Canine flatulence is not a fun thing to experience. Dogs often have very smelly gas and, apart from the nasal attack, you will notice that your pet is also quite uncomfortable. Gas in dogs can be the result of a number of different problems and it is best to try to find out what the problem is before attempting to treat your dog.

Possible Causes of Canine Gas

Your dog is most likely suffering from a fairly minor problem, but in some cases, gas can be a sign of something more serious. If your dog seems to be in severe pain or has stopped eating, be sure to see your vet right away. Anytime you suspect the problem could be serious, call your vet. You know your pet better than anyone and you should follow your instincts.

Now, let’s look at some of the most common problems that cause gas in dogs.

Eating too fast This is especially a problem in larger breeds, like German Shepherds. If your dog is eating too fast, he is also swallowing air, which quickly goes into his intestines and out the other end as gas. Try giving your dog smaller amounts of food, a little at a time, to teach him to eat more slowly.

change in food. Some dogs are particularly sensitive to changes in diet and it is possible that if you buy another brand of food your dog will experience flatulence. This can also happen when too many table scraps are given. This can be tested by going back to the original brand of food for a few days. . . the gas should be gone. The best way to avoid this problem is to make very gradual changes to the diet, mixing a small amount of the new food with the regular food and slowly increasing it.

intestinal worms. Worms are notorious for causing gas and can be quite unpleasant for your dog. Check your dog’s stool for signs of worms. It’s also a good idea to deworm your pet at least once a year, but if you find nasty bugs in their feces, you may need to do it more often. Whether you deworm at home or have it done by the vet is up to you.

poor diet. Not all dog foods are the same. Some are made almost entirely from wheat or other similar grains and this is definitely not friendly to a dog’s stomach. An overabundance of fiber or the wrong kind of carbs can wreak havoc on your pup’s digestive system, leading to gas. To solve this problem, invest in a good quality, correctly balanced dog food for your animal.

slow intestinal tract. Dogs get out of shape, just like humans, and this often results in constipation and additional gas. If you want to reduce the chances of this happening or fix an existing problem, you’ll need to help your dog stay in shape. A good walk after dinner will help your dog’s digestive system work faster.

bad bacteria in the gut. Sometimes when your dog eats or puts things in his mouth that he shouldn’t, bad bacteria enter his body. These can cause all sorts of problems in the intestines and it’s a good idea to get rid of them. This is possible by adding probiotics (good bacteria) to your dog’s food to restore the balance of healthy bacteria.

You don’t have to live with nasty gas and neither does your dog. Check the symptoms and you should be able to diagnose and treat minor problems yourself. However, if you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet.