Okay, it is time to clear the air on why dogs pass gas. Or, more clearly, why some dogs fart – a lot.
Doggy toots seem to occur at the least desired times:
During a long car ride when windows need to be closed due to inclement weather.
At bedtime when your dog’s rear end is pointed toward your face on the bed.
Inside the kitchen when you are eating something you crave, like a slice of pizza or chicken wings.
You get my drift, right?
Dogs, like us, do expel gas on occasion. And, like us, if the farts become more frequent and more pungent, this can signal a health problem that needs to be explored by your veterinarian.
Why Do Dogs Fart?
Here are some possible explanations for your dog tooting more than usual:
Eating too quickly.
Some dogs practically inhale their meals! When dogs gulp food, they also swallow air. That extra air can travel through the digestive tract and eventually escape as flatulence. Dogs who compete with other pets for food may also eat faster because they feel rushed.
Food that doesn't agree with them.
Your dog's diet is one of the biggest factors influencing digestive gas. Certain ingredients can be harder for some dogs to digest, including:
Beans, peas and soybeans.
Milk, cheese and other dairy products.
High-fat table scraps.
Certain high-fiber foods.
Foods containing ingredients your dog doesn't tolerate well.
Sudden changes in food can also upset the digestive system and increase gas production.
Sneaking people food or raiding the kitchen trash can.
That discarded pizza crust, greasy hamburger scrap or mystery morsel discovered during a backyard sniffing expedition could come back to haunt your dog's digestive system.
Spoiled food, garbage and rich table scraps can also trigger gastrointestinal upset and excessive gas.
Breed-related tendencies.
Short-nosed breeds, including Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs and Boston Terriers, can be particularly prone to swallowing excess air because of their facial and airway structure.
If you share your home with one of these adorable flat-faced breeds, you may already be familiar with their impressive gas-producing abilities!
When Doggy Gas May Signal a Health Problem
Excessive gas can sometimes accompany gastrointestinal conditions that require veterinary attention. Potential underlying problems include:
Food intolerance or sensitivity: Certain ingredients may trigger digestive upset.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation in the intestinal tract can interfere with normal digestion.
Intestinal parasites: Worms and other parasites can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
Pancreatic disorders: Problems with pancreatic function can interfere with digestion.
Intestinal bacterial imbalances: Changes in the intestinal microbial environment may contribute to excessive gas.
Watch for additional symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, weight loss, lethargy or blood in the stool. If these accompany excessive flatulence, contact your veterinarian.
Seven Ways to Help Reduce Your Dog's Gas
If your veterinarian has ruled out an underlying medical problem, try these practical strategies:
Slow down mealtime. Use a slow-feeder bowl or food puzzle to discourage gulping.
Serve smaller meals. Several smaller meals may be easier to digest than one large serving.
Review the menu. Ask your veterinarian whether a more digestible diet might help.
Limit table scraps. Avoid greasy leftovers, dairy products and foods that trigger digestive upset.
Make food changes gradually. Transition to a new diet over several days, following your veterinarian's recommendations.
Keep garbage off-limits. Secure trash cans and prevent access to spoiled food.
Encourage daily exercise. Regular walks and playtime support normal digestive activity.
Keep a food and symptom diary, too. Record what your dog eats, when the gas occurs and whether there are changes in stool quality. This information can help your veterinarian identify possible triggers.
Parting message:
Pay attention to changes in your dog's gas, appetite, stool and overall behavior. If the odor or frequency suddenly increases, or other symptoms develop, let your veterinarian investigate.
After all, your dog may have a talent for clearing a room, but you want to make sure that talent isn't hiding a health concern!
Keeping your pet healthy and safe is definitely a major priority for all of us. To all you pet parents and pet professionals who live anywhere in the world, we invite you to check out our four-legged Pet First Aid 4U teaching team of Pet Safety Cat Casey plus Pet Safety Dogs Kona and Nova 6 Toes. Please enroll in one of our classes as we make the learning practical and fun.
We offer three options for you to earn veterinarian-approved two-year certificates in our pet first aid/CPR programs:
In-person classes primarily aimed at pet professionals and first responders.
Interactive via ZOOM classes offered monthly and on demand
Self-paced online classes for those wishing to learn anytime, anywhere.
Pick the best option for you and sign up today!.
About the Author:
Arden Moore, founder of Pet First Aid 4 U, is a Master Pet First Aid/CPR Instructor who teaches veterinarian-approved, hands-on safety courses alongside her teaching team of Kona (dog), Nova (dog) and Casey (cat). Known as “The Pet First Aid & Safety Coach™,” Arden is also a nationally recognized behavior consultant, bestselling author of over 25 pet books , and the award-winning host of the “Oh Behave!” podcast, a Fear Free Certified Professional, she brings decades of pet expertise to all her endeavors — with a mission to help pets live safer, longer and healthier lives.
