Do Dogs Fart?

Though the topic may be embarrassing to discuss, dogs do indeed fart. Dogs fart for the same reasons people do; the food they eat and how they live greatly affects just how gassy they are. In fact, certain dog breeds fart more than others.

Dog farting, much like our own flatulence, is a universal and natural occurrence. If, however, your dog is experiencing an excess of gas, and you want to stop those smelly dog farts in their track, you’ve come to the right place.

Below is a guide that will help you identify some typical causes of gas in your dog, and what you can do to help alleviate these symptoms. We might just spare you an expensive visit to the vet too.

We’re going to discuss gassy dog breeds, dieting tips for gassy dogs, proper deworming care, exercise routines for gassy dogs, dog probiotics, digestive enzymes for dogs, information on using activated charcoal with your dog, and how best to prevent stress in your dog.

So, let’s dive right in!

Gassy Dog Breeds

Your dog might actually be genetically predisposed to having gas issues. Due to high demand, certain dogs are selectively bred to enhance their disproportionate physical features. Amongst these breeds is Brachycephalic (also known as snub-nosed dog breeds).

Though admittedly adorable, these breeds are more likely to experience breathing difficulties due, unfortunately, to their skull shape, flattened face, and shortened nose. These gassy dog breeds include, but are not limited to: Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, Terriers, and Mastiffs (you can find a complete list here).

Brachycephalic dog breeds are notorious for being heavy mouth breathers because air passage to their nasal cavity is often obstructed. This causes them to swallow large quantities of air as they inhale. This swallowed air translates directly into an excess of gas, and naturally, plenty of those stinky dog farts.

Not all hope is lost for owners of Brachycephalic dog breeds, however, as there are numerous remedies to help keep those pesky dog farts to a minimum.

Best Dog Dewormer

Believe it or not, deworming should be a regular routine for all dog owners. It’s a common misconception that puppies alone should be treated for worm prevention. It’s actually recommended that all adult dogs be dewormed every 3 months.

Puppies need to be dewormed more frequently because they are more susceptible to contracting parasites at this stage of their development. It’s recommended that you deworm your puppy once every 2 weeks.

Intestinal parasites (commonly roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms) prey on a dog’s digestive tract. These parasites leech off of your dog’s intestinal tract, weakening its digestive system. Excessive farting is one of the first signs that your dog may have contracted intestinal parasites.

Intestinal dewormers for dogs work by weakening the parasites enough that your dog’s immune system can effectively fight them off. As it’s often difficult to determine which type of parasite your dog has contracted, a broad spectrum intestinal dewormer is recommended; this will deal with most parasitic threats and is generally safe for dogs of all ages.

Dog Food For Gassy Dogs

A poor dog diet often leads to smelly dog farts. Similar to humans, some dogs have certain food sensitivities and intolerances. They may also react negatively to mixed portions, sudden changes in meals, or low-quality dog food.

One thing is certain though, you have to stop giving them table scraps. Please, resist the urge. Human food is a big no-no when it comes to your dog’s diet. Things like dairy, corn, wheat, and soy are unnatural to our dog’s nutritional needs, and, unfortunately, these ingredients are the basis of much of the processed foods we eat today. Cutting these foods out of your dog’s diet will dramatically improve their digestive health.

Surprisingly, your average, everyday dog food might also be the culprit. Many dog foods on the market today contain soy, starches, corn, carbohydrates, and unhealthy preservatives and additives. A dog’s digestive system isn’t built to process these foods. Therefore, switching over to natural, premium-quality dog foods can help cut down on those excessive dog farts.

It is important to note that you should introduce new food to your dog’s diet slowly at first. Rushing to a new meal type may shock their digestive system, making it difficult for them to adjust. To ensure a smooth transition to the new dog food, add only a little to their meals at a time, increasing the portion every few days. Within a week they should be ready to switch completely over to the new stuff.

Dog Eats Too Fast

When it comes to dog food, what your dog eats isn’t the only problem. How they eat it is just as concerning. An excessive intake of air during mealtime could in fact be the culprit for your dog’s gassiness. If your dog rushes through meals they could be ingesting high quantities of air along with their food. This ingested air often needs a place to go and usually results in canine flatulence.

If you own multiple dogs, it’s recommended that you feed them separately. It’s common for dogs, even those that otherwise get along, to exhibit competitive behavior during mealtime. This competition could be directly affecting how quickly your dogs are eating.

Also, another great tip for regulating the pace of your dog’s eating is to feed them smaller portions at a time. Start by giving them a quarter of their meal at a time, pausing between portions. Wait until they’ve finished before giving them the next bite.

