{"id":61116,"date":"2025-05-14T07:16:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T11:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/?p=61116&#038;preview=true&#038;preview_id=61116"},"modified":"2025-05-27T17:39:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T21:39:12","slug":"why-dogs-stomach-hard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/why-dogs-stomach-hard\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Reasons Why Your Dog\u2019s Stomach is Hard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hopefully, when your dog\u2019s stomach is hard<\/strong>, it was only caused by eating too much or drinking too much\u00a0water too fast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But you don't want to wait to find out, right?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When your dog's belly swells and seems as hard and tight as a drum, it may be nothing<\/span><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"> or a sign of<\/span> a critical condition.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call the vet immediately to assess their symptoms properly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>But how will I know if my dog's hardened stomach is dangerous?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In severe cases, you'll notice the following symptoms:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/my-dogs-excessive-drooling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Excessive drooling<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Your dog's stomach seems sensitive to touch<\/li>\n<li>Retching while trying to vomit, but nothing is happening<\/li>\n<li>Pacing around panting, looking restless, wanting to lie down<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing the difference between something that will go away independently and something that can cause your dog serious harm is important.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In this article, we'll discuss 7 of the most common conditions that could explain your dog's stomach is hard.<\/p>\n<p>One of our resident veterinarians, <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/staff\/#:~:text=Dr.%20Myles%20Rowley,on%20the%20Gators!\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Myles Rowley, DVM<\/a>, also shared her valuable and expert insights in this blog post.<\/p>\n<p>Let's get started.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/reasons-your-dog-has-canine-bloat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5 Reasons Your Dog Has Canine Bloat and How to Prevent It<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-71332 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies.jpg\" alt=\"Dog Bloated Stomach Home Remedies\" width=\"1021\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-600x353.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-768x451.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-160x94.jpg 160w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-715x420.jpg 715w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-640x376.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-681x400.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"7-reasons-why-dog-stomach-hard\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>7 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog's Stomach is Hard<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>1. Gastric Dilation Volvulus<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_62400\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-62400\" style=\"width: 190px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gastric-Dilation-Volvulus.jpg\" data-lasso-id=\"61479\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"td-modal-image wp-image-62400 size-medium\" title=\"Gastric Dilation Volvulus\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gastric-Dilation-Volvulus-190x300.jpg\" alt=\"Gastric Dilation Volvulus might result to a hard stomach in dogs\" width=\"190\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gastric-Dilation-Volvulus-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gastric-Dilation-Volvulus-101x160.jpg 101w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gastric-Dilation-Volvulus-265x420.jpg 265w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gastric-Dilation-Volvulus.jpg 316w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-62400\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GDV in a dog as seen on an X-ray scan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35082096\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gastric Dilation Volvulus<\/a>, GDV for short, is a dangerous dog bloat. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It's often called the <em>mother of all emergencies<\/em> because if left untreated, your dog could die within hours.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>What causes GDV?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>GDV occurs if the<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-bloated-stomach-home-remedies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> bloated stomach<\/a>, caused by food digestion or gas, rotates. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the stomach rotates, it traps the gas inside and blocks the blood supply. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When this happens, your dog will be in extreme pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>And what's even more alarming? The risk of GDV increases when a dog eats fast.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides that, there are o<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ther factors that cause GDV in your dogs, which are the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Age<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breed<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family history<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dog breeds with deep chests or weighing over 100 pounds have a 20% higher risk of bloat. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Older dogs, between 7 and 12 years old, are at an increased risk, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, if your dog's stomach is hard and you suspect that it might be suffering from GDV, watch out for the following symptoms:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-vomiting-treatments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vomiting<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Collapsing<\/li>\n<li>Rapid heartbeat<\/li>\n<li>Excessive salivation<\/li>\n<li>Restlessness and pacing<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hard or bloated abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heavy, fast, or <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-breathing-hard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">difficulty in breathing<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Pale mucus membranes (including in the mouth)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standing with neck extended and elbows outward<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To treat GDV, your dog's stomach needs to be decompressed. Once the gas is released, surgery typically follows<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help prevent<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-bloat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dog bloat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can follow these suggestions at home:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 small meals per day<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose quality dog food <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid strenuous activities after eating<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"td_pull_quote td_pull_center\"><p><b>For giant breed dogs and other high risk breeds, it is a good idea to consider performing a procedure called a Gastropexy. <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>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. <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>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. &#8211; Dr. Myles Rowley DVM<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><em><strong>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/gastric-dilation-volvulus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6 Ways to Prevent and Treat Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Dog Bloat)<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-62398 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do.jpg\" alt=\"4 Reasons Why Your Dog\u2019s Stomach is Hard and What to Do\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do.jpg 700w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-560x420.jpg 560w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/4-Reasons-Why-Your-Dog\u2019s-Stomach-is-Hard-and-What-to-Do-681x511.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Peritonitis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peritonitis is a serious infection <strong>resulting from a rupture or puncture in your dog\u2019s stomach. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ruptures are usually a result of ulcers, <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dangerous-cancerous-tumors-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tumors<\/a>, or splinters from a bone your dog ate, among other reasons. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When this happens, watch out for other symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vomiting<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listlessness<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swollen or hard abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of the severity of peritonitis, your dog may be unwilling to move or might go into shock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment for peritonitis includes surgery, IV fluids, and other medications. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/cooked-bones-for-dogs-safe-or-not\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Avoid feeding bones<\/a> to your dogs to help prevent the potential for stomach rupture or puncture, as they may splinter when digested.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Cushing\u2019s Syndrome<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/cushings-disease-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cushing\u2019s Syndrome<\/a>, or <em>hyperadrenocorticism<\/em>, is a <strong>common illness that's found more in dogs than in cats.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This condition is triggered by 3 types of causes, namely:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pituitary gland tumor<\/li>\n<li>Adrenal gland tumor<\/li>\n<li>Excessive cortisol from the use of steroids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to a hardened stomach or pot-belly look, your dog may exhibit other symptoms, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hair loss<\/li>\n<li>Excessive eating<\/li>\n<li>Abnormal panting<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-drinking-a-lot-of-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased drinking<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent urination<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treating Cushing\u2019s syndrome depends on the type of cause. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, it's vital to have your dog assessed by a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For adrenal gland tumors, surgery is a common option as part of the treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/does-pet-insurance-cover-surgery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery?<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Ascites<\/b><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_62399\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-62399\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog.jpg\" data-lasso-id=\"61482\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-62399 size-medium\" title=\"Ascites in the dog\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Ascites in the dog also causes stomach hardness\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog-160x120.jpg 160w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog-100x75.jpg 100w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog-238x178.jpg 238w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ascites-in-the-dog.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-62399\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ascites\u2014water buildup in a dog's stomach as seen on X-ray scan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/conditions\/cardiovascular\/ascites-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ascites<\/a> happens<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0when there is a <strong>buildup of fluid in the dog\u2019s abdomen. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This buildup leads to swelling in the dog\u2019s abdominal region.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And this fluid can be the result of many different things, including but not limited to: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/most-common-cancers-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/congestive-heart-failure-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Heart failure<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/liver-cancer-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Liver disease<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-kidney-disease-diet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kidney disease<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/stomach-problems-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Intestinal disease<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Serious infections<\/li>\n<li>A ruptured tumor (benign or malignant)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because such a wide range of conditions cause Ascites, there's an equally wide variety of treatments. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatments will depend on the specific diagnosis given by the veterinarian.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Blockage-in-the-doog.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-62310\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Blockage-in-the-doog-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Xray of blockage in dog's gastrointestinal tract\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Blockage-in-the-doog-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Blockage-in-the-doog-160x107.jpg 160w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Blockage-in-the-doog.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. Blockages<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Our dogs are naturally curious animals. When\u00a0<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">bored and not properly trained, they will get their paws and maws on things they\u00a0shouldn't eat or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/what-to-do-if-your-dog-swallows-something\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0swallow<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And one sign to look out for is a hard stomach.<\/p>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-ate-plastic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">plastic<\/a> or junk, then that's most likely a sign\u00a0of intestinal blockage.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/signs-your-dog-ate-something-bad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">16 Signs Your Dog Ate Something Bad<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. Internal Bleeding<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If your dog has experienced trauma or an accident, that could cause internal bleeding.<\/p>\n<p>If it happened in his stomach area, the internal bleeding might cause his tummy to harden.<\/p>\n<p>This is a serious case and must be addressed by your vet as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>Other signs of internal bleeding in dogs include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/pale-gums-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pale to white gums<\/a><\/li>\n<li>dog's body feels cool to the touch<\/li>\n<li>difficulty breathing<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-coughs-up-blood\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">coughing up blood<\/a><\/li>\n<li>painful belly when touched<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>7. Parasites<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Tapeworm-infestation-in-a-dog-intestine.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-60364\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Tapeworm-infestation-in-a-dog-intestine-300x174.jpg\" alt=\"Tapeworm infestation in a dog intestine\" width=\"300\" height=\"174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Tapeworm-infestation-in-a-dog-intestine-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Tapeworm-infestation-in-a-dog-intestine-160x93.jpg 160w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Tapeworm-infestation-in-a-dog-intestine.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Sounds gross, but our dogs' stomachs can also be home to many benign and harmful parasites.<\/p>\n<p>While some can be prevented by <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-vaccines-things-you-must-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vaccinating our dogs<\/a>, others can still make their way into our dogs' stomachs because of unclean environments and interactions with infected animals, among other things.<\/p>\n<p>Apart from an unnaturally hard stomach, other signs of intestinal parasites in dogs are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>loose stool or diarrhea<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/blood-in-dogs-stool\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Blood in the stool<\/a><\/li>\n<li>weight loss<\/li>\n<li>An inability to gain weight<\/li>\n<li>a dull, coarse coat<\/li>\n<li>visible worms in the feces<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/roundworms-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Roundworm infestation<\/a> is one common reason why your dog has a hard stomach.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/how-protect-dog-parasites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOP #77: How to Protect Your Dog from Parasites<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"m2f4-JjKPj8\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"TOP #77: How to Protect Your Dog from Parasites\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m2f4-JjKPj8?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"examine-dog-stomach-for-hardness\"><strong>How to Examine Your Dog's Stomach for Hardness or Any Abnormalities<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Regularly examining our dog's stomach can help us detect abnormalities early and ensure they receive prompt veterinary care.<\/p>\n<p>When checking for hardness or abnormalities in your Dog's tummy area, it's important to be gentle and calm and not cause your dog discomfort or stress.<\/p>\n<p>Here's what you should do:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Choose a quiet, comfortable area:<\/strong> Choose a quiet and comfortable area where your dog can relax and feel at ease.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Position your dog:<\/strong> Position your dog on their side or back and gently hold them in place.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Observe your dog's stomach:<\/strong> Observe your dog's stomach for any signs of abnormalities, such as swelling, discoloration, or lumps.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Gently palpate your dog's stomach:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Watch for signs of discomfort:<\/strong> If you touch a particularly sensitive area, watch for any signs of discomfort or pain, such as whining, growling, or pulling away.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthy stomach should be soft to the touch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you gently press your hands on it, it shouldn't have any masses, bumps, or lumps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A healthy dog shouldn't show signs of discomfort when you touch its stomach or palpate it. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And lastly, there should be no swelling or enlargement in the belly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-71333 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1.jpg\" alt=\"How to examine your dog's stomach for hardness or other abnormalities\" width=\"1021\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1-600x353.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1-768x451.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1-160x94.jpg 160w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1-715x420.jpg 715w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1-640x376.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Dog-Bloated-Stomach-Home-Remedies-1-681x400.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-to-do-if-dog-stomach-hard\"><b>What to Do if Your Dog's Stomach is Hard<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your dog\u2019s stomach is hard, and it's not because\u00a0<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">it ate its food quickly,\u00a0<strong>take it<\/strong><\/span><strong>\u00a0to a veterinarian<\/strong> for an examination and treatment immediately. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veterinarians will diagnose the problem by completing the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>X-rays<\/li>\n<li>Urinalysis<\/li>\n<li>Blood tests<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical exams<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By supporting your dog\u2019s overall health, you can help prevent <\/span>problems leading to abdominal swelling and enlargement<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to support their health is to take them in for <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/does-pet-insurance-cover-vet-visits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">annual checkups<\/a>, which will allow your vet to ensure their vital organs are in good shape.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-bloated-stomach-home-remedies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">take action at home<\/a> to prevent bloat, including: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Using gastric-friendly dog food<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeding your dog smaller meals<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requiring rest instead of exercise or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">play after mealtime<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must act fast if your dog\u2019s stomach is hard or swollen. