Dogs are the best. They're always happy to see us, they love to play fetch, and they get overly excited for a good belly rub. But sometimes, dogs stink. For lack of a nicer way to say it, some dogs fart—some dogs fart a LOT. But why? And what can we do to help them feel more comfortable and stop farting so much?
In this article, we'll explore the answers to these questions and more! We'll also recommend some solutions that might help your gassy dog feel better.
What makes gassy dogs so gassy and what can we do to help them feel more comfortable?
Dogs get gassy for a lot of different reasons. Some dogs pass gas because they eat too fast or because they drink too much water right after eating. Some dogs (namely Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Pugs, Shepherds, Labs, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Beagles, and Retrievers) even have naturally gassy stomachs.
However, chronic flatulence can be caused by a poorly digested diet. Gas can happen as a result of a diet that is too high in fermentable fiber, for example. Dairy could also be a problem. Despite how much they love cheese, dogs are not able to digest milk or dairy products very well. When they eat these products, they are more likely to have a lot of gas and might get an upset stomach on top. Soybeans, peas, beans, high-fat diets, and spicy foods are all common causes of flatulence in dogs.
On the other hand, if a dog is eating a premium diet and still having gas problems, they might not be digesting their food properly. This could mean that the dog is not efficiently absorbing nutrients, which causes the gas. If you're feeding a high-quality diet free of gassy ingredients, you may want to get your dog checked for maldigestion.
In the meantime there are a few things you can do to help your gassy dog feel more comfortable
1. Check the label on their food to ensure that they're eating a clean, high-quality diet. If you see any gassy ingredients mentioned above, transition them onto a new diet.
2. Try feeding your dog smaller meals more often throughout the day instead of one large meal.
3. Add probiotics and pumpkin to your dog's diet. Probiotics are live bacteria that help improve gut health. Pumpkin acts as a regulating agent to settle indigestion.
4. Give your dog digestive enzymes with each meal. Digestive enzymes help the stomach break down food more efficiently.
While dogs can have gas for a lot of different reasons, often it can be traced back to what they're eating. If your dog is constantly passing gas, try switching their diet to one that is free of gassy ingredients. You can also give them probiotics, pumpkin, and digestive enzymes to help improve their gut health and digestion. If you try all four suggestions above, and your dog is still having problems with gas, they may need to be checked by a vet for chronic digestive issues.
Thanks for reading our article on why your dog has gas and what to do about it! If you have any questions, we're always happy to answer them! You can give us a call, shoot us an email, or stop by your local Kahoots Pet and Feed store.