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Why Does My Dog Have Gas All the Time?

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Excessive Flatulence in Dogs

Flatulence in Dogs
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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.

RELATED: Why Do Dogs Sniff Your Crotch?

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.

READ NEXT: Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

Excessive Licking in Dogs May Point to Health Issues

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Excessive Licking in Dogs: It May Be a Health Issue

Excessive Licking in Dogs
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Dogs lick and some more than others, both of which are completely normal. Then there are some dogs that lick excessively and lick everything including furniture, flooring, toys, animals, themselves and people. While some people find it annoying, I actually become concerned when dog owners inform me of excessive licking during consultations. Excessive licking in dogs is a symptom caused by a behavioral or medical issue.

Never ignore excessive licking. Your dog is trying to tell you something is wrong.

When Does Licking Become Excessive?

All dogs are different, so with that said, there are a few telltale signs. When a dog licks a specific spot so much he causes a wet spot, that’s excessive licking. When touching the area, you instantly know it’s saturated with saliva.

Some dogs lick themselves so often, they will cause a lick granuloma. Lick granulomas are caused when a dog has licked a sore into his skin. Battling lick granulomas is like riding a roller coaster; there’s some ups and many downs, and it can take weeks to heal the area.

RELATED: Hot Spots on Dogs: Causes and Treatments

Causes of Excessive Licking

Digestive Issues

Yes, dogs have digestive issues just like people, and it’s actually pretty common. Dogs will lick flooring, themselves or furniture because their stomach hurts or burns (they’re trying to stop the pain).

When we have heartburn, we drink water to help relieve the burning sensation whereas dogs either drink or lick excessively. Dogs are susceptible to GERD (chronic heartburn), especially if they take NSAIDs on a regular basis. Remember, NSAIDs can cause gastric ulcers and inflammation. It’s best to never dismiss excessive licking, especially if your dog takes or has taken NSAIDs.

Solution

With GERD, sometimes over-the-counter antacids can help tremendously. If you give your dog Pepcid, you’ll notice your dog stops licking within 20 minutes after ingesting and his licking will cease until another flareup causes burning again. Keep in mind antacids are not a quick fix. Too much antacid consumption can reduce your dog’s stomach acid, which results in indigestion of his food. I know, it’s a vicious cycle, so always consult with your vet when giving antacids.

Self-Soothe

Licking to self-soothe was discussed in a previous article, but it’s another reason some dogs lick excessively. Some dogs learn licking someone, furniture, flooring or himself is very soothing. You’ll likely notice it when your dog is preparing for a nap.

Sobek, my Rottweiler, learned this behavior after battling a hot spot. It feels good for dogs to lick something. When Sobek started self-soothing himself by licking, I notice he would curl up in his favorite spot and start slowly licking his leg. When I called his name, he would jump–almost like he was in a trance. It was so spooky.

Many years ago, my mother had a feisty Lhasa Apso named Trixie. She was a little pistol, but she learned to self-soothe herself by licking my mother’s leg non-stop. Sometimes, she would lick for an hour. After she was done licking, she usually fell right to sleep. It became a ritual. If my mother wore long pants and Trixie was unable to lick, she would become very frustrated. If no one were available to lick, she would lick a pillow until she fell asleep.

Solution

Self-soothing licking needs to be addressed quickly. Redirect your dog with a food stuffed toy or a quick game of “touch” (i.e. dog walks over and touches his nose to your hand). Punishment will make it worse. You’re increasing stress levels, which is the main reason dogs learn to self-soothe lick in the first place. Teach your dog others ways to self-soothe and try calming supplements and products. They can most definitely help you over the hump.

Let Your Vet Know Too

Inform your vet of your dog’s excessive licking during your next appointment. If excessive licking becomes an issue, ask for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist or a seasoned dog trainer. Again, find a dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods only. Remember, punishment will make it much worse. Many times, a combination of health and behavior consults will do the trick. If not, keep pushing forward, ask questions and, by all means, let me know if I can help too. 🙂

Many of us give our dogs over-the-counter products and supplements when there’s a problem, but please do research on those products beforehand. Many human medications are deadly to dogs. Always consult with your veterinarian. She needs to know all medications your dog is taking even OTC versions.

