Gastrostomy Tube Feeding in Dogs

What is a gastrostomy tube?

A gastrostomy (G-) tube is a small rubber or silicone tube that passes directly into the stomach through the dog’s skin and abdominal wall. It allows you to deliver food, water, and medications directly into the stomach.

The G-tube is used to support dogs who are healing from jaw fractures or from head and neck injuries that prevent eating. It may also be used for other diseases that cause long-term anorexia (abnormal lack of appetite) and weight loss.

How do I feed my dog through the G-tube?

You will syringe a liquid gruel diet through the G-tube two to six times per day. There are several product options formulated as veterinary therapeutic diets to meet your dog's nutritional needs, and your veterinarian will recommend the best option for your dog’s medical condition. 

The food may already be in a liquid form (thin enough to pass through the tube without clogging it), or you may be advised to blend dry kibble or canned (“loaf”) food with a specified amount of water. If using a blender, run it at the fastest speed until the food (kibble or canned dog food) is uniformly mixed. After mixing, pour the food through a kitchen strainer. Any obvious chunks or clumps should be re-blended with a small amount of water and added to the gruel.

Feeding should start no less than 24 hours after placement of the G-tube to allow a seal to form. Follow the steps below to feed your dog:

1. Have your dog stand or lie on its side with the feeding tube facing up. Gently clean the skin around the feeding tube and the administration port (i.e., the opening where you connect the syringe to the feeding tube).

2. Remove the cap from the feeding tube. Depending on the tube, you may need to open an additional safety valve before administering any liquid or gruel.

3. Using a small syringe, inject 5-10 mL of water into the tube to “flush” it. Note: Some measuring devices are marked in milliliters (mL) and others in cubic centimeters (cc). For this explanation, we will consider 1 cc the same as 1 mL.

4. After flushing the tube with water, watch your dog for signs of coughing, gagging, or sneezing. If you have any concerns about the placement or viability of the G-tube, contact your veterinarian.

5. With the empty syringe attached to the G-tube, pull back on the syringe plunger and record any volume of stomach fluids that fill the syringe. If you measure more than one-half of the amount you administered at the last feeding, then skip the current feeding. Put the fluid back into the stomach and notify your veterinarian of the volume that filled the syringe.

6. If there was little or no stomach fluid removed and measured, then draw up some liquid/gruel and feed your dog. Inject the prescribed amount of gruel into the G-tube; do this slowly, about 1 mL per second. If necessary, elevate your dog’s front feet so the food goes easily down their esophagus and into the stomach. Watch your dog for signs of nausea or stomach upset; if they act like they cannot tolerate the tube feeding, wait a few minutes and try again.

7. Once you’ve given the appropriate amount of food, flush the G-tube with 5-10 mL of plain water. Leave some water in the end of the tube when you replace the cap. This step is important because it pushes any remaining food out of the end of the tube.

Store any unused gruel or liquid diet in the refrigerator. Before the next feeding, warm the food to body temperature (e.g., draw food up into the syringe and hold it under hot tap water). Check the temperature before feeding by placing food on the back of your hand; it should feel slightly warm. Avoid using a microwave oven to heat food so you don’t accidentally burn your dog’s stomach.

Is there anything else I need to know?

The place where the G-tube enters your dog’s body should be protected by a bandage or a “onesie” or a small t-shirt. Inspect and clean the tube site regularly – your family veterinarian will give you instructions. 

If the tube becomes clogged or blocked, use a small amount of warm water to loosen the clog or obstruction. Allow the warm water to sit in the tube for a minute or two before attempting to flush. Try this approach 2–3 times over 5–10 minutes. If warm water flushing doesn’t work, try flushing with 1–2 mL of carbonated cola or cranberry juice; however, avoid repeatedly using acids to unclog feeding tubes. Consult your veterinarian if the G-tube gets clogged more than once.

When and how is the feeding tube removed?

The decision to remove a feeding tube is based on the condition being treated. Some dogs require several weeks of tube feeding before healing occurs or their appetite returns. Gastrostomy tubes need to stay in place for at least 14 days. Once your dog shows interest in smelling or licking food, you can begin offering small amounts of food by mouth. Check with your veterinarian about which food should be offered and record the amount eaten by mouth each day. The G-tube will not interfere with chewing food, drinking water, or swallowing.

Once your dog is eating at least half their daily Calories by mouth, for three days in a row, book an appointment with your veterinarian for a recheck examination and tube removal. Depending on how long the tube has been in place, removal may not require anesthesia; however, under no circumstances should you remove the tube on your own.