Controlling the flow of their meal will force them to take smaller mouthfuls as they eat, thus limiting the amount of air they ingest with their food. Less ingested air means less overall gas in your dog’s intestines, and hopefully, less farting.

Dog Exercise For Gas Relief

A solid diet regimen for your dog is incomplete without a healthy exercise routine. Whether it be a busy schedule or an unmotivated pup, inactivity is the enemy. It’s no secret that an overweight dog is more susceptible to having health issues and its digestive system is often the most severely affected.

If your dog lounges most of the day, declines most attempts at play, or seems in any way sluggish or constantly out of breath, you might have to take a more proactive approach to their fitness. Doing so may just give your dog that much-needed gas relief, amongst other obvious perks.

Going on jogs or running up and down stairs with your dog encourages them to keep up with your pace (and it’s a great way for you to stay healthy too). If you’re pressed for time, a simple, daily play session could be all they need to drastically improve their overall health.

It doesn’t require a lot of time or effort, and might just be the thing to stop those dog farts in their track. Be sure to read our comprehensive article on dog exercises here.

Dog Probiotics

Just like humans, dogs have “good bacteria” in their stomachs that aid them in the digestion of their food. Some dogs, however, can experience an imbalance or deficiency in this good bacteria.
Some sources recommend that you give your dog yogurt to boost the bacteria in their stomachs, but we stress very heavily against doing so. Dogs, as mentioned previously, react negatively to many human foods, and dairy is no exception. The added dairy to their diet could just make the farting worse, as their digestive system isn’t built to process dairy products.

A dog probiotic supplement, however, can help introduce more of this good bacteria into their system without that added dairy. A healthy quantity of good gut bacteria will bring order back to your dog’s digestive system and produce less of those often stinky dog farts.

Dog Digestive Enzymes

If dog probiotics aren’t enough to clear up the gas in your dog, digestive enzymes specifically formulated for dogs might just do the job. Digestive enzymes, naturally produced in the small intestine and pancreas, help your dog to digest its meals.

Digestive enzymes work by breaking down the nutrients in your dog’s food so that their bodies can properly absorb them. Sometimes, however, your dog may experience a deficiency in these enzymes.

A deficiency of digestive enzymes in your dog could mean they’re not getting the full nourishment from their meals that they should be. Introducing more of these enzymes into their diet will likely increase their nutrient intake. Restoring this balance in your dog’s digestive system will likely cut down on the gas they’ve been experiencing.

Charcoal for Dogs

If you’re not familiar with activated charcoal, it’s essentially processed charcoal with added oxygen. Due to its smaller pores and increased surface area, this form of charcoal has improved purification capabilities. It’s also considered generally safe for multiple human and animal applications, including toxin adsorption.

Canine flatulence could be the result of something hazardous your dog has eaten. If you suspect that your dog has ingested something harmful, activated charcoal is good to have on hand. It’s not a long-term fix for gas-related issues but may block toxins from being absorbed by your dog’s digestive system.

The best protocol is to call a veterinarian or poison control center, administer the recommended dose within an hour of exposure, and then rush them over to an animal clinic as soon as possible. We cannot stress enough the importance of having some activated charcoal around, in the event your dog ever consumes something potentially poisonous.

Stress in Dogs

An often overlooked cause of many different symptoms, in humans and animals alike, is stress.
Dogs have their bad days too. They might not have credit card bills or student loans to stress over, but they do experience anxiety and uneasiness in other ways.

Maybe your dog doesn’t go outside often enough or is jealous of the attention you pay to another pet. Whatever the reason, an unhappy dog often leads to an unhealthy one. Stress could actually be contributing to the excessive gassiness in your dog.

Giving your dog lots of attention, going on walks, and dedicating time to play sessions all go a long way. Now it’s understandable, when life gets busy, that your dog may not get all of the attention it craves, but it’s important to find the time. Keeping them happy is an important step toward keeping them healthy, and it’s just as crucial as their diet and exercise.

Are Dog Farts Normal?

In most cases, yes. A visit to a veterinarian isn’t typically necessary if the farting isn’t accompanied by any other major symptoms.

However, if you’ve had little success remedying your dog’s farting, or they’re sudden and uncharacteristic, there could be a deeper, underlying problem. If your dog has other symptoms or shows signs of distress, it is advisable to bite the bullet and take your dog to a veterinarian. A visit to the vet will help rule out any major concerns and give you some peace of mind. They’ll likely recommend a lot of the things we’ve covered in this guide.

We hope you’ve learned more about canine flatulence than you probably ever wanted to know. We’re here to prove that your dog’s gas doesn’t have to be an unspeakable occurrence. A more informed dog owner means an even healthier dog, and that’s why we’re always here to help.