What is Acid Reflux?
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.
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 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:
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
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Dogs
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.
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.
Causes of Acid Reflux in Dogs
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:
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.
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.
Diagnosis of Acid Reflux in Dogs
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.
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.
Treatment of Acid Reflux in Dogs
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.
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.
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Recovery of Acid Reflux in Dogs
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.
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.
Acid Reflux Average Cost
From 42 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$900
Top
Acid Reflux Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Rottweiler
5 years old
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lip Licking
I give my dog Pepcid for acid reflux. Should I switch her over to a PPI or anH2 blocker?
She has normal activity & weight and she never gets table scraps. She on a prescription diet of HIlls Multi-benefit and Purina EN. She had 4 colitis episodes when I got her 3 years ago so she was put on this diet.She has not had a colitis episode in 18 months.
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
Without knowing more about her, I cannot comment on which medication would be best for her. You may need to try different medications and see which ones work best for her. That would be something to work with your veterinarian on, as they are more familiar with her situation.
Oct. 19, 2020
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Red heeler/chihuahua mix
Some months
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Wheezing, Burping, Weak
My dog doesn't look like himself. He's weak and he looks like he's going to throw up, but its just air that comes out.
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
6 Recommendations
Hello so sorry to hear about your dog. If your dog is a puppy we worry about parvovirus and he needs to see a vet soon. You can try a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice but from the way that you are describing your dog's condition, I am really worried that something more serious is going on and he needs to see a vet right away.
Sept. 25, 2020
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Shih tzu poodle
Two Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Regurgitation, Air Licking, Coughing, Grass Eating
Hello,
My dog has been vomiting/regurgitating for the last 12 hours. I’ve take her to the vet and they can visibly see nothing wrong with her (no visible foreign body). They suspect she’s having an acid reflux attack. They gave her an anti-nausea injection and a medicine to coat her throat before eating. However, this was over 7 hours ago and I have not seen any improvement in her condition. If there something I can do to settle her? I’ve seen so many suggestions like withholding food, giving low protein meals, pumpkin etc. I just don’t know what to do! She’s never had this before
Aug. 2, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello-
I’m sorry your pet is not feeling well. If she is continuing to have episodes of regurgitation I would recommend returning to your veterinarian or taking her to a veterinary ER and considering hospitalization with IV fluids and IV supportive care medications.They can recheck x-rays to make sure nothing has changed and perform blood work to assess organ function. When pets are vomiting IV fluids can help with their dehydration and the IV medications tend to work better than oral medications when they aren’t tolerating oral medications. I hope she feels better soon!
Aug. 2, 2020
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Labrador Retriever
1.5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Acid Reflux
When my dog was about 2-3 months old the vet had diagnosed her with acid reflux. They said she was going too long between meals and I was to give her a milk bone before bed to help her stomach at night. I did this for awhile, but then she was starting to throw up a yellow bile in the middle of the day as well so I started to open feed her which she does really well with and we’ve had less episodes of the puking. She is about a year and 7 months now and still pukes the bile here and there, but it’s usually because she didn’t eat much that day. My concern now is it’s a little pink in color.
July 19, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question .
If she has not eaten anything that would explain the color change, that might be blood tinged, and there may be a problem with chronic esophagitis. She may need to be on some antacids, and it would be a good idea to have her seen by your veterinarian so that they can examine her and see what might be going on. They will be able to recommend medications for her to help with the problem.
I hope that she is okay.
July 19, 2020
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Shorkie Tzu
Charlie Bear
3 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Runny Nose
Burping
Eating Grass
Licking Lips
Hacking
Vomiting Yellow Bile
Horse Bark
Charlie has been throwing up yellow bile since she was a few months old, between 5-6 in the morning she would need to get up and either just throw up or go eat grass to make herself do it. Then she started verping (throw up burp) I can smell it on her breath. Unless I keep something in her stomach she will do this. I have has to switch her food many times due to allergies, then kidney stones. Now we are dealing with the acid stuff finally. I have her on a really good food for the kidney stones and I had blood work and x-rays done so far with a clean bill of health yet she still wakes in the middle of the night in pain. I am just afraid the acid has done more harm than I know. I have an apt for a consult to get an endoscopy done. Hoping that will show something, but the challenge is the allergies, kidney stones with the GERD, no one makes a combo food for all that. :(
Aug. 28, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
It seems that a consult for an endoscopy is a good idea for Charlie, given her combination of signs and issues. Until you have the results from the endoscopy, you are doing all that you can. One would hope that the endoscopy will give some answers as to what the underlying problem is for her.
Aug. 28, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
Coal
21 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
Separation Anxiety
Burping
Bad Breath
Smacking Lips
I think my dog may have acid reflux. Our vet said he had mild bronchitis, but his symptoms are ongoing, even after medication was given. His temperament is normal. He is a lab, so he inhales his food. We got him a slow feeder to help with the burping, and started feeding him in smaller quantities more frequently. If anyone has any advice on this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Acid Reflux Average Cost
From 42 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,500
Average Cost
$900
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