Never ignore excessive licking. If you’re uncertain whether your dog’s licking is excessive, a positive reinforcement dog trainer can certainly troubleshoot!

Human Medications Deadly to Dogs

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List of Human Medications That are Poisonous to Dogs

Human Medications Poisonous to Dogs
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Many times, we reach into our medicine cabinets when our dogs are feeling under the weather, but not all human medication can be given to dogs. Before giving your dog human medication, make sure you research each medication first. As a resource, here’s a brief list of human medication poisonous to dogs regardless of size. Don’t assume dogs need to ingest a lot of pills to feel the effects. It usually only takes one.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Just about every human nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is poisonous to dogs. Everything from Advil to Aleve to Motrin should never be given to your dog under any circumstances. Veterinarians do prescribe NSAIDs made especially for dogs, as human dosages can be lethal. Plus, many NSAID compounds contain additional ingredients that can cause severe liver damage.

Believe it or not, NSAIDs rank as the top dog-ingested poison and most are accidental. Many poison control hot line calls are a result of dogs finding a bottle of NSAIDs on a nightstand and chewing the bottle open to ingest the pills. Please keep all medication behind a tightly closed door or inside a drawer. If your dog learns how to open a cabinet door, move all medications to a top cabinet out of your dog’s reach.

If you should drop a pill on the ground, immediately step on it, so your dog isn’t able to swallow it. Better yet, teach your dog the “leave it” cue, so he learns to ignore anything that drops on the floor. Once you safely remove the pill and discard it in a closed container, reward your dog with a yummy treat for ignoring the fallen pill. Sometimes, pills are dropped unknowingly, so I highly advise crating your dog when you’re taking daily pills.

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Tylenol

We all know Tylenol (acetaminophen) can cause liver damage, especially if taken over long periods of time or at high doses. Well, this stuff can most certainly cause liver failure in dogs. Keep this stuff out of your dog’s reach.

While a few over-the-counter medications are safe for dogs, many have compounds of other ingredients and you’ll likely notice acetaminophen hidden in the mixture. Read the fine print. If acetaminophen is found anywhere in the ingredient list, don’t give it to your dog.

Decongestants

Many dogs rely on Benadryl (diphenhydramine) during seasonal allergy months, but not all allergy medications are the same. Always flip the bottle or box over and look at the ingredients. You’ll likely find some type of decongestant listed even if it’s way down the ingredient list. All decongestants are toxic to dogs.

When reading an allergy medication ingredient list, look for pseudoephedrine, which is an extremely common decongestant found in most major and generic brands of allergy medications. Make sure to choose products with diphenhydramine listed as the only ingredient. Better yet, ask your veterinarian for a recommended brand and dosage for your dog.

RELATED: What Human Foods are Bad for Dogs?

Human Prescriptions

Just like we never share our prescriptions with friends or family, the same applies for dogs. For most of us, we don’t intentionally give our prescribed drugs to our dogs, but they still end up swallowing it because they find a dropped pill or the bottle on the ground. As you would with your children, keep all medications out of your dog’s reach at all times.

Xylitol

You’re probably aware that xylitol is not a prescription or even a medication. Rather, it’s a sugar substitute that is extremely toxic to dogs even in tiny amounts. Unfortunately, this stuff is popping up in more and more human medications every day. Xylitol is usually found in chewable tablets, as the sugary taste masks most bitter-tasting medicine. Xylitol is also found in beverages marketed for children because again sweet-tasting stuff makes it easy to dose sick children. Unfortunately, this toxic stuff is finding its way into many supplements and herbs as well.

Always look at the back side of the bottle to ensure none of the ingredients above are listed. When in doubt, ask your vet!

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Causes of Lick Granuloma

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Lick Granuloma Overview

Lick Granuloma
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When a moist oozing lesion develops on a dog’s skin, most dog owners want to identity the exact cause. If you’ve ever battled a fast spreading hot spot on your dog, you understand they don’t disappear overnight. It’s a battle that can last weeks. Just when a hot spot almost seems to have dried up, dogs either lick and scratch it, which brings you right back to square one. Interestingly, not all hot spots are caused by skin trauma. Many are self-inflicted by your dog and we call these lick granulomas.

