Is it normal for your dog's stomach to make noises or is it cause for concern? Learn about why your dog's stomach make noises and what to do about it. 

If you’ve ever had your stomach rumble with hunger in the middle of a silent room or during a serious conversation, you know how much it can catch you off guard.

But it seems to be even more jarring when it comes from our dogs – how can such a little tummy make such a big noise?!

We get asked a lot if it's normal for our dogs’ stomachs to make noises, why that happens, and when we should be concerned. We’ll answer all those questions, and more, today. 

Types of noises your dog’s stomach may make

Reasons why your dog’s stomach makes noises

What to do when your dog’s stomach is making a lot of noise

When to be concerned about your dog’s stomach noises*

*This is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you’re concerned about your dog’s heath, contact your veterinarian.

TYPES OF NOISES YOUR DOG’S STOMACH MAY MAKE

Like us humans, your dog’s stomach can make a lot of different sounds. 

Fun fact: the scientific name for your dog’s stomach noises is borborygmi. This fancy term basically means gas moving from one part of the intestines to another. 

While it’s totally normal for there to be some gas moving through the intestines, it can result in some weird noises as it navigates the other intestinal contents. This can result in gurgling, rumbling, swooshing, and other sounds at an array of volumes. 

REASONS WHY YOUR DOG’S STOMACH MAKES NOISES

So we’ve established that your dog’s stomach noises are a result of gas moving through the intestines – but why does that happen? And what causes it to increase to the point where the noises are loud and happening often?

The good news is that it’s not always a sign of tummy trouble. There are a lot of potential reasons for increased bowel sounds, including:

Our dogs’ stomachs rumble from hunger just like ours. If it’s been a while since their last meal, it’s possible the noise you're hearing is from hunger. Try adjusting meal size and/or frequency to keep your dog’s hunger in check throughout the day.

Dogs are curious little creatures, so it’s almost inevitable that they will eat something questionable at one point or another. If whatever your dog ate doesn’t agree with them, it’s likely to cause a lot of gurgling and other noises.

Loud stomach noises could mean your dog is going to have diarrhea. It might be a good idea to take your dog potty if you notice increased tummy sounds, just in case diarrhea is coming.

Since the noises are caused literally by gasses moving through the intestines, if your dog is gassy from food or ingesting too much air from eating or drinking too fast, it will cause a lot of noise as it passes through their system.

Low-quality food, especially highly-processed food with high carbohydrate content, often causes intestinal irritation and gas.

Sometimes our dog’s curiosity goes beyond eating grass in the yard or food scraps from the garbage and leads to them ingesting non-digestible objects. The noises could be your dog’s intestines reacting to the object and trying to pass it.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, SIBO, and other gastrointestinal issues can cause an overproduction of gas and a noisy tummy for your dog.

Unfortunately, parasites and bacterial infections are common culprits of upset and rumbly tummies. But they usually come with other symptoms that make them easier to spot.

As you can see, there are many possible explanations as to why your dog’s stomach makes noises, ranging from harmless to life-threatening. But don’t panic – there are steps you can take to figure out what the cause is.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR DOG’S STOMACH IS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE

If your dog’s stomach is making more noises than usual, you’ll want to evaluate some other factors to figure out what’s causing it and if you need to take any further action.

If the change in your dog’s stomach noises is sudden, you’ll want to evaluate the following:

Is there evidence your dog ate something unusual, or potentially poisonous/dangerous?

Is your dog having regular bowel movements/urination?

Are there any changes to your dog’s appetite?

Have you made any adjustments to your dog’s eating schedule or food type or introduced any new treats?

Has your dog encountered new animals or environments lately?

If, on the other hand, your dog just has a generally noisy tummy but seems fine otherwise, here are some things you can do to make sure they are digesting optimally:

Try a slow-feeder bowl or snuffle mat for meals 

Walk your dog after they eat to promote digestion

Analyze your dog’s food and treats to make sure they are made with high-quality ingredients

Remember, when in doubt, it’s best to call your vet or take them in for a visit to be sure. 

WHEN TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR DOG’S STOMACH NOISES

On rare occasions, your dog’s stomach noises could be a sign of a serious problem. Here are signs that your dog may require veterinary care:

Changes in stool, including prolonged diarrhea or constipation

Blood, mucus, or appearance of worms in stool

If you see any of these happening in your dog, contact your vet right away. They will listen to your dog’s stomach and bowels to get a better idea of what’s causing the noises. They’ll also run stool and/or blood tests to figure out what’s going on and determine the best course of action.

Be sure to mention all of your dog’s symptoms when you contact your vet, as some may warrant emergency treatment.

Hopefully, this puts your mind – and ears – at ease when it comes to your dog’s stomach noises. If you have any additional questions or want to share a story about your dog’s stomach noises, let us know in the comments!
Learn more about your dog’s overall health in our Advanced Puppy Nutrition: Microbiome course in Pupford Academy. You’ll learn what your dog’s poop means, how their gut affects their overall health, and so much more.

Why is My Dog’s Stomach Making Sounds? | Pupford