Having a puppy can be stressful. You want to make sure that your little guy is happy and healthy. But there are some things that your puppy’s body might be doing that can be pretty confusing. And they might worry you too!
A puppy with a gurgling stomach can be worrisome. Usually, it’s nothing to to be concerned about. But when it’s paired with other symptoms, it might be time for a trip to the vet.
So, let’s look at what you can do if your puppy’s stomach is gurgling and he won’t eat.
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Why is my puppy’s stomach gurgling and he won’t eat?
Just like us humans, sometimes dogs have stomachs that gurgle. A noisy stomach isn’t usually a cause for concern, especially if it’s not happening often.
However, if your dog’s stomach is gurgling very loudly and it’s happening a lot, then you might be a little troubled. You want your puppy to be happy and healthy, after all! So if he shows any signs that he might be sick, then you might be wondering why—and how you can help him.
There are a few common reasons why your puppy’s stomach could be gurgling. Let’s take a look at them.
Why is my puppy’s stomach making noises?
There are several reasons why a puppy’s stomach might make a lot of noise.
If once in a while your puppy’s stomach makes some noise, then it’s probably because he’s hungry. Just like with people, when your puppy gets hungry, his brain sends certain hormones to his digestive system. These hormones tell your dog’s intestines and stomach to get ready for food, which causes gurgling sounds.
Your puppy might also be a little bit gassy, which is normal! Just like it’s with us, gas can build up in your dog’s intestines. When that gas moves around, it makes gurgling sounds. Usually, your puppy will get rid of this gas by farting.
A gurgling stomach could also be caused by something like stress. You know how much it can upset your stomach when you’re super stressed. The same is true for your dog! If your puppy is feeling anxious, his stomach might start gurgling.
For some more information, check out these stress-related articles:
So to sum up: Your puppy’s stomach is probably gurgling because he’s hungry or a bit gassy. It can also be a sign of anxiety or stress.
Is it normal to hear my puppy’s stomach gurgling?
Most of the time, a puppy’s noisy stomach isn’t anything to worry about. If you’re lying down with your puppy and you hear some noise in his stomach, it’s probably normal. Your puppy might just be a little gassy, or it’s getting close to his dinnertime.
His little body might just be getting ready to eat!
But what if your dog’s stomach is super noisy? Could that be the sign of a problem?
As long as your dog’s stomach is only super noisy every once in a while, you probably don’t need to worry. But if it’s very noisy frequently, then you might want to look into his diet.
There could be something in his food that doesn’t agree with him. Knowing how to choose the right dog food will help make sure your puppy gets all the nutrients he needs.
If you’re at all concerned about your puppy and how noisy his stomach is, then you can always make an appointment with your vet. If he’s actually sick, your vet will be able to diagnose him and make sure he gets the right treatment.
My 8-week-old puppy’s stomach is gurgling, is that normal?
At 8 weeks old, your puppy is still pretty young, so you probably just picked him up and brought him home. If that’s the case, congratulations! Having a puppy is a big deal, and pretty exciting too.
It can also be stressful. That’s especially true if your puppy’s body is doing things that you don’t quite understand.
If your 8-week-old puppy’s stomach is gurgling, you probably don’t need to worry. Again, it’s most likely related to one of the things mentioned before. Your puppy might be feeling hungry, or there’s just some gas passing through his digestive system.
Your puppy could also be feeling stressed out or anxious. Young puppies who have just been separated from their mothers and littermates can experience separation anxiety. For more information on that topic, check out these articles:
- Do Puppies Grow Out of Separation Anxiety?
- 9 Signs and Symptoms for Separation Anxiety in Dogs
- How Long Can You Leave a Dog Alone?
All that said, as long as your little guy doesn’t seem in pain or uncomfortable, he’s probably completely fine.
Why is my puppy’s stomach gurgling and he’s throwing up?
Most of the time, a puppy’s gurgling stomach is something completely normal. But there could be other signs that indicate that your puppy is feeling sick.
If your puppy’s stomach is gurgling a lot and he’s throwing up, that suggests something is wrong.
There are lots of reasons why your puppy might be throwing up. If your puppy’s eaten something that doesn’t agree with him, that could result in an upset stomach. And an upset stomach, in turn, can cause puking.
It’s important to keep an eye on your puppy as much as possible to ensure that he doesn’t eat anything he isn’t supposed to.
Your puppy could also have some intestinal parasites (yep—gross!) that are making him feel sick.
It could also be a case of your puppy being seriously sick.
If your puppy has been vomiting for more than 24 hours, he’s vomiting blood, or he’s simply throwing up a lot, then it’s important to get to your vet.
Why is my dog’s stomach gurgling and he has diarrhea?
