Does my dog suffer from acid reflux?

Written by N | July 9, 2025

Do you know this? Your dog seems nauseous, smacking its lips, drooling, eating less, and wanting to eat grass outside. Sometimes it even vomits. Your dog is probably having stomach troubles. But does your dog also suffer from acid reflux? That’s what we’re going to discuss.

Man petting golden retriever on the head

Stomach Problems in Dogs

Every dog can sometimes feel nauseous and may vomit. This can happen, for example, if your dog has eaten something wrong or caught a gastrointestinal virus. These symptoms usually pass within a few days. However, your dog can also suffer from chronic stomach problems.

The Function of the Stomach

The stomach is the organ where food is stored after a meal. Even before your dog starts eating, many things happen inside the body. Your dog begins to salivate, the stomach starts producing stomach acid, the pancreas releases digestive juices, and the intestines begin to churn. All of this happens to prepare the dog’s body for food.

In the mouth, saliva starts smoothing the food bolus and begins starch digestion. In the stomach, stomach acid then kills bacteria and also initiates protein digestion.

Stomach acid, also called hydrochloric acid, is very strong. Therefore, the stomach lining is protected by a mucus layer to prevent damage to the stomach wall itself. If this mucus layer is damaged, the stomach acid can attack the stomach wall and a stomach ulcer can develop.

When Does Your Dog Have Acid Reflux?

Stomach acid is very important for proper digestion of food and for killing harmful bacteria and other pathogens.

But when stomach acid escapes the stomach, it can cause problems. These tissues are not well protected against acid. The main reason dogs suffer from stomach acid issues is reflux.

What is reflux in a dog?

Another term for reflux is acid regurgitation. This means that stomach contents flow back into the esophagus instead of the normal route to the intestines. This causes the esophageal lining to come into contact with stomach acid, leading to irritation and possibly inflammation of the esophagus.

How does reflux develop in dogs?

Several causes can lead to reflux in dogs:

The esophageal sphincter may not function properly. This valve between the esophagus and stomach normally prevents stomach contents from flowing back up. This problem can be congenital or result from digestive or neurological disorders.
If the stomach does not empty properly into the intestines or is inflamed, stomach overfilling can increase the risk of reflux.
Poor diet. Foods that are harder to digest increase reflux risk, such as very fatty foods or those high in fiber.
Frequent vomiting can increase reflux risk, as vomit includes stomach contents that irritate the esophageal lining.
Megaesophagus and other congenital abnormalities. Megaesophagus is a condition where the esophagus is dilated and has reduced motility. Causes vary and require further investigation if your dog has this. Some breeds are prone to thickening of the gastric outlet lining, leading to delayed emptying and inflammation.
Dogs under anesthesia or recently anesthetized can experience reflux. For this reason, dogs should fast before anesthesia.
Overweight dogs often have increased abdominal pressure from excess fat, which can impair esophageal function.
Stress can affect the stomach and cause reflux.
Various diseases and medications can cause reflux, including kidney failure, tumors, neurological conditions, and prescribed drugs. These can impact stomach acid and esophageal and stomach function.

How do you recognize reflux in your dog?

The main symptom of reflux-related esophageal irritation or inflammation is nausea. Your dog may have reduced appetite, drool excessively, and regurgitate food (spontaneous food expulsion without retching, distinct from vomiting). Your dog may also have bad breath, difficulty swallowing, and cough. The inflammation is painful, so your dog may show restlessness.

Chronic reflux can cause weight loss.

Diagnosis is suspected through history and physical exam but confirmed only by esophageal endoscopy with possible biopsy.

What can you do to help your dog?

There are several things you can do to support your dog with reflux and stomach acid issues.

Diet changes

If your dog has reflux and stomach acid problems, it’s important to feed a different diet and feed differently.

Choose a highly digestible, low-fat diet and avoid treats or human food.

Suitable diets include Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat (also available as wet food), Vetality Gastrointestinal Low Fat, Hill’s i/d Low Fat – Digestive Care, or Brit Veterinary Diet Dog – Grain Free – Gastrointestinal Low Fat.

Besides diet, feed your dog frequent small meals.

Medication and supplements

If your dog has esophageal or stomach ulcers, the mucosa needs protection. This can be done with sucralfate, which forms a protective layer. Often, acid suppressants are used temporarily.

Acid suppression carries risks because stomach acid is important for digestion and killing pathogens. Reducing acid can affect digestion and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes it is necessary despite risks.

If no ulcers are present, supplements can support and improve the stomach environment. Examples include:

Puur Stomac
Phytonics Gastri Comp
Green Oss Mentha Complex

These herbal supplements benefit the stomach and reduce reflux risk while supporting digestion.

Digestive enzymes can also help improve gastric emptying and nutrient absorption, such as pancreatic enzymes found in AA Zymovet 250 Pancreas Powder and Vetplus Lypex.