It’s common to hear a new dog owner say: My dog’s stomach is gurgling: what does it mean? If you live with dogs long enough (or have had too many dogs) you’ll realize their intestines work just like ours. Meaning, it’s quite normal to hear some soft gurgling from time to time. But when should you worry?
Let’s dig more into the meaning, causes, and remedies of the noises coming from your dog’s stomach.
Why Is My Dog’s Stomach Gurgling Really Loud?
The good news is that this funny noise coming from your dog’s belly is perfectly normal. There’s even a scientific name for it: Borborygmi.
Ever wondered what these noises are?
Simple, they’re the sound of gas and fluids moving inside your dog’s intestines. However, they’re typically muffled or quiet.
If you wake up one morning to hear loud gurgling from your dog’s stomach, you need to watch out. These noises may have benign meanings, such as:
Hunger
Your little friend may be just hungry! Hunger is one of the most common causes of this rumbling sound coming from your dog’s stomach.
The normal stomach noises can be a little louder if your dog is hungry. After all, an empty stomach has more gas than solids, which amplifies the sounds.
Diet Change
If your dog is anything like mine, you’ll relate!
Every now and then, I find my little puppy foraging for food in the most unusual places. Dogs are curious by nature. That’s why, they usually eat things they shouldn’t, and that’s enough to cause an upset stomach with such loud rumbling.
But wait, before you blame your little furry friend, have you added anything new to your dog’s diet lately?
This gurgling can be because of that new type of food. Usually, these sounds are just a normal reaction, but they could also be a sign of allergies to the new food type.
Take it from me, don’t settle for less than the best quality nutrition for your dog.
Excess Gas
Have you noticed your dog’s eating habits? Some dogs tend to eat or drink really fast; if your dog is one of them, read on!
When dogs eat or drink too fast, air gets into their system with the food. That translates into excess gas in their intestines, which is a primary reason for loud gurgling noises.
Fortunately, you can train your dog to eat slower. That can help you limit the amount of excess gas and remedy the problem.
Stress
Dogs are like children; if they’re stressed or anxious, their tummies hurt!
Stress and anxiety usually reflect on the dog’s GI tract. If your dog is passing through a period of stress for any particular reason, you may hear loud stomach noises.
Dogs easily get stressed too. You should always start by removing the stressor and trying to calm your dog’s anxiety.
Diarrhea
Watch out! A loud gurgling noise can be a warning sign of diarrhea. If you hear sudden loud noises coming from your dog’s stomach, take them potty.
You can later trace the reason for the dog’s diarrhea. If the problem persists, talk to your vet immediately.
Gurgling in the Morning vs. Gurgling at Night
Think about it; it’s just common sense. Don’t you think that a morning gurgling sound is more likely to mean hunger? It’s the night gurgling that comes after dinner you should worry about.
That said, you still need to keep an eye out for the other symptoms. Morning stomach noises don’t necessarily mean hunger. They may indicate more serious conditions.
When Should I Worry About My Dog’s Stomach Gurgling?
Just like with babies, the gurgling of your dog’s stomach is alarming if it’s accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Smelly gas
- Stool with unusual color
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody stool
- Regurgitation
- Tensed or bloated belly
If you notice any of these additional symptoms, call your vet right away. Your dog may be suffering from a medical emergency that requires immediate care.
Is Excessive Stomach Gurgling Bad?
A moderate amount of stomach gurgling is OK.
Similar to the human stomach, dog’s tummies naturally emit sounds as gas moves through the intestines. That means that the gut is functioning properly and the intestines are doing their job – so there’s no need to worry.
However, excessive, persistent, and loud stomach gurgles are bad. These sounds may indicate a serious problem, ranging from food allergies to fatal diseases.
What Diseases Cause Stomach Gurgling?
Sometimes the noises you hear are more than just an upset stomach. A gurgling stomach can be the result of several medical conditions, including:
Intestinal Parasites and Bacteria
The most common clinical cause for your dog’s tummy noises can be the overpopulation of parasites and bacteria in the guts.
These nasty infections include Salmonella and E. coli. They’ll reproduce to take over your beloved pet’s intestines and produce excessive gas.
Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that affects young dogs between six and 20 weeks old. If your dog is older and vaccinated, you don’t need to worry; they’re less likely to get it.
Keep an eye out for symptoms such as sudden fever, lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, and diarrhea.
But good news! This virus can be treated, depending on its strain and the severity of the symptoms.
Bowel Obstruction
Remember that curious nature we talked about? Dogs may also eat solid inedible objects that block their intestines.
Bowel obstruction, also known as intestinal blockage, happens when the dog’s intestines get totally or partially blocked.
You can tell that this happens if your dog suffers from bloating, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and general weakness. Act fast to save your furry friend because bowel obstruction can be fatal.
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (Bloat)
Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is what we commonly know as bloat, and it’s deadly serious.
Let’s explain it in easy terms:
When the stomach gets filled with gas, it starts to bloat.
The first alarming sign is an enlarged hardened stomach. No one knows how it hits or how to prevent it, but this disease is more likely to be seen in large deep-chested dogs or dogs that are always fearful or anxious.
Once you notice the first sign, speak to your vet. Otherwise, the stomach twists, preventing the movement of food or fluids in or out; that’s the volvulus.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis can hit very healthy puppies in the blink of an eye. No one really knows how or why!
Believe me, you’ll notice the symptoms right away, as it’s hard to miss explosive bloody diarrhea and frequent vomiting. But don’t worry; it can be treated if given immediate attention.
What Do Loud Bowel Sounds Indicate?
