Your pet is an individual with individual needs. Taste and tolerance are highly subjective in each individual. Not every dog or cat can tolerate the same food, sometimes leading to stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting. Science Diet by Hill's produces two types of dry pet food for animals with sensitive stomachs, one for dogs aged one to six and one for cats aged one to six.
Function
Science Diet adult sensitive stomach food is designed for animals that have trouble digesting normal commercial pet foods. In addition to fats, proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates, many pet foods include additives such as artificial flavors, coloring agents and preservatives. Different foods contain nutrients from different sources. As with humans, some animals have or develop sensitivities to certain ingredients. Sensitivity manifests as an upset stomach, loose bowels, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or itchiness. The makers of Science Diet food for sensitive stomachs claim that the combination of high-quality ingredients reduces or eliminates the occurrence of these problems by improving bowel function, digestion, immune system health and nutrient absorption.
Nutrition Data for Cats
Science Diet sensitive stomach for adult cats contains 405.5 calories per cup of food. The food is 35.1 percent proteins, 21.8 percent fats and 37.0 percent nitrogen-free extract carbohydrates. Crude fiber content is one percent. The food contains 0.82 percent calcium, 0.71 percent phosphorus, 0.32 percent sodium, 0.67 percent potassium and 0.055 percent magnesium. Additionally, the sensitive stomach science diet food for cats contains taurine, an essential nutrient that cats cannot synthesize in their bodies. Science Diet sensitive stomach contains 0.22 percent taurine. Vitamin C is included at the rate of 133 mg per kg of food, while vitamin E is included at the rate of 714 IU per kg of food.
Nutrition Data for Dogs
Science diet sensitive stomach for adult dogs contains 363.5 calories per cup. The formula consists of 25.2 percent protein, 15.5 percent fat and 52.2 percent nitrogen-free extract carbohydrates. Crude fiber makes up 1.6 percent of the formula. The formula includes 0.70 percent calcium, 0.64 percent phosphorus and 0.37 percent sodium. Science Diet sensitive stomach for dogs contains 0.72 percent potassium and 0.084 percent magnesium. Additionally, vitamin C is present at the rate of 207 mg per kg of food and vitamin E at 575 IU per kg of food.
Ingredients
Both formulas contain brewer's rice, corn and corn derivatives, animal fat, eggs, oat fiber and the necessary vitamins and minerals required for health. Both the cat and dog Science Diet sensitive stomach foods contain chicken and chicken flavorings and rosemary extract. Vitamin E derivatives and citric acid are used as preservatives. The cat formula exclusively contains pork. Only the canine formula contains flaxseed, soybean oil and dried beet pulp.
Considerations
Not all products in the Science Diet line of pet foods are appropriate for animals with sensitive stomachs; only the sensitive stomach formula is indicated for this reason. Some animals can experience stomach upset when switching foods, even to a sensitive stomach formula. To avoid this, mix a portion of your animal's old food with larger amounts of the Science Diet sensitive stomach formula over a course of days when switching foods as recommended by the manufacturer. Speak to your veterinarian if any adverse reactions occur, including or not limited to intense stomach upset, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, a refusal to eat or an increase in or loss of thirst. Young animals or animals that are nursing or pregnant have different nutritional needs. Speak to your veterinarian before feeding these animals Science Diet for sensitive stomachs.
References
- Hill's Science Diet: Adult Sensitive Stomach - Dry - Dogs
- Hill's Science Diet: Adult Sensitive Stomach - Dry - Cats
- "Nutrition for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses"; Ann Wortinger; 2007.
- "The Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians"; Joanna Bassert, Dennis McCurnin; 2009.
