Why is my dogs stomach getting so big

Whats Causing My Belly Bulge, and How Do I Treat It?

Stomach bulges can have many causes, including bloating or food intolerances.

Not all belly bulges are the result of excess fat or weight gain. Even if weight gain is the cause, theres no quick fix or way to lose weight from one specific part of your body.

Taking in too many calories can cause weight gain, but a protruding or pronounced belly can also be the result of hormones, bloating, or other factors.

Read on to learn about the possible causes of belly bulge and what you can do about it.

Bloating

Bloating is the feeling of pressure or swelling in the stomach. The most common causes are trapped gas or eating too much in a short time. The sensation of bloating can cause abdominal distention, which is a visible swelling or extension of your belly.

Distention happens when the sensation of being bloated triggers your brain to react by moving your diaphragm down and relaxing your abdominal wall muscles.

Along with gassiness and eating too much, other common causes of bloating include:

Adrenal stress fat

Stress is a natural response to a perceived threat. When youre faced with a threat, a combination of nerve and hormonal signals tells your adrenal glands to release adrenaline, cortisol, and other stress hormones.

Stress is usually short-lived, and your body returns to normal. When faced with ongoing stress, your body remains in this state. There is evidence that chronic stress increases abdominal fat and cravings for foods that cause abdominal obesity.

Post-pregnancy belly

Your body goes through a number of changes during pregnancy, and a growing belly is the most obvious one. Even though you lose about 13 pounds when you give birth, its likely that you gained more than that during your pregnancy.

Your belly bulge may also be the result of fluid retention or abdominal separation (diastasis recti).

Abdominal separation may occur during or after pregnancy. It happens when your growing uterus causes the two long muscles that run parallel in your abdomen to separate from each other.

Menopausal hormonal belly bulge

Weight gain is a common effect of menopause. The hormonal changes that contribute to weight gain actually begin during perimenopause, a few years before menopause.

Menopausal weight gain primarily affects the abdomen. Factors that contribute to belly fat at this stage of life include:

Beer belly

Though studies havent found a link between beer and belly girth, there are reasons why drinking beer might give you a big belly. The more you drink, the more calories you consume, which could contribute to weight gain.

Beer is made with hops, and hops contain phytoestrogens, which are plant compounds that have similar effects to the female sex hormone estrogen. Though it hasnt been proven, there is speculation that the phytoestrogens in beer change the way your body stores belly fat.

Food intolerance

Food intolerance, which is not to be confused with food allergy, is difficulty in digesting certain foods. It is also called food sensitivity. Its become much more common in recent years and affects up to an estimated 20 percent of the worlds population.

Food intolerance can cause bloating after you eat certain foods. Along with the sensation of bloating and a distended abdomen, you might have other symptoms like gas, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Dairy, gluten, and caffeine are common food intolerances.

Common weight gain

Though weight gain can be spread throughout your body, some people are more prone to gaining belly weight than others. Weight gain is usually the result of consuming more calories than you burn through regular bodily functions and physical activity.

Sleep deprivation and stress have also been linked to overeating and weight gain.

You can get rid of a belly bulge, but how you do it depends on the cause.

Diet and exercise

Increasing your activity level and eating healthier foods and fewer calories can help you lose overall weight.

Its not possible to limit weight loss to a specific part of your body, but the following suggestions may help you make your belly smaller:

• Eat more fiber to keep your bowels regular and lose weight.
• Limit alcohol, which has been linked to abdominal obesity.
• Avoid foods high in sugar, trans fats, and refined carbs, which can contribute to weight gain and bloating.
• Drink lots of water to help keep your appetite in check and prevent constipation.
• Lift weights and perform other resistance training, which has been shown to decrease belly fat.
• Do aerobic exercise, which is one of the most effective exercises to get rid of visceral fat.
• Do ab exercises that focus on your core, such as planks, bridges, and crunches.

Medications

Some medications may help with belly bulge, including:

Reduce stress

Finding ways to relieve stress can help you lose weight and improve your overall health.

You can try:

• relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga
• spending time with loved ones or a pet
• listening to music
• taking a walk or bike ride
• doing something you enjoy
• taking a hot bath

Get more sleep

Getting enough sleep can help you keep your weight down and manage stress. Aim for seven to eight hours per night whenever possible.

Some ways to get better sleep:

• do something relaxing before bed
• avoid screen time for an hour or two before bedtime
• make your sleep environment as comfortable as possible
• see a doctor if you often wake up tired or have trouble sleeping

Surgery

Surgery may be used to correct abdominal separation caused by pregnancy or some other type of strain in the abdomen.

