Why is my dogs stomach making noises and not eating?

If you hear your dog’s belly rumbling at the same time they turn their nose up at dinner, that combination can be worrying. Noisy guts and a loss of appetite often arrive together and usually have straightforward explanations, but sometimes they point to something more serious. Below I explain what those noises are, what commonly causes them, what to watch for, and practical steps you can take at home before calling the clinic.

Why your dog’s stomach is rumbling — and what it could mean

When owners describe “a noisy stomach with reduced eating,” they usually mean audible gurgling, occasional belching or passing gas, and a flat refusal or pickiness at mealtime. I typically see this pattern in puppies learning new foods, older dogs whose digestion slows, and in dogs with naturally sensitive stomachs. The sound alone can be normal; it’s the combination with appetite change, lethargy, vomiting, or abnormal stool that should make you more concerned.

For many dog lovers the immediate question is whether the noise and the refusal to eat are something to panic over or something to monitor. In most cases, the situation may suggest a transient upset — a mild indigestion, eating too fast, or a short-lived intolerance — but it can also be an early sign of infection, inflammation, or obstruction. Reading the other signs your dog shows helps separate routine from urgent.

A concise look at the most likely causes

There are several common reasons a dog’s belly will rumble while they eat less than usual. Hunger and normal digestive sounds often come first: if a dog has been very active or missed a meal, their stomach can make loud noises even if they’re not interested in the offered food. Gas, mild indigestion, or a food intolerance is a frequent culprit, especially after dietary changes or treats. Dogs that eat quickly or gulp air while scarfing food can develop noisy digestion and feel uncomfortable afterward. Less commonly, mild stomach infections, parasites, or systemic illnesses can reduce appetite and change gut sounds.

It’s also important to know when the combination may indicate a problem. Persistent loss of appetite, repetitive vomiting, dark or bloody stool, fever, or a swollen abdomen is more worrisome and is likely linked to something that needs veterinary assessment. A short, one-off noisy episode with no other signs is more often harmless.

How digestion, gas and activity create those gut sounds

The noises you hear come from the muscular activity of the digestive tract and from gas moving through it. The gut muscles contract rhythmically in waves — a process called peristalsis — which pushes food, fluids and gas along. Those contractions can make audible sounds known as borborygmi. When the stomach and intestines contain more gas than usual, or when contents are relatively fluid, the sounds become louder and more noticeable.

Gas is generated both by swallowed air and by chemical breakdown of food. Gut bacteria ferment certain carbohydrates and produce gas as a normal part of digestion; some diets or sudden food changes increase this activity. Hunger itself can produce characteristic stomach contractions as the digestive tract prepares for a meal, which may feel like a rumble even when the dog refuses to eat.

Inflammation, infection, or partial obstruction can alter how the gut muscles work. Inflammation may speed up or slow motility, producing louder or more irregular noises, and in the case of a blockage the gut upstream may become noisy early on but quiet down as movement ceases. That change in sound quality, alongside appetite loss, is why observation over time matters.

Timing matters: common situations when noises crop up

Timing and context tell a lot. Noises are most common around scheduled meal times or after a long fast; a dog that usually grazes will produce different sounds than a dog fed twice daily. Dogs that eat rapidly, inhale food, or scavenge table scraps or garbage are more prone to noisy digestion and subsequent discomfort. A recent switch in food, introduction of new treats or supplements, or sudden access to unusual items (bones, fatty food) often precedes digestive upset.

Stressful events — travel, boarding, loud noises, or a change of household routine — can also change gut motility and appetite. Some medications and supplements have digestive side effects that increase gas or reduce appetite. If the noisy tummy starts after a vaccine, new medication, or a stressful event, that timing can provide an important clue.

Red flags: symptoms that mean you should act fast

• Persistent or repeated vomiting, especially if it is frequent or lasting more than a few hours.
• Blood in vomit or stool, or black, tarry stool that may suggest bleeding in the upper gut.
• Marked lethargy, a visibly swollen or painful abdomen, or signs that the dog is trying to vomit but producing little (non-productive retching).
• Dehydration (sticky gums, reduced skin elasticity) or a fever, and refusal to drink for more than 24 hours in an adult dog or for shorter times in puppies or seniors.
• Inability to pass stool or pronounced abdominal distention, which can indicate a serious blockage or bloat.

