You knew already that your dog does not smell of rose petals and baby shampoo. That occasional breeze is part of healthy intestinal function. But what if the dog leaves an extremely large number of farts, or if they smell really bad? Find out more in this blog.
Why does your dog fart?
Farts are intestinal gases that leave the body. So air in other words. But how does that air get into your dog’s intestines? Two reasons:
1. Your dog has swallowed air, for example when eating. These farts do not usually have a strong odour.
2. Your dog cannot digest certain nutrients. As a result, the bacteria in its large intestine have a lot of undigested nutrients to process. In the process, they produce sulphur and methane. These gases determine the smell of your dog’s farts.
How do you ensure that your dog farts less?
Eating more slowly does not only help against flatulence, it is also healthier for your dog. That is easy to do, for example with a slow feeder. The obstacles in this bowl ensure that your dog cannot gulp the food down anymore. It also stimulates your dog’s brain and your dog enjoys its meal for longer.
Did you know? Boxers, bulldogs and pugs fart more than other breeds. This is because when they eat, they breathe through their mouths and swallow more air.
How do you make your dog’s farts stink less?
If your dog’s farts smell, it means that the bacteria in its large intestine are getting too much food. This is either because too much undigested food enters the large intestine or the food stays there too long . To reduce farting, choose a dog food that is quick and easy to digest.
The best dog food against flatulence
You are of course already aware that you should not feed your dog table scraps. But did you know that there is a big difference between the different types of dog food? Pellets can remain in your dog’s system for up to 48 hours. This gives intestinal bacteria plenty of time to produce foul-smelling gases.
In addition, kibble and wet food often contain cheap fillers such as grain and cellulose from beet pulp. Cereals mainly contain starch. This is a feast for the bad bacteria in the colon. Too much starch or grain in your dog’s diet can therefore cause flatulence.
Cellulose, on the other hand, cannot be digested. It is not fermented by bacteria, but the extra volume does ensure that other nutrients stay in the gut longer, and so can ferment there for longer. That is why cellulose in your dog’s food also contributes to the formation of gas in his intestines.
With fresh food you give your dog only what he really needs and in the form that its digests the quickest. That means that your dog’s body absorbs almost all nutrients, leaving little for the intestinal bacteria.
In addition, fresh food retains its volume, so there is no need for unnecessary fillers. As a result, digestion is faster and intestinal bacteria have less time to produce gases, so your dog farts less .
Another advantage of fresh food is that you can buy poop bags one size smaller from now on. Because your dog’s body absorbs this food so well and there are no unnecessary fillers in it, he will also produce less stool.
What else can you do?
- Excerise accelerates internal throughput. This gives the intestinal bacteria less time to produce odours.
- Give your dog two meals a day. This way, your dog’s digestive system does not have to process large amounts at once and it can absorb more nutrients which means that the amount of undigested nutrients that end up in the large intestine is reduced .
- Avoid legumes, rye, oats and barley. They contain a special kind of starch that causes acid fermentation in the intestines. This gives your dog a bloated feeling and intestinal gas.
- Observe your dog (and its stool). See how your dog reacts to different types of food. This is different for each dog. Have you noticed that tomatoes make your dog farts badly ? Or does it cause diarrhoea? ? Then give it something else to eat in the future.
- Does your dog also have itching, skin or coat problems? This may indicate a food allergy or food intolerance. With an elimination diet you find out exactly which nutrient triggers your dog.
- Change your diet gradually. If you switch to new food from one day to the next, this can confuse your dog’s digestive system. So you need to do it in steps, spread over a period of at least seven days.
- Have a look in the leaflet. Flatulence can be caused by medication, such as antibiotics. A course of probiotics can help replenish the healthy bacteria in the gut.
- Worm your dog. Endoparasites can also cause gas. These are parasites in your dog’s intestines. A simple deworming is usually sufficient to kill them.
What if nothing helps?
Farting can be a symptom of a more serious problem, such as an inflammation in your dog’s intestines or liver. Do the complaints persist for more than a week? Make sure you consult a vet.
What if the vet says your dog is in perfect health?
Then there is nothing for it but to love your dear little stinking dog like it is. With its good and bad sides – and by that we mean especially its rear end 😉
My dog fart stinks and he is losing his fur in to patches. We change his dry and wet food this is second time the first time is over a month and now we change his food again and we don’t give him table food or in the garbage…
My mums cat was loosing fur. I had a cat that was on grain free so I have some to my mum. He cats fur started to grow back. She lost it again a few months later and established that my dad was using the old, wheaten, food up…
So basically her cat had a grain allergy.
