Acid Reflux in Dogs

Can dogs get acid reflux? Yes, they can. Acid reflux can affect dogs as well as humans. It’s a condition that can occur when gastric or intestinal fluids move from the stomach into the esophagus.

An organ called the sphincter, which is positioned at the lower end of the esophagus, helps to control the flow of those fluids but if that doesn’t function properly or relaxes, it can lead to acid reflux.

Acid reflux is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD, or acid reflux, in dogs is a common disorder but is often mistaken as heartburn, and isn’t always easy to diagnose.

In dogs, just as with humans, it can lead to a painful and uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest, making it difficult to swallow food or even water. 

In some cases, acid reflux can cause more serious damage, too, including erosion of the tissues in the esophagus in addition to increasing the risk of esophageal ulcers.

Read our quick go-to guide to acid reflux in dogs to learn:

• Symptoms of acid reflux in dogs include bad breath and burping
• There’s a wide range of causes, including obesity
• A change of diet often helps
• In rare circumstances, treatment can involve surgery

It can be difficult to observe acid reflux in dogs, as it’s an internal sensation not easily visualized by behavior. There are some clues though; typical symptoms of acid reflux in dogs include:

• Gurgling or burping sounds after eating
• Persistent bad breath
• Weak vomiting and retching or coughing accompanied by small amounts of vomit
• Whining while eating
• Eating a bit, demonstrating discomfort, then resuming eating.
• Wheezing
• Excessive salivation
• Weight loss
• Lethargy

If your dog exhibits these symptoms, you should schedule a visit to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

While acid reflux on its own may not be serious, the intrusion of acid can irritate the esophagus, leading to narrowing, thinning or even necrosis. 

Additionally, passive regurgitation can cause vomit to enter the lungs, where it can cause severe damage.

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, can require a trip to the vet to help your dog recover. Having a good pet insurance policy can cover the cost of treatment – compare plans from leading providers in seconds using our online tool.

What causes acid reflux in dogs? There are a number of potential causes, and it can be a complicated issue.

A hiatal hernia is often the culprit in cases of acid reflux in dogs. This is a structural defect characterized by the top of the stomach protruding through the diaphragm where the esophagus alone is meant to go. This can weaken the ability of the esophagus to close and allow acid to invade the esophagus.

Obesity can also be a major culprit. The increased fat masses can constrict the gastroesophageal space and force acid up the esophagus. High blood calcium, detectable with a small blood sample, may also be contributing to excessive production of stomach acid.

But, those are just two examples of potential causes. Other common causes of acid reflux in dogs can include:

• Excessive production of acid in the stomach
• Underproduction of acid in the stomach 
• A foreign body or an object that’s been swallowed and affects the throat
• Reaction to anesthetic after surgery
• Hiatal hernia
• Eating inappropriate food (i.e. spicy human food)
• Obesity
• High blood calcium
• Food allergies

In addition, younger dogs may be at more potential risk of developing acid reflux because the sphincter hasn’t fully developed.

Certain breeds are also more susceptible. Brachycephalic breeds  — those with flat faces — are particularly prone to suffering from acid reflux. Why? This is because dogs of this type have a shorter esophagus. Popular brachycephalic breeds include the Pug, Bulldog and Boxer.

Taking certain medications, such as prednisone, also can also increase the risk of acid reflux.

If you notice your dog showing symptoms of acid reflux — including struggling to eat meals, and exhibiting pain or discomfort during and after eating — you should see the veterinarian right away. Remember, if left untreated, acid reflux can cause many additional complaints, including more serious long-term damage to your dog’s esophagus.

In order to diagnose the condition, the vet may want to listen to your dog’s chest after a feeding to identify whether acid reflux might be occurring. If acid reflux is suspected, an endoscopy may then follow. 

Endoscopy involves sedating the dog and viewing the esophagus with a camera on a long, flexible scope. This allows any ulcers, inflammation or tumors to be visualized and identified.

When acid reflux has been diagnosed, your vet will look into why it’s happening — and then discuss how to treat acid reflux in your dog.

Treating acid reflux in dogs can be approached in a couple of ways, depending on the underlying cause. But, quite often, simple diet changes are the most effective way to treat the condition, and this can be done at home. 

If you’re wondering what to feed a dog with acid reflux, this usually entails breaking down meals into smaller, more frequent portions. You could feed your pet several small meals of easily-digestible food like plain boiled chicken, rice, and blanched broccoli. 

Kibble can induce acid reflux in dogs if given dry, so making more of a ‘cereal’ type mix by adding a cup of water can help. If the condition persists, switching to more hydrated food like chicken and broccoli is often helpful. Medication may be prescribed with the intention of moving the food along its path.

Ask your vet for any suggestions of a natural antacid for dogs. Some foods — ripe bananas are one — are believed to have properties that can soothe discomfort from acid reflux and indigestion-type pain.

If your vet suggests changing your dog’s regular food to help treat acid reflux, exploring options with our online partner Dog Food Advisor is a good place to start. Here, you’ll find lots of recommendations, including best low fat dog foods and best dog food for weight loss.

In more serious and rare cases, surgical intervention may be required to correct serious hernias or ulcers. This will depend on the nature of the underlying condition and the severity of the presentation — it may be possible to perform the surgery endoscopically, which is minimally invasive and usually holds a swift recovery. Any anomalous growths should be biopsied and tested for cancer.

In many moderate cases, a dog will recover relatively quickly from acid reflux. You may see an improvement soon after implementing changes recommended by your vet — feeding your dog less food more frequently, managing weight in the case of obesity, and varying your pet’s diet with healthy alternatives often works effectively. You may consider making these changes permanent.

In general, acid reflux in dogs is a manageable, if occasionally uncomfortable condition, but you should continue to monitor your pup’s behavior if it flares up again.

If there’s no improvement, your dog may need ongoing medication and treatment — don’t hesitate to speak again with your vet.