My Dog Keeps Farting

It's normal for your dog to produce gas. However, when they fart excessively or when it has a stinky smell, it's not normal and we must treat it. The first thing we must know is the underlying cause of the condition. The most common causes are:

• Aerophagia: the swallowing of air. This is common with nervous eaters, flat-faced breeds, dogs with respiratory diseases or compulsive eating dogs.
• Diet: excessive farting can be due to a change in diet. Diets high in fibres or beans may also be the cause. Spoiled food and spicy food can also make cause flatulence in dogs. Diary products are also an issue, learn more in our article about lactose intolerance in dogs.
• Diseases: such as inflammatory bowel disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, tumours, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal parasites and enteritis.

The first thing you want to do when you notice that your dog keeps farting is observe their behavior. Do they eat so quickly that they are swallowing air? Aerophagia is common with nervous eaters and flat faced dogs. This can also happen to dogs with respiratory diseases or dogs that eat compulsively. By eating like this, they are swallowing a lot of air which then forces them to release it by farting.

Another reason your dog may be farting excessively is because they have recently had a change in their diet. This is actually the most common cause of flatulence in dogs. We must remember that the best diet for them is a natural canine diet with lots of protein, fat and some vegetables. By giving your dog beans, dairy, spicy food or large quantities of high-fibre food, you are providing them with food they cannot properly digest. Therefore their body will release gas when trying to digest these strange food.

In fact, your dog may be allergic to a certain food that you are giving them. To learn more, we suggest you read our article on food allergies in dogs.

Lastly, flatulence in dogs can be due to a disease they may have. This includes inflammatory bowel disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, tumours, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal parasites and enteritis. If you already know that your dog has one of these diseases, it's best to go to your veterinarian and tell them about their recent flatulence issue so you can find the correct treatment for your dog. If your dog isn't diagnosed but they other than excessive farting, they are experiencing other symptoms, it's best to consult your veterinarian as diseases will need a proper diagnosis and a specific treatment for your dog's condition.

When observing your dog's behavior, you will also want to see if they are experiencing other symptoms of flatulence in dogs. This will help you and your veterinarian diagnose your dog and find the best solution to this issue. The common symptoms for flatulence in dogs include:

• Expulsion of gas from the anus, with or without odor.
• Mild abdominal discomfort.
• Mild stomach distention or bloating.
• Excessive gaseous sounds or rumbling from the abdomen (borborygmus).
• In some cases, diarrhea or loose stools.

The proper treatment for flatulence will, of course, depend on their health condition and the underlying cause. For example, if your dog has a compulsive eating disorder the treatment will vary greatly to another dog that may have flatulence due to a food allergy. Nevertheless, the most common treatment for excessive farting in dogs is changing their diet.

Medical treatment may include carminitives (medications to relieve flatulence) such as zinc acetate, yucca schidigera, or dry activated charcoal. However the only person who can diagnose your dog is their veterinarian. Once you bring your dog for a check-up, they will outline a treatment plan specifically designes for your dog.

Since the most common cause is poor diet, you can help your dog stop farting by changing their diet to a rich and natural canine diet. We should also make sure not to give them any food that they cannot properly digest or are allergic to. Lastly, we need to make sure they are eating at a reasonable pace to avoid them swallowing air. Here are some tips on how to stop your dog from farting excessively:

Correct diet

Firstly, a natural canine diet should not make a dog fart excessively. This diet mainly consists of protein and fat. The protein should have two or three types of protein from meat. For example: whole chicken, lamb, beef and fish. For fat sources, you can opt for chicken fat. Good fat sources can solute some of the most important vitamins a dog needs.

When it comes to carbs, it should be kept in a low amount as dogs thrive on meat. Sweet potatoes are a great option. Lastly, you can offer some fruits and vegetables that provide good vitamins and minerals to help your dog's over-all health.

Avoid certain foods

As we've mentioned, dogs thrive on meat. Fruits and vegetables can be great but at low quantities. The food we want to avoid is high fibre foods, such as large quantities of fruits and vegetables, grains and beans. Too much fibre can make a dog fart and have loose tools. Giving your dog small amounts of vegetables is great. However, avoid fruits, low quality dry dog food, highly processed food and beans.

Forbidden food for dogs

There are many forbidden food for dogs as dogs thrive on a different diet than us. For example, dairy is a staple for most of us. We love adding cheese to our pasta, having milk in our coffee and even having icecream as a late night dessert. However, most dogs are lactose intolerant and cannot process dairy.

Don't give them scraps of food

It's common for dogs to wait around after dinner and see if you'll give them any scraps of the food you had. For their health, it's best you don't give them any table scraps. Teach them from a young age that they have their own food and that they cannot linger around begging for food when you are eating. This is for their own good as we eat many foods that are bad for them.

Keep them out of the trash

Another place where your dog may be eating food that is making them fart, is the trash. Keep the trash out of their reach and make sure they are not eating anything other than the healthy meals you provide them with. Many dogs eat strange things they find when going on a walk. Keep an eye on them and make sure they're well fed and that this is not the reason they are searching for food elsewhere.

Slow down their eating

Lastly, if your dog is eating their food too quickly or if they have a respiratory issue, it's best we help them eat slower. To do this, you can divide their meals in two servings. Another method is to feed them through a slow-feed dog dish. If there are any other pets in your home, make sure they are not interrupting your dog when they are eating or trying to take their food. This may make them anxious and worried that their food will be taken from them. Provoking them to be aggressive or to eat quickly. Make sure they know no one will take their food. This should help them take their time when eating and avoid swallowing air.

Daily exercise

Exercise is one of the most important factors when it comes to taking care of a dog. It will keep your dog lean, happy and entertained. Daily exercise also helps in digestion and reduces farting. Make sure to keep up with the amount of exercise your dog needs. Each breed will need a different amount and intensity of exercise. However, your dog should be going on at least two daily walks (for small dogs). Larger dogs will need more exercise.

To prevent your dog from farting too much, you will have to pay attention to certain factors. The most important factor is their diet. Make sure you provide your dog with a rich and natural canine diet. It's very important for us to inform ourselves about canine nutrition as it is different to ours. If you give your dog dry food, make sure that it's of the best quality as many are harmful to dogs.

Another factor is making sure you're not giving your dog something they are allergic too. Try not to give them food scraps either as it may have forbidden food for dogs. Make sure they are eating at a reasonable pace. You can try dividing their meal in two so they slow down.

Next, make sure to take them to their regular check-ups with their veterinarian. This will help find any diseases your dog many have early on so they can be properly treated.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Keeps Farting, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.