Any dog parent knows that dog farts happen. Whether they’re silent but deadly or loud enough to wake your dog up during their nap, they’re impossible to not notice.
Like humans, dogs have to fart from time to time. It’s just a part of life. There is no way to eliminate farts completely. However, there are ways to make them less frequent and less smelly.
If your dog is farting more than usual, this might be a concern. There are lots of causes of dog farts, and luckily, there are also lots of ways to help with them. There are even times when dog farts can be a sign of an underlying problem. So, how do you know when to be concerned?
What Causes Dog Farts?
Flatulence is when your dog passes gas. Gas forms in the stomach or intestine, causing your dog to create an unpleasant smell and sound.
Of course, all dogs are different, so some dogs will certainly fart more than others. However, if you notice your dog farting more than usual, that could be a concern. There are many reasons as to why dogs fart often, so if you notice your dog experiencing flatulence more than usual, try to observe what has changed in their lifestyle to better determine what the reason could be.
Certain Breeds
Even though all dogs fart, certain breeds experience it more than others. Brachycephalic dogs (dogs with flat faces such as Bulldogs and Pugs) typically fart more than other dogs. This is because they take in more air when eating or drinking. That air also has to come out, and I think you can guess where.
Table Food
It can be difficult to resist a begging dog, but human food is the most common cause of dog farts. Specifically, foods such as soybeans, peas, beans, dairy products, high-fat foods, and spicy foods can make your pup extra gassy.
Table scraps are extremely unhealthy for your dog if they are fed in large quantities. A tiny piece might not harm them, but if you find yourself giving human food on a regular basis, it’s likely one of the reasons they are farting so much. It is important to avoid feeding your dog table scraps if possible. Even though these foods might be delicious to dogs, it will not make their stomachs happy.
Food Intolerances
If your dog has an environmental allergy, it is likely that they will get itchy skin or a dull coat. However, an intolerance to a certain ingredient, such as dairy, could mean that food will be difficult for them to digest. This can cause indigestion, loose stool, and of course, gas. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell exactly which ingredients your dog has an intolerance to, so you may want to talk to your vet about it if you’re concerned.
Lactose intolerance is one of the most common intolerances for adult dogs because they can’t produce the enzyme called lactase, which is what breaks down lactose. Therefore, even if your dog loves cheese, milk, and other dairy products, if you give them too much it will cause digestive problems for them, which will ultimately result in more uncomfortable farts.
Low-Quality Foods
Oftentimes, dog foods with low-quality filler ingredients are difficult for dogs to digest as well. So, if you haven’t fed them anything unusual lately, the intolerance could actually be an item in their everyday diet. It is possible that they could have an allergy or intolerance for the protein, but it is more likely that they are reacting to one of the carb-heavy filler ingredients such as corn, wheat, or soy.
Another common filler that can harm dogs is carrageenan, which is a binding agent. It often causes digestive problems to dogs, and in extreme cases, it can lead to inflammatory bowel disease. Higher end dog foods work hard to remove all these unnecessary ingredients. Therefore, it’s important to always look at the ingredient list before selecting the perfect food for your dog.
Sudden Diet Changes
If you switch your dog to a higher quality food brand and you still notice excessive gas, it could be the result of switching their food too quickly. A change in diet could easily upset their stomach, so it is best to always introduce new food with a slow transition, especially if the food ingredients are a lot different from their previous diet.
There are a few ways to properly transition your dog to a new diet. The most common is to slowly begin mixing the new food with the old food. Start with a small amount of the new food, and slowly work your way up from there. That way, by the time your dog is eating only the new food, they will be used to it, which should eliminate any digestive issues.
Eating Too Fast
Some dogs love to gobble up their food as quickly as possible. While this might not seem like a huge problem, it is actually a common reason for dog farts. Similar to brachycephalic breeds, dogs that eat too fast are also taking in a lot more air when they eat. So, to prevent this, many dog parents purchase slow-feeding bowls to add an extra challenge to meal time. This should help your dog take their time when eating.
How to Stop Dog Farts
Since there are so many possible causes for dog farts, the way to fix them varies for every dog. These cures won’t get rid of flatulence completely, but they will cause your dog to fart less, and ideally, make it much less smelly.
A Change in Diet
While a change in their diet could cause an upset tummy if it’s too sudden, an improvement in the quality of their meals can actually help in the long run. An unhealthy diet is one of the most common causes of dog farts, so pay close attention to the ingredients you feed your dog and consider how you can make their diet better.
Instead of just choosing a food that’s popular, take the time to really inspect the ingredients. Many dog food brands will try to sneak in cheap fillers that don’t benefit your dog at all. So, make sure you are selecting a food that only includes the ingredients that are absolutely necessary for your furry friend.
If you believe that the food you’re feeding your dog is high quality, but you are still dealing with lots of dog farts, you might want to talk to your vet to find out if your dog has any allergies or intolerances that could be causing these reactions.
More Exercise
Dogs that exercise often typically have less gas than dogs that don’t. So, if your dog usually prefers to sit around all day, especially after a meal, consider changing the behavior. Grab their leash and take them on a nice long walk. This can hopefully help them walk off some of that extra gas.
Beneficial Ingredients
While changing to a healthier diet for your pup is great, you can also find healthy additives to help with your dog’s digestion. Pumpkin is a great ingredient for digestion that you can add to your dog’s diet. Activated charcoal treats have also been known to reduce the stench of dog farts.
Prebiotics and probiotic supplements are designed to help your dog with their digestion. Your vet can recommend supplements to feed to your dog if needed. Many quality dog food brands are now including prebiotics and probiotics in their formulas so that your dog can have better digestion and less gas simply by eating their food.
Ask Your Vet
If you’ve tried multiple options and you still have to deal with lots of dog farts, there could be an underlying cause. Inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic disease, gastrointestinal disease, and intestinal parasites are some of the serious issues that could be to blame for your dog’s farts.
Oftentimes, if your dog is experiencing unusual symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea along with flatulence, it means that something more serious is going on. If your dog is farting more than usual, pay close attention to see if any other issues have appeared.
If you are concerned that something more serious is going on, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. They should be able to give you a better idea as to why your dog is so gassy. Also, they may be able to prescribe medications that can either reduce your dog’s farts or make them less stinky.
Overall, gas is normal for dogs. However, if it occurs more frequently than usual, you should start looking for the root of the problem. We all want our dogs to be as healthy as possible, and by noticing these unusual behaviors right away, we can help to keep our furry friends happy and healthy at all times.
H/T: rover.com
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