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Stomach Making Noises in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 07/22/2017Updated: 11/04/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What are Stomach Making Noises?
It is normal for a dog’s stomach to sometimes make gurgling and rumbling noises. The noises are usually caused by gas moving through the digestive system. The medical term for gas moving within the intestines is called borborygmus. Usually borborygmus is not audible, unless you place your ear against your dog’s stomach. If your dog is having frequent, loud noises coming from within his stomach it could be a sign of a serious condition. Additional symptoms to watch out for include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, fever and diarrhea.
A noisy stomach may be caused by:
- Intestinal parasites
- Hunger
- Swallowing air
- Pancreatitis
- Foreign object in the gastrointestinal tract
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Why Stomach Making Noises Occurs in Dogs
Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites can make dogs very sick. Some intestinal parasites can also be transmitted to people. Intestinal parasites can be a very serious problem in puppies (causing poor growth and development). Common intestinal parasites include hookworms, roundworms, tapeworm, coccidia and giardia. Intestinal parasites can cause a swollen abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, failure to absorb nutrients, emaciation, intestinal obstruction and lethargy.
Hunger
Hunger may be causing the gurgling and rumbling in your dog’s stomach. Hunger pain noises are more common prior to breakfast or before dinner. Many veterinarians suggest 2 or 3 smaller meals instead of one meal. An empty stomach can cause your dog to vomit bile. An empty stomach and bile cycle is called bilious vomiting syndrome.
Swallowing Air
If your dog hurriedly consumes his meals, he may be swallowing a lot of air along with his food. The excess air in the intestines will cause a noisy stomach. Not only can eating too fast cause a noisy stomach, it can also cause choking, stomach discomfort, flatulence and vomiting. Some researchers believe that swallowing excess air while eating can also lead to gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat). Bloat in dogs is a life-threatening condition.
Pancreatitis
The pancreas is a gland that produces digestive enzymes and hormones. If too many digestive enzymes are produced, they can start breaking down the dog’s pancreas. Inflammation of the pancreas can be caused by a high-fat diet, obesity, trauma, genetic predisposition, diabetes, medications, and hypothyroidism. Additional symptoms may include repeated vomiting, pain, distended abdomen, loss of appetite, dehydration, fever and weakness.
Foreign Object
If your dog swallowed a foreign object (rock, toy, plastic, stick, fabric) it will cause a painful blockage in the digestive tract. Additional symptoms may include gagging, vomiting, not eating, constipation, and lethargy. An intestinal blockage can lead to necrosis of the intestinal tissue and/or a perforation of the intestinal walls.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is the inflammation of digestive tract. The digestive tract inflammation may be caused by genetics, diet, infectious agents, and immune system abnormalities. Your dog may have mucus in the stool, loose bowel movements, anorexia, depression and vomiting.
What to do if your Dog is Stomach Making Noises
If your dog is frequently having a noisy stomach which is accompanied by other symptoms, he should be seen by a veterinarian. A veterinarian will want to know your dog’s medical history, details of the symptoms and the timeline of when they started. The veterinarian will perform a physical examination on your dog which may include taking his weight, temperature and heart rate, and palpitation of his abdomen. He may recommend a complete blood count, serum chemistry panel, abdominal x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, urinalysis and a fecal exam.
Internal parasites are treated with deworming medication, followed by a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of your dog’s bedding and toys. Also recommended is a complete cleanup of feces from your yard. A foreign object in the intestinal tract may need to be surgically removed. Mild cases of pancreatitis in dogs are usually treated with a low-fat diet and pancreatic enzyme supplementation. IBD in dogs may be treated with a change in diet, immunosuppressants, antibiotics and corticosteroid medications.
Prevention of Stomach Making Noises
Intestinal parasites can be prevented by having your dog on a deworming medication treatment plan. Frequent, smaller meals can help prevent hunger pains and bilious vomiting syndrome. It is best not feed your dog fatty table scraps, which may trigger pancreatitis. If your dog is eating too fast and you have other pets, it is best to feed them separately. This way he can be more relaxed, not worrying that the other dog is going to eat his food. Feeding your dog small meals 2 to 3 times a day may help his hunger pains and his anxiety. There are special “slow feeder” bowls available in stores. An inexpensive bundt cake pan or a flipped over dog bowl can be made into a “slow feeder” for your dog.
Cost of Stomach Making Noises
The treatment of an intestinal parasite such as hookworm may range from $200 to $300. The cost of treating pancreatitis, which can mean continued monitoring by your veterinary caregiver, can be $2200.
