Why can a dog have gas?
Flatulence, also called gas or farts, is a mixture of volatile and malodorous gases such as ammonia, volatile fatty acids or hydrogen sulphide that the dog lets out through its anus.
The emission of these gases occurs in two cases:
- either as a result of aerophagia, that is to say following the ingestion of air by the animal,
- or following bacterial fermentation of the digestive contents by the dog's intestinal flora in its large intestine.
The emission of gas is therefore a natural phenomenon which, most of the time, is not worrying or disturbing for the dog (it is more so for his master's sense of smell). However, it is necessary to wonder if the flatulence of the dog is accompanied by borborygms (the "gurgles" of its belly), burping, bloating or even abdominal pain, diarrhea among other symptoms.
Let's see together the reasons that can lead a dog to have gas repeatedly and what solutions are available to you to put an end to it.
Your dog is too emotional
A dog with gas may be a dog that has simply swallowed too much air. This phenomenon can occur occasionally if your dog has panted or breathed heavily through the mouth following intense physical exercise or a stressful situation, such as a visit to the veterinarian for example. There is nothing wrong with this then and your dog's gas should subside when the swallowed air has completely dissipated.
On the other hand, if your dog has trouble managing his emotions on a daily basis, this situation may repeat itself and his gases may settle over time. This is the case in dogs that are particularly emotional, of an anxious nature and/or in dogs that tend to get excited at the slightest stimulation. Well beyond digestive concerns, chronic stress and anxiety also undermine the animal's mental well-being.
Read also: The main signs of stress and anxiety in dogsWhat to do?
If your dog's stress and therefore aerophagia become chronic, it will then be necessary to work on managing his emotions with a behavioral veterinarian and/or a professional behavioral dog trainer. For these dogs, behavioral therapy can be combined with the administration of anxiolytic drugs or their natural alternatives such as Bach flowers, phytotherapy, soothing pheromones or even homeopathy.
Read also: Anxiolytics for dogs and their natural alternativesBefore, you will obviously have to make sure that your pet's chronic flatulence does not have another medical and/or food cause with a veterinarian.
Your dog eats too fast
A dog that eats too quickly is another reason that can explain the aerophagia of a dog and the gas emission that follows. Yes, some dogs are real gluttons and swallow as much air as food when they empty their bowl in one gulp.
What to do?
First of all, you have to ask yourself why your dog eats so quickly. Is he abnormally hungry? Does he suffer from bulimia? Is he afraid that his food will be taken from him? To do this and to discover solutions on a case-by-case basis, we invite you to consult our article specially devoted to this problem.
Also read: My dog eats too quickly: causes and solutionsYour dog is brachycephalic
French Bulldogs or Boxers have a reputation for having a lot of gas! And for good reason: they are brachycephalic dogs, with flattened muzzles whose anatomical particularities predispose them to swallow a lot of air. Indeed, these dogs usually have difficulty breathing through their noses and tend to compensate for these difficulties by panting.
What to do?
Beyond the olfactory nuisance caused by flatulence, breathing difficulties in brachycephalic dogs can affect their well-being and long-term he alth.
Consult your veterinarian: there are surgical solutions that can correct the abnormalities causing the dog's breathing difficulties and reduce their flatulence problems at the same time.
Also read: Brachycephalic SyndromeYour dog has a diet that doesn't suit him
A dog's gases can also be a sign of fermentation by the bacteria that populate its intestine. It occurs from the fraction of food which is not digested by the dog and which is found in contact with its intestinal flora in the colon. The bacteria then ferment the food residues and this produces gas. This bacterial fermentation is part of the dog's normal digestion process, but it can sometimes become too important (and therefore cause farts and bloating), when the dog's diet is too rich:
- in so-called assimilable carbohydrates, and in particular in starch (complex sugar found in starchy foods), fructose (simple sugar found in particular in fruits or honey) and lactose (sugar milk),
- in fibers found in legumes (and generally in grain-free croquettes), cereals and in particular in whole grains, in fruits and vegetables, especially if they are brought raw in the ration
- in proteins and in particular in proteins that are not easily digestible for the dog. This is the case when his diet is too rich in proteins of plant origin or proteins of animal origin but of poor quality (ration too rich in bones, cartilage, "tendinous" meat, etc.),
Flatulence can also occur in dogs that are overfed or have high energy needs but whose meals are not properly divided. For these dogs, the digestive system is then overloaded and is unable to properly digest the food, the residues of which are then found in too large quantities in the colon.
What to do?
If your dog's diet seems to be involved in his gas problems, then it is better to change it, especially if your dog's flatulence is accompanied by bloating or any other another sign of digestive discomfort.
Then bet on kibbles sufficiently rich in animal protein of good nutritional quality or on a well-balanced household diet with one or more sources of good quality animal protein such as meat, fish flesh and eggs . Always ask your veterinarian for advice before changing your dog's diet and don't forget to practice a gradual food transition, otherwise your dog's digestive discomfort will be temporarily aggravated.
To read also: Which croquettes to choose for my dog?If the quality of the food does not seem to be in question, then ask yourself about the quantities of food distributed to your dog. If these quantities are too high, reduce them to cover your dog's energy needs without excess or overload.
Also read:
- How much kibble to give your dog?
- Calculate a household ration for your dog
If, on the other hand, the quantities are well suited to your dog's needs but these needs are important (sporting dog, lactating bitch, growing puppy), split your pet's meals into 2 to 3 meals per day.
You changed your dog's diet too suddenly
If the bacteria that populate your dog's large intestine produce too much gas that causes flatulence, it may also be simply because some bacteria proliferate at the expense of others or because they are not yet well adapted to your dog's new diet. This second case occurs when a dog's diet is changed too quickly, without respecting a gradual food transition.
What to do?
If you change your dog's diet, do it gently and practice a very gradual food transition, all the longer if you know your dog is sensitive.
You can also give your dog's gut flora a boost by giving him a course of prebiotics and/or probiotics to restore quality microbiota.
Your dog is sick
Gas in a dog can also be a sign of a digestive disorder, food intolerance or intestinal parasitism that would cause food malassimilation or malabsorption in the small intestine.
They can then be accompanied by other clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, etc.
What to do?
Consult your veterinarian without delay.