No matter what breed or size group your furry friend belongs to, you have inevitably experienced THE moment. You know what I’m talking about… the moment when everyone in the room simultaneously smells something terrible.
When everyone looks around at each other trying not to be obvious, all wondering who dealt it. Then you all come to find out, it was in fact Fido. Laying casually in the middle of the area rug he was just letting it rip, letting everyone blame it on you.
Do Dogs Know When They Fart?
If you have never lived with a dog who farts (count yourself lucky on this one), then let me tell you: They stink! For an animal that is famed for its amazing sense of smell, you would think that your dog would recognize its own “supply”. So do they?
In short, yes! Because dogs have such an advanced sense of smell, so advanced that some scientists report dogs have a sense of smell over 50,000 times more acute than our own, they are able to detect the multitudes of sulfurous compounds that make up farts.
You can tell if your dog is aware of their farts by watching their body language. Some dogs are even known to slowly get up and slowly walk away from the scene of the crime, a technique known as “crop dusting“, as to not draw attention to themselves.
When a dog picks up an odorous scent it will often lift its nose to the air, sniff around, or show a flehmen response. The flehmen response is an action commonly performed by mammals such as horses and tigers.
It includes the animal pulling back their upper lip and breathing with their mouth open, this allows the scent to pass over the animal’s vomeronasal organ.
Why Do Dogs Fart?
Much like humans, the
These ingredients have bacteria and microorganisms that can produce gas within your dog’s body. This gas builds up in your pet’s stomach and intestinal tract.
Air can also enter a dog’s body if they gulp, or swallow air when they are eating quickly or drinking frantically.
Just as it is for us, this gas build-up is entirely normal, and expelling this same gas is (while very smelly and sometimes unpleasant) perfectly healthy. In fact, getting rid of this gas through burping or farting is a very necessary and important function.
If you find that your puppy is much gassier or constantly seems to be suffering from any bloating discomfort it may be time to see the vet. Gas is perfectly normal for dogs but in rare situations, it can be a sign of intestinal issues.
How Do I Help My Gassy Pooch?
If you find that your friend is far more gassy than usual, or if their farts are especially stinky, it may be time to consider changing your dogs’ diet.
Many common dog foods can contain various kinds of ingredients. From wheat to eggs and legumes these foods have a wide variety of both healthy and less-healthy ingredients.
Just like us, dogs can have an intolerance to certain foods. If a pup that is sensitive to lactose gets into some leftover nachos the cheese could cause him to be bloated and gassy for the rest of the evening.
One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that your pet is not getting fed
Besides monitoring any table scrap snacks, you could also check out the ingredients in whatever dry or wet kibble you normally give your dog. It may take trying a few different foods to find one that is easier on your dog’s tummy.
Another great way to help ease your dogs’ gas is to take them out for some exercise. The movement will help your dog better digest his
Exercise will also help ease any discomfort if your dog is feeling bloated or heavy. If you suspect that your pets’ gas is caused by them eating too fast you may want to work to slow them down.
One way to slow your dog down at dinner time is to get them a slow feeder bowl. These bowls are designed with small crevices and obstructions that are meant to slow your dog’s eating.
Another tactic is to find a bowl that is 2 or 3 times larger than their current bowl then flip their bowl upside in the middle of the larger bowl. Fill the outside gap with
Do Some Dogs Fart More Than Others?
As I mentioned above, most of your dogs’ gas is caused by something in their diet. Regardless, some breeds have a higher propensity to be gassy. Short-nosed breeds like Pugs, Terriers, and Bulldogs have a wide skull that causes their nasal passage to be short, forcing them to take faster breaths.
While they are huffing and puffing it is inevitable that air will enter their stomachs, making them gassy. Other, larger breeds like Golden Retrievers and Dobermans are known by their owners to have especially potent gas, although the exact reason for this is unknown.
Those with outdoor or hunting dogs will also notice that their pets have a tendency to be very gassy. This is because red meat, as well as scraps and any remnants from your catch, are more difficult for your dog to digest causing more gas to form as the
I can tell you from personal experience that a pair of English Springer Spaniels and some leftover venison is a noxious combo.