If your puppy ate something that his stomach doesn’t agree with, that could result in diarrhea. Simply eating too much can also cause diarrhea in dogs. That’s why it’s important to watch your puppy and make sure he’s eating safely.
Diarrhea can also be caused by allergies or food intolerances. If your dog is allergic to something he’s eating, his stomach might gurgle and he might start having diarrhea. Your vet will be able to help you determine what your puppy is allergic to so that you can avoid it.
Of course, diarrhea could also be a sign that your dog is sick with something else. Lile vomiting, diarrhea can be a sign that your puppy has intestinal parasites. It’s a side effect of many illnesses like parvovirus as well.
That’s why it’s very important to make sure that your puppy has the proper vaccinations. For more information on that, check out this article: Puppy Vaccinations Schedule, a Complete Guide.
If you are very concerned about your puppy and he’s showing signs of illness and discomfort, it’s important to speak to your vet right away. They’ll be able to take a look at your puppy and get him the help that he needs if he’s sick.
And even if your puppy isn’t sick, at least you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that!
What can I give my dog for a gurgling stomach?
If your dog has a super noisy stomach but he’s fine otherwise, you might be wondering how to help him. As long as your vet sees no reason for concern, you can treat the gurgling on your own.
It may not even be necessary to try and fix the gurgling. If it doesn’t seem like it’s bothering your puppy at all, then you may not need to worry about it.
But being gassy can be uncomfortable for a dog. So, if your dog seems uncomfortable with his stomach, you might want to look for some ways to help him.
One thing you can do is let your dog eat grass. A lot of dogs will instinctively eat grass because they know it soothes their stomachs.
If you do let your dog eat grass, then just make sure to not let him eat too much since that can actually make him sick.
If your dog has been puking, then you should avoid giving him any food for 12 to 24 hours. This will help his stomach settle.
When it is time to give him more food, you’ll want to avoid giving him his usual food. Instead, feed him something that will be easy on his stomach. Rice and chicken is a great option. Also, make sure that the food has cooled down completely before you give it to him.
During this time, you’re also going to need to make sure that your dog is properly hydrated. If your dog is experiencing diarrhea or he’s throwing up, that can dehydrate him. Make sure that your dog always has access to plenty of clean water.
If you’re providing all of this to your dog and he doesn’t seem to be getting any better, it might be a good idea to call your vet.
Related questions to a puppy’s stomach gurgling
If your puppy’s stomach is gurgling, it’s usually not much to worry about. Make sure you follow the above tips if you’re getting worried about your dog’s stomach.
You might also have some other questions about your dog’s stomach gurgling. Let’s take a look at these common questions.
My dog’s stomach is gurgling at night, what can I do?
Your dog’s stomach will gurgle throughout the day. It’s normal to hear your dog’s stomach gurgling, and usually nothing to be concerned over. It’s also normal for your dog’s stomach to gurgle at night.
There are a few reasons why this could be, and they are generally the same reasons why your dog’s stomach gurgles during the day. Most likely, your dog is just passing some gas through his digestive system. Your dog’s body will expel this gas naturally on its own.
Your dog could also be hungry. When do you usually feed your dog dinner? If it’s rather early, then your dog might be getting hungry again by the time nighttime comes around.
If that’s the case, you might want to feed your dog a little later. You can also give him a snack before bedtime.
If your dog’s stomach gurgling is accompanied by a lack of appetite or other symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, then your dog might be sick.
Why is my dog’s stomach gurgling and he can’t get comfortable?
A dog’s stomach gurgling is a totally normal thing. But if there are other clinical signs, that could indicate there’s a problem.
If your dog’s stomach is gurgling and he doesn’t seem able to get comfortable, then you might want to call your vet. Your dog could have a serious condition that needs medical treatment. For example, your dog could have inflammatory bowel disease which will probably require a change in diet.
It could also be something that needs more immediate treatment, like a gastrointestinal blockage. If you suspect your dog has eaten something blocking his bowels, you need to call your vet right away.
My dog’s stomach is gurgling and he’s eating grass
If your dog’s stomach is gurgling and he’s eating grass, your dog could be trying to treat his tummy problems on his own. Eating grass can actually be helpful for dogs who are experiencing an upset stomach.
It’s safe to let your dog eat a little bit of grass if his stomach seems upset. That said, you should make sure to keep an eye on him. Don’t let him eat too much grass or he could get sicker.
You should also call your vet if he’s trying to eat a lot of grass. That could be a sign that he’s quite sick.
Conclusion
Having a puppy is really exciting! But it can also be pretty nerve-wracking. If your puppy’s stomach is gurgling, you might immediately be concerned that something’s wrong.
But don’t worry. Most of the time, a noisy stomach isn’t much to worry about. But if your puppy’s gurgling stomach is accompanied by other problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, or if your puppy seems uncomfortable, it might be a good idea to call your vet.
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