While dog gas is rarely cause for concern, this temporary condition can be uncomfortable for the dog and unpleasant for the owner. Dog gas can be treated fairly easy, especially if you can pinpoint the cause and identify the symptoms.
Dog Gas Causes
In simple terms, dog gas is the accumulation of gas in the dog's gastrointestinal tract. While this may sound like a problem, generally speaking, it is not. Gas is natural and it can result from the breakdown of bacteria during the normal digestion process. The breakdown of bacteria during the normal digestion process causes a minor amount of gas in dogs. Excessive gas, however, may be caused by a number of unhealthy habits. These include:
* Feeding your dog foods that can cause gas such as beans, milk, peas, soybeans, spicy foods, fatty foods * A poor quality diet made up of low-quality dog food and/or table scraps * Swallowing air when eating too fast
Changing your dog's diet should be easy, but remember to customize your dog's diet to find one that will work best for your dog. Teaching your dog to eat slowly can be a bit of a challenge. There are several methods you can try to train your dog to eat slower. You can place a large rubber ball in the middle of the bowl so your dog will be forced to eat around it. This will slow down his eating tremendously. You can also purchase a special bowl that slows down dogs that eat too quickly by using built-in "bumps" that the dog has to eat around.
Dog Gas Symptoms
The symptoms of dog gas are much the same as symptoms for human gas. Your dog will experience mild abdominal discomfort, intestinal rumbling, and he will pass gas repeatedly.
Is Dog Gas Ever Dangerous?
As stated earlier, dog gas is rarely a cause for concern as common causes range from eating bad food and trash to eating too fast. In some cases, however, dog gas can be a sign of an intestinal parasite infection. Dog gas can also contribute to Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV). This a condition characterized by an excessive amount of bloat, which can fatal if left untreated.
If your pet has gas accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, severe bloating, and/or weight loss, this could be a sign of a serious condition. Please see your vet immediately.
If you want more information about dog gas, see:
http://www.vetinfo.com/raw-diet-dogs.html