Often, the cause of heartburn in dogs is related to their diet. While heartburn can be harmless, untreated cases can lead to severe consequences, including esophagitis and strictures. If heartburn occurs frequently or chronically, a comprehensive examination at the veterinary clinic is advisable. This can help rule out serious illnesses and initiate the appropriate treatment.

What Triggers Heartburn in Dogs?

Firstly, let us explain how the condition develops. Dogs have an almost horizontal esophagus, making them more prone to heartburn than humans. Heartburn occurs when stomach content, including stomach acid, enters the esophagus of dogs, irritating the lining. This is also known as gastroesophageal reflux. The esophageal sphincter is the muscular ring between the stomach (gastric) and the esophagus.

When there is a malfunction in the muscle’s function, it no longer provides a complete closure, allowing stomach content to flow back (reflux). In dogs (and cats), it is known that small amounts of stomach content or gastric juice occasionally enter the esophagus. This is usually harmless and typically does not cause symptoms.

However, if such reflux occurs more frequently, and signs of irritation, such as “heartburn,” are evident, it is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux. In many cases, heartburn in dogs is harmless and can be effectively treated. Nevertheless, an evaluation in the veterinarian’s office should be conducted, as certain diseases and foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract can produce similar symptoms.

Which Dogs Suffer from Excess Stomach Acid?

There are often breed-specific diseases in dogs, but heartburn is not one of them. In principle, all dogs, regardless of breed or age, can develop gastroesophageal reflux. However, there is a higher risk for younger animals whose development is not yet complete, and the sphincter muscle’s closure mechanism has not fully formed. Additionally, dogs with congenital or acquired hiatal hernia often exhibit symptoms of heartburn.

Other known risk factors include:

Stress, improper nutrition, and certain medications can trigger acid overproduction in dogs. If the stomach produces too much acid, it can not only damage the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines but also the esophagus in the case of reflux. This can be painful and may lead to further complications. Therefore, if there is suspicion of heartburn, it is advisable to schedule an appointment at your veterinarian’s office.

Causes of Heartburn in Dogs

Since heartburn is not particularly common in specific dog breeds and is not an age-related condition, it is usually triggered by something else. In addition to medication-based therapy, a simple adjustment of certain behaviors can also provide relief. Your veterinarian will go through various causes with you to find the ideal therapy for your dog. However, for the initial discussion, it may be helpful if you already pay attention to some possible causes. Here are the most common reasons for heartburn in dogs:

Dietary Change

Dogs often react poorly to changes in their diet, which can trigger allergies and be a cause of heartburn. Alongside the diet, the timing of meals is crucial. Dogs start producing stomach acid an hour before they eat. Feeding at unusual times often leads to discomfort. If a change is necessary (e.g., from dry to wet food), it should be done gradually to avoid heartburn and abdominal pain.

Sensitivity to Stress

Dogs are sensitive animals and prefer a regular routine with a consistent schedule. Disruptions to this routine or the loss of a significant caregiver can be very stressful for the animal. Even the loss of a playmate can trigger stress. In a stressful situation, the digestive process is minimized to essentials. Consumed food is not processed as usual, leading to heartburn.

Foreign Object Ingestion

The cause of heartburn in dogs can also be the ingestion of a foreign object. This must be removed as quickly as possible, even if the reason for the heartburn is harmless. Dogs experiencing heartburn suffer from stomach acid in the esophagus. Therefore, it is essential to promptly schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

Incorrect Diet

In some cases, the diet itself can be the cause of reflux. Excessive sugar can burden the digestive system of animals. Inferior quality food often contains excessive amounts of sugar. Additionally, many spices that humans enjoy can trigger digestive problems in dogs. Therefore, you should avoid giving your dog leftovers.

There are several other potential causes for reflux: advanced pregnancy in female dogs, a hiatal hernia, or medication intolerance can also be triggers.

Symptoms: Recognizing Heartburn in Dogs

As known in humans, gastroesophageal reflux can cause burning pain (heartburn). However, dogs and cats rarely communicate this. It is essential to pay attention to other signs. Symptoms that may indicate gastroesophageal reflux include:

Do you know how a dog’s ‘pain face’ looks? Unfortunately, our four-legged friends have the instinct to hide pain. A dog with reflux may have a strained expression; the gaze is often fixed. Some animals also blink constantly when they are not feeling well. As the symptoms are diverse, it is crucial to await a diagnosis before considering changing your dog’s diet.