What is Lick Granuloma?

Some hot spots are caused by skin irritants, such as flea bites, scrapes and allergens. However, excessive licking or scratching, which breaks skin and causes bacteria to set in, creates hot spots. Determining if your dog has a lick granuloma takes observation and a diary of events.

Many years ago, lick granulomas were considered a bored dog’s disease because it was assumed bored dogs would lick themselves when they had nothing else to do. When bored dogs would rather lick their paws or limbs instead of play with toys or enjoy a food stuffed toy, there has to be more to the story.

Lick Granuloma Causes

When drilled down, most lick granulomas are caused by a dog trying to self-soothe himself. He learns that slowly licking his paws or legs provides a calming effect. Self-soothing licking becomes a major issue when it becomes a habit. This is the first thing your dog does when he’s stressed. Your dog may be worried either because a new dog is added to your household or you’re away on vacation. As a result, your dog begins to soothe himself by licking. Self-soothing is normal. Humans reach for cupcakes or wine when they’ve had a hard day. When self-soothing begins to harm someone, then it becomes a problem.

Excessive licking can most certainly be caused by pain, so it’s important to rule out other causes before assuming it’s behavioral. Some dogs lick because there’s a foreign body trapped under their skin, a nerve has been pinched or they’re experiencing acid reflux.

How to Determine If It’s Behavioral

This is tricky because not all dogs display the same signs. I’ll share my personal dog’s behavior and several other behaviors I’ve witnessed while dogs have licked themselves to self-soothe. You’ll usually notice soft licking right before bedtime or naps. Sobek’s third eyelids will slowly slide up and cover his eyes–almost like he’s going into a trance. If you call your dog’s name while he’s licking, it’s almost like you’ve startled him. Sometimes, it feels good for your dog to lick an itch he’s licked before, so licking becomes a habit.

Keep a log of all your findings, focusing on when and where it happens. Is it after meals, before bedtime or when strangers visit? Does your dog slink away to lick, or does he lick other objects excessively like furniture, flooring and you? If possible, capture video and pictures, as this will further assist in finding the cause.

Lick Granuloma Treatment

If you suspect it’s behavioral, find a veterinarian who is board certified in animal behavior. These folks are vets who have completed a lengthy internship focused on successfully addressing behavioral concerns that cause medical issues.

As an experienced dog trainer, I’ll admit dog trainers are not equipped to manage lick granulomas. It’s completely out of our wheelhouse. Don’t get caught up with someone calling herself an animal behaviorist either. There is no such occupation, school or certificate program verifying someone as an animal behaviorist.

Now, dog trainers can certainly assist you after your veterinary behaviorist consultations. We can help teach your dog other ways to self-soothe himself besides licking. While it’s tempting to skip right to this part and bypass a veterinary consultation, it will take much longer for your dog to respond and that equals more vet visits to doctor up hot spots.

If you need help finding a veterinary behaviorist, I have some great tips and websites here. Do know even if you live in a rural area, your dog can still benefit from a veterinary behaviorist, as most will work with your regular vet. I’ll be brutally honest: it’s worth every penny to find a veterinary behaviorist, as you’re finding a solution now instead of spending hundreds of dollars on temporary fixes by so-called experts.

Until your veterinary behaviorist visit, continue to walk your dog, feed your dog using food puzzles and give calming products a try. Calming music, DAP products and supplements are great ideas. Just make sure your veterinary behaviorist is aware you’re using them. These suggestions won’t address the main issue, but they do provide an outlet for stress. Don’t forget to bring your log, pictures and video along to your consultation. It will help a ton!

Hot Spots on Dogs: Causes and Treatments

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Hot Spot Causes and Treatments

Hot Spots on Dogs
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A hot spot is a pesky skin condition that can pop up on your dog’ skin within hours. These painful lesions can grow quickly–sometimes doubling in size within a day. Having a hot spot can become a vicious circle. The more a dog licks at the painful wound, the worse it gets, which causes further licking. I’ll share a few home remedies I’ve used for many years that can usually dry up most hot spots. If, at any time, hot spots remain the same or worsen, it’s time to schedule a veterinary visit.

