How to Prevent Dog Flatulence

A little gas from your pooch now and then is tolerable. However, flatulence becomes such a problem with some dogs that owners are throwing open the windows in sub-zero temperatures just to get some relief. There must be a better way.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Read the label on his dog food. Soy is a leading cause of flatulence in canines. High protein soybeans are a natural choice for dog food manufacturers but they are difficult for some dogs to digest, resulting in gassiness. The higher an ingredient appears to the top of the list, the more it contains. Find one with soybeans listed lower or not at all.

2. Teach your pooch some table manners. When he gulps down his food, not only does he swallow excess air, he may overeat and food that stays in the stomach too long has an increased chance to ferment, causing gas. Feed him by himself to prevent gulping. Dogs often think eating is a competition and they want to win.

3. Restrict vitamins and nutritional supplements. Unless your veterinarian has prescribed vitamins for your dog, reducing them may also reduce his gas problem. Some nutrients can cause a dog's stomach to produce more acid and flatulence can result. Try cutting up the pills and spreading them out over the course of a day or cutting them out altogether.

4. Cut out milk products. Young mammals love, and thrive on, milk, but when they become adults they may have trouble digesting it. Due to the body's natural reduction of an enzyme needed to digest milk, dairy quickly ferments, producing large quantities of gas. Try lactose-free milk or an over-the-counter anti-gas enzyme, sold by veterinarians.

5. Go for a walk. Sometimes all your dog needs is a chance to empty his bowels. By waiting, the gas problem will only worsen. Put on his leash or put him outside frequently to let nature take its course.

Tips & Warnings

• Pet stores sell activated charcoal that you can add to your dog's food. It will absorb excess gas, but it will also absorb nutrients, so use it sparingly.

Resources

• Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative
• Veterinary Pediatrics: Dogs and Cats from Birth to Six Months
• The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats: Over 1,000 Solutions to Your Pet's Problems - From Top Vets, Trainers, Breeders, and Other Animal Experts

[momtospeedo]

on 7/23/2008 July 23, 2008 My daughter's boyfriends puppy was rushed to ER Veterinarian as it kept urinating, became wobbly and something with it's eyes. The vet thought it may have been poisoned with Marijuana-but there was no trace of it in blood test-is there anyone out there that can give me their thought to this. Thank you. The tiny puppy was given activated charcoal and did survive. My name is anita and email is randyallbee@sbcglobalnet

[Tippy]

on 6/9/2008 You've got a point there. Thank you for commenting.

[GlynSheridan]

on 6/8/2008 Uh, yeah right. If you stop the dog's problem, there won't be anyone to blame it on....lol

Good article.