Developed by veterinary nutritionists
Meets highest quality standards
Manufactured in a FDA Registered Facility
TL;DR: Dog stomach gurgling, medically known as borborygmi, is usually the normal sound of gas and fluid moving through the digestive tract. While hunger or fast eating are common causes, loud noises accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or a refusal to eat can signal a serious issue like a bowel obstruction or infection requiring immediate veterinary care.
Borborygmi is the medical term for the normal sounds of gas and fluid moving through your dog's intestines during digestion.
An empty stomach acts like an echo chamber, making normal digestive juices and muscle contractions sound much louder.
If the gurgling is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or a refusal to eat, it is time to call your veterinarian.
Adding a high quality digestive supplement to your dog's diet can help balance gut bacteria and reduce excessive gas production.
Dog stomach gurgling is caused by peristalsis, the natural process of smooth muscles contracting to push food, water, and gas through the gastrointestinal tract. This process creates rumbling sounds medically known as borborygmi.
Most of the time, these sounds are completely harmless. The most common benign cause is simple hunger. When your dog's stomach is empty, there is no food to muffle the sounds of digestive juices moving through the system. The empty stomach acts like a hollow pipe, echoing the natural contractions of the gut.
Another frequent culprit is swallowed air. Dogs who eat their meals too quickly or pant heavily after exercise tend to swallow significant amounts of air. This air must eventually pass through the digestive system, creating loud gurgles along the way. Certain dog food allergies or sensitivities can also increase gas production, leading to a noisier than usual tummy.
However, an increase in stomach noise can sometimes precede a bout of gastrointestinal upset. If your dog has eaten something unusual from the garbage or is experiencing the early stages of diarrhea, the rapid movement of fluid through their intestines will create noticeable rumbling.
You should contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog's stomach gurgling is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, severe diarrhea, lethargy, or a complete refusal to eat. These red flags indicate that the noise is a symptom of a larger medical issue rather than normal digestion.
A veterinary emergency can occur if your dog has ingested a foreign object like a sock or corn cob. This creates a bowel obstruction, and the loud gurgling is the sound of the intestines working overtime trying to push contents past the blockage.
Other serious conditions that cause excessive stomach noises include Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, or bacterial infections like Salmonella or E. coli. These conditions disrupt normal digestion and require professional medical treatment.
Perhaps the most critical emergency associated with stomach issues is Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat. If your dog's stomach is visibly swollen, hard to the touch, and they are pacing or attempting to vomit without bringing anything up, this is a life threatening situation that requires immediate surgical intervention.
Understanding the difference between normal digestion and signs of illness can save you a stressful trip to the clinic. Use this comparison to help evaluate your dog's symptoms.
| Symptom | Normal Digestion | Potential Medical Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Timing of Noises | Right before meals or immediately after eating | Constant, intense rumbling that lasts for hours |
| Appetite | Eager to eat, normal hunger levels | Refusing food, turning away from favorite treats |
| Energy Level | Active, playful, normal behavior | Lethargic, hiding, reluctant to move |
| Posture | Relaxed and comfortable | Hunched back, "praying" position, guarding the belly |
| Bathroom Habits | Normal, firm stools | Diarrhea, straining to poop, or no stool production |
If your dog is acting completely normal but has a noisy stomach, you can try several safe home remedies to settle their digestion. The first step is to ensure they have access to plenty of fresh water, as hydration keeps the digestive tract moving smoothly.
For dogs that eat too fast, switching to a slow feeder bowl is an excellent solution. These bowls feature built in ridges that force your dog to work around obstacles to get their kibble, significantly reducing the amount of air they swallow during meals.
You can also try splitting their daily food allowance into smaller, more frequent meals. Feeding three or four small meals instead of two large ones prevents the stomach from remaining empty for long periods, which directly reduces hunger related gurgling.
If your dog is experiencing mild gas, a brief walk around the neighborhood about thirty minutes after eating can help stimulate normal digestion and allow them to pass gas outdoors.
The food your dog eats plays the most significant role in their overall digestive health. Diets high in difficult to digest carbohydrates or poor quality proteins often lead to excessive fermentation in the colon, producing large amounts of gas and loud stomach noises.
Providing your dog with probiotics for dogs is one of the most effective ways to support a quiet, healthy gut. Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract, which helps break down food more efficiently and reduces the buildup of excess gas.
If your dog struggles with chronic stomach issues, adding a high quality supplement to their routine can make a dramatic difference. A comprehensive dog nutritional supplement like Ruff Greens VitaSmart provides essential digestive enzymes alongside probiotics. These enzymes actively break down the nutrients in your dog's food, ensuring maximum absorption and minimizing the undigested waste that feeds gas producing bacteria.
Transitioning to a highly digestible diet and avoiding sudden food changes will also keep your dog's digestive system stable. When introducing any new food or supplement, always do so gradually over five to seven days to allow their gut microbiome time to adjust.
1. Why is my dog's stomach gurgling so loud I can hear it across the room?
Loud gurgling is usually caused by an empty stomach. Without food to absorb the sound, the normal movement of digestive juices and muscle contractions echoes loudly. It can also be caused by excessive gas from eating too fast or consuming hard to digest foods.
2. Should I feed my dog if their stomach is making noises?
If the noises are due to hunger and your dog is acting normal, feeding them their regular meal is perfectly fine. However, if they are vomiting or having diarrhea, it is best to withhold food for 12 to 24 hours and contact your veterinarian for advice.
3. Can stress cause my dog's stomach to gurgle?
Yes, stress and anxiety can significantly impact a dog's digestive system. High stress levels can slow down the emptying of the stomach and increase panting, which leads to swallowed air and subsequent stomach noises. Calming supplements may help anxious dogs.
---
Written By
Have a Promo Code?
Enter your code below to receive your free trial.
Just pay shipping with your special offer.
Use code: FREETRIAL and pay only shipping
