What is acid reflux in dogs, and what causes it?
Like humans, dogs can also suffer acid reflux resulting in pain, discomfort, and vomiting. For a pet owner, it’s distressing seeing your furry companion in pain.
So, what should you do if your dog has acid reflux?
Read on to learn more about this condition and how to handle it.
What Is Canine Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux, otherwise referred to as gastroesophageal reflux, is when dogs’ gastric or intestinal fluids move from the stomach back to the esophagus. This can result from the temporary relaxation of the sphincter or chronic vomiting.
These intestinal juices (consisting of bile, gastric acids, and salts) can cause irritation, inflammation, and damage to the protective mucus lining of the esophagus, thus increasing the risk of esophageal ulcers in dogs.
Acid reflux can also lead to the narrowing, thinning, and necrosis of the esophagus. Additionally, repetitive regurgitation can cause a dog’s vomit to enter its lungs, potentially leading to aspiration pneumonia in canines.
Signs of Acid Reflux in Dogs
Acid reflux in dogs is hard to notice and often gets misdiagnosed as its symptoms may be confused with other upper gastrointestinal issues like gastritis. The symptoms of acid reflux also depend on the severity of the condition. Some of the signs that can indicate acid reflux in dogs include:
- Burping, gurgling, or regurgitation after eating
- Restlessness or signs of discomfort
- Persistent bad breath
- Lip licking
- Excessive drooling
- Teeth grinding or jaw snapping
- Loss of appetite
- Whining while eating
- Inactivity or lethargy after meals
- Vomiting bile
- Wheezing and coughing
- Difficulties swallowing food
What Causes Canine Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a pretty common condition for dogs of all ages. There are several causes of canine acid reflux, including:
- Hiatal hernia: This is a defect that occurs when there is an opening in the diaphragm, allowing part of the intestines, stomach, or liver to enter the chest cavity. This abnormal stomach positioning increases the risk of developing acid reflux in dogs.
- Surgery and specific anesthetic procedures: when anesthetics are administered, it can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, leaving a space between the stomach and the esophagus. This leads to gastric reflux in dogs. Improper positioning of the dog during anesthesia can lead to acid reflux.
- Chronic vomiting: Long-term vomiting, particularly common in dogs with liver or kidney malfunctioning, can lead to acid reflux.
- Excessive acid production in dogs can cause some fluids to leak back into the esophagus leading to acid reflux.
- Younger dogs are also prone to acid reflux because their sphincters are not yet fully developed, which puts them at a higher risk.
Acid Reflux Diagnosis
Esophagoscopy is the best way of diagnosing acid reflux in dogs. This involves placing a camera in the dog’s esophagus to examine if there are any changes in the esophagus lining or active bleeding in the esophagus. X-rays can also be carried out for hernias, tumors, and foreign bodies that could interfere with the ability of the esophagus muscles to function properly.
Dog Acid Reflux Treatment
Acid reflux can be easily treated at home with a proper diet, medication, and nutrition. The most popular treatment method is withholding food for up to two days. After that, you can give small portions of a low-protein, low-fat diet frequently throughout the day.
It’s essential to limit the protein and fat content because fats decrease muscle strength between the stomach and the esophagus. In contrast, proteins promote the secretion of gastric acids.
Medications can also be prescribed to improve the movement of the stomach contents through the intestines and strengthen the esophageal sphincter. In very rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct severe hernia or ulcers.
What to Feed a Dog with Acid Reflux
For a dog with acid reflux, your vet may suggest a change in its diet. The new food should be easily digestible and soothing foods suited for sensitive stomachs. You may need to switch to a higher-quality dog food devoid of highly processed ingredients that are difficult to digest.
The best foods for managing acid reflux in dogs should contain fiber, healthy fats, and easily digestible proteins. These foods can help maintain healthy acid levels and not aggravate acid reflux. A vet can assist in determining the ingredients causing acid reflux in your dog and recommend suitable alternatives.
The following foods are easy to digest and do not cause excessive acid production in your dog’s stomach. They are also packed with beneficial nutrients making them good choices for dogs with acid reflux.
- Bone broth
- Turkey
- Pumpkin puree
- Chicken
- Banana
- Fish
- Peeled, baked sweet potato
- Rice
Foods that May Aggravate Acid Reflux
The following foods should be avoided as they can aggravate the condition in dogs with acid reflux:
- Foods containing too much oil: Extremely fatty and greasy foods are harder to digest and cause the esophageal sphincter to completely open, allowing stomach acids to come back up to the esophagus.
- Artificial preservatives and colorings: These are also not easy to digest and can cause stomach upset, further exacerbating the likelihood of acid reflux in dogs.
- Spicy foods: Spicy foods can irritate the stomach and slow down digestion. This means that the food stays in the stomach for a longer time making it more likely to be regurgitated.
- Food allergens: Eliminating common food allergens like soy, corn, dairy, and gluten can help control acid reflux in dogs.
Dog Acid Reflux Diet Tips
A careful diet consideration is essential for the effective management of canine acid reflux. The following tips can help;
- Feeding a complete and well-balanced diet that does not contain preservatives, colorings, flavors, and common food allergens can help prevent acid reflux in dogs.
- Maintain a consistent feeding schedule to avoid varying levels of food in the stomach
- Avoid late-night feedings if your dog is prone to acid reflux. This is because the esophageal sphincter relaxes more when the dog sleeps, making it more likely to vomit in the morning.
- Give smaller portions of food but more frequently throughout the day. This will help prevent the dog from vomiting bile which is more prevalent on an empty stomach.
- Opt for soft foods as they will not overwork the digestive enzymes while working.
Is My Dog Eating Grass a Sign of Acid Reflux?
Yes, eating grass can indicate acid reflux, fiber deficiency, or gastrointestinal distress in dogs. Dogs with acid reflux may eat grass to induce vomiting and ease their symptoms. However, this is not a definite sign of this condition.
Can Coughing Be a Sign of Dog Acid Reflux?
Yes, acid reflux can cause coughing in dogs to clear the stomach acid or food particles that may have entered the esophagus. However, coughing could also indicate other health issues like influenza.
Is Honey for a Dog with Acid Reflux a Good Home Remedy?
Yes, honey is excellent for soothing and healing esophageal irritation caused by vomiting or regurgitation resulting from acid reflux. Its sticky viscosity coats your dog’s throat, while its natural antibacterial and healing capabilities help decrease inflammation and pain associated with acid reflux.
Is Dog Acid Reflux the Same as GERD?
No, acid reflux, otherwise referred to as gastroesophageal reflux(GER), differs from GERD. While GER is a short-period problem that likely results from your dog eating something out of the ordinary, GERD is a long-term problem that regularly results from eating something rather than their regular diet.
Over to You
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, is a common condition in dogs characterized by stomach acids moving back to the esophagus.
This condition can result from various factors, including anesthesia, hiatal hernia, chronic vomiting, and excessive acid production. Acid reflux causes irritation and inflammation of the esophagus.
Most canine acid reflux cases are mild and can be easily treated at home with the proper diet and medication. The best foods for dogs should contain easily digestible proteins, healthy fats, and fiber.
Well, that’s all you need to know about canine acid reflux.
Happy parenting!