Dog Flatulence and
5 Tips For Eliminating It

Has this ever happened to you? ... 

You and some friends (or family) are all sitting around the family room after dinner… when an awful smell takes over the room.  Everyone knows that someone “let loose.”  Even though they know it was not them they look around embarrassed, hoping not to be blamed. 

It happens again, a particularly horrible smell, and then everyone looks at the dog.  You finally admit, "That’s my dog.” 

Your friends ask, “How do you live with that?”

Thank goodness there are some things you can do to stop this

Your dog's diet has a lot to do with the frequent flatulence. Take a look at what you are feeding her. Does she get table scraps? Some human foods don't digest very well in the canine system, and can cause gas, just like in humans. Some dogs are also lactose intolerant, just as people can be, resulting in noxious fumes after consuming dairy.

Most supermarket brands of dog food are made up mostly of corn products for fillers. This gives your dog the feeling of being full, but also can contribute to a smelly gas problem, and in sensitive dogs, severe allergies. 

Feeding a higher quality food, with the top ingredients listed as chicken or lamb, can not only mean a more comfortable pet, but a less odiferous one as well. High quality kibble will also reduce the amount of waste product, meaning less poop, and less smelly ones too. As bad as it sounds, the contents of your dog's bowel movements can determine how healthy your pet is. A good diet results in less end product, because more of the meal is actually digested, leaving less mess later.

If upgrading your dog's diet doesn't help, it may be time to look for other solutions. A teaspoon of low-fat yogurt with each meal will reduce internal gas, thanks to the bacterial cultures in yogurt.

And if all else fails. It may be time for a check-up. Regular veterinary check-ups are a must anyway. Your dog's anal glands may be the culprit of rear-end woes. Impacted anal glands cause noxious odours and discomfort. It is a good idea to have them checked every time you are at the vet's, just in case, or your groomer will be able to help also. If these are a frequent problem, have either your vet or your groomer instruct you in expressing the glands at home on your own. 

Flatulence can be a problem in some dogs.  What causes it?  Bacteria in the digestive tract break down food items and produce gas.  This may be very disruptive and disturbing to you, but it is rarely a serious health problem for the dog.  It is true that some breeds are more prone to flatulence, but all dogs can suffer from it, or should I say all owners can suffer from smelling their dogs.
 
What can you do about it?

1.  Eliminate Soy Products:  Eliminating soy products from your dog's diet may make quite a difference.  Soy beans are loaded with proteins that can be hard to digest, producing a lot of gas in the dog's digestive track. Read the ingredients and find a dog food that does not contain soy. 

2.  No more table scraps:  Giving your dog table scraps or changing dog foods can give your dog gas.  If you give your dog too many doggie biscuits it can stir up some gas in the digestive track.

3.  Exercise:  Exercise your dog.  A lot of exercise will help move the gas while your dog is still outside leavening less for inside the house.  It may also simulate a bowl movement that will lessen the gas episodes inside the house.

4.  Charcoal:  Adding charcoal to your dogs diet can help detoxify some of the noxious gases while they are still inside the intestine.  Activated charcoal is sold over the counter at most pet stores.  If you choose to give your dog charcoal, do not give it to your dog for more then two or three days at a time because it not only helps to detoxify noxious gases, but it also can absorb nutrients as well, robbing your dog of vitamins and minerals.  Ask your vet before you give your dog charcoal products. 

5.  Digestive Enzymes:  There are safe products that you can buy to give your dog.  Taken before eating or during their meal will help their digestive track to digest the food, eliminating the gas build up in their intestines.  Follow the directions on the bottle and you will soon be on your way to a nicer smelling house.

Natural Products for Dogs
All-natural supplements and medicines for dogs and cats. Visit our site for the latest information and free recipes for your pets.

Dogs at PetsUnlimited.com
PetsUnlimited.com is your complete pet marketplace with millions of members, breeders, classifieds, pet Q&A, message boards and chat rooms. Anythin...

Target.com: Dog Products
Buy dog products online. Save 10-20% at Target.com.

Max Comfort Luxury Dog Beds and Sofas
Great dog gift. Ultra luxurious memory foam pet beds and furniture. Various sizes or custom. Durable designer fabrics. Tired of replacing cheep dog...

Dog: Heavy Duty Dog Doors
Gun Dog House Door Co., Specializing in heavy duty dog doors. Indestructible, chew proof, easy to install, energy efficient. Black lab tested. Also...