My Dog's Stomach Is Making Noises: 11 Causes and Solutions
Is your dog's stomach making lots of noises?
Should You Be Worried About Your Dog's Weird Stomach Noises?
If your dog's stomach is making weird noises, you may be concerned about all that rumbling. A lot of weird noises can't mean anything good, right?
Perhaps that's because we are used to associating our own stomach rumbling with hunger pangs, excessive gas, and increased motility that may lead to diarrhea. Therefore, your next question is, are dogs' stomach noises also indicative of similar digestive processes?
Whether you refer to the noise as rumbling, growling, gurgling, or grumbling, gut noises in dogs often lead to dog owners chuckling, making funny remarks, or simply shrugging them off as just another quirky aspect of owning a dog.
Usually, concerns arise when the noises are excessive, prolonged, or particularly loud, but how concerned should you be?
In this article, veterinarian Dr. Ivana Crnec, a graduate of the University Sv. Kliment Ohridski’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bitola, Republic of Macedonia, shares some causes of stomach noises in dogs and solutions to common problems.
Is It Normal for a Dog's Stomach to Make Noises?
“My dog’s stomach is making noises” is a common concern among pet owners. Loud stomach noises or borborygmi in dogs are normal in some cases but worrisome in others. Let’s look at each and go over when it's a good idea to call the veterinarian.
How Does the Dog’s Stomach Work?
A dog’s stomach works by digesting food. The stomach is a muscular organ that collects and digests food. The stomach produces gastric juices rich in acid and enzymes, which break down food.
Food stays in the dog’s stomach for around four to eight hours and, once partially digested, moves forward into the intestines.
Do Dog’s Stomachs Normally Make Noises?
Yes, the dog’s stomach normally makes noises. Noises develop when gas moves through the gastrointestinal tract. Gas is formed when food breaks down and is produced by the dog’s gut bacteria.
When gas moves, carried by peristalsis (normal gut movement), it creates a specific gurgling or rumbling sound. Normal stomach noises, however, are quiet and do not get noticed unless the pet owner pays special attention.
What Are Borborygmi in Dogs?
Borborygmi is the scientific term for loud stomach noises. Borborygmi are high or low-pitched and are accompanied by contractions, which are sometimes even felt if touching the abdomen.
Occasional borborygmi are normal in dogs, while loud and persistent stomach noises indicate underlying problems that require veterinary attention.
Just as is in humans, dog stomachs may occasionally rumble
Why Is My Dog’s Stomach Making Loud Noises?
Your dog’s stomach is making loud noises for several reasons, including aerophagia, hunger pains, dietary indiscretions, sudden food changes, food allergies and intolerances, intestinal parasites, IBD, bowel obstruction, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, infectious GI tract diseases, and endocrine conditions.
1. Aerophagia (Swallowing Air)
Aerophagia is the term describing swallowing air. Dogs swallow excess air when eating too fast, or they're anxious. Aerophagia is more common and pronounced in flat-faced or brachycephalic dog breeds such as Bulldogs and Pugs.
Offer small but more frequent meals to reduce the risk of aerophagia. Mixing the kibble with wet dog food helps, too. Brachycephalic dogs require corrective surgery to overcome air swallowing and to ensure easier breathing.
2. Hunger Pains
Hunger pains are normal and possible reasons for gurgling stomach noises. The dog’s stomach, once empty, starts preparing for a new meal. To be ready when food comes, the gastrointestinal tract produces juices that produce noise when normally moving.
An empty stomach is much louder than a full belly because no food can neutralize the noises. Hunger pains are a natural occurrence in dogs and do not require special treatment.
3. Dietary Indiscretions
Dietary indiscretion is an umbrella term referring to the canine habit of eating inedible items, spoiled food, or even poop and garbage. Dietary indiscretions are widespread among dogs but are particularly common in puppies and certain breeds like Labradors and Golden Retrievers.
The typical signs of dietary indiscretions include stomach upset, primarily diarrhea and vomiting. However, the exact clinical manifestation and treatment depend on exactly what the dog ate and in which amount.
4. Sudden Dog Food Changes
The dog’s stomach is a delicate organ, despite popular belief. Dogs get used to eating certain foods, and switching from one brand to another, or even one flavor to a new one, results in stomach upset.
An upset stomach in canines triggers diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, reduced or absent appetite, and increased stomach noises.
Always switch dog food gradually: start by mixing small portions of the new formula with the old one and slowly increase the amount of the new food.
5. Food Allergies and Intolerances
Food allergies and intolerances in dogs often result in borborygmi and general stomach problems, including vomiting and diarrhea. Common allergens include chicken, beef, dairy, and grains, while lactose is a frequent culprit of intolerance.
Diagnosing food allergies in dogs is challenging and entails a so-called food trial (the dog is fed a strict and limited diet, and then various foods are reintroduced to find out which causes allergy symptoms). The treatment is based on avoiding foods with allergenic potentials.
