Gastritis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Hi seekers! If your dog has started vomiting suddenly or seems to have lost their appetite, gastritis might be the culprit. The good news? Most

Hi seekers! If your dog has started vomiting suddenly or seems to have lost their appetite, gastritis might be the culprit. The good news? Most cases are mild and resolve quickly. But knowing what to look for—and when to call the vet—can make all the difference.

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is simply inflammation of the stomach lining. It can appear as a short episode (acute) or persist for a long time (chronic), and it may be linked to more serious underlying conditions.

Acute gastritis comes on suddenly and is very common in dogs. Most dogs recover within one to three days with supportive care.

Chronic gastritis involves vomiting that persists for 7–14 days or longer. It usually requires identifying and treating an underlying cause.

Signs Your Dog May Have Gastritis

The most common signs are sudden vomiting and decreased appetite. Other symptoms to watch for include :

Dehydration
Lethargy or depression
Increased thirst
Blood in vomit or feces
Abdominal pain

Behavioral Signs

Dogs can’t tell you their stomach hurts, but their behavior will give it away. Look for:

Restlessness or pacing
Hunching their back or stretching into the “prayer position” (front legs down, rear end raised)
Hiding in corners or under furniture
Increased drooling or repeated lip licking
Eating grass or unusual items
Flinching or whimpering when their belly is touched

What Causes Gastritis?

Acute Gastritis Causes

Acute gastritis is frequently caused by dietary indiscretion—a fancy way of saying your dog ate something they shouldn’t have . Common triggers include :

Spoiled or raw food
Garbage or cat litter
Foreign objects, plants, or toxins
Table scraps or leftovers
Eating large quantities of food

Chronic Gastritis Causes

Chronic gastritis may stem from :

Medications – NSAIDs, corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs
Systemic illnesses – Kidney or liver disease, pancreatitis, Addison’s disease
Infections – Bacterial, viral, or parasitic
Food allergies or inflammatory bowel disease
Stress – Boarding, travel, or major household changes
Helicobacter infection – Research shows gastritis was diagnosed in 38.5% of Helicobacter-positive dogs
Immune disorders – Certain breeds like Norwegian Lundehunds are predisposed

When to Call the Vet Immediately

Seek veterinary care right away if you notice:

Blood in vomit or stool
Black, tarry stool (digested blood)
Severe abdominal pain
Collapse or weakness
Vomiting lasting more than 24 hours
Fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite

Puppies, senior dogs, pregnant dogs, and those with chronic conditions should be assessed promptly.

How Vets Diagnose Gastritis

Diagnosis typically starts with a thorough history and physical exam. Your vet may recommend :

Blood tests and urinalysis
Fecal tests (to check for parasites)
Abdominal X-rays or ultrasound
Endoscopy – a camera passed into the stomach to visualize the lining and take biopsies

For acute cases, only minimal testing is usually needed. Chronic cases require more involved diagnostics to find the underlying cause.

Treatment Options

Non-Medical Treatment (For Mild Acute Cases)

Most acute gastritis cases resolve without medical intervention . At-home care guidelines include :

Withhold food for 12–24 hours to let the stomach rest
Offer small amounts of water frequently – if your dog vomits after drinking, seek veterinary care immediately
If no vomiting for 12 hours, offer a small amount of highly digestible, low-fat, low-fiber food
Feed small, frequent meals – about half the normal daily amount, divided into 4–6 meals
Gradually increase food over the next 2–3 days
If vomiting returns, contact your vet

Bland Diet Options

Good short-term options for sensitive stomachs include:

Boiled chicken or lean beef with white rice (no seasoning)
Cottage cheese
Veterinary-formulated prescription bland diets

Note: These are short-term fixes and don’t provide complete balanced nutrition for the long term.

Medical Treatment

If your dog needs veterinary intervention, treatment may include :

Medication Type	Examples	Purpose
Anti-emetics	Maropitant (Cerenia®), Metoclopramide (Reglan®)	Stop vomiting
Fluid therapy	IV or subcutaneous fluids	Treat dehydration
Proton pump inhibitors	Omeprazole	Reduce stomach acid in severe cases
Gastrointestinal protectants	Sucralfate (Carafate®)	Protect stomach lining
H2 receptor antagonists	Famotidine (Pepcid®), Ranitidine (Zantac®)	Reduce acid when ulcers are suspected

For chronic gastritis caused by Helicobacter infection, a triple therapy with amoxicillin, metronidazole, and omeprazole for 21 days has been shown to resolve symptoms.

Prognosis

Acute gastritis has a good prognosis – most dogs recover fully within 1–3 days .

Chronic gastritis prognosis depends entirely on the underlying cause. Identifying and treating the root issue is essential for long-term recovery.