How to Decrease Dog Flatulence
Flatulence, gas, breaking wind -- no matter what you call it, dog flatulence cannot only be embarrassing but signal a health problem. Excessive dog flatulence can usually be treated through a veterinary check up, diet changes and with a human over-the-counter drug, simethicone. Dogs owners also need to be sure their dogs are not getting into human food or garbage. Some breeds, such as boxers, or dogs on antibiotics are normally more flatulent.
Things You'll Need
- Veterinarian
- Charcoal dog biscuits
- Bottle of liquid simethicone
- Prescription dog food (optional)
Instructions
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Determine why the dog has such foul-smelling and frequent bouts of flatulence. The dog and a stool sample will need to be taken to a vet in order to rule out conditions such as malabsorption syndrome. Veterinarian Dr.Bari Spielman, writing for PetPlace.com. notes that dogs with malabsorption syndrome will have foul-smelling, greasy, loose stools and may vomit.
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Make sure the dog does not have access to human junk food, spicy foods, dead animals or garbage. This food is harsh to a dog's digestive system and will produce gas, often accompanied by diarrhea and audible gurgling noises in the abdomen. Keep the dog's diet as plain and easy to digest as possible. Keep human food away from the dog. Keep garbage with tight-fitting lids cans out of the dog's reach.
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Feed charcoal dog biscuits or dog treats in the place of some of the dog's regular biscuits. Charcoal helps the body with digestion. Also feed a prescription brand of dog food if the veterinarian recommends it.
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Add 40 milligrams of simethicone (brand name Gas-X) after the dog's meals. This can be given in liquid or tablet form. Over-the-counter simethicone for humans is OK to use for dogs, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."
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Tips & Warnings
Boxers normally pass more gas than other dog breeds. One of Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriot's most famous memoirs was of unsuccessfully trying to treat a gassy boxer.
Some medications such as penicillin may cause increased and noisy flatulence in dogs. The flatulence usually leaves when the dog goes off of the medication. Always talk to your vet before taking a dog off of medication.
Do not assume that dogs instinctively know what food is good for them and what is bad for them. They don't.
Do not feed a dog cabbage.
Do not let friends or family give human food as treats to a dog with problem flatulence.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog biscuits image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
