Gas builds up in your dog’s intestinal tract and colon, causing flatulence. This is usually caused by the dog eating something new, such as a different diet or a food that they weren’t supposed to eat. Chronic flatulence can occur if your dog consumes items that he or she cannot digest, such as dairy, soybeans, peas, or elevated diets. Dog farts are usually not a cause for concern, but if your dog’s gas becomes unpleasant, it’s time to make changes up.
Table of Contents
What Are Some Causes of Flatulence in Dogs?
Hard-to-digest items, such as table scraps or spicy foods, might irritate your dog’s stomach, resulting in excessive gas or foul-smelling gas. Feeding your dog food or snacks that contain low-quality ingredients, fillers, or artificial preservatives can cause flatulence.
If your dog is eating a high-quality diet but still has a lot of gas, your veterinarian can do tests to discover if he or she has digestive issues. They can also try to figure out if your dog has an intolerance or allergy by removing items from their food and then reintroducing them.
Dogs who eat quickly swallow more air when eating, resulting in more flatulence.
Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?
Regardless of nutrition, your dog is more likely to have chronic flatulence if he or she is overweight, obese, or sedentary.
Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Lhasa Apsos have short noses and swallow a lot of air when they eat or drink, resulting in excessive farting.
Could Flatulence Be a Symptom of Another Health Issue?
After you’ve ruled out a food intolerance or digestive condition as the reason of your dog’s flatulence, you may need to see your veterinarian to rule out something more serious. Consistent dog farts could be a sign of one of the following health problems:
- Inflammation of the large intestine or colon (canine colitis)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Stomach infection
- Intestinal parasites such as worms
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Cancer
What Can I Do to Reduce My Dog’s Flatulence?
The greatest way to lessen your dog’s farts is to provide them a healthy and consistent diet. You could also take a look at the following:
- Don’t give your dog table scraps: Scraps, such as foods heavy in fats and sugars, are difficult for dogs to digest, causing bloating and discomfort.
- Don’t give your dog dairy products: Lactose intolerance affects the majority of dogs, which means that milk, cream, or cheese might irritate their stomachs.
- Keep your dog out of the trash in your home and outsid: Keep your dog out of the trash, both inside and outside the house. When taking your interested dog for a stroll, practice the command “leave it.”
- Avoid giving your dog fart-inducing foods: Steamed foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are healthy for your dog, but they often cause flatulence.
- Slow down your speed-eater: To make your dog slow down, divide their food into smaller parts throughout the day or use a slow-feeding bowl.
- Keep your dog active: Ensure that they get enough exercise and fun.
- Change your dog’s diet: If you’re changing your dog’s food, do so gradually over the course of a week or two, mixing it in with their current kibble.
If those suggestions don’t work, try feeding your dog a combination of dry and wet foods. Ascertain that they are getting enough protein. You should give your dog more protein than carbohydrates in general, but too much red meat might induce particularly stinky farts. Healthy digestion can be aided by adding a probiotic diet or supplement. If you’re thinking of giving your dog over-the-counter anti-gas medicine, consult your veterinarian first.
What Are Some General Tips for Choosing a Healthy Dog Food?
Foods with low-quality ingredients can cause gas in dogs, so check the components in your dog’s diet carefully. Chicory, inulin, pectins, psyllium, plant gums, oats, barley, beet pulp, fruit, or legumes are all fermentable fibers to avoid feeding your dog. The following are examples of high-quality foods:
- One or more animal-based protein sources at the top of the ingredient list
- The words “highly digestible” or “low residue” on the label
- Minimal to no chemical preservatives
When Is It Time to See the Vet?
If your dog’s gas persists after you’ve adjusted their diet, it’s time to see your veterinarian. Not only is your dog’s gas irritating to you, but it can also be harmful to your dog’s health. Gas may be accompanied by the following symptoms if your dog has a medical problem or a food sensitivity:
- Weight loss
- Change in appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If your dog exhibits any of these signs, consult your veterinarian.
You May also like:
What To Know About Dogs in Heat
