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Do Dogs Fart? – The Smelly Truth on Canine Flatulence

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Disclaimer: Just like you, we want what’s best for your dog! So we strive to make sure that every last detail we list down is nothing but the honest truth.

Here, we answer the question “do dogs fart?” and give readers a general understanding of dogs’ typical farting behavior. That doesn’t mean though that your dog actions should completely and strictly follow the information here.

Because your pet is one-of-a-kind just like you, you might notice some slight differences between the details presented here and the signs your dog shows. Always make sure to read all the reliable resources you can find and consult your vet to ensure your furry friend’s health and safety.

So, Do They?

The short answer is YES, they most certainly do! Just like humans, dogs have a tendency to become gassy. More often than not, it’s completely normal and acceptable. Sure, your nose might not think it’s that acceptable, but it is normal nonetheless.

Flatulence in dogs can occur for several different reasons. These are the most common:

  • Ingesting food that’s high in fat such as milk and other dairy products.
  • Eating spoiled food.
  • Sudden change in dog food or overall diet.
  • Swallowing too much air.
  • Bowel disturbance.
  • Eating too much food at once.

With that, it’s easy to see that dog farting can actually become a very common thing. Most of the causes of canine flatulence can actually be chalked up to nothing more than dogs just being dogs.

To prevent unnecessary flatulence, however, always make sure to watch your dog’s diet and keep them from eating food that isn’t meant for their digestive system.

More Serious Causes of Flatulence

While there are some harmless reasons for farts, other cases of canine flatulence might need more serious attention. In rare cases, dog gas can be indicative of an underlying health problem that requires professional medical treatment and management.

For instance, inflammatory bowel disease in dogs is a serious condition that is characterized by vomiting, loss of appetite, and flatulence. While IBD on its own is not lethal, it can weaken your dog and cause more complications later on.

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth is also another common condition that causes flatulence in dogs. Again, it doesn’t pose a direct threat to a dog’s health, but further complications that stem from SIBO can endanger your pet. Modifying his diet to prevent the overgrowth can curb the symptoms and decrease discomfort.

When cancerous tumors grow in your dog’s intestinal tract, your pet will likely develop marked flatulence. This is because the growth can interrupt your pooch’s normal bodily functioning, thus generating more gas than normal.

My Dog Won’t Stop Farting – Should I See a Vet?

For some dogs, farting is inevitable. This is particularly true for those that are brachycephalic or flat-nosed. Pugs, American bull dogs, and other dog breeds that have a flattened nose and snout often inhale more air than necessary, causing them to let em’ fly more often.

However, if your dog has suddenly started passing gas frequently without explanation, you might want to take a closer look. Taking him to the vet becomes imperative if he starts showing these signs and symptoms in combination with his uncontrollable flatulence:

  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Discharge from the nose, eyes, groin, or anus
  • Limping
  • Weakness
  • Pain
  • Whimpering
  • Restlessness

If you start to observe that there’s something wrong with your pup, see your vet as soon as possible. Some conditions affecting the stomach, intestinal system, and other internal organs can develop and worsen in just a matter of minutes.

Time is of the essence when treating a sick pup, so don’t hesitate to see a specialist and don’t hope that asking the question, “Do dogs fart?” to the internet is a sure way to find an answer.

Can I Control Canine Flatulence?

So, you don’t want the stench of dog fart constantly flowing through your space. For as much as we love our pets, no one really wants that stench around! Luckily, there are some things you can do to lighten the smell.

  • Adjust Diet. Keeping your dog’s farting on the down low can be achieved by just adjusting their diet. Take out any high fat foods, avoid feeding them human food, and make sure to clean up your space so they don’t ingest anything they’re not supposed to.
  • Slow Them Down. For dogs that eat too much too fast, using a slow feed bowl will help prevent them from taking in too much air during feeding time. This is particularly ideal for flat-nosed breeds that are already particularly predisposed to taking in excess air.
  • Add Some Supplements to Their Diet. If your dog is just normally gassy, you can give your pup some supplements and herbs that can help tone down their fart’s stench. According to publications by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, charcoal, zinc acetate, and yucca are viable methods for reducing the foul odor of dog flatulence.

This video also offers some useful suggestions, too.

The Stinky Truth

Now that you know the answer to the question “do dogs fart?” you can be more mindful and understanding of your pets actions and behaviors. Sure, a stinky fart now and then can be a source of amusement, but if it starts to get out of hand, don’t hold back your pet parent instinct.

Make sure to visit your vet when your dog’s gas start to raise some red flags. Otherwise, you can try to live with the stench or manage it with some dietary tweaking!

No matter what you choose to do, don’t forget to love that pup no matter what foul odors he might eject from his rear end! It’s all a part of the pet parent process.

There’s More to Learn

If you love learning more about your pet, you’re probably always on the lookout for reputable sources you can read up on to get a better understanding of your four-legged friend.

We do a lot of research to give you premium information, and some of our sources can give you an even wider body of knowledge when it comes to your pup.

Check out these reliable reads to sharpen your pet parent skills and give you pup the best care and love that you can.

http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g1960.pdf

https://www.vetwest.com.au/pet-library/flatulence-farting-and-gas-problems-in-dogs

https://www.vetinfo.com/remedies-dog-flatulence.html/

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