Why Dogs Fart and What You Can Do To Help
Farting or flatulence is not unique to humans. In fact, it can also happen to your beloved pooch. If you notice your dog passing wind while you’re watching TV or walking around the park, you shouldn’t be too surprised. There are plenty of reasons why dogs fart.
In most cases, it’s not something that would cause for concern. But, there are some instances when you need to consult a professional for medical assistance. By knowing how and why it happens can help you ensure your dog’s comfort and safety. It will also help you make necessary adjustments to his/her diet or seek treatment options..
Why Dogs Fart – Is It Normal?
Dog flatulence can meet a lot of things. It basically means that gas forms inside the digestive tract. This problem usually occurs because of changes in diet or ingestion of spoiled food. Ingestion of thickeners found in food such as soya beans can also cause your dog to keep on farting while eating spoiled food can definitely cause a loose bowel movement.
Casual farting is considered normal. However, if you notice it happening frequently, then it may be a sign of a bigger problem. As a responsible fur parent, it’s very important for you to observe such abnormalities so you can determine what course of action to take.
Dog Diet and Farting Problems
One of the best ways to deal with canine flatulence is to check the diet. There are some food items that cause mild to severe farting problems. A few examples include:
- Peas
- Dairy products
- Soya beans and soy-based products
- Spicy food
- Fatty food products
- Beans
Avoid feeding your dogs the enumerated items as much as possible. If there’s nothing wrong with the diet then it may be caused by another issue.
For example, if your dog eats premium canine food but still suffer from flatulence, then he/she might be suffering from indigestion. When the gut fails to digest food particles, fermentation occurs. In the long run, this triggers farting and stomach upset. Your dog might suffer from diarrhea. If this happens, you need to have him/her checked for maldigestion.
Diseases Associated with Canine Flatulence
In addition to diet and malabsorption of nutrients, flatulence in dogs can be a symptom of a more serious health condition or worse, a disease. Some notable examples of such illnesses include:
- Intestinal tumors
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- Intestinal parasites
- Irritated bowel syndrome
- Gastroenteritis
Usually, to diagnose the underlying condition, veterinarians need to look for other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy. To know what types of medication or treatment options you have, consult with your vet.
Sploot View: Why Dogs Fart and How to Manage It
Knowing why dogs fart is very useful. For starters, it will help you determine whether you need to make a few diet adjustments. Maybe you need to check the dog food you use. Also, you may need to skip on giving him snacks that contain ingredients that trigger flatulence. If you think the farting problem is getting worse, you should seek the assistance of a veterinary doctor.