What is acid reflux in dogs?
Acid reflux in dogs is very similar to acid reflux in humans.
It happens when intestinal or gastric fluids or digestive enzymes come up from the stomach and flow into the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach).
These fluids can cause inflammation, irritation, and even damage to the esophageal lining.
Signs & symptoms of acid reflux in dogs
Signs of acid reflux are not the same in all dogs. Dogs with mild acid reflux would have subtle symptoms while dogs whose esophagi are severely inflamed would have more obvious signs. The signs are:
- Vomiting bile
- Weight loss
- Coughing or wheezing
- Retching, burping or gagging after eating
- Lip licking (indicating nausea)
- Decreased appetite
- Regurgitation of undigested food
- Chronic vomiting
- Persistent bad breath
- Whining while eating
- Eating a bit, demonstrating discomfort, then resuming eating.
- Excessive salivation
Causes of acid reflux in dogs
- Stress
- Hiatal hernias: A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach bulges through the large muscle separating your abdomen and chest (diaphragm).
- bacterial infections
- spicy, or oily foods
- being overweight
- pregnancy
- anxiety
- increase in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone
- some pain killers
How is acid reflux diagnosed in dogs?
Acid reflux disease is often diagnosed through endoscopy.
Anesthesia would be administered to your dog and a small camera will be passed down your dog’s esophagus.
This camera will allow the vet to see the state of the esophageal inflammation caused by the acid reflux, after which the vet would then diagnose your dog.
Is acid reflux in dogs serious?
Yes, it could be. Some dogs experience mild acid reflux but for some dogs, it could get serious.
If your dog begins to show signs of severe chest pain, in combination with pain in the jaw, neck, or back, nausea and vomiting, or difficulty in breathing.
You should immediately take your dog to see a vet because those could be signs that their acid reflux is getting serious.
Occasional acid reflux in dogs isn’t usually associated with long-term or serious complications.
However, when acid reflux occurs frequently and the dog is left untreated, it can lead to conditions in your dog such as esophagitis, ulcers, strictures, aspiration pneumonia, and Barrett’s esophagus.
Dog acid reflux at night
If your dog has acid reflux at night, it is because when your dog is laying down, it loses the effect of gravity on the food traveling through its digestive system.
Laying down also prevents gravity from keeping bile and acids from traveling up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Because of this, many dogs find their heartburn is worse at night.
Dog acid reflux at night treatment
To avoid dog acid reflux at night, your dog should eat dinner early before bedtime and should sleep with a wedged pillow.
Acid reflux in dogs treatment
For treatment, we would look at over-the-counter treatment and home remedies.
Over-the-counter treatment for acid reflux in dogs
Pepcid AC original strength
This is the most common over-the-counter antacid used in veterinary medicine.
This is not something you should give regularly but when there is a serious attack and you want a dramatic decrease in acid production, this antacid is very effective.
Dosage: 2.5mg/10lb daily
At the time of publishing this post, this antacid cost $17.98 for a pack containing 90, 10 mg tablets on amazon.
Now slippery elm capsules
This capsule works by making a slippery paste that would cool the inflamed esophagus and inflamed stomach.
It also naturally decreases inflammation, decreases the amount of acid that would damage and cause all the clinical signs.
At the time of publishing this post, these capsules cost $7.46 for a 400mg container, which contains 100 capsules on amazon.
Home and natural remedies treatment for acid reflux in dogs
Traditional medicinal organic chamomile tea
Organic chamomile tea is a great of all the different teas. It is a natural antacid, it is super safe and it is very effective.
Dosage: 1 cup/20lbs daily
At the time of publishing this post, a pack containing 16 tea bags cost $4.78 on amazon.
Ripe banana
Banana has a high potassium content which makes them a fairly alkaline food.
And, according to the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, this means it may help counteract the stomach acid irritating your esophagus.
It is important to note that unripe bananas are less alkaline, rich in starch, and may be an acid reflux trigger for some dogs. So be sure to choose a ripe banana.
Other alkaline foods that may help reduce heartburn include melons, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts.
Baking soda
Baking soda natural alkaline found in your kitchen, sodium bicarbonate helps to neutralize excess stomach acid to ease acid reflux in dogs.
Ginger
Some research has shown that ginger works for acid reflux because of its anti-inflammatory.
Though it is not confirmed, it won’t be bad to try it but make sure you ask your vet.
Best dog food for dogs with acid reflux
I don’t have any particular dog food in mind but I would tell you foods your dog with acid reflux shouldn’t eat and foods that could help their acid reflux.
Foods your dog with acid reflux shouldn’t eat
High-fat foods
Fried and fatty foods can cause your dog’s LES to relax, which would cause more stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
These foods also delay stomach emptying.
Eating high-fat foods puts your dogs at greater risk for reflux symptoms, so reducing your dog’s total daily fat intake can help.
Foods containing Chocolate
Chocolate contains an ingredient called methylxanthine.
This ingredient has been shown to relax the smooth muscle in the LES of your dog and lead to an increase in dog reflux.
Foods containing mints
Mint has been reported to trigger acid reflux in some dogs.
Foods containing Tomatoes and citrus fruit
Although fruits are good for your dogs, some fruits could trigger acid reflux in your dog especially those high in acid.
Spicy foods and foods containing garlic and onions
Spicy foods and foods with onions and garlic, trigger heartburn symptoms in most dogs.
All dogs might not be triggered by these foods.
But I recommend you should track your dog’s meals if they eat a lot of spicy foods or foods with a lot of onions and garlic.
Your dog may be bothered by some of these foods more than they are bothered by other foods.
Food that could help your dog’s acid reflux
Foods high in oatmeal
Oatmeal is a whole grain and a great source of fiber. Some research has shown that diets high in fiber could reduce the risk of acid reflux.
Vegetables
Vegetables are generally low in fat and sugar and would be good for your dog.
Non-citrus fruits
Non-citrus fruits are not acidic or a little bit acidic. Therefore they are less likely to trigger acid reflux.
These fruits include: melons, bananas, apples, and pears, are less likely to trigger reflux symptoms than acidic fruits.
Foods containing lean meats and seafood
Lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, fish, and seafood, are low-fat and can reduce symptoms of acid reflux.
Healthy fats
healthy unsaturated fats are good for dogs with acid reflux. These fats include avocados, walnuts, flaxseed, olive oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil.
What human antacid can I give my dog?
Pepcid AC original strength
Pepcid is a human antacid that is widely used in veterinary medicine for the treatment of acid reflux in dogs. I have already discussed more on this antacid somewhere above in this blog post.
Can I give my dog omeprazole for acid reflux?
As a dog parent whose dog suffers from acid reflux at some point, you might have wondered if it would be ok to give your dog omeprazole and the answer is yes.
This medication can help to reduce stomach acid and alleviate symptoms like vomiting and nausea.
Dosage: 0.25 to 0.5 mg per pound
At the time of publishing this post, a packing containing 40, 20mg tablets cost $10.79 on amazon.
Note the omeprazole in the picture is for adults, so if you have a puppy I recommend you use another omeprazole.
Can I give my dog, yogurt for acid reflex?
Yoghurt wouldn’t have any effect on your dog’s acid reflux.
However, yogurt especially plain greek yogurt is a very good source of probiotics that could improve your dog’s gut health.
Can I give my dog pumpkins for acid reflux?
Pumpkin wouldn’t have any effect on your dog’s acid reflux but it helps with indigestion, stomach upset, diarrhea, and constipation.
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