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We aren't the only ones that suffer from excessive gas.
Like humans, dogs experience issues with flatulence, too.
It's usually nothing to be concerned about, but it could indicate an underlying health issue.
According to PetMD:
What your dog eats can play a huge role in how their digestive tract functions.
Disease may also play a part in causing a dog fart a lot, such as acute and chronic intestinal ailments.
When gastrointestinal disease is the cause, there are usually other symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Before trying home remedies for dog gas, be sure to check in with your veterinarian.
Just like humans, a dog's digestive tract forms gas because of bacterial fermentation of nutrients.
This sometimes results in gases being released.
Gas can also be formed by dogs swallowing too much air, which happens more frequently than bacterial fermentation.
When it is caused by bacterial fermentation, it is usually a result of a change in diet that does not agree with your dog's stomach.
This can be from adding “gas-positive” foods such as soybeans, beans, peas, spoiled foods, milk, spices, and many other high-fiber foods.
Most of these are difficult for the dog to digest, making it necessary for the body to expend the excess gas.
5 Best Home Remedies for Dog Gas
1. Slow Feeders
As most gas does originate from a dog taking in too much air, it is important to understand and be able to identify situations that may be causing it.
One of the most common causes of gas in dogs is eating too quickly.
This means you need to slow down how quickly your dog consumes food.
And the easiest way to slow down a dog that eats too fast is by providing them with a slow feeder.
Three of my favorite slow feeders for dogs I've used with my pets are these:
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl, Slow Feeder Dog... | 18,387 Reviews | Check Price |
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Company of Animals GREEN Slow Interactive Feeder... | 2,697 Reviews | Check Price |
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Freefa Slow Feeder Dog Bowls, (2 Cup) Dog Slow... | 5,670 Reviews | Check Price |
2. High-Quality Diet
Another very common cause of flatulence in dogs is a poorly digested diet.
Food that your dog cannot digest effectively causes excessive fermentation in their digestive tract.
In most cases, it's easy to fix this issue with a small change in diet.
Be sure to check with your veterinarian to ensure your dog's gas is, in fact, due to a small digestion issue and that your pet doesn't have any food allergies or sensitivities that could be causing gas.
A vet can also help you select a higher-quality dog food that will meet your dog's nutritional needs and fit into your budget.
3. Prebiotics and Probiotics
Your dog’s gut contains both “good” and “bad” bacteria.
There must be a balance between the good and bad bacteria for your dog's digestive tract to stay healthy.
Adding both prebiotics and probiotics can have a significant, positive effect on your pet's gut.
Prebiotics are comprised of fiber that cannot be digested.
Since they cannot be digested, these prebiotics are carried to the dog's colon.
They help to fuel a healthy environment by feeding the good bacteria that reside there.
Essentially, prebiotics keeps “bad” bacteria in check.
Probiotics, on the other hand, repopulate the good bacteria that are missing from your dog’s system.
If prebiotics is the fertilizer for the good bacteria in your dog’s gut, think of probiotics as reseeding your garden after it has been destroyed in a storm.
A healthy digestive tract will not only reduce your dog's gas, but it will also aid in his overall health and well-being.
Better yet, prebiotics and probiotics are very unlikely to cause any negative side effects in a healthy dog.
To be sure, check with your veterinarian before adding them to your pet's diet.
Some of the best probiotics/prebiotics for dogs that are often recommended are these:
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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NaturVet – Digestive Enzymes for Dogs - Plus... | 12,541 Reviews | Check Price |
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Proviable Digestive Health Supplement Multi-Strain... | 12,725 Reviews | Check Price |
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VetriScience Vetri Mega Probiotic and Prebiotic... | 2,332 Reviews | Check Price |
4. Avoid Human Food
We all like to give our dogs a treat from time to time.
If your dog has excessive gas, it's best to cut all people's food from his diet.
Instead, feed him high quality dog treats or raw dog-friendly vegetables and fruit instead of greasy or processed snacks from your plate.
5. Massage Gas Out of the Dog
Finally, dogs can suffer from gas buildup and may be unable to pass gas on their own, and sometimes you may need to help your dog to pass gas.
Once they do, this issue may go away on its own. The simplest way to do this is to massage your dog like this.
- Sit down on the floor or couch, and get your dog near you or on your lap. Make sure both of you are comfortable, calm and relaxed.
- Start by flattening your palm and then slowly move over the dog’s body.
- Pay attention to areas that feel hardened versus those that are soft and malleable. Feel the layers, your dog's hair, skin, fat, muscle, and bone.
- For large areas, rub to relieve the pressure. For small areas, it may be more efficient to squeeze.
Home Remedies For Dog Gas: FAQs
Why is my dog gassy and not eating?
Foods that are difficult for your dog to digest, such as table scraps or spicy foods, might irritate their stomachs and cause them to produce a lot of gas.
If Fido is throwing up and experiencing severe gas, he may have an infection, a food allergy, gastritis, or even pancreatitis.
How do I know if my dog is bloated?
Your dog is bloated when his belly is hard and puffy. Bloat is a distressing and frequently painful health emergency for dogs.
Your woofer may even grunt or whine when you press on his abdomen. Pacing and restlessness are among the frequent symptoms of bloating.
Can I give my dog baking soda for gas?
You shouldn't give your dog anything that contains baking soda.
It is poisonous to animals and might upset the stomach or result in blood alkalosis.
Home Remedies For Dog Gas: Before You Go
It's common for dogs to have excessive gas, and usually it's not a cause for concern.
Following the tips above should help reduce gas in most dogs.
If your dog's constant farts don't clear up within 7-10 days, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
It's unlikely, but there could be an underlying issue that is causing the excessive flatulence.
READ NEXT:
- 6 Ways to Prevent and Treat Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Dog Bloat)
- Dog Bloat: 5 Ways to Prevent It
- 5 Reasons Your Dog Has Canine Bloat and How to Prevent It
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