Imagine this, sitting next to your furry roommate when you hear a little toot, followed by an unfortunate smell. Your little friend looks at you then turns away, knowing what he did. If this is a scenario you often see, there are some things you can look at that may reduce the occurrences of these smelly events!

Know your Breeds

Some breeds are just more predisposed to farting. Brachycephalic dogs, or short/flat faced dogs, definitely fall under this category. These include pugs, boxers, bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Boston terriers, and more. The reason they pass gas a lot has to do with the fact that while they are eating and drinking, they take in a lot of air and unfortunately that air has to go somewhere. These little guys are so lovable that a little gas never hurt anyone though!

What is my dog eating?

Diet plays a huge role in the causes of gas and flatulence in our furry friends! Always look at the ingredients when you are buying your dog food! Cauliflower, cabbage, and soy beans are known perpetrators. If you tend to give your dog left-overs that could be a cause as foods that are high in carbohydrates, along with dairy, tend to cause indigestion. Corn, wheat, and gluten in general tend to have this effect. Also be sure to check for carrageenan which a lot of lower-end dog foods have in them as a thickener. We recommend some of the wonderful grain-free options that we have at the store, including Orijen, Stella & Chewy’s, or Primal.

The Ol’ Switcharoo

Be careful when changing your dog’s diet! Always try to ensure a smooth transition from one protein to another. This is especially the case if your dog is used to having one kind of food. Also look out for ravenous eating, as the air intake during can cause gas. In that case, you could always try out a slow-feeder product like Northmate’s Green Mini interactive feeder or Contech’s Eat Better food bowl.

Talk to your vet

In the end, we all just want our funny friends to live more comfortably. If you notice that the flatulence is occurring at an extreme amount, contact your veterinarian as it could be a sign of inflammatory bowl disease or intestinal parasites. We recommend taking a trip to your local vet if you are noticing any adverse reactions to their diet or food.