserve freshness and nutrients.

Every recipe is taste-tested before production, not just by dogs but humans, too. As the founders put it, “Good enough for us means good enough for them”.

While the company started with dogs’ digestive health in mind, its recipes can also be tailored to a range of dietary needs, including support for allergies, itchy skin, and weight management*, as well as dogs with no health concerns at all.

Although diet can play an important role in health, persistent symptoms should always be assessed by a vet.

What are the benefits of fresh dog food?

While dry food offers benefits such as convenient storage, wide availability and a long shelf life, fresh food typically provides advantages such as no ultra-processed ingredients, higher moisture content, full ingredient transparency, and personalised meal plans.

Recent peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition found that fresh dog food contained lower levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)** – these are compounds that are formed when food is cooked at very high temperatures. Research suggests accumulation of AGEs in the body may be associated with inflammation that may play a role in conditions such as kidney disease and arthritis**.

Fresh food could offer dogs the benefits of less intensive processing while still providing complete and balanced nutrition. The study also found that fresh food retained higher levels of certain nutrients, including lysine, an essential amino acid involved in growth and tissue repair**.

Is fresh food good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?

The most appropriate diet will always depend on the individual dog, their health needs and veterinary advice. However, fresh food can offer a greater variety of recipes and protein sources, which can help owners identify the options that best suit their dog's individual needs and what could be causing the issues.

There is also evidence to suggest that switching your dog to a fresh food diet could see an improvement in their overall health and digestion*.

How does Butternut Box food support dogs with sensitive stomachs?

While no single food is right for every dog, Butternut Box aims to support dogs with sensitive stomachs through gently cooked recipes, ingredient transparency and personalised meal plans.

Dogs with sensitive stomachs can react differently to certain ingredients, highly processed foods or sudden dietary changes. Because fresh food is not heavily processed, ingredients are more transparent, this makes it easier to identify what does and doesn’t agree with your dog’s stomach.

Working alongside vets and pet nutritionists, Butternut Box has developed recipes with carefully chosen, nutritionally beneficial ingredients. There are multiple grain-free and single-protein options to choose from. This has made it a popular choice among owners of dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Recent customer research found that 81 per cent of customers reported a positive change in their dog’s health, including better appetite, more energy and improved digestion, and 87 per cent said they felt more confident about their dog’s long-term health***.

Customer testimonies speak for themselves, with 4.8 out of 5 stars on over 43,000 reviews:

• “My dog has suffered with a dodgy tum on and off since he was a pup. However, since switching to Butternut, it’s improved overnight.”
• “My dog’s health has been transformed since her diet was changed to Butternut... she is a noticeably happier little dog.”
• “We have tried him on all sorts of different, shop-bought brands and nothing seemed to be helping... since switching to Butternut Box he has been so much better, and his breath has been a lot fresher too!”

How should you transition your dog onto fresh food?

If you are thinking of switching your dog to Butternut Box food, it’s important to remember that a sudden change to your dog’s diet can cause upset to even the strongest stomachs, so a gradual transition of around 10-14 days is recommended.

Which Butternut Box recipes should you start with?

Its chicken, turkey, game and veggie recipes are the best to start with, as they contain less than six per cent crude fat (total fat content). Some additional recommendations include:

• Start with one lean recipe
• Gradually increase the proportion of fresh food
• Monitor stool consistency and slow the transition if needed
• Feed smaller, more frequent meals, if appropriate

If sensitive stomach symptoms persist, seek veterinary advice. Butternut Box customers also get free support from their Vet Nurse team.

How does a Butternut Box subscription work?

The first step to a Butternut Box subscription is to set up a profile for your dog. This should only take a few minutes and you should receive their personalised plan right away.

Next, you’ll be given a selection of meals to choose from. These aren’t fixed choices, you’ve got the freedom to swap them at any time through your account.

The final step is delivery. After a few days, you’ll receive your first box and a welcome pack with instructions and tips on how to safely transition your dog onto their new food. Subscription settings can also be managed online – you have the freedom to pause, delay or cancel a box in a few clicks direct from your account.

How much does Butternut Box cost per month?

The cost per month will largely depend on the size of your dog and how much they need to eat. Food for smaller dogs (5-10kg) can cost as little as £2.10 per day whereas food for larger dogs (20kg+) can cost closer to £3.52 per day. Factors such as age, activity level, health and dietary requirements can also affect pricing.

While generally more expensive than many dry dog foods, a customer survey carried out in February 2026 found that 79 per cent of surveyed customers said the health benefits they had seen in their dog justified the price tag***, and 97 per cent said they would recommend Butternut Box to other dog owners***.

Can you freeze Butternut Box fresh dog food?

Yes. Butternut Box meals are frozen on the day they’re cooked to retain nutrients. Freezing is nature's method of preservation, meaning there's no need for artificial preservatives to be used in the food. They recommend keeping around five days' worth of food in the fridge so you’ve always got some ready to serve, and to keep the rest in the freezer until you need it.

If you ever find yourself with a surplus of Butternut Box food in your freezer and need a break, you can easily by hit pause from your account or amend your delivery day.

References

*Health Conditions | Butternut Box Help Centre

Sensitive Stomachs | Butternut Box Help Centre

Sensitive Skin | Butternut Box Help Centre

**A Comparative Analysis of Maillard-Derived α-Dicarbonyl Compounds and Advanced Glycation End Products in Fresh, Wet, Kibble, and Freeze-Dried Dog Foods https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.70053

New Peer-Reviewed Study Proves Fresh Dog Food is Best

***Butternut Box Customer Survey, February 2026. Sample sizes vary by question (n=5,751–6,340).