Does this sound familiar? Sitting in the front room, visiting with a guest (neighbor, pastor, in-law) the dog is snoozing next to the owner’s feet. Without warning, or sound, a waft of something putrid or decomposing assaults the nostrils. The guest, trying to be polite, suddenly remembers an appointment they are late for and beats a hasty retreat. The dog thumps her tail on the floor, puffs of stink emit with every heavy wag.
Is Dog Gas Breed Specific?
Although dog gas is not breed specific, there are certain breeds who seem to suffer more than others. Boxers are known for their room clearing powers. Most barrel chest breeds (Great Danes, Bulldogs) are especially adept at emitting noxious fumes. That being said, this really is an individual issue. A Pomeranian has as much chance of being a dog gas bag as a Labrador.
Why Is My Dog Gassy and What Can I Do?
There are several reasons a dog may get gassy. One may be his diet. Many commercial dog foods contain additives and fillers that are difficult for a dog to digest. Some dogs can’t handle human food at all, which will create a torrent of stink. A dog occasionally eats too fast. He may suck in as much air as food during a meal creating a wind lock his GI tract. Let’s look at some of the reasons your dog may be gassy.
1. Medical Issue
There are also a few medical conditions where flatulence is an issue such as Malabsorption Syndrome. Malabsorption Syndrome is a condition which a dog may have mild to severe issues with digesting food and absorbing the nutrients. If you think the issue may be medical, discuss your concerns with your veterinarian.
2. Check his food ingredients
Assuming that the issue is dietary, there are a few things an owner can do to curtail the gas cloud hovering over the dog. Check the ingredients list of the commercial dog food he’s eating. The ingredients at the top of the list should be protein like beef, lamb or chicken; not by-products or corn/soy fillers. Switch to a better quality dog food, see if that improves the stink problem.
3. Change his diet
The commercial food he’s eating is high quality? Perhaps a discussion with the vet about changing over to a diet consisting of only meats and vegetables. Some dogs have a hard time processing any grains and it manifests itself in various ways such as chronic ear infections, yeast infections or gassiness. If it isn’t the grains it may be the soy which is a popular filler in several brands of dog food. Moving over to a raw or home cooked diet may eliminate the dietary issues plaguing the household.
4. Slow him down
If a dog eats too fast, put a tennis ball on top of a dogs food. The dog will have to move the tennis ball around to eat, which will slow him down, preventing him from gulping air with his meal.
5. Work it out!
Sometimes a dog needs more exercise to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. A brisk walk 30 minutes a day 4-5 days a week could move the process along nicely.
There is no reason to live in a gassy zone. Having a discussion with the vet and a making few minor lifestyle adjustments, an owner will be able to breathe easier and maybe a little deeper.
