Why does my dog fart so often?

Every dog owner has had to deal with it: you are sitting comfortably on the couch and suddenly a foul smell invades your nose. Your sweet four-legged friend who is sleeping faithfully next to you has farted. Just like humans, dogs fart from time to time and in most cases there is absolutely no harm. Flatulence is a normal symptom of the digestive system processing something a dog has eaten, but too much flatulence can be associated with, for example, a poor diet or an underlying health condition. In this blog, we'll tell you everything you need to know about flatulence in dogs and give you a few tips on how to reduce unpleasant odors in your four-legged friend.

What causes a dog to fart excessively?

Farting is normal and directly related to the digestibility of the food a dog eats. A fart is simply gas released during the digestion process of food. In most cases, we humans don't notice much of it, but a dog may suddenly fart much more than he normally does. These farts can also be quite smelly. Because there are several causes of excessive farting, it is important to investigate what is going on in your dog's belly and may not be going quite right. We list below the most common causes of flatulence in dogs for you:

Poorly digestible food

When a dog's daily menu consists of quality, healthy and balanced food, a dog generally doesn't let out many (smelly) farts. This is because the digestibility of this food is high. If your dog is given a lower quality diet, he will experience more problems digesting it. A consequence of digestive problems is more gas and therefore more (smelly) farts. By low-quality food we mean food with a lower nutritional value and a lot of empty fillers, such as grains, for example. Earlier we wrote a blog about the difference between good quality and lesser quality pet food, you can read this blog here.

Does your dog sometimes get some leftovers from the table or is he a real omnivore and can't resist leaving food he found on the street? That could also be a cause of your dog's smelly farts. Food meant for humans often contains too much fat, starch, salt and grains for dogs. So your dog may well suffer from this. So rather than feed a dog human food, choose a high-quality food.

Food allergy or intolerance

It regularly happens that dogs have a food allergy or intolerance. This means that they are unable to tolerate (a) certain protein source(s) or poorly. The most common food allergies or intolerances in dogs are chicken protein and bovine protein, but intolerances to grains and gluten, for example, are also common. A food allergy or intolerance in a dog often manifests itself in intestinal problems resulting in, you probably guessed it, flatulence. In addition, skin and coat problems resulting in itching and excessive scratching are also characteristics of a food allergy or intolerance. If you suspect that your dog is hypersensitive to something, it is important to find out exactly what the dog is reacting to. A modified diet or switching to other foods will be necessary to remedy the symptoms.

Hypoallergenic foods can provide a solution for dogs with food allergies or intolerances. You can read more about exactly what hypoallergenic dog food is here.

Changing food

In most cases, simply switching a dog to different dog food is not wise. A sudden change in your four-legged friend's daily diet can cause flatulence. Chances are that the new dog food contains different ingredients that are digested differently in the body compared to the old food the dog was used to getting. Do you want to switch your dog to other dog food? Then make sure you do it the right way.

In this blog, you can read more about switching to other dog food the right way.

Gulp

When dogs get so excited by the delicious food they are given (which we at Riverwood can totally understand 😉 ), they may become too greedy with food and start to gulp. By wanting to eat too quickly, the dog unintentionally ingests a lot of air. This air also needs to get out and this leads to more farting. To prevent gulping, it is important that the dog gets his food in a quiet environment. Dividing the food into several small portions can also help to reduce scoffing. Do you have multiple dogs? Then make sure you feed the dogs separately from each other. The dogs may feel rushed while eating, either because they are afraid the other dog will take the food or because they are hoping to get some extra from the other bowl. Another solution is an anti-snatching bowl. With an anti-choke bowl, a dog has to do a better job of getting the food out of the bowl and because of this he will eat more calmly. Anti-choking bowls are available in pet stores.

Genetic predisposition

Although all dogs fart from time to time, some breeds are simply more prone to it. Dogs with flat snouts (such as Boxers, Bulldogs, Pugs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) take in more air while eating than other dogs. As a result, they may fart more. Because this is genetic, it is more difficult to address. In any case, try to make sure that a dog with a flat snout eats calmly and use the tips we mentioned above to do so.

Disease or old age

When a dog farts regularly, this can also mean that there is something wrong with his health. Consider, for example, an (intestinal) infection or a worm infestation. In older dogs, digestive problems can occur more quickly, so they can also fart more.

A good indicator to keep an eye on a dog's digestion is to check his stool well. We know; this is not the most appetizing job, but a dog's turd does say a lot about his health. The turd of a healthy dog is firm and you can easily pick it up. However you look at it, a dog's turd never smells fresh, but if you notice a sudden change in its structure, color or smell, for example, it could mean that something is wrong.

Do you suspect that your dog's excessive flatulence has something to do with an illness or do you notice a sudden change? If so, always consult a veterinarian.

How can I prevent my dog from farting so often?

A dog's overall health is proportional to proper bowel function. Sufficient exercise is an essential part of this and also promotes good digestion. So above all, go on a great adventure with your four-legged friend!

As you have read in this blog, it is normal for a dog to fart now and then, but with the above tips, you can certainly limit excessive flatulence. So make sure you feed your dog good quality food (which includes not feeding the dog leftovers from the table), rule out any food allergies or intolerances that can cause flatulence in dogs, be careful with dietary changes, try to avoid or limit gobbling, and have your dog checked by a veterinarian if you suspect flatulence is caused by any diseases. End result: a happy dog but also definitely a happy owner! 😉

Lots of dogs are already enjoying Riverwood every day. Would you like to switch to Riverwood and let your dog also feast on our delicious foods? Then answer a few questions here, find out which variety suits your dog best and order an inexpensive trial pack right away!