Has your pupper’s flatulence become more than a smelly problem lately? When humans hurry out of the room due to your four-legged friend’s gas, it may be time to consider “Why the heck does my pup fart so often?”
Farting is totally normal and is even a healthy bodily function for us humans and our furry friends. Dog tooting happens to release gases from within the digestive tract, including the rectum, colon, and stomach. Their body absorbs some of the digestive tract’s smelly leftovers, leading to a potential for distress in their stomach and digestive passageways. Passing gas is usually painless, sometimes even comical.
So yes, farting is normal, there may not even be much you can do about it. However, when it becomes excessive, continuous, and potentially dangerously stinky, this may be a sign of other issues arising. In today’s article, we’ll talk about what leads to these smelly canine farts as well as how you can help treat the stink and some insight into when you should be concerned.
Let’s toot right to it!
There may be several reasons why your dog is farting more frequently and consistently. Here are some potential culprits.
Excessive farts are usually linked to your doggo’s daily diet. Poor quality dog foods may be damaging to their intestines and may even be more difficult for fido to digest.
When enzymes don’t get fully digested in the intestines, the bacteria travel to the colon and convert the remaining carbon dioxide and hydrogen molecules into gases. Thus, stinky farts around just around the bend.
High fibrous foods or diets high in fat are usually one of the main causes of canine digestive issues. Filler ingredients in dog food, including wheat, soy, or corn, can cause a reaction or intolerance. For instance, Carrageenan is a common filler in wet or canned dog food. This is typically used to fill the product, yet doesn’t have much (if any) nutritional value.
One of the most common reasons your four-legged friend might be having gas? Trapped air. Your pup may swallow a lot of air during chow time. This happens especially when they scarf down their food.
Dogs can do this for a multitude of reasons. They could be competing with other dog siblings or they could simply be just a hyperactive breed. Brachycephalic breeds, those with flatter faces, are more likely to pass gas.
Food poisoning can be a serious issue for you and your pup. Should and if your fur child gets into the trash or eats something toxic in the yard, this may lead to a whole slew of problems, gut problems.
If something gets stuck in their intestines, it’s common that your pup may have an upset stomach.
Recalled dog food, for instance, may be a culprit to blame. If signs and symptoms of food poisoning come on, including diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, or dehydration, call your local veterinarian immediately.
No paw parent wants to hear that their furry BFF has concerning health issues. There is a rare instance where too many canine farts may lead to disease.
Gastrointestinal diseases in dogs that commonly including farting as a sign and symptom may include:
Food allergies and sensitivities are common in us humans and our furry friends, believe it or not. If your dog is lactose intolerant, for example, eating dairy products may cause them to be extra farty. Food allergies can also upset their stomach and digestive tract, causing all sorts of unwelcomed and smelly concerns.
When your pup starts showing signs of an intolerance or some sort, try and check their food for any potential allergens. A sensitive stomach may also be one to pinpoint when navigating fido’s gas.
If your pup has too much protein in its diet, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he/she may be wreaking gas. Protein is totally great for pets, don’t’ get us wrong, they really do need it!
However, too much isn’t always best. When your pup is eating too much meat, the sulfur can lead to smelly flatulence.
We highly recommend de-worming your entire paw family. Humans and four-legged canines and felines need health treatments and check-ups. Add a reminder to your phone, this can help save you from having to deal with nasty parasites down the road. If your pup does get intestinal parasites, you may see your dog experiencing symptoms including:
If this may be a major concern on your dog’s health radar, talk with your vet about parasite prevention plans and treatment options for your furry friend.
As the saying goes, “prevention is the best medicine’”, or so we try.
If things start to go downhill for your pup, including showing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, excessive tiredness, or bloody stool, it’s time you take a trip to your vet.
Paw parents know their doggo best! If your BFF isn’t quite acting like themselves, you’re sure the first to know. Take notes of any new or progressing symptoms that you’ve noticed. You’ll be prepared come time when the vet asks you about their symptoms.
You’ve made it this far, so time to get down to business! Get ready, plug your nose, and let’s dive into how to stop the dog farts.
Physical activity helps aid in healthy digestion in your and your doggo’s body.
If your pup is uber lazy and is definitely too gassy, it may be time to get them out for fetch or a long walk before they eat dinner. Regular physical activity can help strengthen your doggo’s digestive tract, helping to reduce any unwanted gas while you’re outside in the fresh and open air! Not to mention, it’s excellent for you to get outside and get active too!
As we briefly mentioned above, your dog’s diet can have a lot to do with their digestive system and how farty they are.
Good news? Changing your dog’s diet may be an easy way to reduce the gas. Change fido’s food to a brand that doesn’t include fillers or preservatives.
Whether you’re open to trying a vegan dog diet or start making your own foods for fido, talk with your vet to figure out what ingredients you should add and avoid.
Fast eaters can cause intestine discomfort, choking, and of course, not to forget to mention, the endless and smelly farting.
To stop your dog from scarfing down their meal in .5 seconds, you can introduce a slow-feeding type of dog bowl. This can help reduce the amount of air that they inhale when they are chewing. This can hopefully lessen the later and soon-to-be farting that is to follow mealtime.
Once your vet has ruled out any major issues and you’ve made any necessary diet changes, your vet may recommend starting fido on probiotics.
Probiotics can be a very helpful strain of bacteria, adding to the naturally occurring bacteria that is present in their body, promoting gut health.
Talk to your veterinarian about specific probiotic supplements for your dog. If you are really interested in an all-natural route, there are natural options to choose from. Adding probiotics into your dog’s diet and lifestyle may help them reduce their gnarly farts and may even help their overall health and digestive flow.
Here are just a few of our favorite probiotics that you can give your canine:
There are A TON of beneficial foods and supplements available for your pet! We highly recommend doing your own research and talking to your veterinarian before starting your pup on any new supplements or new foods in their diet.
Also, Pet Hemp CBD Dog Treats may be a secret and tasty treat that fido may enjoy! Our chews are grain, soy, and corn free: no stomach ache likely to be induced here.
Dog toots are a part of life, including yours. Now that you are aware of what’s a “normal” fart and what’s a “concerning” fart, hopefully, you feel a little more at ease.
At the end of the day, we want nothing but the best for you and your furry pet! If that means changing your dog’s diet slightly, taking fido for a quick walk before dinner, or getting them into the vet to figure out the best plan of action, farts can be smelly (and tricky).
Next time your puppers toots and clears the room, you can rest easy knowing that it may just be swallowed air.