Help, my dog is farting a lot! Although typically not a big health concern, gas in dogs can be a real nuisance to live with (not to mention embarrassing when you have company over). Whether your dog is silent but deadly or has flatulence like a foghorn, we’re here to help you get to the bottom of this all-too-common occurrence.
Why Does My Dog Have Gas?
It’s totally normal for our bodies to produce gas that accumulates within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. But some dogs develop an ongoing excess of this gas buildup. What causes chronic gas problems? There are several reasons:
Gas-Prone Diet
Foods that commonly cause dog flatulence include beans, soybeans, peas, milk products, high-fat diets and spicy foods. Many dogs (and cats) are lactose intolerant, and feeding them milk or dairy products often causes gas and an upset stomach. And some dogs are sensitive to grain products.
Tip: Don’t feed your dog table scraps — or at least be careful about what you’re giving them off of your plate.
Low-Quality Dog Food
Many dogs don’t easily digest mass commercial dog foods that have a lot of preservatives and artificial ingredients. These foods can cause excessive fermentation in the colon, which produces a lot of gas. If you’re feeding your dog cheap food, you may want to consider switching to a high-quality diet.
Change In Nutrition
Changing your dog food can cause temporary excessive gas. It can take a week or two for your dog’s tummy to adjust to a new diet. If your dog’s gas symptoms haven’t resolved after a few weeks, you may want to consider an alternative diet or go back to the original food.
Swallowing Too Much Air
Some dogs can swallow a lot of air when they eat or drink too fast, especially right after they exercise. Fortunately, this type of gas usually isn’t smelly. Eating too fast can also cause indigestion.
General Well-Being
Dogs who are overweight, too sedentary, or both have a higher risk of developing chronic flatulence, regardless of what they eat. Just as with humans, dogs’ digestive systems work more efficiently when they’re up and moving around and not overweight. Help your dog lose weight and take him out for regular walks.
Underlying Illness
If your dog’s gas is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or other symptoms, it could indicate an underlying GI condition, which could include inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal parasites and other conditions. Be sure to contact your vet if your dog is experiencing these other symptoms to help rule out underlying health problems.
What Can I Give My Dog For Gas?
A change in your dog’s diet and well-being is the best way to relieve gas in dogs. But in the meantime, there are some products and home remedies that you can give your pup for temporary relief.
Gas Medicine For Dogs
Editor’s Pick |
Licks Dog Digestion |
Licks Digestive Aid can help your dog while you’re transitioning to new dog food or for temporary gas relief. These individual gel packets are made with 100% all-natural ingredients and use digestive enzymes to break down proteins, starches and fats while improving absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. You get 10 packets for $15.99 ($1.60 / Count) .
Vet’s Best Gas Busters is another good option. These vet-formulated chewable supplements help relieve the discomfort of occasional gas, bloating and an upset digestive system. These supplements have a blend of enzymes and other natural ingredients, including parsley, slippery elm bark, and ginger root, to help support healthy digestion. You get 90 supplements for $11.10 ($0.12 / Count) .
You may wonder if you can give a dog Gas-X or similar human medications to relieve their immediate gas problems. The general consensus is that Gas-X is relatively safe for dogs, but you should always contact your vet before giving your dog any medications or supplements (especially those meant for humans).
Home Remedies For Dog Gas
- Fennel: Sprinkle some fennel (dried or fresh) on your dog’s food. If she eats kibble, just add some water, so it sticks to the food.
- Parsley: This herb is more than just a garnish — it can reduce odor in the digestive system and even ease bad breath. You can chop up a couple of tablespoons of fresh parsley and sprinkle it on your dog’s food.
As for the gas medicines that we recommend, check with your vet before giving your dog one of these home remedies.
Long-Term Gas Remedies
If you think your dog’s diet is the culprit behind their gassiness, changing their diet and adding a daily dog probiotic can go a long way to improve and even eliminate the problem for good.
Change Your Dog Food
Switching your dog to a premium diet could be the solution to their excessive gas. Look for low-fat, all-natural dog foods without preservatives and artificial ingredients. If your vet determines that your dog has an allergy or sensitivity to grains, a grain-free dog food might be a good option.
An excellent option for a premium diet is to go with one of several companies that deliver human-grade, fresh meals to your home. Be sure to read our reviews of the best dog food delivery services to see our recommendations. Some of these companies even customize your dog’s food for specific health concerns, including digestive issues.
Use A Daily Probiotic For Dogs
If your dog suffers from chronic gas or digestive problems, a daily dog probiotic could also help. Probiotics for dogs work the same way as they do for humans. They’re formulas that contain living gut-friendly bacteria found naturally in the digestive tract and other areas of the body.
The goal of ingesting probiotics is to maintain healthy levels of good bacteria, prevent GI problems and boost the immune system after it’s been disrupted by illness, infection, antibiotic treatment or other stressors.
There are a ton of pet probiotic products available, so be sure to read our article that highlights the best probiotics for dogs and includes more information on how these products can help solve your pup’s digestive problems.
Talk with your vet before changing your dog’s food or adding a probiotic to your dog’s diet.
Dog Farting Infographic
We created this handy graphic so you can reference and share.
Treating Your Dog’s Upset Stomach
In addition to frequent gas, does your dog get the occasional tummy ache? If so, be sure to read our tips to cure a dog’s upset stomach, which includes product recommendations, home remedies and symptoms that could indicate a more serious problem.
And finally, what would an article about dog farting be without a funny video? We just couldn’t resist. Does this remind you of your home?