askHELTIE HELTIEdog® Digestive Problems in Dogs

Digestive Problems in Dogs

The digestive tract runs “from mouth to tail,” and anywhere along the way, dogs can develop digestive issues. The stomach and intestines are most commonly affected. Here’s an overview of digestive problems in dogs.

Digestion

18 October '25 • 1 min reading time

After chewing, food passes through the esophagus into the stomach, where stomach acid begins the main digestion process. From there, it moves into the small intestine and then the large intestine, where nutrients are absorbed before waste leaves the body.

Stomach Problems

Typical signs of stomach issues include burping, nausea, and vomiting. When the stomach doesn’t function properly, ulcers are present, or food moves too slowly into the small intestine, a dog may vomit. Vomiting shortly after eating is common in many digestive disorders. Always take vomiting seriously—it can cause dehydration and signal underlying disease.

Symptoms of Intestinal Problems

Digestive or intestinal problems may show as:

  • Loose stools or diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain, bloating, gas
  • Dull coat, weakened immunity

If your dog has diarrhea lasting more than a day, visit your vet. Causes may include spoiled food, infection, parasites, or inflammation.

Dogs usually love eating, so loss of appetite is an important warning sign. Unexplained weight loss is another reason for a vet check. A swollen belly or excessive gas can point to issues in the small intestine—or possibly a swallowed foreign object, which can cause problems even weeks later.

Causes of Digestive Problems

There are many possible causes:

  • Bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites
  • Food intolerance or allergies
  • Poisoning
  • Swallowing foreign objects
  • Tumors

Infections are common causes of stomach and intestinal problems. Dogs can pick up harmful microbes through contact with other dogs or spoiled food. Toxic plants or chemicals can also upset digestion. Parasites like worms often cause diarrhea or fever, so regular deworming is essential. Dogs can also react to certain food ingredients—such as dyes or specific proteins. If digestive upset follows a diet change, an ingredient sensitivity might be the cause. Finally, stress or anxiety can also lead to digestive issues, especially during life changes like moving house.

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Digestion

The digestion plays a crucial role in the immunity of the dog. About 75% of immunity comes from the intestines. This means that if your dog has digestive problems, the immunity will automatically be compromised.

Decreased digestion = decreased resistance

The digestion plays a crucial role in the immunity of the dog. About 75% of immunity comes from the intestines. This means that if your dog has digestive problems, the immunity will automatically be compromised.. Stomach acid kills a large part of pathogens The stomach can be seen as one of the first major obstacles that pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc) must overcome. The stomach contains stomach acid with a pH value of around 1-2. This is almost as acidic as hydrochloric acid, allowing dogs to digest bones, but another advantage is that it is so acidic that a large part of bacteria and viruses are killed. Intestines connected to the whole body of the dog Stomach acid is an important defense aga...

Joints

Organs

Digestion

Of course, we all want a healthy and happy dog. But in the Netherlands, there are a number of diseases circulating that your dog can become infected with, such as giardia and kennel cough. Older dogs sometimes experience conditions like arthritis or cataracts. In this article, we discuss five disorders that every dog lover should be aware of.

Five common disorders in dogs

Of course, we all want a healthy and happy dog. But in the Netherlands, there are a number of diseases circulating that your dog can become infected with, such as giardia and kennel cough. Older dogs sometimes experience conditions like arthritis or cataracts. In this article, we discuss five disorders that every dog lover should be aware of.. Arthritis Arthritis in dogs is similar to what humans experience. Joints become swollen and inflamed, and movement becomes painful. Arthritis usually worsens with age. Inflammation can occur in all joints, but is most commonly seen in the knees, shoulders, and toes. There is no cure for arthritis, but omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce swelling and provide some natural relief. These healthy fats are found in sources like salmon oil. Cannabinoids and/or black cumin can also support your dog with...

Resistance

Welfare

A stool test is a good way to check if your dog is infected with worms or other intestinal parasites, such as giardia or coccidia. Have a stool test done with some regularity, usually three times a year. This way, you can see in time if your dog needs to be wormed.

The benefits of a stool test in dogs

A stool test is a good way to check if your dog is infected with worms or other intestinal parasites, such as giardia or coccidia. Have a stool test done with some regularity, usually three times a year. This way, you can see in time if your dog needs to be wormed.. Parasites such as worms can cause significant harm to your dog's health and well-being. Puppies may experience slower growth as a result. Additionally, some worms and parasites can also pose health risks to humans. What does your vet look for? During a fecal examination, your veterinarian will check for (eggs of): Roundworms Tapeworms Heartworms Hookworms Whipworms Nematodes Giardia Coccidia Fecal testing can also help detect other health issues. In addition to worm eggs, your vet may find trace...

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