If youre troubled by your belly bulge, a cosmetic procedure, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction, can reduce the amount of fat in your belly. Talk to a qualified cosmetic surgeon for advice on the right procedure for you.

You may be able to do something about the amount of fat on your body, but factors beyond your control determine how the fat is distributed.

Fat allocation is determined by:

• age
• sex
• genetics
• hormone levels

Whether your belly bulge is the result of too many burgers or beers, a medical condition, or your hormones, you have options. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and medical and cosmetic treatments can all help you get rid of belly bulge, depending on the cause.

Why Does My Dog Have a Swollen Stomach?

We can all relate to having a bloated tummy after a meal. But, for your pup it could be more than the occasional discomfort that we feel. A swollen stomach is not something to be taken lightly when it comes to your dogs health. While its possible that its simply a case of overeating, many times, its an indication of a serious health issue that needs emergency medical attention.

TIME FOR A DIETOR THE VET?

Bloating generally occurs when food or gas stretches the dogs stomach. It might look like your dog is tipping the scales, but dont jump to conclusions. Look for the following symptoms because what seems like weight gain could be bloat:

• Swollen abdomen
• Feels hard
• Has an unusual shape

If you notice these signs, call your veterinarian immediately. If its after hours, you should take your pet to the emergency vet. Swollen stomachs in dogs can be fatal if left untreated.

LETS EXPAND ON SWOLLEN STOMACH CAUSES

There are a number of reasons a dog may develop a swollen abdomen, some less severe than the others.

Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)

One of the most common and concerning reasons for a swollen stomach in dogs is gastric dilation volvulus, or GDV for short.

Trapped gas blocks off the stomachs blood supply, which can be terribly painful and even life-threatening, if not treated. This can happen if your dog has swallowed air or has exercised intensely after eating.

Dogs are at high risk for GDV if they:

• Are only fed once a day
• Use elevated bowls
• Consume dry food
• Eat too quickly
• Have family history of bloat
• Are between 7-12 years of age

Deep-chested breeds like St. Bernards and Great Danes are also more likely to experience GDV. In fact, most dogs that weigh over 99 pounds have a 20% higher risk of the disease.

Along with the swollen stomach, look out for these other signs:

• Whining
• Difficulty defecating
• Sitting or lying in an abnormal position
• Having a weak pulse

Treatment for GDV

GDV cannot be treated at home, so its important to take your dog to a vet ASAP.

Treatment generally includes:

• Removing excess gas from the stomach
• Stabilizing the heart rate
• Managing shock

The vet can further assess once your dog is more stable.

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Feed your dog at least twice daily
• Add some canned food into the mix
• Let your dog rest and digest after eating

If your dog is a predisposed breed, you may want to talk to your vet about a surgical procedure called a gastropexy. This can be done at a younger age as a preventative measure for your pup.

Peritonitis

This occurs when the dogs stomach or intestines have ruptured. Potential causes for peritonitis include:

• Ulcers
• Tumors
• Bone splinters
• Urinary bladder or gallbladder ruptures

Treatment for peritonitis

The bloat can be quite painful. Its recommended to take your dog to your family vet or an emergency pet hospital like VEG for immediate treatment. The vet will repair the puncture, remove infected fluids, and flush out the abdomen.

Cushings Syndrome

Another common cause of stomach swelling in dogs is hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushings syndrome. This is usually caused by the pituitary gland overproducing a hormone, and sometimes due to a tumor in an adrenal gland.

Some signs of Cushings include:

• A pot-bellied look
• Increased hunger
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination

Some dogs may also experience hair loss or increased panting.

Treatment for Cushings

Cushings could be treated with medication or if caused by a tumor, via surgery.

TAKE YOUR PET TO THE VET

While it may just be a case of overeating, its best to be proactive and visit your veterinarian right away! Keep an eye out for additional symptoms discussed here and share what you find with them.

The emergency vets at VEG are available 7 days a week to help care for your dogs swollen stomach. At VEG, you never have to wait to be seen and you get to stay with your pet the whole time. No matter which of our VEG locations you chooseall hospitals are open 24/7, even on holidayswell triage your pet right away no waiting and discuss with you the best course of treatment. Sometimes quick action is all it takes to keep your pup healthy and happy!

7 Reasons Why Your Dogs Stomach is Hard

When your dogs stomach is hard, hopefully, they just ate too much or drank water too fast.

But you don't want to wait to find out, right?

