7 Reasons Your Dog’s Stomach is Gurgling and Making Noises

Is your dog’s stomach making some strange noises? The technical term for this is borborygmi which describes the normal rumbling, gurgling, and squeaking sounds that are made during digestion. But what causes this noise and why?

And what should you do if your dog’s stomach is making more noise than normal? But “usually normal” isn’t the same as “always nothing.” Stomach noise that’s noticeably louder than your dog’s baseline, paired with other symptoms, or showing up alongside a skipped meal can be worth a closer look.

Below, we’ll walk through what’s actually causing the rumbling, when it’s nothing to worry about, and the specific signs that mean it’s time to call your vet. Let’s explore some common reasons for loud stomach sounds as well as when to seek help.

If your dog is otherwise well, and they have recently had something to eat, then the chances are that their stomach sounds are normal. Just as our stomachs make occasional noises, dogs will too. The gastrointestinal tract moves food along its length through regular muscular contractions known as peristalsis.

This means that the digestive tract is not still, it is having regular waves of motion, with ingesta (food and water) being squeezed along. This can result in occasional sounds occurring.

Sometimes eating or drinking too quickly can cause an increase in the volume of these sounds, as can eating something outside of their normal diet, which can be a bit alarming to new pet owners!

Our tummies rumble when we are hungry, and so do our dogs! When the stomach and intestines are empty of food, they will still contain digestive fluids and gas. As these move around inside the digestive system, they make a variety of noises like squeaks and rumbles.

As well as stomach sounds, your dog may also show behavioral signs that they are hungry like begging for food, pacing, or searching for food. Your dog’s stomach noises should decrease once they have been fed.

Some dogs suffer from food intolerances or allergies. Intolerance means that your dog struggles to properly digest certain foods. Dogs can be intolerant to a wide array of things such as lactose (the sugar within milk). Allergies occur when an inappropriate immune response is triggered, usually in response to a protein. Common allergens include the proteins found in many dog diets, such as beef, chicken, or pork.

As well as increased stomach sounds, your dog may suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and increased gas. Some animals with allergies can also have skin symptoms including increased itchiness and skin inflammation.

If your vet is suspicious of a dietary allergy or intolerance, then they may suggest a strict dietary trial. During this time your pet must only be fed the prescribed diet, to see if their symptoms resolve.

Dogs with stress or anxiety issues can suffer from tummy troubles. For some dogs, they may have diarrhea, as well as increased stomach sounds. Stress can be caused by an array of things, but common triggers include a trip to boarding kennels, a house move, a new family member joining the household, and loud noises like fireworks.

Stress causes a rise in cortisol in the body which diverts blood away from the digestive tract to places like the brain and muscles (‘fight or flight’ mode). This means that normal digestive processes can be reduced during times of stress, leading to a decreased appetite, reduced gut motility, and increased gas levels. All of this can cause extra loud stomach sounds.

A whole array of infectious diseases can cause a change in gut sounds, as well as other symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, appetite changes, and increased gas. These include bacterial infections such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter.

These can be picked up from environmental contamination or through eating raw, uncooked meat. Owners that feed raw diets need to take care to practice good hygiene because humans can also contract these bacteria from handling their pets, as well as the raw meat itself.

Viral infections like Canine Distemper Virus and Canine Parvovirus can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and could even be fatal. Thankfully we can vaccinate dogs against these diseases.

Internal parasites can also affect our pet’s digestion leading to an increase in stomach sounds. Routinely de-worming your pets is important to ensure they are not carrying parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms.

Anything that is obstructing the digestive system can change our pet’s gut sounds. A foreign body, such as a piece of bone, corn on the cob, or a chewed sock, can cause a serious blockage in the digestive tract.

This can lead to issues like gas buildup, which will change the way the loudness of dog’s stomach. Other symptoms of a foreign body can include vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) is an emergency condition that could cause changes in your dog’s stomach sounds. In affected animals, the stomach fills with gas (bloat) and then twists on itself becoming obstructed. This needs immediate veterinary attention as it can be fatal if left untreated. Dogs suffering from GDV will be unproductively trying to vomit, have abdominal pain, and could collapse.

In some cases, tumors can obstruct the digestive tract, which could lead to changes in gut sounds.

There are many different conditions affecting the digestive tract that can cause your dog’s stomach to make strange sounds. Pancreatitis is caused by inflammation of the pancreas, a small organ that releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine.

When this is not functioning properly changes in digestion can occur, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and changes in gut sounds. Dogs suffering from pancreatitis require pain relief and supportive therapy.

Inflammatory bowel disease can affect a dog’s ability to digest their food properly which can lead to some strange sounds, as well as weight loss and diarrhoea. Similarly, animals suffering from kidney or liver malfunction can suffer from knock-on effects in their digestive system.

When Should I Call the Vet?

There are many reasons why your dog’s stomach might be making strange sounds, so it is important to look at the overall picture. If your dog is clinically well and going about their normal business, then there is usually no need to seek help.

However, if your pet is showing any of the following symptoms, alongside their strange stomach sounds, then call a vet for advice –

• Diarrhea
• Increased flatulence
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain
• Swollen abdomen
• Collapse

Vet Visit: What to Expect

In many cases, a rumbly belly is either normal or due to a mild gastrointestinal upset. In these cases, your vet may suggest a change of diet or some probiotics to help aid their digestion.

However, if your pet is showing some more serious symptoms alongside their increased stomach sounds then they may need to investigate further. Your vet may suggest blood work, diagnostic imaging (such as X-rays and ultrasound scans), or fecal samples.

Treatment will depend on your vet’s findings but could involve surgery for a foreign body or GDV, anti-parasite treatment in the case of parasites, or supportive treatment for an underlying health condition like pancreatitis or kidney disease. Your vet will advise you on the best route forward for your pet.