They’re overweight and out of shape
Pups that don’t get a lot of exercise and are carrying an extra amount of weight around are also prone to excess gas. That’s because being active increases motility in dogs, thus helping the digestive tract stay healthy. “Exercise helps keep the bowel actively moving, which helps decrease gas production,” explains Morgan. So, grab the leash and hit the streets!
If your pup finishes their food faster than you can say “sit,” that might be causing the farts. According to Morgan, “Gulping food can lead to swallowing air which can increase gas in the bowel.” One solution: buying a bowl that forces your dog to slow down when they’re eating like this one which has three center posts for your pup to navigate around. Another recommendation is to feed your dog smaller, more frequent meals over the course of the day. “This will allow the food to pass through the bowel more consistently without having to digest a large volume at one time,” Morgan explains.
They’re genetically predisposed to it
Certain breeds are unfortunately more prone to tooting than others: Bulldogs, Pugs and Boxers are Brachycephalic breeds, meaning that they have a short nose and flat face which leads to swallowing too much air while eating (thus causing gas!) In particular, Bulldogs tend to have digestive issues and “do not do well on high-carbohydrate diets in general,” notes Morgan. Other gassy breeds include Mastiffs, German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers. Not much you can do to control your pup’s natural propensity to fart, other than giving them healthy, high quality food and making sure they exercise regularly.
Could Flatulence Be a Symptom of Another Health Issue?
Once youâve ruled out a food intolerance or digestive issue as the cause of your dogâs flatulence, you may need to visit your vet to identify a more serious cause. Persistent dog farts may be a side effect of the following health issues: