Ask Dr. Paola- Burps, Rolling in Dirt & Begging (June 30, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we carry skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that can hold your furry good friend joyful and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canine Has Massive Burps!

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

My canine Sam lets out massive burps after meals, typically louder than any individual I do know. Ought to I be nervous?”  – Greg

Hello Greg,

Thanks on your query. In lots of circumstances, a dog’s post-meal burping is just a results of gulping air whereas consuming. Particularly if Sam is a quick eater or, like most canine, very captivated with meals. Canine can swallow air once they eat shortly, drink water proper after consuming, and even once they’re a bit anxious or overexcited throughout mealtime. That air wants to flee, and burping is without doubt one of the physique’s pure methods to try this. Consider it like a stress valve opening to maintain every thing functioning easily inside. You may additionally be accustomed to what occurs to us people after consuming a fizzy soda.

If Sam is in any other case wholesome, with regular urge for food and power ranges, and no indicators like bloating, retching, or discomfort after meals, the burping is probably going innocent. Nonetheless, it’s value slowing his consuming tempo to cut back the quantity of air he swallows. You can try a slow-feeder bowl, unfold his meals on a lick mat or flat floor, or use puzzle feeders to make mealtime extra gradual and interesting. You can additionally attempt breaking his every day meals allowance into extra frequent, smaller meals, and at all times be certain that he’s calm throughout feeding.

Should you ever discover adjustments in Sam’s conduct after consuming, comparable to restlessness, a taut or distended stomach, or refusal to eat, these could possibly be early indicators of one thing extra severe, like gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), particularly in broad-chested breeds. In such circumstances, immediate veterinary consideration is important; GDV is a medical emergency. In any other case, Sam’s burps are doubtless innocent, and making some small mealtime changes can scale back them. In case you are ever doubtful or want to have a vet make it easier to plan his meals enrichment, give us a quick call at PangoVet. We might be delighted that can assist you.

Greatest, Dr. Paola

Assist! Can Canine Like to Roll in Smelly Issues!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

My canine Monkey at all times rolls within the smelliest stuff he can discover on walks. Why does he do that, and the way do I cease it? “ – John

Hello John,

If it helps, know that you’re not alone. It is a quite common conduct amongst canines. Monkey’s stink-rolling, whereas understandably irritating (and undoubtedly disagreeable on your nostril), is definitely fairly pure from a canine perspective.
Scientists consider that canine roll in strong-smelling supplies as a option to masks their very own scent. This intuition goes again to their wild ancestors, who might have used pungent smells to camouflage themselves from prey or rivals. Some specialists additionally consider that canine roll in scents to carry info again to the pack, nearly like saying, “Look what I discovered!” Consider it as your canine’s model of social media. A recently published study with wolves means that novel or unfamiliar odors, particularly the really pungent ones, are almost certainly to set off scent‐rolling conduct. So it’s you in opposition to nature right here, however there are methods to discourage or forestall this conduct; consistency and administration are key.

Preserve Monkey on a leash throughout walks so you’ll be able to redirect him earlier than he reaches that engaging patch of who-knows-what. Teach a reliable “leave it” cue, rewarding him generously with treats or play when he responds. Carrying high-value treats which might be extra interesting than no matter he’s eyeing on the bottom might also assist. Keep in mind that timing is important; redirecting his consideration earlier than he commits to the roll is way more practical than making an attempt to cease it mid-way. You can too assist his pure have to discover scents by way of structured sniff walks or participating in scent-based games at dwelling. This enrichment satisfies their drive in a extra hygienic manner, giving Monkey the chance to let unfastened and comply with his nostril, simply with fewer journeys to the tub.

Good luck!

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Received’t Cease Begging!

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

Each time I eat, my canine Tippy simply sits there watching me, silently begging together with his eyes. What’s occurring with that? ” – Marlea

Hello Marlea,

What you’re seeing with Tippy is a traditional case of the infamous “puppy eyes.” This expression, with the large, soulful gaze and barely furrowed brows, isn’t simply heart-melting—it’s a deeply ingrained communication instrument that canine have fine-tuned by way of their lengthy historical past alongside people. Scientists have even discovered that dogs developed specific facial muscles simply to make this expression more practical. Tippy is utilizing these eyes like a silent request, hoping for a bit nibble, with out being demanding. It’s his manner of asking properly.

Though it’d really feel like he’s making an attempt to guilt you, this conduct is often bolstered by previous experiences. If he’s ever been rewarded with a deal with or a chunk of your meal after providing you with these pleading eyes, he’s discovered that it really works. Like a talented negotiator utilizing attraction as a substitute of stress, he’s banking in your emotional response.

Should you’d wish to take pleasure in your meals with out the viewers, attempt giving Tippy one thing participating, like a protected chew or a stuffed toy, simply earlier than you sit all the way down to eat. That manner, you’re providing a constructive different and serving to him develop a brand new, extra relaxed routine throughout your meals. By the way in which, in case you want some inspiration to maintain for enjoyable and interesting methods to fill Tippy’s toys, you can check out our suggestions here.

I hope Tippy enjoys them!

Dr.Paola

The submit Ask Dr. Paola- Burps, Rolling in Dirt & Begging (June 30, 2025) by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over whole articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You might not be conscious of it, however all of those articles have been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought-about public area. Nevertheless, we respect that you simply just like the article and would like it in case you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Dogster.com.

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