Why Your Dog’s Stomach Might Be Making Noise

Stomach Pain in Dogs

Just like humans, dogs can make all kinds of strange noises from various parts of their body. One noise that you might hear them make is stomach gurgling. When this happens, you will probably wonder why they are making these noises. Here is a look at what is normal when it comes to stomach gurgling and some of the possible causes of your dog making this noise.

What is Stomach Gurgling?

The scientific name for a dog’s stomach gurgling is borborygmi, says Dogster. This medical term simply describes the sound that is made when gas moves around the intestines. Having some gas in the intestines is perfectly normal, and it is also normal for the intestines to have bouts of activity when the contents are moved around. When movement happens, the gas is also moved and this results in borborygmi. Normal stomach gurgling is quiet, although you can hear it if you put your head on your dog’s tummy. Occasionally, the stomach gurgling can become loud and you could possibly hear it from the other side of the room. Although this is not normal, it does not necessarily indicate that there is a problem.

What About Loud Stomach Gurgling?

The two main causes of loud stomach gurgling are an excess of gas in the intestinal tract or an abnormal increase in intestinal activity. Sometimes, the increases in gas and intestinal activity can occur at the same time.

Is Gurgling a Sign of Hunger?

According to Pet MD, a common cause of louder stomach gurgling is hunger. When the dog has not eaten, the intestinal tract has fewer contents and this can make the noises louder. This is most common first thing in the morning before you have given your dog its breakfast or whenever they have gone a while without eating a meal. The simple solution to resolve the loud stomach rumbling, in this case, is to feed your dog.

Is It a Tummy Upset?

While most stomach gurgling is normal, sometimes there is another cause of the noises that you should worry about. Care.com says that loud gurgling noises are sometimes a sign of a more serious gastrointestinal issue. One common reason for this is that the dog has eaten something that they shouldn’t. Dogs are well-known for pinching things from the trash can if they get an opportunity to do so, and this means that they can eat food that doesn’t agree with them and food that is past its best. In most cases, these gastrointestinal issues are not serious. However, the gurgling is often followed by vomiting and diarrhea. If this continues, then you will need to take your dog to see the vet for an examination and treatment. Similarly, suddenly changing your dog’s diet can cause them to have some problems at first. You should introduce a new diet slowly to reduce the risk of your dog struggling to adapt to their new diet.

Other Possible Causes of Stomach Gurgling

There are also some other possible causes of a dog’s stomach gurgling. Some of these include the following:

  • Intestinal parasites
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
  • Metabolic problems
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Gastrointestinal foreign bodies
  • Toxicities
  • Glandular disorders
  • Cancer of the intestines

What Should You Do About Your Dog’s Stomach Gurgling?

Now that you know that some stomach gurgling is normal, but that there are also some other potential causes, you also need to know what you should do about these issues. If the gurgling begins in the morning before you have fed your dog, then the most likely cause is hunger. Once you have fed your dog, this issue will resolve itself. The time when you should be concerned about stomach gurgling is when it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea. When this happens, it is always best to seek the advice of a veterinarian. If your dog is suffering from regular bouts of borborygmi accompanied by either vomiting or diarrhea or both, then it is possible that the dog is suffering from a chronic intestinal disorder that requires the attention of a vet. Dogs suffering from these conditions often need to take medication or have further procedures to resolve the issue.

Is Stomach Gurgling Painful?

Whether stomach gurgling is painful or not depends on the cause of the stomach gurgling. If your dog is hungry, they won’t feel too much pain and any discomfort they are feeling will go away once they have been fed. Similarly, an excess of gas may cause them a little discomfort from bloating, but this is not usually too serious. On the other hand, stomach gurgling that is caused by a gastrointestinal issue is usually painful. Your dog will get painful stomach cramps, especially immediately before they vomit or have a bout of diarrhea. When a dog is in pain, they may also show signs of lethargy and they may have a loss of appetite. If your dog is in pain, then the cause of the pain needs investigating further at an appointment with a veterinarian.

Dog Stomach Gurgling – The Final Verdict

Dog stomach gurgling, or borborygmi, is a natural phenomenon that is caused by gas and intestinal contents moving around inside the intestinal tract. This is usually quiet and nothing to worry about. Similarly, if the gurgling is louder but it occurs when your dog hasn’t been fed for a while, hunger is the most likely cause, and this is also nothing to worry about as feeding the dog will resolve the issue. However, louder gurgling and gurgling that is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea is a cause for concern, and there are many potential causes of this. Although the most likely cause is the dog eating something that does not agree with it, there are some potentially serious causes and chronic conditions. The only way to diagnose the cause is to take a trip to the vet for an examination. The vet can then advise you about the best treatment for your dog.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.