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Farting - Flatulence
Gas -
in dogs
Some tips on preventing
smelly dog
farts
Flatulence, commonly referred to as 'farting', is caused by gas in
the bowel. Basically, dogs pass gas for the same reasons people do.
Gas is caused by fibre, starch and some complex sugars that aren't
easily digested. They're fermented by bacteria in the colon, producing
hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulphide gases. These gases are expelled
as flatus.
Passing gas is a normal bodily function but you may wish to address
the fact when the farts seem to be excessive or very stinky. A foul
smelling fart is an indication that some food has not been properly
digested and is fermenting inside the body. The smell of fermenting food
is what causes smelly farts.
Reasons for flatulence in dogs are:
*
The dog is fed a poor quality diet.
* The dog eats too fast - Gulping food down and taking
in air.
* If you feed your dog table scraps be aware that
certain foods which contain starches and carbohydrates are known to
cause flatulence. (see below)
* Lack of exercise.
* Lactose intolerance can also cause smelly gas.
Things you can do to reduce the negative effects of dog flatulence:
Firstly it should be mentioned that infections, diseases and disorders
of the GI tract can cause excess gas production so if your dog has any
other symptoms apart from flatulence get him checked by your
veterinarian.
*
If a dog has excessive flatulence with a foul odor the culprit is likely
to be dietary. Change your dog's diet choosing a premium brand of dog food that is highly digestible.
Many cheaper brands of dog food contain a lot of corn and soy products
for fillers. This gives your dog the feeling of being full, but also can
contribute to a smelly gas problem. When choosing kibble select only
high quality kibble. It will also reduce the amount of waste product,
meaning less gas, and less smell too. Feed your dog the best quality of
food that you can afford. If you put rubbish in then rubbish will come
out.
*
Exercise the dog more frequently to stimulate his intestines. A good
walk can work wonders.
*
Eliminate Soy Products. Many processed dog foods contain Soy.
Read pet food labels.
* If feeding table scraps avoid giving
vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, beans, peas, cabbage and other
foods such as bread and fried foods. Spicy food should also be avoided.
* Avoid Dairy Products. (except for yogurt,
see below)
* Try feeding your dog yogurt. Although yogurt is a
dairy food it has different properties to milk and cheese. Yogurt has
good bacteria and can be very beneficial in treating excess gas. Feed
two to three tablespoons of plain, organic non-fat yogurt a day. Look
for labels that indicate that the yogurt contains live and active
cultures; these are the cultures which help digestion. Reduction in pet
flatulence won't happen overnight. Note your dogs progress after about a
week.
* Try probiotics. Probiotics
for dogs and digestive enzymes help to reduce the amount of bad bacteria
and toxins in the dog's body and are used to restore the normal balance
of microflora (bacteria) in the gastrointestinal tract. In other words,
probiotics are the "good, friendly bacteria" that are used to combat the
"bad, harmful bacteria" that have grown out of proportion The result is
a cleaner and more efficient digestive system.
*
Feed your dog more frequently with smaller portions. Feed three small
meals instead of one large meal to keep the dog from gulping food and
swallowing air.
