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My dog overate and his stomach is bloated. Could it be bloat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Rottweiler | Male | neutered | 2 years and 6 months old

My dog has over eaten. He ate his food and other dogs food and some from his bag. Now he has a slight distended abdomen.please help I am doctor myself

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on April 5th, 2016

Withhold food for 12 hours then offer him boiled boneless chicken and rice every 6 hours in small portions. if he is eating and not vomiting, continue with this diet for 2 days.

After 2 days, you can put him back gradually on his normal food.

If he seems very lethargic or vomiting, take him to the vet to get treatment right away as he might develop GDV (gastric dilatation).

26Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Overeating in itself is not usually a problem as the pressure receptors in the stomach should make him regurgitate. That said, however, there are bacteria in the stomach which can cause excessive gas which overloads the stomach to a point where regurgitation is not possible. This causes bloat and bloat can cause a gastric volvulus. So If you think that there is excessive gas in your dog's stomach, please take him to your vet right away . Your vet will likely want to take radiographs to rule out a volvulus, and, if ruled out, may induce emesis with apomorphine, or tube the dog to remove the gas. Sometimes antibiotics are used to eliminate the gas producing bacteria.
11Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 7th, 2017
Hi. Poor buster. Sounds like he had quite a meal. He is most likely going to have GI distress for a few days. There isn't anything particular over counter you can give for bloating. I would withhold food for 12-24 hours. Then feed bland diet- boiled chicken and rice for 3-5 days. If vomiting or diarrhea occur, you will need to see your veterinarian. Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 26th, 2020
The problem with overeating is that it can cause bloat. Rest Cosmo as much as possible, and hold off food until the morning. Monitor him closely. If you see a bloated stomach accompanied by pacing, restlessness, anxiety, trying to vomiting but can't, or excessive drooling, rush him into a vet immediately.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on September 8th, 2020
Cass did eat a lot of food, so that can make her stomach look big. Keep a close eye on her, and rest her. No running, jumping, or playing. Do not take her for walk for at least two hours after this meal. If you see her stomach get larger, trying to vomit but can't, pacing, restless, anxiety, or excessive drooling, then those are signs of bloat and you have to take her into a vet immediately. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog overate, vomited, and has a swollen stomach. Should I worry?

If she hasn't vomited again and doesn't seem uncomfortable, you can try giving a 1/4 portion of food or even boiled chicken and rice to see how she handles it, and then gradually increase back to her normal meals. If she seems in distress and is very painful or bloated, or is trying to vomit/pass stool and can't, or begins to vomit a lot after eating, I would bring her into your vet right away for care.

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My dog ate too much food, now bloated. Should I call the vet?

Hello! This is what we call "food bloat" which happens when dogs manage to eat a massive amount of food! Their stomachs stretch with the huge amount of food, causing the bloated bellies. When people bring these pets to me, we usually recommend putting them on IV fluids until the bloating resolves, and not feeding at all. Their stomachs could potentially rupture, when the kibbles swell, and mix with water. So, at this point, I wouldn't suggest feeding them. Ideally they should be checked by their vet, to see if they are okay recovering at home, or whether they need treatment at the clinic.

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Why is my dog licking, gulping, and eating grass with a bloated belly?

He might have eaten something spoiled that is causing this. withhold food for 12 hours then offer Archimedes boiled boneless chicken and rice every 6 hours in small portions. if he is eating and not vomiting, continue with this diet for 2 days. After 2 days, you can put him back gradually on his normal food. If the symptoms do not improve, take him to the vet to get treatment.

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My dog ate too much food and is bloated. Is it an emergency?

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My dog overate, belly still swollen after ER vet. Is this normal?

Oh Cooper! In my experience with food bloat it can take 24-48 hours to start feeling and maybe looking more normal. As long as he is not vomiting and seems to be continuing to improve I wouldn't be too worried. Also walking can help the GI tract move, so you might consider several 10-15 minute walks in the next several hours.

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My dog had a stomach ache. When can he eat again and what food?

There is not a hard and fast rule for how long a pet should be without food. Some vets say as long as 24 hours. I generally recommend 6 to 12 hours. It may help also if you feed him a bland diet for the next 24 hours. Boiled white meat chicken and plain boiled white rice. If he continues to be sick, have him examined by the veterinarian.

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Food & Nutrition

Dog ate too much. Stomach bloated & soft. Is it bloat or indigestion?

Small breed dogs don't get bloat. Bloat is a large breed deep chested dog disease, so you have nothing to worry about there. Also symptoms of bloat include vomiting (food and water), severe pain and agony in a lateral position. Niko likely has some indigestion and has from eating too much food in such a short amount time. Allow his stomach to settle by skipping his next meal and then you can feed him an easily digestible meal such as plain boiled chicken and rice or cottage cheese for a few days until he gets back to his normal self. Best wishes and take care of that fur baby. He should be back to his normal self in no time.

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