Can you recommend what fresh foods or ingredients to feed your dog please
Max our dog has the absolute worse farts I’ve ever smelled!! This just started w/n the last week. I need help now. I’m going to try Gas-x see if that help if not I’m gonna quit feeding him(not really) he’s the best dog ever. No change in his diet but I do add canned food to his dry. He is very picky. He’s a rescue from San Bernardino Shelter and we were told he had been there over a year. He absolutely will not eat if anyone or anything is in the room. He buries any bone that we give him. He’s been with us about 5 yrs and this gass problem is a first. We are dying in the house! We’ve got to get this taken care of and quickly
Sounds exactly like my dog and he’s called Max too!
I recently purchased 2 cavapoos from a reputable breeder.
They are both over a year old now and both get Merrick dry food with nutrosource canned food mixed in with their evening dinner.
I’ve had many dogs on this diet in the past, but these two have really smelly farts.
They both eat slowly but they still have these incredibly smelly gas leaks.
Do you have any suggestions?
Is there a way to call bs? Science diet is the most vet recommended food there is. And promoting grain free dog food, which causes heart disease allows owners to make huge mistakes. And “fresh food” is just cooked food that doesn’t do your dogs any favors either. You need 80% organ 5% raw veggies 10% protein and 5% bone meal to give your dog the full nutritional value that fresh food claims to give them. If your brand does not have that ratio, then it is only a bandaid on the very major problem with dog food companies. This is why most concerned owners turn to making their own dog food, as science diet while being the best kibble, is still very expensive. Also, the owner knows exactly what goes into their dog’s diet when they make it.
Science diet is the worst quality dog food there is. Veterinarians know nothing about nutrition. They’re paid to sell science diet. Dogs systems are not meant to digest kibble full of corn, powdered cellulose and other cereal grains infested with pesticides.
DCM is caused by a lack of the amino acid taurine, not by grain free food. Kibble, including science diet, is void of nutrients. So therefore, DCM is on the rise because dogs are eating food completely void of nutrients and not species appropriate, aka KIBBLE.
“Fresh food” doesn’t always mean cooked food you prepare at home. Fresh food is not kibble.
Why does my Yorkshire terrier eat part of her own poo and small pieces of wood off plants in the garden.?
Her wind is really smelly but she seems to be okay.
She is 4 years old and graze feeds not greedy so one small dish of food sometimes lasts 2 days.
Hi. I changed my cavalier to home cooked food about a year ago. He has started farting and it stinks. He does eat ir quickly so I’m thinking of getting one of those bowls but also worrying I’m
Feeding home wrong. The ingredients are minced beef 5%. Egg and egg shell
Kelp. Spinach. Broccoli. Hemp seed oil. Sardines. Red pepper. Ground Ginger. Am
I hurting him or helping him. Any advice appreciated thank you in advance.
Hi Donna, It’s great that you’ve transitioned your Cavalier to home cooked food. Flatulence can be a common issue when introducing new ingredients or making dietary changes. Here are a few things to consider:
– Transition period: When changing your dog’s diet, it’s important to give their digestive system time to adjust. Gradually introduce new ingredients over a week or two, allowing their body to adapt.
– Balanced diet: The ingredients you’ve mentioned, such as minced beef, eggs, vegetables, and oils, can provide a good mix of nutrients. However, it’s important to ensure the diet is balanced and meets your dog’s specific nutritional needs. Consulting with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist can help ensure your dog’s diet is complete and balanced.
– Portion control: Feeding your dog quickly or in large portions can contribute to gulping and increased gas production. Consider using slow-feed bowls or puzzle feeders to encourage slower eating and improved digestion.
– Monitor for sensitivities: Some dogs may be sensitive to certain ingredients. If you notice excessive flatulence or any other signs of discomfort, it’s worth evaluating the specific ingredients and adjusting accordingly.
– Seek professional advice: For personalized guidance, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. They can assess your dog’s specific needs and provide tailored recommendations for their diet. Don’t hesitate to take a look at our website http://www.dogocook.com to create personalized recipes for your dog 😉
Remember, every dog is unique, and their dietary needs may vary. Paying attention to your dog’s individual response to different ingredients can help you make informed decisions about their diet.
Have a lovely day, Floriane – Dog Chef
I have 2 dogs a Labradoodle and a Yorkie x they eat wet food with boiled chicken but both have started to have terrible stinky farts. The Labradoodle has Addersons so I am carful what I feed her.
My 2 year old pup started with awful farts..she lays and constantly farts..is there any med like pesto bismol or anything for upset stomach?and is chicken breast[no skin)peas and brown rice good for her?
Hi Jacquelyn, Persistent gas in dogs can have various causes, including dietary issues, allergies, or gastrointestinal problems. Before giving any medication, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian to identify the underlying cause. In terms of diet, boiled chicken breast, peas, and brown rice are often considered bland and easily digestible. This kind of diet might be recommended by veterinarians to settle a dog’s stomach, especially if they are experiencing digestive upset. If your dog has some health problems, we recommend that you contact our Dog Chef vets ([email protected]). They will be able to guide you through the most suitable recipes for your dog. 🙂 Have a lovely day, Floriane – Dog Chef