Most people love dogs, but anyone who owns or knows a dog will know one thing – their gas is putrid. Of course, these bad smells aren’t enough to make you sob, but you might shed a tear or two. So, if you want to keep that from happening, we’ve got the solutions for you.
There are a few things that could be making your pet’s farts smell as bad as they do. It’s not something anyone wants to deal with for more than a day at a time, especially if you live in a small building.
Having a gassy dog in the winter is the worst. No doubt you want to keep warmth in the house, but no one can actually live through your dog’s farts, right?
Often, you have no choice but to open every window in the vicinity and let the foul air out. Well, hopefully this post will give you the answers you so desperately seek, and you will know what you can do. With that being said, let’s get into it!
What Causes Dogs To Fart?
A dog’s rotten egg-like fart will happen because of hydrogen sulfide. Dogs will fart because of certain foods, medications, infections, diseases, and other reasons.
Some of those reasons may seem completely ridiculous, but there are some serious issues that can cause your pooch to fart. Let’s take a look:
It’s Natural
Farting is a natural part of life, for most, if not all, living things. Your dog might pass gas because he ate too much too soon (if he has just eaten), because his body isn’t producing enough water, or even because he had an upset tummy.
When it comes down to it, though, there are many factors that lead to a dog passing gas. For example, there are foods your dog eats that can contribute greatly to his farts. You’ll learn them in the next section.
Medications
If your dog is taking any sort of medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, then you need to make sure that he doesn’t eat anything prior to going to bed or when you go to work. This is because some drugs used in treating such illnesses can affect how well your dog digests food.
You would think that everyone loves broccoli, but in reality, people don’t always treat it like the healthy vegetable that it is.
If you feed your dog cooked vegetables, you should expect him to fart a little more often than he does otherwise. That’s because cooking destroys nutrients found in raw veggies.
These nutrients include B vitamins, vitamin C, fiber, iron, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. But again, you shouldn’t worry about it because you’re only giving your dog cooked vegetables.
Toxins In Food
You probably don’t think much about what goes into your food, and you should. If there was ever an issue where you had to worry about what went into your food, it would be meat.
A lot of the meat sold today come from animals raised on factory farms, which means there is a high chance that they were fed antibiotics and hormones.
The way the livestock eat is also unnatural: most of them have never been outside, so they’re constantly stressed. This can cause them to produce more toxins.
A Sick Dog Needs Help
In addition to the above-mentioned issues, you also need to watch out for signs your dog is sick. If your dog is running a fever, coughing up blood, displaying signs of diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, then you definitely need to see a veterinarian. Don’t wait until after another problem arises, either. A sick dog needs help now.
There Are Other Reasons Why Dogs Fart
There are plenty of other reasons why dogs fart. Sometimes they simply feel like doing it. It could be due to stress, hormonal changes, or anxiety. As long as your dog shows no symptoms and isn’t having issues with digestion, then it doesn’t matter why he feels the urge to blow.
Why Your Dog Might Suddenly Have Terrible Gas
If your dog isn’t usually as gassy as it is, there might be a cause for concern. There is a good chance that there’s nothing wrong, but taking note of any differences in your pet is always beneficial.
Most of the time, if a dog suddenly becomes gassy, it’s because of a diet change. It may be due to something as simple as not feeding your dog enough water, or to something more serious like a gastrointestinal disease.
Diets that contain food that is not easily digestible is likely to be the main reason for extreme flatulence. If your dog is eating food that contains milk products, peas, soybeans, or beans, those will be contributing to their farting behavior.
Additionally, any diet that is spicy or is high in fat is often associated with dogs that fart a lot.
These poorly digestible foods will sit in your dog’s stomach for some time, fermenting. It is this fermentation process in the colon that will create the unbearable gas that your dog will inevitably release.
Can You Stop Your Dog From Having Bad Gas?
You can try to decrease your dog’s farting by changing up their diet and seeing if it improved. Remove dairy products and other ingredients that are associated with flatulence. You can also make sure that you keep your dog active. Doing this should reduce the farting frequency.
It’s also important to get your dog to slow down when they are eating, if this is an issue. Many dogs wolf their food down in a matter of seconds, which results in them swallowing air and either burping or farting a lot.
You can invest in bowls that force your animal to slow down whilst eating. Some good options include NOYAL slow feeder dog bowl, or the Outward Hound bowl.
Why Do Some Dogs Fart More Than Others?
Some dogs will fart a lot more than others. This might depend on the dog’s diet, health, and even the breed. We will take a look at what can affect a dog’s flatulence below, so you can get a better idea.
Do Some Breeds Fart More Than Others?
Some dog breeds are more gassy than others. Below is a list of dog breeds that have a habit of farting frequently. If you don’t want a dog that will release some pungent odors, don’t get any of these breeds:
Pugs
Rottweiler
Beagles
Boxers
Mastiffs
Golden Retrievers
Doberman Pinschers
Yorkshire Terriers
Bulldogs
Pit Bulls
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
Diet
As previously mentioned, a dog’s diet plays a big part in how flatulent they are. Ingredients such as beans, peas, and dairy products are often linked to higher rates of farts. A dog’s digestive system needs to work right before they can naturally pass wind.
When foods that aren’t readily digested sit in the gut, bacteria start growing in abundance. The result being excessive growth of gases in the colon.
There are many factors that go into a healthy diet for your pet. These include vitamins, minerals, protein content, fiber, and fats. You need to ensure that your dog is getting all of these things from natural sources.
Unfortunately, commercial diets tend to lack these nutrients. Even worse, they are typically highly processed, leaving your pet less able to benefit from their digestion. Natural and homemade diets provide a much healthier alternative.
Health
Your dog’s health can also play a role in their flatulence. For example, dogs who suffer from diarrhea or other intestinal problems can experience excessive gas production.
It’s possible that this is due to the fact that their digestive tract has been damaged. In addition, some diseases can cause excess gas production. These include gastritis, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and ulcerative colitis.
However, there are certain conditions that won’t be affected by diet changes. These include obesity and diabetes. Other issues may require medical attention, including intestinal parasites. Make sure to consult your vet about any concerns you have.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, rotten egg smelling farts from your dog is the result of hydrogen sulfide. There are a number of things you can try to do to reduce your pet’s flatulence, but it’s not always easy.
Thankfully, most causes of dog flatulence can be avoided with proper nutrition and a little extra care. However, if your dog still seems to be producing too much gas, talk to your veterinarian about alternatives. They may recommend antibiotics, dietary changes, or intestinal surgery.
There is a good chance that the farting is because of diet, but if the issue persists after changing your furry friend’s diet, the next call should be your local vet.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
