It’s 10:00 PM on a Tuesday. The house is quiet, the TV is low, and your dog is curled up beside you. Suddenly, a noise breaks the silence—a loud, rumbling squelch that sounds like a plumbing issue in an old house. You look down, and your dog looks back with big, apologetic eyes.
That noise is coming from their belly.
If you are a dog owner, you have likely heard this symphony before. The medical term is borborygmi, but most of us just call it “gurgling stomach.” While it can be funny in the moment, it often leaves us wondering: Is he okay? Is she in pain? And most importantly, what can I give my dog for a gurgling stomach right now?
As someone who has spent years cleaning up messes and comforting sick pups, I know that sinking feeling when you realize your dog isn’t feeling 100%. The good news is that a noisy tummy isn’t always a disaster. Often, it’s just gas. But knowing the difference between “I ate too fast” and “I need a vet” is crucial.
In this guide, we’re going to dig deep into why your dog’s stomach sounds like a washing machine, simple home remedies you can whip up in your kitchen, and the red flags that mean you need to grab the car keys.
Understanding the Noise: Why Is My Dog’s Stomach Gurgling?
Before we raid the pantry for remedies, we need to understand what is happening inside that furry belly.
A dog’s digestive tract is a busy place. It’s constantly contracting and relaxing to move food, gas, and fluids through the intestines. This movement is called peristalsis. When the intestines are empty, or when there is a lot of gas present, those movements become audible.
The “Normal” Noises
Believe it or not, silence isn’t always golden when it comes to digestion. A silent gut can actually be a sign that the digestive system has shut down (ileus). So, some noise is actually a sign of health!
Here are the most common, non-scary reasons for the rumble:
- Hunger Pangs: Just like us, if a dog hasn’t eaten in a while, their stomach will growl. The intestines are moving air around an empty space, creating an echo chamber.
- Dietary Indiscretion: This is the polite vet term for “my dog ate something gross.” Whether it was a spicy table scrap, a piece of cat poop, or grass, their system is working overtime to process it.
- Air Gulping: Does your dog inhale their food like they’ve never seen a meal before? Eating too fast causes them to swallow air, which eventually has to bubble its way through the intestines.
When the Noise Means Trouble
Sometimes, the gurgling is the soundtrack to a bigger problem. If the noise is accompanied by a foul smell (gas) or behavioral changes, pay attention.
- Sudden Diet Changes: Switching kibble brands cold turkey can wreak havoc on a dog’s microbiome.
- Parasites or Infections: Intestinal worms or bacteria like Giardia can cause inflammation and excessive gas.
- Serious Gastrointestinal Issues: Conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), obstructions, or pancreatitis often start with grumbling guts before escalating to vomiting or pain.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, while borborygmus is often benign, it becomes clinically significant when paired with other signs of illness like anorexia or vomiting.
Immediate Action: What Can I Give My Dog for a Gurgling Stomach?
So, your dog is uncomfortable, the noises are loud, but they aren’t acting critically ill. You want to help them settle. Here is your action plan using safe, gentle remedies.
1. The Power of Bland Food (Chicken and Rice)
This is the gold standard of doggy home care. If your dog is hungry but having tummy troubles, do not feed them their regular kibble, which can be rich and hard to digest.
The Recipe:
- Protein: Boiled, boneless, skinless chicken breast. No salt, no onions, no garlic.
- Carb: White rice. Brown rice has too much fiber for an upset tummy; white rice is starchy and binding.
- Ratio: Mix 50% chicken and 50% rice.
Feed this in small, frequent portions—think a tablespoon or two at a time—rather than a full bowl. This gives the stomach a chance to process food without being overwhelmed. If you don’t have chicken, boiled low-fat ground beef (drain the grease thoroughly!) or cottage cheese can work as substitutes.
2. Canned Pumpkin (Not Pie Filling!)
Pumpkin is a miracle worker for dogs. It is high in soluble fiber, which helps absorb excess water in the gut (great for diarrhea) and also helps move things along if they are constipated.
How to serve it:
Give your dog 1 to 4 tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin, depending on their size.
Important: Make sure the pumpkin puree you buy is 100% clean. Do not buy pumpkin pie filling, which is loaded with sugar and spices like nutmeg (which is toxic to dogs) and often contains xylitol (deadly to dogs).
3. Bone Broth
If your dog doesn’t want to eat, hydration is your main concern. Dehydration makes everything worse. Bone broth is palatable, gentle on the stomach, and provides electrolytes.
You can make your own by boiling chicken or beef bones in water (no onions or garlic!) or buy a pet-safe version. It entices them to drink and soothes the gut lining.
4. Ice Chips
If your dog is gulping water and then throwing it back up, their stomach is too irritated to handle volume. Put the water bowl away and offer ice chips instead. Licking the ice hydrates them slowly, preventing that “gulp and purge” cycle.
5. Probiotics
If you have a dog-specific probiotic on hand, now is the time to use it. These supplements introduce healthy bacteria into the gut to battle the bad bacteria causing the gas. Many vets recommend keeping a stash of FortiFlora or Proviable in your pet first aid kit for moments exactly like this.
What NOT to Give Your Dog
I cannot stress this enough: Do not play pharmacist with your human medicine cabinet.
- No Ibuprofen or Tylenol: These can be fatal to dogs.
- No Milk: Most dogs are lactose intolerant. Milk will turn a gurgling stomach into a diarrhea disaster.
- No Pepto-Bismol (without approval): While some vets may prescribe subsalicylate (the active ingredient), it can contain salicylates which are dangerous for cats and risky for some dogs. It also turns their stool black, which masks signs of internal bleeding. Always text or call your vet before dosing.
The “Wait and See” Approach: When to Fast Your Dog
Sometimes, the best thing you can give your dog is… nothing.
For healthy adult dogs, a 12 to 24-hour fast can be incredibly healing. It gives the pancreas and intestines a total break from the work of digestion.
- How to do it: Take away all treats and food. Keep fresh water available.
- Who this is for: Adult, generally healthy dogs.
- Who this is NOT for: Puppies (they can get hypoglycemia), senior dogs, small toy breeds (like Chihuahuas), or dogs with conditions like diabetes.
If the gurgling stops after the fast, reintroduce the bland chicken and rice diet slowly over the next day.
Red Flags: When Gurgling Means “Go to the Vet”
We all want to avoid an unnecessary emergency vet bill, but missing a serious symptom can be catastrophic.
If your dog has a gurgling stomach AND any of the following symptoms, stop reading this blog and call your vet.
1. The Dreaded “Bloat” (GDV)
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), or bloat, is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach twists on itself. It kills quickly.
Signs:
- Non-productive retching (trying to vomit but nothing comes up).
- A swollen, hard, or distended belly.
- Restlessness, pacing, and inability to get comfortable.
- Pale gums.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), bloat is a top killer of dogs, especially deep-chested breeds like Great Danes and German Shepherds. If you suspect this, go to the ER immediately.
2. Vomiting and Diarrhea
A single vomit might be fine. But if your dog is vomiting repeatedly, or if there is blood in the vomit or stool, they are losing fluids too fast. Bloody diarrhea (often looking like raspberry jam) can be a sign of Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE), which requires IV fluids to treat.
3. Lethargy and Pain
Is your dog acting like themselves? If they are moping, hiding, or standing in a “prayer position” (front legs down, butt in the air), they are in significant abdominal pain. This posture is a classic sign of pancreatitis or an obstruction (like a swallowed sock).
4. Toxin Ingestion
If the gurgling started after you found an open package of sugar-free gum, chocolate, or rat poison, do not wait for symptoms to get worse. Consult the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or your vet immediately.
Preventing Future Tummy Troubles
Once the storm has passed and your dog is back to their happy, wagging self, it is time to look at prevention. You don’t want to be dealing with this again next week.
1. Slow Down the Chow Down
If your dog is a “vacuum cleaner” eater, buy a slow-feeder bowl. These bowls have ridges and mazes that force the dog to pick out the kibble, preventing them from swallowing huge gulps of air. It’s a cheap solution that works wonders for digestion.
2. Elevate the Bowl (Maybe)
There is some debate on this, but for some dogs, especially taller ones, raised feeders can help them swallow less air. However, always check with your vet, as some studies suggest this might actually increase bloat risk in certain breeds.
3. Assess the Diet
Is your dog constantly gassy? They might have a food intolerance. Common culprits include chicken, beef, or grains. You might need to switch to a “sensitive stomach” formula or a novel protein diet (like salmon or duck). Remember to transition any new food slowly over 7-10 days.
4. Probiotic Maintenance
For dogs with sensitive tummies, a daily probiotic powder sprinkled on their food can be a game-changer. It keeps the gut flora balanced so that when they do eat something weird (because let’s face it, they’re dogs), their system handles it better.
5. Keep the Trash Locked
It sounds simple, but “garbage gut” is one of the top reasons for vet visits. Get a trash can with a locking lid or keep it inside a cabinet. Prevention is always cheaper than a cure.
Summary Checklist: Your “Gurgling Gut” Action Plan
To make this easy to remember, here is your step-by-step checklist for the next time the grumbling starts:
- Check the Dog: Are they acting sick? Lethargic? In pain?
-
- Yes: Call the Vet.
- No: Proceed to step 2.
- Check the Environment: Is there trash missing? Did they eat a toy?
-
- Yes: Call the Vet.
- No: Proceed to step 3.
- Hydrate Safely: Offer small sips of water or ice chips.
- Dietary Rest: Withhold food for 12 hours (if an adult/healthy dog).
- Bland Diet: Introduce small amounts of boiled chicken and rice or pumpkin.
- Monitor: If noises persist for more than 24 hours, call the Vet.
Final Thoughts
A gurgling stomach in a dog is like a check engine light in a car. Sometimes it’s just a loose gas cap (or a swallowed treat), and sometimes it’s the engine.
By listening to the sounds and observing your dog’s behavior, you can usually figure out if it’s a minor indigestion issue or something that needs professional help. Trust your gut—and listen to theirs. You know your dog better than anyone else. If something feels “off,” it is never wrong to make that phone call to your veterinarian.
Take a deep breath. Start the rice cooker. You’ve got this.
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