Can Dogs Burp?
Anyone who has been around a beloved ageing dog is probably well aware of the fact that dogs can expel gas. ‘Blaming it on the dog' has been around for decades. In the same vein, it's natural that dogs should burp, too, right?
So, do dogs burp? What might cause a dog to burp? And, is there a point where their burping becomes excessive? Should you be worried about them?
Dog Burps
Burping in dogs is a natural body process, much like it is in humans. It happens when the body is trying to get rid of excess air that has become stuck in the digestive tract. To relieve excess gas, the esophageal sphincter at the top of their stomachs relaxes, resulting in an often audible burp.
Sometimes you may also hear a strange rumbling coming from your dog's stomach. This is called borborygmus. Borborygmus is the movement of liquid and gas inside the stomach or intestinal tract.
Young puppies may be especially susceptible to burps and hiccups since they tend to eat very quickly, and they are prone to consuming a bunch of air with their meals, especially when there's more than one pup around.
Young puppies may be especially susceptible to burps and hiccups since they tend to eat very quickly, and they are prone to swallow excess air with their meals
Even if they are still suckling, they may occasionally drink a little too quickly.
Your dog burping on occasion is nothing to be worried about; in fact, it is perfectly natural. However, excessive burping or gas could indicate an underlying issue that may need to be addressed.
Causes of Dog Burps
The basic cause of dog burps is a buildup of excess gas in the stomach. Having excess gas building up in your dog's digestive system too often could indicate a more severe issue, though there are a number of things it could be. Some of the common causes of excess gas are…
Aerophagia
Aerophagia is likely the main reason for your dog's burping. It happens when a dog swallows too much air when they eat or drink. As the food and drink settle in the stomach, the trapped food escapes and needs to leave the gastrointestinal system, either through burping or flatulence.
There are a few things that can cause your dog to swallow air. Unhealthy food relationships, for one thing. Nervous and anxious dogs, or dogs that may have suffered from food insecurity in the past, may eat too fast or too much food and wind up with a lot of swallowed air and excessive burping.
Young puppies are also bad at regulating how much or how fast they should be eating, and should be watched carefully. Swallowed air shouldn't be a major issue, but it can cause pain and indigestion.
Certain breeds are also more at risk, such as Brachycephalic (flat-snouted) breeds, as their short skulls may make eating difficult for them, resulting in more swallowed air than normal.
Dog’s Diet
Certain foods can ferment in the digestive system. This excessive bacteria fermentation produces more gas, which may lead to your dog’s burping.
Often, this is a result of low-quality, cheap dog food that contains a lot of difficult-to-digest proteins and compounds such as chicory, psyllium, and oats. These may contain fiber, which is good for digestion, but they are difficult for your dog to break down.
Table scraps may contain a lot of sugar or fruit, which can cause tummy upsets if given regularly. So it is best to warn guests not to feed if you know your dog has stomach troubles.
Allergies
Certain food allergies and intolerances can also be the cause of your dog's burping. A mild allergy may not cause too many severe symptoms, but it can still affect how your dog processes the food.
Protein allergies (Beef, chicken, eggs, soy, etc.) are the most common type of food allergies, with grain allergies (wheat, gluten, barley, etc.) coming in just behind them. This is a little different from changing your dog's diet as a whole, since switching to a more upmarket brand might not be enough. You will have to try to eliminate the allergen as a whole.
While most dogs can safely digest dairy in small amounts, they are naturally lactose intolerant, meaning that too much dairy is absolutely going to cause a stomach upset and some dog burps.
If your dog's burping habits are accompanied by itchy skin, ear infections, or chronic diarrhea, food allergies are a strong possibility.
Health Issues That Can Cause Burping
Your dog's burping is more likely to be benign than anything serious, but there are some serious health risks that can have burping as a symptom…
Parasites and Infections
Certain intestinal parasites may cause gas to build up in your dog's digestive system. The most common parasitic infection that does this is Giardia, a type of protozoan parasite.
This parasite can cause cysts in the dog's intestines, which can cause gas buildup and diarrhea. It's unlikely to be life-threatening, but it can cause other issues such as dehydration and severe abdominal discomfort.
Sometimes, a bacterial bloom may also cause a gas buildup. This can especially be a problem in immunocompromised dogs whose immune systems may not be fully able to fight off a gut infection.
Fecal testing and routine deworming are recommended if your dog experiences recurring gastrointestinal symptoms.
Chronic Stomach Issues
Certain stomach issues can be the cause of your dog's burping. These can either be acute cases or sometimes they can be chronic cases that recur later.
These commonly include-
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Inflammatory bowel disease, such as IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) - While uncommon in dogs, dogs can develop IBS. This is a stress response that affects the gastrointestinal tract, which can result in diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and burps.
