Burping is a natural reaction, typically a reaction to ingesting too much air. It is common in dogs, who don’t know that it’s considered socially unacceptable in some cultures! However, while some burping is natural, especially after meals and especially if your dog tends to wolf their food down, there are times when burping can be a concern.
Sudden and excessive bouts of burping, or burping that leads to vomiting, can be a sign of a bigger problem, and it may mean a trip to the vet to have your canine friend checked out.
Below, we look at the causes of burping, what can lead to excessive burping in dogs, and when you might need to start worrying about the amount of gas emanating from your dog’s mouth.
The 6 Common Causes of Burping
A burp is simply an expulsion of air from the body. It most commonly occurs when a dog has gulped down air and their body needs to get rid of that pocket of air. It usually occurs after eating and is especially common in dogs that wolf their food down because this causes a much greater intake of air.
However, there are other possible causes of this bodily reaction. Here we look at 6 possible causes in your dog.
1. Eating Too Quickly
When dogs eat and drink, they naturally swallow some air. This is more common in dogs that have competition for their food, for example, because there is more than one dog in the house or even due to their own anxieties. It is common for dogs to burp after eating, and one or two burps after a meal is natural.
However, you might want to take steps to slow your dog’s eating down because it can cause other gastrointestinal upset. You can get slow-eater bowls, which will prevent your pup from being able to wolf the entire bowl down too quickly.
2. Diet
Another possible cause of burping is your dog eating food that causes gas. A good diet not only includes the protein vitamins and minerals your dog requires but quality ingredients are highly digestible and lead to less gas. You can change your dog’s diet to a higher quality one. A teaspoon of yogurt is a good addition to your dog’s food if they aren’t lactose intolerant. It adds some palatable interest to the bowl, and it also includes good bacteria. Avoid sweetened or flavored yogurt and ensure that you give a natural yogurt to get the desired results.
3. Breed
Short faced dog-breeds like the Pug, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, and Boxer are known as brachycephalic breeds. These breeds can have compromised airways as a consequence of their skull shape and they are prone to swallowing air. The air-swallowing will typically occur during exercise, stress, or while eating.
These pups are likely to have gastrointestinal problems and may accidentally inhale food while eating which can cause choking and pneumonia. They can also benefit from a slow-feeder. You should speak to your vet if your dog shows signs of respiratory compromise.
4. Trash Digging
Another common cause of gastrointestinal upset in dogs is eating bad food, or eating anything that isn’t considered food. This can react badly in the stomach and lead to gassiness. Dogs that go digging and scavenging in bins commonly endure these stomach problems.
Prevent your dog from eating out of the bin, whether it’s at home or while you’re both out of the house. You never know what’s in the bin, anyway. There’s not only the danger of bad food, but your dog could be eating items that are toxic or poisonous.
5. Gastric Dilation Volvulus
Gastric dilation volvulus is more commonly and simply referred to as bloat. While it might sound fairly innocuous, bloat is a serious condition in dogs. Excess air fills the stomach. Initially, it causes excessive burping and retching. The stomach can then twist causing your dog to go into shock.
Left untreated, bloat can prove fatal for dogs, so you must take your dog to the vet if you suspect this is the cause of repeated burping. You might notice their stomach is notably swollen and they are painful and unsettled. Large, deep-chested dogs are more likely to suffer this condition, but it can occur in any dog breed.
6. Gastrointesitnal Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is a disease that is caused by the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It is one of several possible conditions of the GI tract that can cause burps, and if these are the cause of your dog’s burping, they will likely smell bad.
If you detect sulfurous burp odors or other foul-smelling burps in your dog, speak to a vet who will be able to recommend the best course of action and what steps you should take.
When to Worry
Sometimes, burping is normal and nothing to be worried about, but that isn’t always the case. It can be caused by serious conditions like bloat, and in these cases, your dog must get treatment as soon as possible. Timely treatment could save your dog’s life. Here we consider when you should worry about your dog’s burping.
1. Sudden and Frequent Burping
A burp or two immediately after a meal or when your dog has enjoyed a big drink of water is natural. However, if your dog continues burping and doesn’t usually suffer from these burping attacks, this could be a sign of something serious.
Look for other signs of distress and try to smell your dog’s burps. It might sound gross, but foul-smelling burps are a potential sign of gastrointestinal problems.
2. Burping Leads to Vomiting
If the burping leads to vomiting this could be a sign that something is amiss in your dog’s stomach. Vomiting is the body’s way of trying to expel alien and unwanted substances. It can be caused by bad food, but it can also be caused by an illness in the GI tract.
If your dog is trying to vomit, but nothing is coming out, and this was preceded by constant burping, these are early signs of bloat which can be a really serious issue.
3. Bad Breath
Bad breath can be caused by dental problems, but it can also be caused by gastrointestinal complaints like inflammatory bowel disease. If your dog’s breath isn’t normally too bad, but it has suddenly got worse, and that smell is accompanied by excessive burping, speak to a vet as soon as possible.
They will discuss any other signs of distress and illness, and they will advise whether you should take your dog in.
Can Anxiety Cause Burping?
Although anxiety doesn’t usually directly cause burping, it can cause panting, even in dogs. During panting, the body inhales a lot more air than normal, and some can be swallowed into the stomach, causing burping. If you believe your dog is suffering from anxiety or phobias, speak to a vet.
Other possible signs to look for include pacing and drooling, as well as trembling, hiding, and excessive barking.
How Can You Stop Constant Burping?
Stopping constant burping in your dog means finding the root cause and then taking the appropriate steps to remedy this problem. It might mean making dietary changes or taking steps to stop your dog from eating from the bins.
Alternatively, it could mean a trip to the vet if you believe the burping is being caused by illness. If your dog is a fast eater, finding ways to slow the eating down could help remedy the burping and may also help improve digestion in your pup.
Conclusion
Burping is the body’s natural way of expelling excessive air from the stomach. However, while some burping is natural and expected in some cases, excessive and prolonged instances of burping can be a sign of illness, including potentially life-threatening illnesses like bloat and gastrointestinal disease.
Consider your dog’s eating habits, both sanctioned and unsanctioned, as well as any other possible signs of illness your dog is showing and, if you are in any doubt, contact a vet and let them know. They will be able to advise whether your dog needs medical attention or whether it would benefit from a slow-eater bowl.
Featured Image Credit: Al More, Shutterstock