What Are Gallstones in Dogs and What to Do About Them?

If your vet mentioned gallstones during a routine checkup, you might have done a double-take. Dogs can get gallstones? Yes, they can. And while the news can feel alarming, here’s the thing: many dogs with gallstones never show a single symptom. The stones are found by accident during imaging for something else entirely.

That said, gallstones can become a real problem if they start blocking the flow of bile, so knowing what to watch for matters.

What are gallstones in dogs?

Gallstones (medically called cholelithiasis) are small, hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small pouch tucked just under the liver, and its job is to store bile, a digestive fluid the liver produces to help break down fats. When minerals, cholesterol, or other substances in bile crystallize over time, they can form stones.

Most of the time, those stones just sit there quietly. But if one moves and lodges in the bile duct (the narrow tube that carries bile from the gallbladder into the small intestine), it can block the flow of bile. That’s when things get serious.

Gallstones vs. biliary sludge vs. gallbladder mucocele: what’s actually in there

Gallstones, biliary sludge, and gallbladder mucoceles are three different things. They can overlap, they have different causes, and they have very different levels of urgency.

Biliary sludge

Thickened bile that hasn’t fully hardened into stones yet, a muddy buildup inside the gallbladder.

• How common: Very common; frequently found on routine ultrasounds
• Symptoms: Often none at all
• Urgency: Low
• Treatment: Usually monitoring and periodic rechecks; medication in some cases

Gallstones (cholelithiasis)

Hardened, solid deposits that form in the gallbladder, sometimes developing from sludge over time.

• How common: Less common than sludge
• Symptoms: Often none; can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, or jaundice if a stone blocks the bile duct
• Urgency: Low to moderate depending on size, number, and location
• Treatment: Monitoring, medication, or surgery if a blockage occurs
• Breeds at higher risk: Small breeds including Miniature Schnauzers, Poodles, and Chihuahuas

Gallbladder mucocele

An abnormal buildup of thick, mucus-like bile that completely fills and distends the gallbladder, sometimes to the point of rupture.

• How common: Less common; certain breeds are predisposed
• Symptoms: Often serious — vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, and rapid deterioration
• Urgency: High — can be a surgical emergency
• Treatment: Surgery (cholecystectomy) usually required
• Breeds at higher risk: Shetland Sheepdogs and Cocker Spaniels

If your vet mentions a mucocele specifically, take it seriously and ask about next steps right away.

Symptoms of gallstones in dogs

As mentioned, many dogs with gallstones show no signs at all. But when symptoms do appear, they usually mean the stones are causing some kind of obstruction or irritation. Here’s what to watch for:

• Vomiting, especially after eating
• Loss of appetite or reluctance to eat
• Abdominal pain, which might look like hunching, reluctance to move, or sensitivity when you touch the belly area
• Jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin, gums, or whites of the eyes, and signals that bile isn’t flowing properly
• Lethargy or general dullness
• Fever, in cases where infection is involved
• Pale or gray-colored stool, another sign of bile duct obstruction

If your dog is showing jaundice, severe vomiting, or signs of abdominal pain, don’t wait. Get to a vet the same day.

What causes gallstones in dogs

There’s no single cause. Gallstones tend to form when the composition of bile changes or when bile sits in the gallbladder too long. Contributing factors include:

• High-fat diets or obesity
• Infections in the bile ducts or gallbladder
• Liver disease, which can alter how bile is produced
• Certain metabolic conditions, like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease
• Reduced gallbladder motility (the gallbladder isn’t emptying efficiently)

Small breed dogs, including Miniature Schnauzers, Poodles, and Chihuahuas, tend to be diagnosed more often than large breeds, though the reason isn’t fully understood.

How vets diagnose and treat gallstones

Diagnosis

Diagnosis usually starts with bloodwork to check liver enzyme levels and look for signs of infection or bile duct obstruction. The most useful tool for actually seeing what’s going on is an abdominal ultrasound, which lets the vet visualize the gallbladder, look for stones or sludge, and check whether the bile duct is blocked. X-rays can sometimes detect calcified (mineral-heavy) stones, but ultrasound gives a much clearer picture.

Treatment

Treatment depends on what’s actually going on. Your vet may recommend:

• Monitoring: If the stones are small, not causing symptoms, and not blocking anything, watchful waiting with periodic rechecks may be appropriate.
• Medication: Your vet may prescribe drugs to support bile flow or treat an underlying infection. Ursodiol, a medication that helps thin bile and supports gallbladder function, is sometimes used.
• Surgery (cholecystectomy): If there’s a bile duct obstruction, a rupture risk, or a mucocele, your vet may recommend removing the gallbladder entirely. This is a more involved procedure, but dogs can live normally without a gallbladder.
• Dietary changes: A low-fat diet is often recommended to reduce stress on the biliary system.

As for natural remedies for gallstones in dogs, there’s currently no evidence that home remedies can dissolve or eliminate gallstones. Some supportive measures, like diet adjustments and weight management, may help prevent worsening, but always loop in your vet before trying anything at home.

Does pet insurance cover gallstones in dogs?

Gallbladder issues can mean significant vet bills, especially if your dog needs imaging, specialist consultations, or surgery. A cholecystectomy alone can run into thousands of dollars.

Gallstones in dogs are covered under a Lemonade Pet accident and illness policy, as long as they’re not pre-existing and develop after the 14-day illness waiting period has passed. That includes diagnostics like bloodwork and abdominal ultrasounds, as well as treatment for gallbladder conditions. If your dog is already showing symptoms or has been diagnosed before you enroll, that condition likely won’t be covered. Getting a quote before anything shows up on an ultrasound is the move.

Before we go

Gallstones are often found by accident and never cause a problem. But when they do, acting quickly matters. Know the warning signs, keep up with routine wellness visits where imaging can catch things early, and make sure your dog has coverage in place before a gallbladder issue becomes an emergency bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the policies issued, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage may not be available in all states. Please note that statements about coverages, policy management, claims processes, Giveback, and customer support apply to policies underwritten by Lemonade Insurance Company or Metromile Insurance Company, a Lemonade company, sold by Lemonade Insurance Agency, LLC.  The statements do not apply to policies underwritten by other carriers.