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Gastritis - Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. This is normally due to a bacterial infection, but can also occur due to other reasons. It can be a once-off case or a chronic issue.
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Acid reflux and indigestion - A common issue where the upper sphincter of the stomach may not fully close, allowing some stomach acid back into the esophagus.
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Certain cancers - Certain stomach and intestinal cancers may have burping as a symptom.
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Obstruction - Something, either a growth or a foreign object (e.g., that delicious tennis ball), has gotten caught somewhere and is not allowing food through, or the stomach valves to operate properly.
Your dog burping probably has a more normal reason than most of these, so don't get too anxious. However, be aware of odd behavior, and keep on the watch if-
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Your dog's burping has suddenly increased, or if there is excessive burping.
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The burping is accompanied by vomiting, heavy panting, or frequent diarrhea.
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Your dog is experiencing sudden, unexplained weight loss.
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You are aware of the fact that they've recently eaten something they shouldn't have.
In any of these cases, a vet may recommend blood tests, abdominal X-rays, or even an endoscopy to diagnose the issue.
Bloat
This is, unfortunately, a nasty one. Bloat happens when your dog's belly fills with air and their stomach gets twisted inside them. Their abdomen becomes very swollen, the pressure cuts off some blood supply, and they may go into shock.
Common symptoms include bloating, retching, pain, and excessive drooling. Bloat is a medical emergency, and your dog should be rushed to the vet if you suspect it to be the case.
Vets still aren't certain of the exact cause of bloat, but it does seem to occur more frequently in dogs that only eat once a day, eat quickly, or have longer abdomens.[4]
Deep-chested dog breeds such as Great Danes, Weimaraners, and German Shepherds are especially prone to bloat.
What to Do About Your Dog Burping All The Time
As mentioned, the occasional burping is nothing to be too concerned about, but if you think they have excessive gas production or you want to look after your dog's digestive health, there are a few things to try.
Changing Their Diet
Opting for good, high-quality food may be a good first step to reducing excessive gas. If you suspect your dog has an allergy, you can also switch to hypoallergenic food.
Remember, any sudden diet changes may cause some upsets anyway, but these should pass quickly within a few days.
You should also reduce the amount of treats, human food and out of date food, especially anything starchy or difficult to digest that can cause tummy troubles.
Grain-free diets or limited-ingredient options may also be helpful if your dog is sensitive to multiple food groups.
Slowing the Eating
If your dog is a gulper who has a habit of swallowing air, you can try to help by slowing down mealtimes.
One way to do this is to have more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day, rather than one or two big ones.
Otherwise, you can try using a lick tray to slow your dog down a little. If this is too expensive, you can try hiding their kibble in some fake lawn or a woven mat. Anything that's not easily destroyed will make them work a little instead of wolfing it down.
Probiotics
Probiotics can help with intestinal gas production. When your dog’s digestive enzymes creep out of balance, probiotics support a healthy gut biome to reduce gas and burping.
You can try buying dog food that includes probiotics. There are also a variety of dog-safe probiotic treats and powders on the market that can be mixed into your dog food.
If you're looking for a more natural solution, probiotics can be found in foods such as cottage cheese, sauerkraut, sweet potato, kefir, and banana. These can all be safely given in daily moderation as a healthy supplement. However, too many of these natural probiotics can be a source of gas, too.
Always introduce probiotics gradually to avoid upsetting your canine digestive system.
Managing Stress
Sometimes all your dog needs is a little more exercise and fun. Stress can be a big cause of air gulping, food devouring, and other causes of tummy troubles. Obese and overweight dogs are also more likely to suffer from gas and other gastrointestinal diseases.
Reducing their weight and helping them release some excess steam may do wonders for their digestive systems.
Routine, playtime, and enrichment activities like nose-work games can all lower anxiety and improve your dog's digestive tract.
Always take your dog to the vet if you believe you have reasonable cause for concern. Sometimes, catching a problem early is the best treatment a dog can get.
Conclusion
Dogs can, and do, burp. The occasional burp is nothing to be worried about and is the body's natural way of removing pent-up gas. Burps are only a concern if they're very frequent or come with other symptoms.
The common causes of excessive burping can include aerophagia (swallowing air), stress, poor diet, obesity, allergens, stress-related conditions such as IBS, infections, parasites, or some more severe conditions such as canine bloat or certain cancers.
Dog owners can help their dogs by providing them with a good diet, natural or supplemented probiotics, and stress relief.
Stress relief is not always an easy thing to provide, but providing your dog with a comfortable sweater has been shown to reduce anxiety levels in many dogs…and they can look great doing it.
If you would like to see some nice sweaters, try Sparkpaws Knit Sweater Collection for a comfortable fit.
Happy Walking!
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