6. Intestinal Parasites
Heavy parasitic infestations sometimes cause borborygmi in dogs. Some of the most commonly seen worms in canines include roundworms (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina), tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia species, and Echinococcus species), whipworms (Trichuris vulpis), and hookworms (Ancylostoma).
Intestinal parasites feed on the dog’s nutrients, causing malnourishment, poor coat quality, and even anemia. Keeping dogs up-to-date on dewormers is the best way of preventing worms and their harmful effect.
7. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a specific type of chronic gastrointestinal tract disease. The cause of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs is unknown, but bacteria, parasites, stress, and food allergies/intolerances are suspected risk factors.
Certain dog breeds are at a higher-than-average risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease. Common examples are Weimaraners, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Irish Setters, Wheaten Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Norwegian Lundehunds.
Inflammatory bowel disease manifests with chronic vomiting and/or chronic diarrhea and is often accompanied by changes in appetite, abdominal pain, and borborygmi.
The IBD treatment is complex, including a combination of special diets, drugs, and vitamin B12 supplements.
8. Bowel Obstruction
Dogs are prone to swallowing inedible items (socks, corn cobs, toy parts, bones), as previously mentioned. The items often get stuck somewhere along the gastrointestinal tract, causing a bowel obstruction.
When there is a bowel obstruction, gas builds up prior to the foreign body. The accumulated gas makes more audible stomach noises, among other symptoms. Bowel obstruction is a potentially fatal condition and requires emergency veterinary attention.
9. Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE)
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or HGE, is a GI tract condition manifesting with jelly-like diarrhea tainted with copious amounts of red (fresh) or black (digested) blood.
HGE has a higher incidence in small-breed dogs (Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Shelties, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Bichon Frise') and dogs prone to stomach sensitivities.
Bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, inappetence, pale gums, and increased stomach noises are typical signs of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Dogs with HGE are usually hospitalized and treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and symptomatic therapy.
10. Infectious GI Tract Diseases
Loud stomach noises are one of the clinical signs of bacterial and viral infections affecting the dog’s digestive tract. Other signs of infectious GI tract diseases include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, etc.
E.coli and Salmonella are the most frequent causes of bacterial infections of the dog’s digestive tract, while Parvovirus is the most widespread viral agent.
The treatment for dogs with infectious GI tract diseases depends on the exact pathogen and is multimodal, including intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and symptomatic medications.
11. Endocrine Conditions
Certain endocrine conditions in dogs, in some cases, result in stomach issues and manifest with borborygmi. Examples of such hormonal imbalances include hyperadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease) and hypothyroidism.
Endocrine conditions slow down the food’s passage through the digestive tract, allowing more time for gas buildup. The accumulated gas makes noises.
The treatment for dogs with endocrine problems depends on the exact condition and is complex and always life-long. Dogs with hormonal imbalances must also be closely monitored and seen by a veterinarian.
When to Call the Vet for Loud Stomach Noises in a Dog?
Call the vet for loud stomach noises in a dog if they persist for over a day or are accompanied by other symptoms. Symptoms to monitor for include vomiting (or retching), diarrhea, reduced or absent appetite, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
Loud stomach noises in dogs are not specific to any condition, meaning the vet will have to order diagnostic tests and procedures to determine the underlying cause and recommend a treatment plan.
Are Borborygmi in Dogs Life-Threatening?
Borborygmi in dogs are not life-threatening on their own. However, the causes that trigger borborygmi are potentially fatal in some cases, especially if left untreated.
What Is the Treatment for a Dog With Noisy Stomach?
The treatment for a dog with a noisy stomach depends on the underlying cause and ranges from something as simple as a deworming pill to something as complex as surgery.
Dogs with loud stomach noises require individually tailored treatment plans. The veterinarian will suggest the best treatment strategy based on the cause and the dog’s overall health and age.
Can I Relieve My Dog’s Borborygmi at Home?
Yes, you can relieve your dog’s borborygmi at home in some situations. Home remedies are an option if the vet ruled out severe problems. These include:
- Feeding a bland diet (chicken and rice) for a couple of days
- Trying different dog food that is highly digestible and fiber-rich
- Using dietary supplements like probiotics and prebiotics
- Ensuring easy access to fresh drinking water
Are Stomach Noises in Dogs Preventable?
Depending on the underlying conditions, stomach noises in dogs can be prevented. Feeding a nutritious food that agrees with the dog’s stomach reduces the risk of borborygmi.
Offering smaller but more frequent is also helpful. Dogs that like to gulp down food benefit from slow-feeding bowls and mats.
Other tips for preventing loud stomach noises include using supplements for gastrointestinal health, practicing gradual dog food changes, and ensuring easy access to fresh drinking water.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
© 2024 Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST
