You're sitting quietly at home when suddenly your dog's stomach starts gurgling. These sometimes impressive noises are, however, rarely worrying. As in humans, these gurgling sounds called borborygmi simply reflect the normal activity of the digestive system of your 4-legged companion.
Completely normal gurgling noises
Most often, borborygmi in dogs is a natural phenomenon linked to the functioning of the digestive system. They are produced by intestinal peristalsis, that is to say the contractions of the intestine which allow foods, liquids and gases to move forward throughout digestion.
These gurgling sounds can appear after a meal, when digestion is in progress, but also several hours after ingestion of food, when the stomach is empty. The digestive movements then continue and can produce sounds that are sometimes very audible. Some dogs may also have more bowel sounds when they eat too quickly and swallow air at the same time. We then speak of aerophagia.
In the majority of cases, these noises are of no consequence. If your dog maintains his appetite, energy, habitual bowel movements, and normal behavior, there is usually no cause for concern. On the other hand, if his gurgling sounds are persistent or associated with other symptoms, it may be a sign of a digestive disorder requiring veterinary advice.
When should these noises suggest a digestive problem?
Your dog's digestive sounds deserve special attention when they become frequent, intense or are accompanied by other signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression or a swollen belly.
These symptoms may be linked to a simple digestive disorder, such as ingestion of an unusual food, a sudden change in diet or excessive gas production. But they can also reveal a condition requiring veterinary monitoring, such as canine gastritis, intestinal inflammation, pancreatitis or the ingestion of a foreign body.
If your dog refuses to eat, vomits repeatedly, appears to be in pain or has a swollen stomach, it is best to seek medical attention quickly. An isolated gurgling sound in a healthy dog is generally not serious, but a change in behavior or general condition should always be taken seriously.
Woopets info – How to limit gurgling sounds linked to digestion?
A few simple habits can help maintain your dog's digestive comfort on a daily basis:
- Make a dietary transition by gradually introducing any dietary change over several days;
- Prevent the dog from eating too quickly using an anti-gluttonous bowl or split meals;
- Follow a balanced diet adapted to your needs;
- Avoid giving him foods that are difficult to digest or dangerous for his health (table scraps, very fatty, spicy or sweet foods, as well as, of course, certain products that are toxic to dogs such as chocolate or onions);
- Regularly observe his appetite, his transit and his behavior.