WHY DOES MY DOG FART SO MUCH?

• It’s normal for dogs to fart, but if it’s happening very regularly it might be the sign of an issue.
• Common causes include eating too fast or eating a poor-quality diet.
• Feeding food that’s easier to digest can mean fewer farts and healthier poos, too.

 

Let’s clear the air – it’s completely normal for dogs to fart. But, excessive, stinky flatulence can be pretty hard to live with for both of you.

The most common cause is usually what your dog eats or how they eat it.

Some dogs can be intolerant to certain ingredients and have trouble digesting them. Common culprits include soya (sometimes used as a thickener in commercial pet food) and grain-heavy foods.

Or, your dog might be bolting their food too fast, swallowing some air and not digesting properly. Don’t panic, though – there’s plenty you can do to bring a breath of fresh air to the problem.

 

Why do dogs fart?

Just like for us – dogs farts are caused by a build-up of gas in their intestinal tract. And excess gas can build for lots of reasons – from eating their food too quickly and swallowing air at the same time, or eating the wrong kinds of food.

Dogs also have shorter intestines than humans, which means their food remains in the stomach for a shorter time. The food has got to be easily digested, otherwise, it passes out of the body before it’s been properly broken down and absorbed.

Domestic dogs have evolved to eat a much more varied diet than their wolf ancestors. Individual dogs, though, can find certain foods hard to digest, causing this build-up of gas.

If you want your pooch to be less farty, then giving him a diet that’s potentially easier to digest may help. Lots of our customers have found that our high-quality raw food is easier to digest for their dogs.

 

Why is your dog farting more than usual?

There are usually two key reasons:

1. Their diet doesn’t agree with them

Your dog might have eaten something they shouldn’t. Or, they might be reacting to a trigger food or have a food intolerance.

Excess farting can happen when your dog simply can’t cope with a certain ingredient, and so their gut can’t absorb or digest it quite as easily – creating large amounts of gas.

If your dog is also doing sloppy poos, this is most likely the problem. And it might mean your dog isn’t getting the most out of the nutrients in their food.

Speak to your vet if you think your dog has a food intolerance or a sensitive tum. You might need to change their diet or try them on specially formulated foods.

2. They’re eating their food too quickly

If your dog is the type who loves their food, they could be scoffing it so quickly that it barely gets chewed at all, and swallowing great mouthfuls of air with it. And, this air will eventually come out at the other end.

 

What if your dog has bad gas suddenly?

This might be caused by a change in diet, or your dog might have eaten something they shouldn’t have on their walk.

Either way, keep an eye out for other symptoms, and if you also notice diarrhea or vomiting, speak to a vet if this goes on for more than 24 hours.

 

What if their farts are really smelly?

If you’ve noticed that your dog’s farts have gotten worse and they’re producing smelly gas, there might be an underlying health issue going on. They might have a food intolerance or allergy.

If you’re feeding them veg like broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower, this could lead to sulphur-smelling farts. This is because these foods are high in sulphur and can cause their gut to produce more sulfides.

 

Could it be caused by anything more serious?

Usually, your dog's farts aren’t anything to worry about. But, if food intolerances have been ruled out, the issues could be a more serious digestive problem like an underlying gastrointestinal condition or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

A build-up of gas can also make your pet’s stomach feel bloated and uncomfortable.

But, dogs are good at hiding their pain so keep an eye out for other symptoms or unusual behaviours. And, always speak to your vet if you’re worried.

 

Tips for reducing excessive farts

To help make your dog less farty, we’ve got wind of some great tips. Remember that each dog is different, so you might need to do some trial and error with what works for them:

 

1. Try a slow feeder

If the problem is caused by a greedy dog eating too fast, then a slow-feeder dog bowl could help.

There are lots of versions of these available, and they’re designed to make your pooch work a bit harder for their food.

You could also try splitting meals into smaller portions throughout the day.

 

2. Go back to basics with their food

If you think there’s a dietary trigger, then start by taking a look at your dog’s current diet. If it includes processed ingredients, sugars, salt or lots of carbohydrates, these might be triggering their symptoms.

Avoid processed foods and go for a raw diet or a food made for sensitive stomachs.

That way, you’ll know that your dog is absorbing all the nutrients they can without causing a build-up of gas.

 

3. Cut down on excessive treats (especially human food)

Foods that are high in fat or are highly processed might not be doing your dog any favours. You could try stripping these down, too, and see whether this reduces your dog’s wind.

 

4. Make changes slowly

If you’re changing your dog’s diet, give them time to adapt. Read our guide to transitioning your dog to raw food, gradually.

Keeping your pooch’s diet consistent will help, too, and signing up for a regular meal plan helps make this simple.

 

Dog farts FAQS

What foods cause gas in dogs?

Ingredients that are more difficult to digest often cause dogs to produce more gas. Soy and certain grains are linked to lower digestibility according to a review published in Vet Times.

Plus, cruciferous veg like broccoli can cause your dog fart more if fed in excess.

The review also reports that overcooking or excessive processing of food can make it harder for dogs to digest. While highly digestible ingredients like raw meat and offal might be easier on your dog’s digestive system.

 

Are certain breeds prone to flatulence?

Brachycephalic dogs (or dogs who have short or flat muzzles like Boxers, Pugs or Bulldogs) take in more air when they eat, which might lead to more gas.

Some reviews like this one published in Elsevier suggest that these dog breeds might be more likely to have digestive tract problems, too.

 

Is it normal for dogs to fart more at night?

If your dog has their main meal in the evening, their digestive system will be at peak performance at night. So, this might be why they fart more in the evening and at night.

 

Can changes in diet reduce my dog’s farting?

Very probably. Changing to a more easily digestible food, a diet that suits your dog’s individual needs or slowing down your dog’s eating can help a lot.

Looking for a consistent raw food meal plan for your pooch? Try Nature’s Menu meal plans made with high-quality, easily digestible ingredients.