WHY DOES MY DOG'S BELLY SOUND?

It is common in some dogs that suffer from frequent digestive problems, in the elderly or when they eat "the wrong things". But it is really not normal that their bellies sound so much that it calls our attention.

There are different reasons for this, some more serious than others, which is why we are going to explain to you, so that you know when you are facing an emergency and when you are not.

OUR BUDDIES' DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Much like in humans, a dog's digestive system begins in the mouth, and is followed by the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus. Along the way, it is linked to organs such as the liver and the pancreas, which help in the process of digestion and excretion of waste.

The digestive system favours the passage of food through it with a series of peristaltic movements. If during digestion a large amount of gas has been produced or there is a lot of gas in the intestines during these movements, we will hear a lot of noises, which are called borborygms.

EATING TOO ANXIOUSLY MAKES THE GUTS SOUND:

If your dog has eaten a lot of food at once, it may have swallowed air and burped, regurgitated or overloaded its stomach. Depending on the amount ingested it may be necessary for a vet to supervise it. Sometimes they steal from the food bag and this can have serious consequences.

Even if the animal eats very eagerly, if it makes a lot of noises that do not stop after a few minutes, it should be examined by a vet as well.

IT'S A DOG WHOSE GUTS ALWAYS SOUND AND IT HAS A LOT OF GAS THAT SMELLS BAD

It is common in some breeds or individuals that due to problems with digestion they produce a fermentation that results in a large amount of gas that, when expelled, has a very bad smell. In this case it is necessary to analyse what is causing the digestive problems and try to improve their capacity to digest by providing probiotics or treating the problem that is affecting them (allergies, intolerances, viruses, bacteria, parasites...)

MY DOG’S BELLY SOUNDS, AND IT IS ALSO...

… VOMITING: If we are dealing with an animal that vomits and makes a lot of digestive noises, we may be dealing with gastritis. Whether it is viral, ingestion of food in a bad state, rubbish, parasitic, or the presence of a foreign body (for example, if it has swallowed a toy or an object that is obstructing its digestive tract), we are dealing with a serious health problem that requires a trip to the vet.

… HAS DIARRHOEA: it is normal that if an animal has diarrhoea, as it tends to increase the movements of the digestive system, we hear noises. If you know the origin of the diarrhoea and it is being treated, do not worry too much. But if everything has happened at once it is important to go to the vet.

The sound of guts together with other digestive symptoms are reasons for urgent consultation, both vomiting and diarrhoea can cause a rapid dehydration of the animal, so a diagnosis must be made and appropriate treatment given.

We know that there are animals with "delicate" stomachs and that when they consume something out of the ordinary they can show these symptoms. In some cases, a soft diet based on rice or potatoes and carrots can help regulate this. But it is very important to rule out other causes as a viral or parasitic problem. The ingestion of a foreign body or more serious illnesses such as inflammation or tumours may require more specific treatments and if we treat them in time we can save the lives of our little buddies.

THEIR BELLIES SOUND BECAUSE THEY’RE HUNGRY

At present, in animals with a home this should never happen, so we encourage you to have feeding schedules, two or three times a day in which you give them the dose that corresponds to their weight, and although throughout the day you can give them some treats that are always quite standardised to avoid frights.

In the case of abandoned dogs that are very hungry or sick animals with anorexia, this can happen.

5 TIPS TO AVOID SCARES THAT GIVE RISE TO DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS:

-we'll try not to leave food within reach of the dog

-we'll give you the right amount, we'll not leave your bowl full

-to prevent him from eating things from the rubbish, from the street or from being offered by people (even if they are familiar and do it with love, sometimes human food causes a lot of trouble to our little buddies)

-try not to play with objects or toys that can be swallowed

-vaccinate and deworm on the dates indicated by your vet, prevention is always better

María González.
Founder of Refugio La Vida Color Frambuesa and vet for VeggieAnimals.