What Causes Hot Spots?

Anything that irritates your dog’s skin barrier can cause a hot spot. Flea bites, tiny scrapes or allergies are known culprits, as they allow bacteria to set up shop in your dog’s skin. Usually, these irritations cause your dog to lick the area, which makes things much worse. When a dog’s skin itches, hurts or burns, he’ll most likely react by scratching or licking the area. It’s his way of scratching an itch. Think about when you had chickenpox: it was almost impossible not to scratch, so now you understand your dog’s frustration.

Most dog hot spots look the same. They resemble inflamed ulcers. They are usually hot to the touch and moist and sticky. They either bleed or ooze, and the surrounding skin probably looks swollen due to inflammation. Remember, hot spots are very painful. You’ll probably notice your dog limping if hot spots form on his feet. Plus, hot spots can pop up anywhere. I’ve seen them on rumps, flanks, ears, necks, legs and feet. Basically, all of your dog’s skin is susceptible to hot spots.

How to Prevent Hot Spots

Treat your dog’s area for pests on a regular basis. I highly recommend using cedar oil because it’s safe and natural. If your dog is prone to seasonal allergies, address the issue before it becomes a problem. Your veterinarian can advise you when to begin giving your dog antihistamines to prevent flare-ups, but they work best before pollen counts rise. Keep an eye on any skin abrasions, and make sure they heal completely and your dog leaves them alone.

Home Remedies for Hot Spots

Everyone has her own hot spot home remedy, which works for her dogs. I’ve used these products for years and have had great success. You’ll certainly need to help your dog through the process, as hot spots need to be cleaned three or four times per day, so your vigilance is a huge part of success.

  • Clean the area: Using an antibiotic cleanser made for dogs, gently clean the area. Personally, I use Nolvasan Wound Cleanser, which contains chlorhexidine, which kills bacteria on skin. Remember to be gentle. Hot spots hurt, so use warm water, touch lightly and pat dry. Clean your dog’s hot spot two to three times per day for quicker healing.
    • If your dog’s hot spot is so painful that he refuses to allow handling of the area, it’s best to schedule a veterinary appointment within 24 hours. Some hot spots are excruciating, so your vet may need to sedate your dog to examine and clean the wound.
  • Remove hair: If needed, trim back excess hair to avoid it from sticking in the wound and causing further inflammation. I recommend using clippers or blunt-nosed scissors.
  • Apply topical antibiotics often: Once the area is cleaned and the excess hair is removed, apply a topical antibiotic. By far, I find sprays to be much easier, as ointments keep hot spots too moist and they never really dry up and heal. Usually, I spray Bacitracin on the area and allow it to dry for a few minutes.
  • Pain control: If your dog’s hot spot hurts, he’ll have a hard time ignoring the throbbing area. I rub a small dab of OTC hydrocortisone on the area to reduce the pain and minimize licking or scratching. Never give your dog any type of human pain medications, as they are lethal to dogs.
  • Keep your dog away from the wound: If your dog is allowed to lick or scratch a hot spot, the area will never heal and become much worse. Keeping your dog from licking or scratching the hot spot is by far the hardest part of hot spot treatments. Just spraying the area with a bitter tasting deterrent doesn’t work, and many products contain alcohol, which burns when it touches hot spots.
    • If your dog’s paw is affected, try covering the area with a sock. Secure the sock by wrapping bandages along your dog’s pastern (wrist).
    • Some dogs are persistent, so try using an e-collar, which keeps your dog from licking, pawing or scratching a wound.

WATCH: Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Cone Video

https://youtu.be/ugG4OXTQjBM

Keep hot spots clean and dry, and check them often. You’ll usually notice a huge decrease in oozing, heat and swelling within 12 hours. With persistence, most hot spots dry up and heal within 48 hours.

I highly recommend keeping a sock or e-collar in place until the entire area turns into a scab and completely disappears. So many times, we think a hot spot is healed, but then our dogs lick or scratch the area again, causing a hot spot to reappear quickly.

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Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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