When your dog frequently experiences an upset stomach, choosing the right food can become frustrating. With countless products promising improved digestion, how can pet parents determine what their dogs actually need? The answer often begins with understanding the underlying cause of digestive discomfort rather than simply changing food brands.
To help dog owners make informed nutritional decisions, Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM, Medical Director and Owner of Pure Paws Veterinary Care, shared her veterinary insights in an article published by the American Kennel Club (AKC) on the Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs.
The feature highlights her knowledge of canine digestive health, including food sensitivities, gastrointestinal conditions, dietary ingredients, and nutritional management. For pet parents throughout New York City, her contribution offers an opportunity to learn from a veterinarian who regularly cares for dogs in an urban environment.
Dr. Stephanie Liff Shares Veterinary Insights With the American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a nationally recognized organization dedicated to canine health, education, and responsible dog ownership. Its educational resources help families better understand their dogs’ physical health, behavior, nutrition, and everyday care.
In the AKC article, Dr. Liff explains that a sensitive stomach is a broad term used to describe digestive upset or mild gastrointestinal issues rather than a specific medical diagnosis. Digestive discomfort can originate in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract or involve an immune response, such as a food allergy.
She also discusses how stress, intestinal parasites, inflammatory conditions, viruses, bacteria, and dietary ingredients can contribute to recurring digestive problems.
Her contribution reinforces an important message: dogs experiencing persistent gastrointestinal symptoms need an appropriate veterinary evaluation before their owners begin experimenting with different diets.
Meet the New York Veterinarian Behind the AKC Feature
Dr. Stephanie Liff earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. She previously completed her undergraduate education at the University of Michigan and an internship at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Manhattan.
Today, she serves as Medical Director and Owner of all three Pure Paws Veterinary Care locations in New York City. Her professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery.
Her background in clinical veterinary medicine informs her approach to investigating digestive concerns, identifying possible underlying conditions, and helping pet owners understand appropriate treatment options.
Through contributions to publications such as the AKC, she also helps make veterinary information more accessible to families outside the examination room.
What Did Dr. Liff Explain About Sensitive Stomachs in Dogs?
One of the central topics in the AKC feature is the importance of recognizing that digestive symptoms can have several possible causes.
Common warning signs include:
- Repeated vomiting or regurgitation
- Loose stools or diarrhea
- Excessive gas and stomach noises
- Reduced appetite
- Straining during bowel movements
- Restlessness or unusual tiredness
- Frequent lip licking or drooling
These symptoms do not automatically indicate a food allergy. Parasites, infections, stress, and gastrointestinal inflammation may produce similar signs.
Dr. Liff also highlights stress colitis, a condition that can cause diarrhea following changes in a dog’s environment or routine.
For dogs living in busy New York neighborhoods, travel, boarding, unfamiliar surroundings, and disruptions to daily routines may contribute to stress-related digestive upset.
How Can Pet Parents Choose Food for Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs?
In the AKC article, Dr. Liff discusses several nutritional characteristics that can support digestive health.
Prioritize Digestibility and Balanced Nutrition
Highly digestible foods help dogs obtain nutrients efficiently. She recommends considering diets containing lean protein, moderate fat levels, and appropriate fiber.
Pet parents should also look for a nutritional adequacy statement indicating that the food is complete and balanced for their dog’s life stage.
Understand Food Allergies Before Eliminating Ingredients
Chicken, beef, and fish are among the proteins discussed as potential allergens. However, that does not mean every dog should avoid them.
When a food allergy is suspected, a veterinarian may recommend a controlled elimination diet to help identify a possible trigger.
The AKC article explains that an elimination diet should generally be followed exclusively for at least 12 weeks, with no additional treats or table scraps, when used as part of this type of evaluation.
Consider Fiber and Probiotics
Certain types of fiber can support stool consistency and intestinal function. Probiotics may also benefit some dogs by supporting their intestinal microbiome.
However, the appropriate product and amount depend on the dog’s condition. Supplements should not replace a veterinary assessment.
