Why Does My Dog Fart So Much? Causes of Dog Gas

What it usually means

Gas comes from two places. Some is swallowed air: dogs who gulp their food, eat in a rush because another dog is nearby, or pant heavily while eating take in a lot of air, and flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers swallow more air than most. The rest is produced by bacteria in the large intestine fermenting food that was not fully digested higher up.

The usual dietary culprits are table scraps, fatty or spicy food, milk and cheese, which many adult dogs digest poorly, beans, peas, and soy, and some high-fiber vegetables. A sudden change of food, or a food that simply does not agree with your dog, can cause gas for weeks. Scavenging garbage or eating poop on walks does the same.

When gas points to something more

Gas that comes with ongoing soft stools, diarrhea, weight loss, or a dog who seems hungry all the time may mean food is not being digested or absorbed properly. Food intolerance or allergy, intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, and a pancreas that does not make enough digestive enzymes can all cause it.

Changes in smell can be a clue but are not a diagnosis. A dog with new, very foul gas plus a change in stools is worth a vet check, especially a young dog from a shelter, where parasites are common, or an older dog, where new digestive signs should be looked into.

When to call your vet today

Call your vet if gas starts suddenly and stays, or if it comes with diarrhea, vomiting, blood or mucus in the stool, a poor appetite, weight loss, or a gurgling, uncomfortable belly. Also call if your dog is straining, seems in pain, or is passing gas but no stool.

If gas has been a long-standing nuisance in an otherwise healthy dog, it is still worth raising at your next visit. Your vet can check for parasites with a stool test and suggest a diet that suits your dog's digestion better.

When it's an emergency

Go to an emergency vet now if your dog has a swollen, tight belly, is retching or trying to vomit with nothing coming up, is restless and drooling, or collapses. These are signs of bloat, a twisted stomach that can kill within hours, and they are not ordinary gas. Large, deep-chested breeds are most at risk.

Also seek urgent care for a painful belly with repeated vomiting, which can mean a blockage or pancreatitis, or if your dog may have eaten something toxic. For a possible poisoning, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.

What you can safely do at home

Slow down fast eaters with a slow-feeder bowl or puzzle feeder, or spread kibble on a large flat tray. Feed two or three smaller meals rather than one big one, and feed dogs apart if they compete. A gentle walk after meals can help gas pass, though large breeds should avoid hard exercise around big meals.

Cut out table scraps, dairy, and fatty treats, and keep treats to a small part of the day's food. If you change food, do it gradually over about a week. Do not give human gas remedies or supplements without checking with your vet first.

What the vet will likely check

Your vet will ask about diet, treats, eating speed, and stools, then examine your dog and feel the belly. A stool test for parasites is often the first step, and blood tests may be suggested if there is weight loss or ongoing diarrhea.

Treatment usually starts with diet. Your vet may suggest a more digestible food, a different protein or carbohydrate source, or a trial of a hydrolyzed or limited-ingredient diet, along with deworming if needed. Some dogs do best on a food recommended specifically for sensitive digestion.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.