We have all experienced that painful gassy feeling, but what about our furry friends? Do dogs burp? The short answer is yes, but that windy exchange from your dog burping could also mean that your pup is suffering from something a little more serious.
If you notice your dog burping often, you may find yourself wondering why and may even begin to feel concerned. If the burping is excessive or only happens after your dog eats certain foods, there could be an underlying health problem.
My dog is burping. What exactly is it, and is it the same as a human burp?
For humans, excessive burping can be caused by drinking too many carbonated drinks like beer or soda.
However, our four-legged friends don't drink these things, so the burping is caused by other reasons like swallowing air while eating or stomach problems.
Human burping is different from a dog’s burping. If a human has to belch, they just let it out, which usually helps relieve discomfort. However, it could mean serious health problems for your doggo.
Why is my dog burping? Six common causes!
#1. A belching breed
Some breeds just have a more challenging time with proper digestion. Boxers, bulldogs, and pugs have the most difficult time with this due to their genetics.
A shorter snout or a flat-faced dog could be physically restricted and unable to make the best contact with their food, swallowing a bit of air with their food, causing burping.
Other dog breeds that tend to burp more often are typically fast eaters. Labradors tend to eat too fast. Some could suffer from burping if they eat too fast simply because they’re worried another dog might sneak a bite from their bowl.
#2. What are you feeding Fluffy?
The food you choose to feed your four-legged friend may also be behind their burp-fest.
- If a dog has a high alkaline diet, it will produce a certain gas level combined with its stomach acid. The end result is excessive burping!
- Even the shape of the food has a role to play in how often Buster burps. Kibble shaped with a hole in the center creates a pocket for air that gets trapped as they devour it. Cheaper brands or cheap ingredients that may not sit well with your dog may result in burping.
- Dog food with certain ingredients can also create an allergic reaction in your dog's stomach, causing them to burp. Table scraps containing unagreeable sauces or spices may also harm poor Spots stomach, giving them more gas than expected.
#3. Trash can canines and dog regurgitation
A pooch that guzzles down garbage as a quick meal may suffer from more than just gas. These scavengers could end up eating rotten food, which may cause other issues. Bruno may start off burping, but he could begin to vomit and even suffer from diarrhea and dog constipation.
A dog burping up water and losing fluids is typical when it's eaten garbage. However, you should not take such conditions lightly. It could even develop into pancreatitis, or your poor puppy may end up suffering from a painful blockage in their digestive system.
If you suspect Butch has been going through the bins for dinner, pay close attention to their burps. If it's only a few burps, it may be nothing to worry about.
If the dog keeps burping or the burps turn to vomit or even diarrhea, it may be a severe problem requiring a vet examination.
#4. Foods that ferment
Much like beans (which, as we know, are highly gassy!) producing fermentation in the gut, certain foods may also make Gizmo gassy. A few foods to avoid giving your furry friend are:
- eggs;
- beans;
- cheese;
- cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts).
#5. Acid reflux
When your puppy is suffering from acid reflux, it is because of the digestive enzymes and acid entering the stomach's esophagus. This reflux action may cause your dog to gag, or you could notice your dog burping after eating.
A dog burping and regurgitating may be a simple condition that's easy to treat with behavior therapy to condition its eating habits, or it may be something more chronic.
A trained veterinarian will be able to rule out the cause of the condition and provide the proper treatment.
#6. Aerophagia
Aerophagia is a scientific term that means your Coco could be swallowing too much air when they eat their kibble.
This typically occurs in dogs fed once a day and means that the dog is more concerned with how fast they get the food in.
A gulping Greyhound or a devouring Daschund may accidentally trap air in their fast feasting. The occasional burp is their way of releasing all of the excess air they ingest while eating.
When their burping may be related to an illness
If you think that smelly burping is problematic, a dog that doesn't burp may be in a dire situation. If your dog shovels food like there is no tomorrow and has to let go of that gas but can't, its stomach could blow up like a hot air balloon!
This condition may be Gastric-dilation-volvulus (GDV). GDV, also called bloating, can be a life-threatening illness where the stomach fills up with air, but a twist or knot blocks the gut from releasing the air.
This bloating condition can be severe if not appropriately treated by a vet.
Signs that your dog may have this condition are:
- Attempting to vomit, but nothing comes up.
- Apparent stress.
- Inability to swallow and excessive drooling.
- A bloated or distended stomach.
- Uncommon mental state; collapsing or passing out.
These symptoms can appear to be quite subtle at first but can change rather drastically.
A trained vet will diagnose the dog and recommend some form of treatment that could mean medication or possibly even surgery. Do not hesitate to contact your vet if you have any of these concerns.
Less severe medical conditions that cause dog burping
When a dog has an imbalanced gastrointestinal tract, it may cause burping. The most common side-effect is the smell. This smell comes from the stomach's first sections, where the air is swallowed and then trapped to be released. Prepare to smell Spike's beef dinner a second time.
These unpleasant-smelling dog burps will range in scent from their dinner to a fishy smell to the smell of rotten eggs (or sulfur.)
Sulfurous burps could be the result of a reaction to certain medications or from a protein-heavy meal.
Dogs fed a heavy protein meal, especially a raw food diet, will most likely experience sulfur burps (if you're in the same room, you'll experience them as well).
Digesting the protein is what produces that sulfur smell.
Should I be concerned about Brutus' burping?
As a pet owner, you are already paying close attention to your pup. If you notice a sudden increase in burping or burping that seems to come from out of nowhere, it could be cause for concern. Other reasons to take action are:
#1. Increased burping or vomiting with the burping
Once or twice is perfectly normal for some dogs, but if you notice this new behavior in your dog, or if it vomits as well, it could be a problem. Unfortunately, dog burping and vomiting often go hand in hand.
#2. When burping is not the only symptom
Other signs to look for when your dog is burping a lot are lethargy, abdominal pain, discolored gums, or accelerated breathing. These are emergent conditions, and a vet will run tests to determine if GDV is the underlying condition or if it is something even more severe.
#3. Bad, BAD breath
When a dog's breath becomes unbearable to be around, it may mean they ate something super smelly, or they have a gastrointestinal problem. It could also be from medication or your dog's diet. The vet will assess your pup's condition to recommend a new diet or prescribe a new medication.
Why do dogs burp? One last release!
Knowing what to look for after you see your dog eating too fast or if you see them swallowing too much without stopping may help your puppy in the long run. A dog burping a lot out of the blue could be a warning sign about its health.
Ruling out any gastric problems is always a good plan. So if you find your Beagle belching all the time, take it to the vet before it begins to barf. Vomiting could mean serious health issues, and you don't want that for your furry friend!
Leave a comment (all fields required)