Excessive Flatulence in Dogs

Can your dog clear the room with a silent, but deadly passing of gas? Your dog’s flatulence might give the kids a giggle, embarrass you while guests are over or even cause you to lose your appetite. By sniffing into the issue a little further, you might be able to cut down on this occurrence or even get rid of it.

Causes of Excessive Flatulence

Surprisingly, there could be a number of reasons why your dog is gassier than the neighbor’s dog. I mean, passing gas is a normal occurrence, but if you have an air freshener in the living room to sit with your dog, you may have a problem.

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Your Dog’s Air Intake

You might be thinking: “Really? My dog’s air intake can cause my dog to have gas? How could this even happen,” you might ask. Well, there are a couple of ways your dog could intake more air than normal. Your dog can inhale more air by eating too fast, eating or drinking right after exercise, or having a brachycephalic dog (shorter muzzle dog).

Excessive gas can be prevented. While you can’t change the length of your dog’s nose, there are other ways you can prevent your dog from passing excessive gas. One way is to slow down your dog’s eating by purchasing a special bowl that makes him work for his food. You can also refrain from giving your dog food directly after exercise or outside play, feed smaller meals more frequently, or use a food dispensing toy.

Dietary Issues

What you’re feeding your dog can play a huge role in the gas department and not to mention his overall health. When you’re selecting dog food, choose dog food rich in fiber and not fat. Stay away from spoiled foods and dairy products.

If you’re uncertain whether or not your dog’s current diet is causing excessive flatulence, I encourage you to speak with your veterinarian to ensure the food you’re feeding your dog meets his dietary needs. To prevent your dog from accessing  spoiled or raw foods and drinks, you’ll need to block trash cans, counters and anything that might contain such food.

Health Issues

Last, but definitely not least, health issues could be causing the problem. The most common health issues that cause increased gas include parasites, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. If your dog’s health is affected, you may notice additional symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. With any medical concern, it’s recommended you speak with your veterinarian to discuss the best plan of action.

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