Loud bowel sounds can have a variety of meanings. If your dog is healthy, they can be pretty normal.
What Are the 4 Types of Bowel Sounds?
To check whether your dog has a bowel problem, place an ear to their tummy and listen for one of these four types of bowel sounds:
Borborygmi
That’s the normal sound you hear when air or gas moves through the intestines. It’s a healthy indication that your dog’s guts are doing fine.
Hypoactive Sounds
Hypoactive sounds are when you hear no or very little sound even when you put your ears close to your pet’s tummy. Don’t panic! It’s normal for the stomach to be silent during sleep, after bowel surgery, or with certain medications.
Hyperactive Sounds
Hyperactive sounds are the exact opposite!
They’re the excessive noise you hear from your dog’s guts. They can be normal for short periods. Otherwise, they may indicate several health issues.
Hollow Tinkling Sounds
Now that’s the alarming one! Once a hollow tinkling sound comes from your dog’s bowel, consult your vet. It’s most probably bowel obstruction.
What Are Signs of a Bowel Infection?
Bowel infection is an umbrella term referring to several disorders. It’s basically any disease caused by bacteria or parasites in any part of the dog’s bowel.
Here’s what a bowel infection may be:
Colitis
Colitis is an inflammation or irritation that hits the dog’s colon or large intestines. You don’t necessarily have a hand in that! It comes from food allergies, bacterial infections, or parasites.
You can’t miss the first signs with frequent defecation and traces of blood or mucus in the dog’s stool.
Gastroenteritis
When the inflammation hits the dog’s stomach and small intestines, it’s Gastroenteritis. It can be due to parasites, viruses, and eating spoiled food.
The first symptom every pet parent notices is diarrhea. Your poor pet may also suffer from vomiting, lethargy, and general discomfort.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Sometimes, inflammatory cells overgrow in the dog’s digestive tract and large intestines, That’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It’s a serious problem that damages the lining of the digestive tract and prevents the digestion of food.
Bowel infections aren’t the only cause of this problem. Your dog’s genes or weak immune system may also be the reason. Talk to your vet fast as it makes the poor dog very sick with vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.
How Can I Help My Dog with a Gurgling Stomach?
If your dog’s stomach is gurgling quietly and over long intervals, you have nothing to worry about.
Even if it gets a little louder, you’re still on the safe side, especially if these noises aren’t accompanied by any additional symptoms.
Do the sounds bother you?
No problem! Here are some home remedies to try:
Divide Your Dog’s Meals
I know it’s easier to just give your dog one hearty meal, and that’s it. I used to do that too – until my vet told me otherwise.
Giving your dog numerous meals makes it easier for the digestive tract to break down the food.
More frequent meals won’t leave your dog too long on an empty stomach. That, in turn, reduces the gurgling you hear, which also translates into more comfort for your furry friend.
Prevent Your Dog from Overeating
Don’t leave a full feeding bowl for your dog to eat freely all day. When dogs get bored, they overeat, which causes problems in their gastrointestinal tract.
Overeating makes the job of the dog’s digestive system very hard. That can result in lots of gas and a noisy stomach.
Take Your Dog for Walks
Enjoy relaxed walks with your dog after each meal. In fact, gentle exercise has helped me and my dog digest food faster and better.
Don’t go running or do anything intensive! It may lead to bloating, which means more gas and stomach gurgling.
Relieve Your Dog’s Stress
If you notice any strange behavior, your dog might be stressed. Dogs are moody and can get stressed for very simple reasons.
Stress can be a major cause of GI tract problems. It slows down the digestion process, keeping the food inside the stomach for long. Relieve it to stop the loud stomach noises.
Offer Your Dog a Treat
Believe it or not, it can all be just anxiety!
When dogs get anxious, they tend to pant heavily and swallow air. That causes gas and noises in their intestinal tract. Relieve your dog’s anxiety with a tasty treat, a fun toy, or a soothing hug.
Keep Your Dog Hydrated
It’s basic science; water is a key element. Fresh water can soothe the noises in your dog’s upset stomach.
Water makes digestion easier. It facilitates the movement of food inside your dog’s GI tract. In addition, water is important for muscle contractions.
Offer Your Dog Sensitive Diets
Just like with your food, be picky with your dog’s diet. Use a diet suitable for sensitive stomachs, which can be easier to ingest, reducing the movements and sounds in your dog’s bowel.
Add prebiotics and probiotics to your dog’s diet to soothe any inflammation. You know how the doctor tells you to eat more fiber? Your dog needs it too to facilitate the digestion process.
Help Your Dog Eat Slower
Some dogs tend to eat fast. Don’t worry if yours is like that; training does magic! To reduce stomach gurgling, train dogs to eat slower.
Try a slow feeder bowl; it has helped me a lot. This bowl usually contains a puzzle or a toy to keep the dog busy while eating.
Talk to Your Vet
Even if you think it’s nothing, call your vet once you suspect something isn’t right. We might not be able to point out the problem, but the vet can.
Stay tuned for any symptom to help the vet make the right diagnosis. Your vet will tell you if additional tests are required.
Conclusion
My dog’s stomach is gurgling: what does it mean?
Well, it can mean many things, such as hunger, stress, or gas. However, super loud gurgling noise can also indicate some major health problems.
If your dog’s stomach makes loud and persistent noises, it may be due to bowel infections, inflammations, parvovirus, or bowel obstruction.
Fortunately, there are home remedies for that problem. For instance, you can help your dog with a slow-feeding bowl, a soothing treat, or a more balanced diet.
It’s always a good idea to speak with your vet before trying anything, though.