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Important<\/strong>: Quick diagnosis and treatment can be lifesaving measures for your dog.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"Q8Qj3n0fxlo\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dog Bloated Stomach Home Remedies\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q8Qj3n0fxlo?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><b>FAQs Related to Hard Dog Stomach<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>What to do when your dog\u2019s stomach is hard?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your dog\u2019s stomach is hard and you don\u2019t think it\u2019s from eating too quickly, take your pooch to the vet immediately. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can be a severe case of GDV, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How do I know if my dog's stomach hurts?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since your dog can\u2019t tell you if his stomach hurts, you must know the signs to look out for. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indications include gurgling sounds from the stomach, gas, loss of appetite, salivation, <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-dog-diarrhea-remedies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">diarrhea<\/a>, vomiting, licking the floor, and eating grass.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"JlqpRe\"><strong><span class=\"JCzEY tNxQIb\"><span class=\"CSkcDe\">What can I give my dog for a hard stomach?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If your dog seems stable, is still eating, and your vet rules out emergencies, you may try feeding bland, easily digestible foods such as plain boiled chicken and white rice, plain pumpkin pur\u00e9e, or <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/bone-broth-recipe-for-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bone broth<\/a> to help soothe mild digestive upset.<\/p>\n<p><span data-start=\"742\" data-end=\"855\">This is o<\/span>nly if your dog is willing to eat and shows no signs of distress, such as retching, severe bloating, or collapse.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>RELATED:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/chicken-and-rice-recipe-for-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chicken and Rice Recipe For Dogs with Sensitive Stomach<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"EEBuJ__d5j0\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chicken and Rice Recipe for Dogs with Sensitive Stomach\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EEBuJ__d5j0?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"p8Jhnd\">\n<div class=\"aj35ze\">\n<h3 class=\"JlqpRe\"><strong><span class=\"JCzEY tNxQIb\"><span class=\"CSkcDe\">Is a dog's stomach supposed to be firm?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">No, a healthy dog's stomach should feel soft and pliable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">A firm or hard abdomen may signal underlying health issues such as GDV, peritonitis, or ascites.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">If you notice this change, consult your veterinarian promptly.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"p8Jhnd\">\n<div class=\"aj35ze\">\n<h3 class=\"JlqpRe\"><strong><span class=\"JCzEY tNxQIb\"><span class=\"CSkcDe\">How can I flush my dog's stomach?<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>Flushing a dog's stomach, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/answers\/gastric-lavage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gastric lavage<\/a>, is a medical procedure veterinarians perform under anesthesia to remove toxic substances.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Do not attempt this at home. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested something harmful.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-77294\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-2021-08-13T083853.074.jpg\" alt=\"Dog's stomach is hard - a gloved hand examining a brown, small dog's tummy\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-2021-08-13T083853.074.jpg 700w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-2021-08-13T083853.074-600x429.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-2021-08-13T083853.074-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-2021-08-13T083853.074-588x420.jpg 588w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-2021-08-13T083853.074-640x457.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design-2021-08-13T083853.074-681x486.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><b>Before You Go: Why You Should Trust Top Dog Tips<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\">Well, as dog owners, we also want to know as much as possible<span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">\u00a0and find\u00a0<strong>the truth<\/strong> about<\/span>\u00a0dog ownership.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">We want to clear the fog surrounding topics like nutrition, dog care, dog health, and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">So we went ahead and brought aboard not only long-time dog owners but veterinarians onto our website.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">You can also check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/staff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">veterinary review board<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">We want to ensure that each article we publish contains accurate information vetted by real veterinarians and people who have owned dogs.<\/p>\n<p>Share your thoughts about this article with us in the comments section!<\/p>\n<p>You can also read about other stomach-related issues our dogs often experience by clicking the links below!<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Related Articles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a style=\"text-decoration-line: underline !important;\" href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-bloated-stomach-home-remedies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dog Bloated Stomach Home Remedies<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/stomach-problems-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">11 Dog Stomach Problems (Gastrointestinal and Digestive): Causes and Treatment<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/best-sensitive-stomach-dog-foods\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Best Sensitive Stomach Dog Foods of 2023 (For Upset Stomachs)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hopefully, when your dog\u2019s stomach is hard, it was only caused by eating too much or drinking too much\u00a0water too fast. But you don&#8217;t want to wait to find out, right? When your dog&#8217;s belly swells and seems as hard and tight as a drum, it may be nothing or a sign of a critical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":62398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[520,4164,150,409,2272],"tags":[553],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61116"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61116"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139056,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61116\/revisions\/139056"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}