How to Detect Gastroesophageal Reflux in Dogs

Definitively proving gastroesophageal reflux in dogs is challenging. Clinical examinations and blood tests are often inconspicuous. Even X-rays may not reveal mucosal lesions. In some cases, reflux can be demonstrated with a contrast X-ray. Therefore, the diagnosis is often made through an exclusion process. Your observations are crucial in ruling out other reasons for digestive issues.

If there is suspicion of heartburn, the first step is to determine if the dog has been exposed to or is currently exposed to the mentioned risk factors. Adjusting the diet may resolve heartburn.

An endoscopy of the esophagus can detect inflammation or ulcers of the esophageal mucosa. The veterinary investigation also serves to rule out other diseases (e.g., tumors) or foreign bodies in the esophagus.

Treating Heartburn in Dogs

Occasional heartburn is not a cause for concern. However, if it occurs regularly, measures need to be taken. Various measures are used to treat heartburn in dogs. In addition to medications, dietary adjustments are often advisable.

If you need to help your dog quickly, you can give it plain rusks. This absorbs excess stomach acid and helps transport it further. Also, small amounts of milk can be helpful (milk is alkaline and neutralizes stomach acid) as well as water. However, these home remedies do not replace a diagnosis or treatment plan from your veterinarian. Don’t have rusks or milk on hand? We’ll provide a brief overview of the most common home remedies that can also provide relief for dogs with heartburn.

Are there Home Remedies for Heartburn?

Ideally, you should treat heartburn with medications or eliminate the causes. In mild cases, however, treatment with home remedies may be sufficient. Please consult your veterinarian to find the right therapy for your dog.

What’s good for a dog’s stomach is similar to what helps people with heartburn: fennel and aniseed tea soothe the stomach lining. These can be given cooled or lukewarm to drink. Alternatively, you can also stir the tea into the food. Other proven home remedies that can help regulate acidity include potato water, carrot juice, and healing clay. These ingredients can also be mixed into the food.

Is there Immediate Relief for Heartburn?

There are various medications that can provide immediate relief for your four-legged friend. These depend on the cause of the heartburn. For example, there are medications that stimulate stomach movements and gastric emptying. On the other hand, the mucous membrane must be protected from further attacks by stomach acid. If a dog has acidosis, excessive stomach acid production can be inhibited with medications. Similarly, there are medications that form a protective layer over the mucous membrane, blocking acid attacks so that inflammation can heal.

If stress, tablet administration, or feeding play a role in the dog’s reflux disease, solutions should also be provided here. Stress should be avoided whenever possible. Tablets must be administered with enough liquid or promoting drinking. Furthermore, a dietary change is usually necessary. We’ll explain exactly what to consider during a dietary change in the next section.

What Diet is Suitable for Dogs with Heartburn?

For dogs with heartburn, it may help to suspend feeding for a day to allow the stomach to empty and reduce reflux. If gastric emptying is inhibited, there is a greater risk of gastric contents flowing back. Motility disorders of the stomach lead to the retention of food bolus, as well as a too fatty diet.

In addition to a fatty diet, a protein-rich diet can also cause heartburn. A high protein content in the diet promotes acid secretion in the stomach and causes acidosis if there is no balance (for example, through an acid buffer).

Many dogs suffering from diet-related heartburn benefit from a low-fat and low-protein diet. You can find specialized food on the market that caters to the needs of dogs with stomach problems. Home-cooked meals have also proven effective. If a dog is fed dry food and drinks little, supplementing with wet food can be useful. This provides the dog with additional fluid to regulate digestion.

Bland Diet for Dogs with Heartburn

A bland diet for dogs with gastroesophageal reflux has two basic principles: reducing fat content and decreasing portion size. Low-fat food for gastrointestinal problems in dogs is available in pet stores or through veterinary practices. Homemade meals can include mashed potatoes or carrots or be enriched with natural yogurt. Even healing clay for dogs can be temporarily fed to neutralize acidity in the acute onset of acidosis.

There are many other products that can support and soothe our four-legged friends’ stomachs. Slippery Elm Bark and psyllium husks also have a positive impact on digestion. Additionally, you should avoid prolonged fasting periods. This optimally supports your dog’s digestive process. It is also crucial that all meals are divided into small amounts and fed regularly throughout the day at regular intervals.