Dogs with sensitive stomachs can turn snack time into a whole dramatic situation fast. One day they’re begging like they haven’t eaten in a week, and the next day a basic treat makes their belly gurgle like a washing machine.
That’s exactly why homemade treats are such a lifesaver. You control the ingredients, skip the weird fillers, and you can actually figure out what your dog handles well. Plus, you stop wasting money on expensive “sensitive” treats that still somehow cause problems.
These recipes are simple, dog-safe, and made for pups who need a gentler snack. And yes, I’ve tested versions of all of these with dogs who act like they’re food critics.
Table of Contents
1. Pumpkin Oat Belly-Friendly Biscuits
Sensitive stomach dogs usually react badly to rich treats, but they still want something crunchy to gnaw on. This pumpkin oat biscuit is one of the safest go-to options because it uses simple ingredients that most dogs tolerate well. The texture comes out lightly crunchy, not rock-hard, so it’s easy on older teeth too. This is the one my dog acts obsessed with, even though it smells like plain oatmeal to me.
Ingredients
- Pumpkin puree (plain, unsweetened)
- Rolled oats
- Egg
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Rice flour
- Cinnamon (tiny pinch, optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Blend the rolled oats into a rough flour using a blender or food processor for a smoother biscuit texture.
- Mix pumpkin puree, egg, and Greek yogurt in a bowl until it looks creamy and smooth.
- Add the oat flour and rice flour slowly, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough out and cut into small biscuit shapes to keep portions stomach-friendly.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm and lightly golden around the edges.
- Let the biscuits cool completely before serving so they don’t upset your dog’s stomach.
Why Your Dog Will Love It
Pumpkin has a smell dogs seem to trust instantly, and oats give the treat that satisfying chew. The biscuits also have a mild flavor, which picky sensitive dogs usually prefer. The crunch makes them feel like a “real treat” without being greasy.
Tips
Use extra oat flour if the dough feels sticky and annoying to work with. Break them into tiny pieces for training treats without overfeeding. Store them in an airtight container for 5–6 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
2. Soft Banana Rice Bites for Picky Bellies
Some dogs can’t handle crunchy treats at all, especially if their stomach issues come with food sensitivities. These soft banana rice bites are gentle, slightly chewy, and super easy to digest. They work great for dogs who get weird about new flavors because banana is naturally sweet without being harsh. My dog doesn’t even chew these properly, which tells you everything you need to know.
Ingredients
- Ripe banana
- Cooked white rice
- Egg
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Oat flour
- Unsweetened applesauce (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and lightly grease a baking tray.
- Mash the banana until it’s smooth, with no big chunks left behind.
- Stir in cooked rice and mix until the mixture looks thick and sticky.
- Add the egg and yogurt, then stir until everything blends evenly.
- Sprinkle in oat flour gradually until you get a scoopable batter.
- Drop small spoonfuls onto the tray, keeping them bite-sized for easy digestion.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until the tops feel set but still soft.
- Cool completely before serving, because warm treats can be too rich for sensitive pups.
Why Your Dog Will Love It
These smell sweet and comforting, which makes dogs instantly interested. The soft texture makes them perfect for puppies, seniors, or dogs who inhale food like they’re in a contest. They also work well as a quick reward without upsetting the stomach.
Tips
If you want firmer bites, add a little more oat flour before baking. Use them as a post-walk snack when your dog needs something gentle. Keep them refrigerated for 4 days, or freeze them for 6 weeks.
3. Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Gut Cubes
Dogs with sensitive stomachs usually do better with cold treats than heavy baked ones, especially in warmer months. These frozen yogurt cubes are refreshing, easy to portion, and packed with gentle probiotics. Blueberries add a little natural sweetness without turning it into a sugar bomb. My dog literally sits next to the freezer when he knows I’m making these, which is honestly embarrassing for him.
Ingredients
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Fresh blueberries
- Pumpkin puree
- Water (if needed for blending)
- Honey (tiny amount, optional for adult dogs only)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add yogurt, blueberries, and pumpkin puree to a blender.
- Blend until smooth, adding a splash of water only if the mix feels too thick.
- Pour the mixture into silicone molds or an ice cube tray.
- Tap the tray gently on the counter to remove air bubbles and level the mix.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours until fully solid.
- Pop out cubes and store them in a freezer-safe bag.
- Serve 1 cube at a time, especially if your dog is sensitive to dairy.
Why Your Dog Will Love It
The cold texture feels like a reward, and dogs love licking frozen treats because it keeps them busy. Blueberries give a fruity smell that grabs attention fast. The yogurt makes the flavor creamy, which most dogs go crazy for.
Tips
If your dog is dairy-sensitive, use lactose-free plain yogurt. Serve these as a cool-down treat after walks or as a crate distraction. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months for easy grab-and-go snacks.
4. Gentle Chicken and Sweet Potato Training Nibbles
Training treats disappear fast, and sensitive dogs can’t handle random store-bought ones every day. These chicken and sweet potato nibbles are soft, protein-packed, and easy to break into tiny pieces. Sweet potato helps keep digestion steady while chicken gives that meaty smell dogs can’t resist. This is the treat that makes my dog suddenly remember every command he’s ever learned.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken breast (plain, no seasoning)
- Mashed sweet potato
- Egg
- Oat flour
- Parsley (optional, small amount)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet.
- Shred or finely chop cooked chicken breast so it blends easily into the dough.