Immediate steps to take if your dog won’t eat and is noisy

1. Observe and record. Note appetite, energy level, vomiting episodes, and stool appearance and frequency. Write down recent diet changes, access to garbage or foreign objects, and any new medications. A clear timeline helps your veterinarian interpret the problem.
2. Check hydration and temperature. Gently lift the skin over the shoulder blades to assess skin tenting (it should return quickly); check gums for moisture and color. If you have a digital thermometer, a normal rectal temperature is usually around 101–102.5°F (38.3–39.2°C) in many dogs, but values may vary by breed; discuss specifics with your clinic.
3. If your dog is vomiting, withhold food for 8–12 hours in adults (shorter in puppies) but continue offering small amounts of water. If water is kept down and vomiting stops, offer a bland diet in small, frequent portions — plain boiled chicken (no skin, bones, or seasoning) and white rice, or a veterinary-prescribed gastrointestinal diet for 1–3 days. If vomiting resumes, call your vet.
4. Keep your dog comfortable and quiet. Avoid exercise and do not attempt to induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a veterinarian or pet poison control — the wrong approach can make some problems worse.
5. Call the clinic promptly if red flags appear, if appetite loss persists beyond 24 hours in an adult (sooner in puppies/seniors), if there is blood in vomit or stool, or if your dog becomes weak or painful.

Practical feeding and behavior changes for long-term relief

Preventing recurrence focuses on predictable feeding and reducing triggers. Offer scheduled meals rather than free-feeding so you can track appetite and adjust portions; this also prevents scavenging. I typically recommend two to three meals a day for adult dogs instead of leaving food out all day, which helps stabilize digestion and reduces the chance of gulping and gas.

To slow eating, use a slow-feed bowl or scatter food across a non-slip mat. Puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys can stretch mealtime and reduce gulping. Measure portions with a food scale so you aren’t overfeeding; even small repeated treats add up and can upset a sensitive stomach. When changing diets, transition slowly over 7–10 days by mixing escalating amounts of the new food with the old.

Choose higher-quality, easily digestible diets if your dog has chronic sensitivity. Look for products that list a single high-quality protein first and have moderate fiber; avoid sudden introduction of rich human foods. Address stressors that coincide with mealtime — feed in a quiet spot, separate dogs if competition causes rapid eating, and keep feeding routines consistent when traveling or boarding.

Helpful tools, supplements and gear that can ease discomfort

Several simple items can make both diagnosis and prevention easier. A slow-feeder bowl or puzzle feeder reduces gulping and helps with portion control. A small digital food scale ensures consistent portions and accurate calorie management. A basic pet first-aid kit plus a digital rectal thermometer lets you gather useful data at home. Probiotics formulated for dogs may support gut balance in some cases, but it’s best to discuss strains, dosage, and duration with your veterinarian before starting them. If your dog has repeated episodes, consider a short notebook or a notes app entry to track meals, treats, stool, vomiting, and any environmental changes; patterns often emerge over time.

When noises and loss of appetite persist — next steps and vet tests to expect

If noisy digestion and inappetence recur despite basic changes, further evaluation is usually warranted. I commonly see chronic intermittent signs that point to food intolerance or allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, endocrine issues like Addison’s disease, or parasites. Your veterinarian may suggest stool testing for parasites, bloodwork to screen organ function and inflammation, abdominal imaging (X-rays or ultrasound) to look for blockages or structural disease, or a therapeutic diet trial to identify food-related causes.

For dogs with frequent episodes, a targeted plan often includes a combination of diet management, behavior modification to reduce stress at feeding, and sometimes medications or supplements prescribed by the vet. If a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist is recommended, they can offer advanced diagnostics and long-term management plans tailored to your dog’s age, breed, and health history.

References and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Vomiting in Dogs” — chapter on causes, diagnosis and management of canine vomiting.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Digestive Problems in Dogs — Vomiting and Diarrhea: When to Seek Veterinary Care.”
• American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): “Guidelines for Gastrointestinal Disorders and Nutrition Support in Dogs.”
• Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E.C., Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine: Sections on canine anorexia, small intestinal motility, and dietary management.
• Board-certified veterinary internists and your local veterinarian: for personalized assessment, diagnostics and treatment plans tailored to your dog.