When your dog's belly has swelling and seems as hard and tight as a drum, it may be nothing, or it may be in critical condition.

Call the vet immediately to assess their symptoms properly.

But how will I know if my dog's hardened stomach is dangerous?

In severe cases, you'll notice the following symptoms:

• Excessive drooling
• Your dog's stomach seems sensitive to touch
• Retching while trying to vomit, but nothing is happening
• Pacing around panting, looking restless, wanting to lay down

Its important to know the difference between something that can take care of itself versus something that can cause your dog serious harm.

In this article, we'll discuss 7 of the most common conditions that could explain why your dog's stomach is hard.

Dr. Myles Rowley, DVM, one of our resident veterinarians, also helped explain in this blog post.

For your reference, the reason why your dog's stomach is hard could be one of the following:

• Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
• Peritonitis
• Cushings Syndrome
• Ascites
• Blockage
• Internal Bleeding
• Infection

Here's everything you need to know:

7 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog's Stomach is Hard

1. Gastric Dilation Volvulus

Gastric Dilation Volvulus, GDV for short, is a dangerous dog bloat.

It's often called the mother of all emergencies because if left untreated, your dog could die within hours.

What causes GDV?

Your dogs stomach may stretch or bloat because of food digestion or gas.

GDV occurs if the bloated stomach rotates.

While the stomach rotates, it traps the gas inside and blocks the blood supply. When this happens, your dog will be in extreme pain.

And what's even more alarming?

The risk of GDV increases when a dog eats fast.

Besides that, there are other factors that cause GDV in your dogs, which are the following:

• Age
• Breed
• Weight
• Family history

Also, dog breeds with deep chests or weighing over 100 pounds have a 20% higher risk of bloat.

Older dogs, between 7-12 years old, are at an increased risk, too.

So, if your dog's stomach is hard and you suspect that it might be suffering from GDV, watch out for the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Collapsing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Excessive salivation
• Restlessness and pacing
• Hard or bloated abdomen
• Heavy, fast, or difficulty in breathing
• Pale mucus membranes (including in the mouth)
• Standing with neck extended and elbows outward

To treat GDV, your dog's stomach needs to be decompressed.

Once the gas is released from the dogs stomach, surgery typically follows.

To help prevent dog bloat, you can follow these suggestions at home:

• 2 small meals per day
• Choose quality dog food
• Avoid strenuous activities after eating

For giant breed dogs and other high risk breeds, it is a good idea to consider performing a procedure called a Gastropexy.

This procedure involves tacking the stomach to the body wall, and it can be incorporated into the same procedure when your dog is being spayed or neutered.

After this procedure is performed, the stomach still has the ability to bloat with gas which can be uncomfortable, but it will not rotate and result in a fatal event. Dr. Myles Rowley DVM

2. Peritonitis

Peritonitis is a serious infection resulting from a rupture or puncture in your dogs stomach.

Ruptures are usually a result of ulcers, tumors, or splinters from a bone your dog ate, among other reasons.

When this happens, watch out for other symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Severe pain
• Listlessness
• Swollen or hard abdomen

Because of the severity of Peritonitis, your dog may be unwilling to move or might go into shock.

Treatment for Peritonitis includes surgery, IV fluids, and other medications.

To help prevent the potential for stomach rupture or puncture, avoid feeding bones to your dogs, as this may splinter when being digested.

3. Cushings Syndrome

Cushings Syndrome, or hyperadrenocorticism, is a common illness that's found more in dogs than in cats.

This condition is triggered by 3 types of causes, namely:

• Pituitary gland tumor
• Adrenal gland tumor
• Excessive cortisol from the use of steroids

In addition to a hardened stomach or pot-belly look, your dog may exhibit other symptoms, including:

Treating Cushings syndrome depends on the type of causes.

So, it's vital to have your dog assessed by a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

For adrenal gland tumors, surgery is a common option as part of the medication.

4. Ascites

Ascites happenwhen there is a buildup of fluid in the dogs abdomen.

This buildup leads to swelling in the dogs abdominal region.

And this fluid can be the result of many different things, including but not limited to:

Because such a wide range of conditions cause Ascites, there's an equally wide variety of treatments.

Treatments will depend on the specific diagnosis given by the veterinarian.

5. Blockages

Our dogs are naturally curious animals. When they're bored and not properly trained, they will get their paws and maws on things they shouldn't eat and swallow.

And one sign to look out for is a hard stomach.

If your dog seems to be in pain when you touch his stomach, is straining to poop, is restless, has obvious bloating, and is near a suspiciously looking piece of plastic or junk, then that's most likely a signof intestinal blockage.

