Your dog farts suspiciously much: what causes it and what can be done about it?

Some people sometimes joke that if it weren't for the dog, you wouldn't be able to blame anyone for the "winds" that people let loose. After all, we are little different in terms of root causes.

Because dogs are exposed to almost the same foods as humans due to a civilised lifestyle, they can also develop digestive health problems. Not only the ingredients or additives, but also the way the food is eaten or, surprisingly, the breed of dog can affect the chances of developing these problems. Let’s see what makes your dog farts so often!

Your dog’s inadequate diet may be the reason for too much farting

Bloating can be caused by foods, such as pulses, dairy products, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, certain fruits, and fatty, spicy or sugary foods.

It is also possible that your dog has food sensitivities, in which case it can react to practically anything, but lactose or gluten are the most common triggers.

The consumption of additives, stock improvers and flavour enhancers can also cause thick flatulence. The main culprit is usually carrageenan, which is added to canned food as a gelling agent or thickener and can cause irritable bowel syndrome in some dogs.

Of course, it is also not good for the dog to regularly eat from the garbage, because although the stomach acid is more effective in neutralising the toxic residues of mould and rot, it cannot prevent a possible salmonella infection.

Digestive disorders

Frequent gas formation can usually be caused by the following conditions:

• parasite infestation;
• infections;
• IBS (irritable bowel syndrome);
• colitis;
• inflammation of the pancreas;
• cancer.

These are usually associated with other unpleasant symptoms, such as diarrhoea or constipation, weight loss, abdominal pain, loss of appetite or increased thirst. Take your dog to a doctor as soon as possible if you notice these symptoms.

Sometimes a dog farts because it has swallowed air

Dogs who are prone to foaming at the mouth or have a pressed nose due to their breed may involuntarily swallow air when eating and drinking. If the air bubbles are not expelled through their mouths, they pass through their digestive tract and leave their bodies in the form of faeces.

Special feeding bowls are recommended by experts to solve the problem. This not only prevents over-enthusiastic eating, but also improves the dog’s intelligence and problem-solving skills.

New food

Introducing a familiar food without a changeover can cause bloating and other complaints in your dog. The solution is to gradually mix the new food or canned food with the old to give the animal’s body time to adjust to the different ingredients.

Did you know? If the doctor has ruled out and/or cured the condition causing bloat, you should consult him or her about the use of probiotic supplements. Of course, it’s not just humans, the gut flora of dogs can also be upset by a course of antibiotics or other disturbing factors.

Fortunately, many pet pharmacies now offer dog probiotics in various forms (powder, gel, tablet or liquid) to restore the dog’s natural bacterial flora. Ask the vet what he recommends!