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Stomach Making Noises Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
German Shepherd
Eleven Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Stomach Gurgling And Yellow Vomit
My puppy’s stomach is frequently gurgling and he just threw up a yellow liquid vomit.
July 20, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. We worry in puppies about parasites and infectious diseases like Parvo virus. If he is vomiting repeatedly, it would be best to have him seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible. They can assess him and make sure everything is okay, or offer treatment if he needs it.
I hope that all goes well for him!
July 20, 2020
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Pit Bull
Nine Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Peed,Wont Eat, Wants To Throw Up, Butt Is Super Itchy
My dog wont eat and his stomach is growling but he also wants to gag but pushes it down. He itches his butt and peed himself with no warning to want to go outside and pee I'm concerned since he is starting to get older please help:/
July 13, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello,
SO sorry to hear about your dog. This can be gastroenteritis causing him to feel this way. It would be best for your vet to see your dog. They can start him on medication to help him feel much better.
You can try to give him Benadryl for his itching. The typical dosage is 1mg per pound.
If your dog doesn't start to feel better, it would be best for him to see your vet.
I hope your dog starts to feel better soon.
July 13, 2020
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Shihpoo
Reuben
5 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Stomach Noises
I got my puppy on two days ago. He puked 12 times on the way home from the kennel the first day I got him so I stopped at the vet to make sure he was okay. They said it was probably car sickness and gave him an anti nausea shot and some fluids. The next day he had continual diarrhea that was very bloody and full of mucus. Since there was so much blood in the poop I took him back to the vet. They gave him an anti diarrheal, fluids, and metronidazole. His poop began to thicken up, but there was still blood. I took him to the wellness checkup appointment that was required by the kennel I got him from and they tested his stool and it turns out he has giardia. They upped his dose of the metronidazole and he’s seeming a lot better now. This morning, however, his stomach has been making extremely loud and consistent gurgling noises. I tried to get him to eat and he wasn’t super interested. He is playing and drinking water and seems completely fine otherwise, but I’m just wondering if the gurgling is just from the giardia or if there is something else going on now.
Aug. 9, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Infectious diseases and parasites are always a concern for puppies, and the stress of moving can make some signs worse for them. If Reuben seems to be improving and doing well otherwise, it may just be an ongoing sign of the Giardia, but I am concerned that he isn't eating as well. If that continues, it would be best to have another recheck for him to make sure that nothing else is going on. I hope that all goes well for him.
Aug. 9, 2018
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Shihpoo
Tramp
7 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
Stomach Ache
Stomaching Making Noises
I’ve noticed recently my dog’s stomach has been making loud gurgly noises, and tonight when i took him out i noticed some blood and mucus in his stool. No diarrhea or vomiting, he’s eating and drinking and playing just as normal. I fed him some pumpkin with his food for the first time and I’m wondering if that is what upset his stomach? Why is he having bloody stool? Help!
July 27, 2018
2 Recommendations
Pumpkin is full of fibre and we normally recommend plain canned pumpkin to help soften the stool with constipation or other issues with defecation; there are many causes for faecal blood which may include foreign objects, tumours, infections, parasites, poisoning, colitis among other conditions. If there is no improvement (my improve after defecation) try to feed Tramp a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for a day and see if that helps; if there is still no improvement you should visit your Veterinarian for a check. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 27, 2018
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Chorkie
Callie
11 Weeks
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting With Diarrhea
My puppy woke up this morning, with normal stool, which turned to diarrhea. She has had a little vomiting, but looks almost like bile. W have offered her chicken and rice, but she won’t eat it. Her stomach is making Loud gurgling sounds. There is no fever present either. She has not had all her shots yet, and the diarrhea is just almost water, and seems to be having very little each time. Inhale been very careful about taking her outside. She has only been on the sidewalk a couple times. What can I do to help her feel better?
July 20, 2018
1 Recommendations
It is still possible for Callie to pick up many different types of infections by just having short walks on the pavement, there are many different possible infections which she may have picked up (only a few are covered by vaccination) since she still has an underdeveloped immune system. You should ensure that she is hydrated (more important than food) and try to get her to eat; but given her young age you should visit your Veterinarian before the weekend to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 20, 2018
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Chihuahua
Princess
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Stomach Gurgling
My dog has gurgling noises, she vomited once before bed, and is still super alert and active, she is older so she sleeps and rests a good amount so I can’t tell if she has lethargy, and her stomach I thought was distended but it goes a little down with urination, and has been eating a little more than usual. Just want to determine if she should see a vet, she’s older and I want to make sure she is okay
