Dog flatulence is a major problem for many owners. It is difficult to spend quality time with your dog if he is experiencing this problem. Sadly, may dogs are put outdoors or in another location because the owner is tired of dealing with his flatulence. This article lists the main causes of dog flatulence and ways you can help your dog overcome it.
Causes of Flatulence
Flatulence is caused by air that is trapped in a dog's stomach or intestines. The air enters the body through swallowing that occurs when eating. It can also be released when nutrients are being broken down in the intestinal tract. Most gas is odorless, but some carries a foul odor making life with your dog difficult.
Eating too Fast
When a dog eats food quickly, he swallows air along with his meal. This causes air bubbles to become trapped in the stomach and intestines which leads to excessive gas release through burping and flatulence. The best cure for a dog who eats too quickly is to spread his meals throughout the day. Instead of two large meals twice a day, dispense the same amount of food he would take in a day into four or five smaller feedings. This serves two purposes: the smaller amount of food equals less eating time and less opportunity to swallow air and he will be less hungry, thus, less likely to feel the need to eat quickly.
Poor Diet
If you are feeding your dog cheap dog food, his stomach may become upset and cause him to have severe flatulence. Check the ingredients in your dog's food. Avoid foods that have corn as the main ingredient. The best dog foods are meat based, primarily chicken or lamb. Look for a food that is low in fiber and easy to digest. Be sure he does not have access to spoiled foods or garbage. Choose a food that's right for your dog's breed and size, avoiding generic products. Generic brands may be cheaper, but you pay the price when your dog's stomach is unable to properly break down the ingredients.
Human Food
Those sad puppy eyes are hard to resist, but giving a dog human food is a primary cause of stomach upset and flatulence. Stick to giving your dog his food which is specially made for his needs. Giving him table scraps not only fails to meet his nutritional needs, it also can be hard for him to digest.
Food Allergies
If a dog is allergic or intolerant to a food he may experience vomiting, diarrhea or gas. To determine if your dog is allergic to his food, talk to your veterinarian about allergy testing. Switching his food may help, but it is difficult to pinpoint the ingredient that is causing him to have excess gas. Once you are able to identify the ingredient causing the problems, you can purchase a food that doesn't contain it.