There are three reasons a dog would burp after eating. The first is that they ate too fast and engulfed too much air into their upper respiratory tract. The second is because of digestive issues that cause excessive gas. The third reason is because of a medical issue such as acid reflux.
Burp! We all know what it’s like to burp…usually right after a carbonated drink. That unpleasant gas that gets stuck in your chest has to come out one way or another. Burps aren’t exclusive to humans. Dogs experience this from time to time as well.
But what if your dog burps after every meal? Do you have an extra gassy dog, or is there a medical issue going on? In this guide, we will go into detail on why some dogs burp more than others and whether you have anything to be concerned about if your dog is burping every time they eat.
What You'll Learn
Difference Between Dog Burps and Human Burps
A dog’s burp is no different in a human’s burp. They are caused by the same phenomenon.
Burping is a way the body releases extra air from the upper digestive tract. Though it can sometimes be a funny action, this is a normal bodily function for both dogs and humans.
In most cases, burping in dogs is harmless. However, depending on how often your dog burps, there may be something serious going on.
Why Does My Dog Burp After Eating?
If your dog burps a lot after eating, it is usually due to one of the three reasons mentioned below.
Eating Too Fast
If your dog usually burps after eating, it is most likely because they are eating too fast. When your dog is enjoying their meal, they engulf too much air that gets trapped in their upper respiratory tract as they are swallowing. As a result, they burp.
Digestive Issues
If you don’t think your dog is burping because they’re eating too fast, check the nutrition label on your dog’s food.
There could be some foods that your dog’s stomach may be sensitive to, which causes digestive problems.
Many dogs have sensitive stomachs and cannot digest ingredients like pea, cauliflower, dairy, spices, etc.
If you have recently changed your dog’s diet, compare the ingredients in the previous dog food to see what may be causing the excess gas.
If you’re unsure what may be causing excess gas in your dog, reaching out to your vet would be a good idea. They will direct you to the probable cause and will develop a nutrition plan made specifically for your four-legged friend.
Acid Reflux
Just like humans, your best friend can also experience acid reflux. This unpleasant experience is when stomach acid makes its way to their esophagus. When this happens, it can trigger your dog to burp.
This is a normal reaction. If your dog is constantly experiencing this, once again, we recommend scheduling an appointment with the vet. Acid reflux can easily be treated once diagnosed.
Is Excessive Burping Harmful to Dogs?
As stated above, burping is a very normal bodily function. It releases the pressure built up in your dog’s body.
However, sometimes consistent burps may be an underlying symptom of a health issue. Your dog could be suffering from a case of gastrointestinal disease.
Gastrointestinal disease is when your dog’s digestive system is not breaking down food correctly. The unbroken food will produce gas within the dog’s body.
This is not something that should be neglected as it can lead to cancer, upset stomach, bloat, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), etc.
How to Stop Your Dog From Burping After Eating?
If you have concluded that your dog is producing excess air in their bodies because they’re eating too fast (90% of the time this will be the case), the good news is it’s easily fixable.
There are many products and tricks that can help your pup get rid of that bubbly bodily function for good.
Slow Feeder Bowl
Slow feeder bowls are a go-to product if you believe your dog is eating or drinking way too fast.
You should be able to find plenty of slow feeder bowls at your local pet store. If not, there’s no shortage of them online.
This type of bowl comes in many designs, shapes, and colors that can fit you and your dog’s lifestyle.
These bowls are durable, light, and dishwasher safe. You can use them with wet dog food, dry dog food, and even water.
Slow feeder bowls will slow down the speed at which your dog eats and trigger their natural “hunting” instinct since they have to work harder for their food.
Stainless Steel Slow Dog Feeders
If you already have a bowl at home and don’t want to invest in multiple bowls, I would recommend trying the stainless steel slow dog feeders.
This product can also be conveniently found at your local pet store or online. They come in many sizes to fit your dog’s food or water bowl.
If you are worried that this product may fall out of your dog’s bowl, they are usually weighted to ensure stability. As the name suggests, they are made of stainless steel, which means they’re dishwasher safe. Clean it after each use to prevent any bacteria build up.
Dog Bowl Inserts
Similar to the stainless-steel slow dog feeders, you can also purchase dog bowl inserts to place in your dog’s food or water bowl.
These can also be found in your local pet store or online. They will imitate the slow feeder bowl, but you won’t have to purchase a new bowl for your dog.
They also have many designs and styles that you can choose from. The material is made of durable, safe plastic that is easily washable. Again, to prevent bacteria build up, we recommend washing it after each use.
Feed Your Dog More Often
Here’s a “free tip” that might reduce the amount of times your dog burps after eating. Many dogs are food driven. With this, they are anticipating their only meal for the day.
They may be very excited during that time, or they may be anxious as they won’t know when their next meal will be.
If your dog is a super fast eater, try putting them on a new eating schedule with one or two more feeding times.
Just make sure that if you’re going to increase the feeding frequency, you reduce the amount you feed them each time. For example, if you only feed your dog one cup of food each day, feed them ½ cup twice per day. They would be eating the same amount of food within 24 hours, but now have two meals instead of one.
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