Flatulence in Dogs

Causes of Flatulence in Dogs

• Gulping Down Food
  Perhaps the most common cause of canine flatulence is eating too fast, resulting in a large amount of air being swallowed (a condition called aerophagia). The air swallowed by the dog tends to travel quickly through the intestines resulting in gas.
• Certain Foods
  Another common cause of canine flatulence is eating certain highly fermentable foods that cause gas, such as beans, cauliflower, cabbage, and soybeans.
  In addition, many poor quality dog foods do not use meat as their main protein sources; instead they use non-meat sources such as corn or wheat. However, dogs cannot properly digest these protein sources since they lack the necessary enzymes. As a result, these undigested foods ferment in the intestine as bacteria feed on them. Fermentation produces gas!
• Lack of Exercise
  A lack of exercise causes poor digestion, which in turn can cause flatulence.
• Constipation
  Constipated dogs tend to produce gas! Visit our page on Constipation in Dogs to see some symptoms and causes of canine constipation, and Dog Constipation Remedies for some simple home remedies.

• Age
  Older dogs are usually more "gassy" than young puppies, partly because of a lack of exercise, and partly because as an animal ages, the stomach and intestines are not as elastic due to a progressive loss of muscle tone. As a result, the stomach or intestines can easily become bloated with gas or air.
• Health Problems
  Persistent flatulence in dogs sometimes is an indication of certain underlying health problems. For example, dogs with allergies tend to have stomach problems such as diarrhea and flatulence. Other health problems that can cause canine flatulence include colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), parasites, viral or bacterial infections of the intestines, and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.

Fido Says: If your doggie has a sudden bout of flatulence which is accompanied by tummy discomfort, diarrhea, or appetite loss, then it's time to take him to see the vet.

Home Remedies for Flatulence in Dogs

• Diet
  Although different dogs react to food ingredients differently, it is usually protein that causes flatulence in dogs. Therefore, if your dog is gassy, try to feed him a different type of protein. For example, switching from beef to lamb. In addition, if your dog is gassy due to constipation, try to add more fiber to his diet. For example, add canned pumpkin or green beans to his food.
• Slow Your Dog Down
  Many dogs have gas because they eat too fast and as such swallow a lot of air. To slow your dog down when he is eating, try feeding him three times a day instead of one big meal. If your dog is by nature impatient, try to slow him down by putting a large object (e.g. a ball too big to be swallowed) in the middle of his food bowl. That way, he will have to pick around the object to get at his food, thus slowing him down a bit.
• Regular Exercise
  Exercise stimulates the intestines and helps remove excess gas build-up. Exercise also prevents constipation. Regular bowel movement can further remove gas and prevent build-up in the system.
• Add Digestive Enzymes
  "Gassy" dogs tend to have a sluggish digestive system that is not functioning well. One common reason is due to a lack of digestive enzymes in the dogs' diets. If your dog has gas frequently, try solving the problem by giving him a supplement of digestive enzymes such as Prozyme.
• Add Probiotics
  Normally inside a dog's intestines there are "friendly bacteria" that helps the digestion process. Sometimes, however, for some reasons (e.g. after a course of antibiotic treatment), there are insufficient good bacteria in the dog's system, which can result in flatulence. To replenish the gastrointestinal tract with "friendly bacteria", try giving your dog a supplement of probiotics such as Only Natural Pet Probiotic Blend.
• Try Simethicone
  Another treatment for flatulence in dogs is to use simethicone (Gas-X) to absorb intestinal gas. It is available over the counter for people and is safe for use on dogs as well. You can give 1/4 adult dose to a small dog, 1/2 adult dose to a medium-sized dog, and 1 adult dose to a large dog after meals.
• Try This Homeopathic Remedy
  If your dog suffers from chronic gas, try this natural homeopathic remedy:
  Flatulence Preventer for Flatulence, Bloating, Abdominal Cramps
  This natural remedy contains homeopathic ingredients that aid digestion, absorb intestinal gas, thereby preventing flatulence. Give it a try!