Change Diets Gradually
Switching foods abruptly can cause additional digestive upset. A gradual transition, often over approximately 10 days, allows the gastrointestinal system time to adjust.
Dogs with ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, or poor appetite should receive veterinary guidance rather than repeated unsupervised dietary changes.
How Our Veterinary Team Supports Dogs With Digestive Problems in NYC
At Pure Paws Veterinary Care, we believe effective treatment begins with understanding each patient’s medical history, symptoms, and nutritional needs.
Our veterinary services include wellness examinations, sick visits, diagnostic care, and nutritional consultations. When a dog experiences recurring digestive problems, our team can evaluate possible causes and recommend appropriate next steps.
Depending on the findings, this may involve laboratory testing, fecal examinations, dietary adjustments, or additional diagnostics.
With three locations in Hell’s Kitchen, Hudson Square, and Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, we serve pet parents throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and surrounding New York communities.
Our goal is to help families make informed decisions about their pets’ health while providing accessible veterinary care throughout different life stages.
Why This AKC Feature Matters to New York Pet Parents
Reliable veterinary information matters when a pet develops symptoms that are difficult to explain. Dr. Liff’s contribution to the American Kennel Club demonstrates her commitment to sharing clinically informed guidance beyond her own practice.
For dog owners, the article offers three important lessons: digestive problems should not be dismissed, food allergies require careful investigation, and nutritional decisions should reflect each dog’s individual health needs.
Her participation also gives New York families an opportunity to become familiar with the medical perspective behind the care provided at our veterinary hospitals.
Get Veterinary Guidance From a Team Recognized Beyond the Exam Room
Your dog’s digestive health deserves more than guesswork. Whether you are concerned about recurring stomach upset, possible food allergies, or choosing an appropriate diet, our veterinary team is here to help.
Dr. Stephanie Liff’s contribution to the American Kennel Club reflects the importance we place on informed veterinary care and pet owner education.
At Pure Paws Veterinary Care, we welcome families across New York City who want thoughtful, individualized care for their pets.
Contact our team or request an appointment online today. We look forward to helping you better understand your dog’s nutritional needs and supporting their long-term health.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was Dr. Stephanie Liff featured in the American Kennel Club article?
The American Kennel Club included her veterinary insights in an educational article about sensitive stomachs in dogs. Her contributions explain digestive symptoms, possible causes, food allergies, and nutritional considerations that help owners make informed decisions.
2. What does the AKC article recommend for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
The article emphasizes identifying underlying digestive problems before changing diets. It discusses highly digestible foods, appropriate fiber, balanced nutrition, and gradual dietary transitions, while encouraging owners to consult veterinarians about their dogs’ individual needs first.
3. Can changing dog food resolve recurring digestive problems?
Changing food may help when dietary intolerance or allergies contribute to symptoms. However, parasites, infections, and inflammatory conditions can cause similar problems. Veterinary evaluation helps determine whether nutritional changes alone are appropriate for treatment.
4. How can New York pet owners identify possible food allergies in dogs?
Owners should document recurring symptoms and discuss them with their veterinarian. A supervised elimination diet may help identify suspected allergens. Strict dietary consistency is important because treats and flavored medications can interfere with accurate results.
5. Does Pure Paws Veterinary Care provide nutritional consultations for dogs in NYC?
Yes. Our veterinary team provides nutritional guidance alongside preventive examinations and diagnostic services. Pet parents visiting our Manhattan or Brooklyn locations can discuss dietary concerns, digestive symptoms, and appropriate nutritional recommendations for their dogs’ health.
6. When should a dog with digestive symptoms receive veterinary attention?
Repeated vomiting, persistent diarrhea, blood in stool, or noticeable weight loss requires veterinary attention. Severe weakness, abdominal swelling, or repeated unproductive retching warrants emergency evaluation because these symptoms may indicate potentially serious medical conditions.
7. Where can pet parents in New York schedule veterinary appointments?
Pet parents can contact our veterinary offices in Hell’s Kitchen, Hudson Square, or Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. Our team welcomes new patients and provides examinations, nutritional guidance, diagnostic evaluations, and ongoing care for dogs experiencing health concerns.
