do-dogs-fart[/caption]How Do I Stop My Dog Farting All The Time?
One of the many benefits of owning a dog, is that you always have someone to blame those unusual smells on. However, some dogs do appear to be particularly gassy. Read on for some hints on how to reduce the smell.
Dogs fart for a number of reasons. Swallowed air if not burped up, has to come out somewhere. They can also produce excessive gas due to diet. There are certain foods that should be avoided and a number of options to try before you need to start wearing a gas mask in your own home.
And don’t worry, it is normal to fart, so you will still get the occasional parp. Of course it goes without saying that none of those farts are coming from the lady of the house. Ladies never fart, that one was definitely from the dog.
WHY DOES MY DOG FART?
If your dog swallows lots of air while eating, that air has to come out somewhere, either through eructation (burping) or out the southern end. In most cases these farts are odourless. Gases produced by intestinal bacteria are more smelly, but only 1% of intestinal bacteria produces smelly sulphur or methane.
Dogs are not built to directly digest plant fibres, but the bacteria in their intestines breaks this down and gas is a by-product. The bacteria are essential to good gastrointestinal health and allow dogs to utilise nutrients they wouldn’t otherwise be able to access.
If your dog produces lots of farts, take him to his Veterinarian for a check up as there could be something more concerning such as pancreatitis, liver disease, food allergy or a food intolerance that is behind all that wind. I would particularly worry if your dog also gets occasional diarrhoea, sometimes refuses to eat or has intermittent vomiting.
Every dog is different and although we can recommend some basic principles here, there is no substitute for tailored Veterinary advice. Be aware that when you go to your Vet they will ask you lots of questions about poo, and don’t worry if we like you to bring in samples for us. We prefer chocolate of course, but we are happy to see what is coming out of your dog rather than just talk about it.
PARASITES
It is important to not overlook the importance of regular intestinal worming. Your dog should get a broad spectrum intestinal dewormer
The active ingredient Praziquantel treats tapeworm, so if your product doesn’t contain it, it must be administered separately. Parasites can be a cause of intestinal problems and cause secondary flatulence.
SWALLOWED AIR
If you have a snub-nosed dog (known as a brachycephalic breed), such as a boxer, staffy or bulldog you may have noticed excessive panting and snoring. They are usually mouth-breathers, and as a result can swallow excessive amounts of air. In some dogs breathing difficulties are severe enough to also result in collapse when exercising.
The problem is worsened if your dog is overweight, so keeping your dog trim can result in marked improvement. A simple surgery, performed regularly in brachycephalic breeds can significantly improve quality of life and breathing.
EATING TOO QUICKLY
If your dog eats like it is going to be taken away from him, he can also ingest air. Feed dogs separately if there are dogs in competition, and split the food into smaller meals. Place an upturned bowl inside a larger bowl, so your dog needs to eat around the bowl and takes smaller mouthfuls.
Alternatively, you could look at a bowls that has projections inside the bowl to slow your dog down. A similar idea if your dog eats dry food, is to place the food in a treat ball.
DIET
What your dog eats can result in excessive wind and sometimes mild stomach upsets. If your dog frequently gets lots of variety and leftovers, try keeping the diet plain for a few weeks to see if this improves things. Does your dog eat a poor quality diet? A diet high in soy, starches, corn and carbohydrates can favour gas production. Switch to a premium quality dog food
You can also try switching to a low residue, easily digestible diet
All diet changes should be made gradually over at least 1 week, unless your Veterinarian advises otherwise. Some other ingredients that are known fart-makers are cauliflower, broccoli, peas, beans, cabbage and bread. In particular, any type of bean or legume really will make you fart. Lactose from cheese, milk and yoghurt can also cause excessive flatulence. Also avoid Carrageenan, which is a thickener and stabiliser found in many pet foods.
PROBIOTICS
Just as we can get an imbalance of bacterial flora in our intestines, dogs can too. Probiotics
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL AND ENZYMES
Theoretically adding digestive enzymes to your dog’s food can help with the breakdown of carbohydrates, resulting in less gas production in the colon. Consult with your veterinarian about these, as there are some very inexpensive types formulated for dogs that are effective and easy to administer.
Another option is activated charcoal, which can be fed as tablets or made into a slurry. You don’t want to add activated charcoal permanently, as it can interrupt the absorption of other nutrients, but up to 3 days is fine. Your veterinarian can recommend an effective dose.
EXERCISE
If all else fails, the best plan is to make sure you walk your dog frequently in the great outdoors. Aim for a short walk after eating and again a few hours later or in the evening. The exercise will help with intestinal motility and release those gas pockets out into the fresh air, rather than in an enclosed space.
Some dogs really will clear the room with their farts and even more amusing, wake themselves up. So long as the flatulence is not excessive or particularly smelly, we might have to move on from the fart jokes and consider it within the realms of normal. If however the farting is really disturbing you and your dog, try some diet changes, exercise and perhaps probiotics, prebiotics and activated charcoal before you banish your dog from the house.
Why Do Dogs Fart So Much?
There’s no mistaking a dog fart—silent but deadly or loud and proud, they’re bound to happen. But how much is too much?
“Why does my dog keep farting?” you might ask. It turns out the digestive tract of man’s best friend can be affected by some of the same things that affect us. Read on for the causes of canine flatulence, and some ideas for reducing it. Your friends, your pet sitter (and probably your dog!) will thank you.
FLICKR/ARIZ SANCHEZ
Genetically Predisposed Dog Farts
All dogs fart, but certain breeds are certainly more predisposed to flatulence—we’re looking at you, boxers, bulldogs, and pugs.
Why is your dog farting so much? The answer might be right in front of your nose: It’s actually their nose! Brachycephalic dogs, which is the technical term for dogs with short or flat faces, take in more air when eating and drinking. When air comes in, it must also come out…if you catch our drift.
FLICKR/JASON RUST
What’s in Their Bowl?
PetGuide.com cites some foods that might cause your dog to fart, including cauliflower, cabbage, and soybeans.
If you’re feeding your dog scraps off your plate at dinner, you may be perpetuating your dog’s toots without even realizing it. Carbohydrate-heavy foods can be to blame, as well as dairy and spoiled foods.
The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals explains that, “low-quality foods with ingredients that can’t be fully digested can cause gas,” so you might want to double check that label. Brands that are high in wheat, corn and soy can cause a gnarly case of wind-breaking.
“Low-quality foods with ingredients that can’t be fully digested can cause gas.” – ASPCA
FLICKR/MATTHEW ROTH
A Ravenous Appetite
If your dog tends to gobble up his dinner in no time flat, this could be contributing to your dog’s flatulence.
Try placing a tennis ball in the middle of your dog’s dish to slow him down.
To counter this, you can try placing a tennis ball in the middle of your dog’s dish to slow him down. Aerophagia, or air entering the stomach while eating or drinking, according to Hilltop Animal Hospital, is one major cause of gas. They also recommend that you:
- Avoid feeding canned food that contains carrageenan
- Avoid sudden changes of diet
- Take your dog on a stroll before eating to encourage pooping, which also rids them of gas
FLICKR/ERBAN
When You Should Be Concerned
Flatulence that’s persistent and unrelenting could be a sign of a bigger problem.
VetWest explains that ailments like inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal parasites could be to blame if you’re beginning to feel like you need a gas mask 24/7.
If your dog is having an adverse reaction to food or medication, paying a visit to the vet is a great way to figure out how to get to the stinky bottom of things and come up smelling like roses.
The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
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