- Mix chicken and mashed sweet potato until it looks evenly combined.
- Add egg and stir until the mixture becomes sticky and thick.
- Add oat flour slowly until you can roll the dough without it sticking everywhere.
- Roll into a flat sheet and cut into tiny cubes or bite-size squares.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until the pieces feel firm but not dry.
- Cool completely before feeding, because hot chicken treats can upset stomachs.
Why Your Dog Will Love It
Chicken makes dogs instantly excited, even the picky ones who act like everything is suspicious. The soft texture works perfectly for training since it doesn’t crumble. It also smells like real food, which is basically dog currency.
Tips
Bake them a little longer if you want a chewier texture instead of soft. Use them as high-value training treats for recall practice. Store in the fridge for 5 days, or freeze for 2 months.
5. Apple Oat Crunch Coins (No Dairy Option)
Some sensitive-stomach dogs also struggle with dairy, which makes treat shopping extra annoying. These apple oat crunch coins skip dairy completely and still come out crunchy and satisfying. Apples add natural sweetness without being too rich, and oats keep things gentle. I like making these when I want a treat that feels “normal” but won’t start stomach drama later.
Ingredients
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Rolled oats
- Egg
- Rice flour
- Coconut oil (small amount)
- Cinnamon (optional pinch)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 340°F (170°C) and prepare a parchment-lined tray.
- Mix applesauce and egg in a bowl until smooth and glossy.
- Stir in rolled oats and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to thicken naturally.
- Add rice flour slowly until you get a dough that holds together well.
- Add a small spoon of coconut oil for a slightly crispier finish.
- Roll the dough out and cut into small coin shapes.
- Bake for 22–28 minutes until firm and lightly browned.
- Let them cool completely so they crisp up properly.
Why Your Dog Will Love It
These have a mild apple scent that dogs find weirdly addictive. The crunch makes them feel like a real biscuit, which dogs love. They also break cleanly, so you can control portions easily.
Tips
If the dough cracks, add a little more applesauce to soften it. Serve as a midday snack or crumble them over food as a topper. Store in an airtight container for 1 week, or freeze for 2 months.
6. Turkey and Pumpkin Mini Meatballs for Sensitive Dogs
Some dogs don’t want biscuits, they want meat, and they want it now. These turkey and pumpkin mini meatballs work great for sensitive stomachs because turkey is usually easier to digest than beef. Pumpkin adds fiber to help settle digestion, and the meatballs come out soft and juicy. My dog hears the oven beep and starts acting like he pays rent in this house.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Pumpkin puree
- Egg
- Oat flour
- Finely shredded carrot
- Plain cooked rice (optional for extra binding)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray.
- Mix ground turkey and pumpkin puree in a bowl until fully combined.
- Add egg and shredded carrot, then stir until the mixture looks evenly mixed.
- Sprinkle in oat flour until the mixture holds its shape without being too dry.
- Roll into mini meatballs, about the size of a grape, to keep portions safe.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Cool completely, then cut one open to check the inside isn’t pink.
- Serve in small amounts and avoid giving too many in one sitting.
Why Your Dog Will Love It
The smell alone makes dogs lose their minds because it’s basically dinner in snack form. The soft texture works great for dogs with dental issues or picky chewing habits. It also feels like a “real reward,” which makes training easier.
Tips
Add a spoon of cooked rice if the mix feels too wet to roll. Use them as a meal topper or special reward after grooming. Store in the fridge for 3–4 days, or freeze for 2 months.
7. Simple Salmon Skin and Oat Crunch Strips
Dogs with sensitive stomachs often still crave that strong fishy smell, and salmon treats usually cost way too much. These salmon oat crunch strips give you that high-value flavor without the weird preservatives. They bake into a firm, crunchy strip that you can snap into pieces. My dog becomes a full-on stalker when these are in the oven, so fair warning.
Ingredients
- Cooked salmon (boneless, plain)
- Rolled oats
- Egg
- Pumpkin puree
- Rice flour
- Water (only if needed)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray.
- Flake the cooked salmon carefully and check for any sneaky bones.
- Blend oats into a coarse flour so the dough holds together better.
- Mix salmon, pumpkin puree, and egg until it forms a thick paste.
- Add oat flour and rice flour, stirring until you get a dough-like texture.
- Press the mixture flat onto the tray and shape it into a thin rectangle.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, then slice into strips while still warm.
- Bake another 10 minutes if you want them extra crunchy, then cool completely.
Why Your Dog Will Love It
Salmon smells intense in the best dog way possible, and it instantly gets attention. The crunchy texture gives dogs something satisfying to chew. These are especially good for dogs who get bored with bland treats.
Tips
If the dough feels too dry, add a tiny splash of water to make it spreadable. Break strips into small pieces for high-value training rewards. Store in the fridge for 4–5 days, or freeze for 2 months.
Final Thoughts
Sensitive-stomach dogs don’t need boring snacks, they just need smarter ones. Once you start making treats at home, you’ll notice how much easier it is to avoid random stomach issues and picky-eating tantrums.
Try one recipe at a time, keep portions small, and pay attention to what your pup handles best. Rotating a few gentle treat options makes life easier, and honestly, your dog will act like you’re the best chef on earth either way.
I’m Pallab Kishore, the owner of Little Pets Realm — an animal lover and pet care enthusiast sharing easy tips, healthy recipes, and honest advice to help every small pet live a happy, healthy, tail-wagging life.