Jon BausmanYour dog has been farting a lot. Suffice it to say, he’s stinking up the entire house with his excessive gas. However, you’re wondering, why is my dog so gassy? If this isn’t normal flatulence, is he actually farting so much because he has a health issue going on?
Here’s some information on your dog’s farts that will help you determine whether or not it’s a simple case of adding some probiotics to his diet, or if you should make an appointment with your veterinarian in case there’s an underlying health issue.
Why Dogs Have Flatulence
Just like humans, dogs fart typically because following a meal, they need to release some gas that’s trapped inside of their bodies. If your dog swallows a lot of air when he eats and drinks, then that could cause a lot of farting, too … or worse, a serious health condition like bloat.
Fast eaters as well as short-nosed brachycephalic breeds like Boston terriers, pugs, English and French bulldogs, shih tzus, and bull mastiffs tend to fart more.
If you’ve noticed that your dog has excess gas or that his smelly gas has gotten worse, then there could be an underlying health issue going on. For instance, he could have a food intolerance or food allergies to certain types of pet food or human food that you’re giving him.
Some of the gastrointestinal problems he could be experiencing include issues with his pancreas (pancreatitis), cancer, intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and canine colitis.
To determine if your dog’s gas is a sign of a larger health problem, you’ll need to take him to the veterinarian for a full evaluation. They’re going to ask you for information like how his poop consistency has been and what food he eats. You might have to go to your appointment with a stool sample for testing.
Treating Your Dog’s Gastrointestinal Issues
When you go to the vet, they may have some different suggestions on how to address your dog’s farts. They could have you do an elimination diet to see what in your dog’s diet is causing the problem. You may have to change out your dog’s food in the process, especially if it contains ingredients like soybeans, lactose, or peas, which can all increase flatulence.
Just keep in mind that you’ll want to transition to the new food slowly, since your dog’s stomach is sensitive and you could cause issues with his digestive system. You don’t want to switch out the kibble all at once. Usually, high-quality dog foods should cause less issues compared to low-quality dog foods, which typically include unhealthy fillers.
Avoid Giving Your Dog Human Food
Additionally, your vet could advise you against feeding your dog human food. You may be feeding him table scraps after mealtime that are hurting your dog’s digestive system.
For instance, did you know that dogs should absolutely never eat human food like onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, cinnamon, and salted almonds? Even processed foods could be bad because you don’t know exactly what’s in them.
Of course, there are a lot of human foods that are fine for dogs, like bananas and sweet potatoes. But just be aware that if you feed your pup Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, he’s probably going to have stinky gas.
What to Look for in a New Food
When looking for a new food for your dog, choose something high quality. Whether you’re searching for kibble or wet food, make sure it has the nutritional guarantee. There should be a label from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that indicates the product contains the right nutritional balance of ingredients for your doggy.
You don’t need to avoid dog food with by-products as long as they don’t seem to hurt your dog’s gastrointestinal health. If your dog eats grains too, that should be fine, as long as he doesn’t have a gluten sensitivity.
If your dog has issues with chewing or won’t drink water on his own, then you can try a wet food. And, of course, don’t feed him large amounts of food; always serve him the appropriate amount based on his weight. Consult your veterinarian about what type of dog food is best for his age and breed.
Slow Down Your Dog’s Eating to Combat Smelly Farts
If your doggy is eating too fast and you believe that’s what’s causing his flatulence, then there are some steps you can take. You can try a slow feeder dog bowl, which may be especially helpful if you have one of the brachycephalic breeds.
Another DIY hack is to take a dog bowl that’s one or two sizes larger than your dog’s current bowl, then take his current bowl and place it upside down in the large bowl. Then, fill up the large bowl with food. This way they are forced to eat slowly and won’t swallow air so much.
Additionally, you could put his food into a muffin pan, dog puzzle, or spread it across a cookie sheet to slow him down. This will make it tough for your pooch to eat fast. If you have the time, you could sit down and hand feed him as well.
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Making Sure Your Dog Gets Enough Exercise
Taking your doggy on regular walks and giving him plenty of exercise will keep his digestive system working properly. While there is no set amount of time that a dog needs to exercise every day, a good rule of thumb is that he shouldn’t have so much excess energy that he’s having behavioral issues or constantly running around your house.
Your dog’s breed also matters when it comes to exercise. For instance, a working dog like a border collie is going to require a lot more exercise than a bulldog. Of course, keeping lots of toys around so you can play fetch with your pup will be great for his digestive system.
Along with fetch and walks, you can take your dog on hikes, go swimming, or have him join you for a bike ride. Just remember that if your dog has health issues, is a senior, or is overweight, too much exercise could hurt him. It’s a good idea to check with your vet before doing anything strenuous.
Ensuring Your Dog’s Toots Are Healthy Toots
Farting can be perfectly natural, or it can become an issue if your doggy is not eating the right foods or has gastrointestinal issues. By ensuring he has a healthy diet, is exercising, and goes to the vet when there’s a problem, he will be sure to lead a comfortable, happy, and healthy life.