6. Internal Bleeding

If your dog has experienced trauma or an accident, that could cause internal bleeding.

If it happened in his stomach area, the internal bleeding might cause his tummy to harden.

This is a serious case and must be addressed by your vet as soon as possible.

Other signs of internal bleeding in dogs include:

7. Parasites

Sounds gross, but our dog's stomachs can be home to many benign and harmful parasites, too.

While some can be prevented by having our dogs vaccinated, others can still make their way into our dog's stomachs because of unclean environments and interactions with infected animals, among others.

Apart from an unnaturally hard stomach, other signs of intestinal parasites in dogs are:

• loose stool or diarrhea
• blood in the stool
• weight loss
• an inability to gain weight
• a dull, coarse coat
• visible worms in the feces

Roundworm infestation is one common reason why your dog has a hard stomach.

How to Examine Your Dog's Stomach for Hardness or Any Abnormalities

Regularly examining our dog's stomach can help us detect any abnormalities early and ensure that they receive prompt veterinary care.

To check for any hardness or abnormalities in your Fido's tummy area, it's important to be gentle and calm and not cause your dog any discomfort or stress.

Here's what you should do:

1. Choose a quiet, comfortable area: Choose a quiet and comfortable area where your dog can relax and feel at ease.

2. Position your dog: Position your dog on their side or back and gently hold them in place.

3. Observe your dog's stomach: Observe your dog's stomach for any signs of abnormalities, such as swelling, discoloration, or lumps.

4. Gently palpate your dog's stomach: Using your fingertips, gently palpate or touch your dog's stomach, starting at the ribcage and working down towards the pelvis. Pay attention to any areas that feel hard, lumpy, or sensitive.

5. Watch for signs of discomfort: Watch for any signs of discomfort or pain, such as whining, growling, or pulling away if you touched a particularly sensitive area.

A healthy stomach should be soft to the touch.

It shouldn't have any masses, bumps, or lumps when you gently press your hands on it.

A healthy dog shouldn't show signs of discomfort when you touch his stomach or palpate it.

And lastly, there should be no swelling or enlargement in the belly.

What to Do if Your Dog's Stomach is Hard

If your dogs stomach is hard, and it's not because they ate their food quickly, take them to a veterinarian for an examination and treatment immediately.

Veterinarians will diagnose the problem by completing the following:

• X-rays
• Urinalysis
• Blood tests
• Physical exams

By supporting your dogs overall health, you can help prevent problems that may lead to abdominal swelling and enlargement.

The best way to support their health is to take them in for annual checkups so your vet can ensure their vital organs are in good shape.

You can also take action at home to prevent bloat, including:

• Using gastric-friendly dog food
• Feeding your dog smaller meals
• Requiring rest instead of exercise or play after mealtime

If your dogs stomach is hard or swollen, you must act fast.

Important: Quick diagnosis and treatment can be lifesaving measures for your dog.

Questions and Answers to Summarize

The following questions and answers summarize the above information about situations when a dogs stomach is hard.

What Do You Do When Your Dogs Stomach Is Hard?

If your dogs stomach is hard and you dont think its from eating too quickly, take your pooch to the vet immediately.

This can be a severe case of GDV, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Why Is My Dogs Belly So Tight?

Your dogs belly may feel tight from ascites, Cushings syndrome, peritonitis, gastric dilation volvulus, internal bleeding, liver dysfunction, heart failure, pregnancy, uterine infection, or another cause.

Take your dog to a vet to confirm the cause and get treatment.

What Causes Bloated Stomach in Dogs?

Like humans, bloating can happen in dogs when gas gets trapped in their stomachs. It can also happen from swallowing too much air, eating a huge meal, or exercising right after eating a big meal.

How Do I Know If My Dogs Stomach Hurts?

Since your dog cant tell you if his stomach hurts, you must know the signs to look out for.

Indications include gurgling sounds from the stomach, gas, loss of appetite, salivation, diarrhea, vomiting, licking the floor, and eating grass.

Before You Go: Why You Should Trust Top Dog Tips

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We want to clear the fog surrounding topics like nutrition, dog care, dog health, and more.

So we went ahead and brought aboard not only long-time dog owners but veterinarians onto our website.

You can also check out our veterinary review board.

For each article we publish, we want to make sure the information is accurate and has been vetted by real veterinarians and people who have actually owned dogs.

Share with us your thoughts about this article in the comments section!

You can also read about other stomach-related issues our dogs often experience by clicking the links below!

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