Dog food for Basset Hound with sensitive stomach

Sensitive stomach issues in dogs usually fall into a few categories — food intolerance, ingredient sensitivity, or a gut that just needs a simpler diet — and identifying which applies is the key to finding the right food. Before we get into specifics, it would help to know a bit more about your dog: what breed and age are they, what symptoms are you seeing (loose stools, vomiting, gas, or something else), and what have you tried feeding them so far?

That combination is really telling. Recurring ear infections alongside digestive symptoms — loose stools and gas — is a classic pattern in dogs with a food sensitivity, and chicken is one of the most common culprits. Basset Hounds are also prone to yeast-driven ear issues, and a diet that's triggering low-grade inflammation in the gut can absolutely show up in the ears too. The standard approach here is a proper protein switch — moving away from chicken entirely to a novel protein he hasn't been exposed to. Can I ask: has he ever eaten duck, salmon, or lamb as a main ingredient? And is he currently on any other foods or treats that contain chicken?

Good — duck is a solid choice then, and yes, swapping the treats matters more than people realise. Even small amounts of the offending protein can keep the immune response ticking over and the ear infections won't settle. My recommendation is Forthglade Complete Grain Free Adult Duck with Brown Rice & Vegetables. It's a wet food, which has a few advantages here: higher moisture content supports digestion, the ingredient list is short and transparent, and duck is the single named protein with no hidden chicken. It's gentle enough for a sensitive gut but nutritionally complete for a 7-year-old. For a Basset Hound his size you'd typically use it as a standalone meal rather than a mixer. Give it at least 6–8 weeks consistently — including clean treats — before judging whether the ear infections are improving.

Both matter, but for a dog showing digestive symptoms wet food does have a practical edge. It's easier to digest, has higher moisture which supports gut transit, and tends to have fewer additives and fillers than dry kibble. The shorter ingredient list also makes it easier to pinpoint problems if something doesn't agree with him. That said, the protein switch is the most critical change — if you preferred to find a grain-free dry food with duck as the single protein, that can work too. But if you want to give his gut the best chance to settle while also addressing the ear issue, starting with Forthglade's wet duck formula is the cleaner approach.

Gradually, always — especially with a sensitive stomach. Over about 7 days, mix increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old. Start around 25% new, 75% old for the first couple of days, then 50/50, then 75% new, and by day 7 you're fully transitioned. If you see a flare-up of loose stools mid-transition, just slow it down rather than stopping altogether. And remember — clean treats from day one, no chicken in anything. That consistency is what gives the dietary change the best chance of actually clearing those ear infections for good.