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Do Dogs Fart? Causes of Canine Flatulence
Yes, dogs fart, and we love our dogs anyway. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says “Most dogs pass some gas daily as part of the normal digestive process.”
This page covers what canine flatulence is, what causes it, what the AKC and VCA Animal Hospitals say can help, and the signs that mean a gassy dog needs a vet. It also covers two other habits that send pet parents to the vet: eating poop and scooting.
Do Dogs Fart, And How Much Is Normal?
Every dog does it at some point. The AKC says “A small amount of gas each day is normal.” It also says “excessive or unusually smelly farting can signal a dietary issue, food intolerance, swallowed air, or an underlying gastrointestinal condition.”
VCA Animal Hospitals adds that “Belching, borborygmus, and flatus can occur normally in dogs, but if they become excessive, there may be an underlying issue requiring medical attention.” Flatus is the gas that leaves through the anus. Borborygmus is the grumbling sound gas makes in the gut.
Can a dog fart a lot? Some do. VCA says “The amount of flatus varies greatly among individuals,” and that this is true among dogs and among people.
Canine Flatulence: What Is Going On Inside
VCA defines it this way: “Flatulence is the formation of excess gas in the stomach or intestines.” It also says “Most flatus is composed of odorless gases. The odor comes from sulfur-containing gases like hydrogen sulfide.” The AKC describes the smell the same way, saying digestion of certain foods “produces stinky hydrogen sulfide gas in the colon.”
VCA lists three sources of gas in the digestive tract: swallowed air, gas made inside the tract, and gas that diffuses from the bloodstream into it. It says the first two are the ones a veterinarian will consider closely.
Causes Of Dog Flatulence
Swallowed Air
VCA says “Swallowed air most likely makes the largest contribution to flatulence and flatus.” Exercise and eating too fast can increase air swallowing, and “Swallowed air can exit the body as flatus within two hours.” The AKC says dogs that eat too quickly “often swallow excess air along with their food.”
Gas Made In The Colon
The rest is made inside the gut. VCA explains that “colon bacteria break down (or ferment) carbohydrates and certain fibers.” Soybean meal and peas are often used as a protein source in dog food, and VCA says they “may contribute to flatulence depending on the amount in the food on a dry matter (DM) basis.” The carbohydrate matters too: “Foods that use rice as the carbohydrate source may generate less flatulence than foods that rely on wheat or corn.”
Healthy foods can add gas as well, like fiber-rich veggies. The AKC says “Vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can be nutritious treats, but large amounts may contribute to gas and lead to increased farting.” VCA says “Fiber may play a significant role in producing excessive flatulence and flatus in some dogs.”
Table Scraps, Dairy, And Trash
The AKC says “Table scraps and other human foods that are high in fat or sugar can be particularly difficult for dogs to digest and may lead to increased gas production.” Dairy is its own problem. “Most dogs are lactose intolerant, so giving them anything with dairy will upset their stomachs,” says Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM, in the AKC article.
Dogs that get into the trash or a cat's litter box can end up with gas too. The AKC says “Besides creating safety risks, these habits can cause digestive upset and foul-smelling gas.” It recommends keeping trash secured and teaching a “leave it” command.
A Sudden Change Of Food
The AKC says “changing foods too quickly can cause gas, diarrhea, and other digestive issues,” and that a switch should be made “gradually over about a week.” Any big change to a dog's diet is worth talking through with a vet first. Our guide to the best food for a German Shepherd with a sensitive stomach includes a seven day switching schedule from Tufts University.
How To Reduce Dog Gas
VCA says “It is always appropriate to work with your veterinarian to determine the best nutritional steps to take with your individual dog.” The feeding steps the AKC and VCA list are short.
Smaller meals come first. VCA says “Multiple small feedings instead of one or two feedings per day may reduce flatulence by improving digestibility and reducing the food residue available for fermentation by colonic bacteria.” The AKC also suggests dividing the daily food into smaller meals.
Slower eating comes next. VCA says “Decreasing the speed of eating will decrease the amount of swallowed air.” It names interactive food toys, raised food dishes, a “food puzzle” dish, and feeding household dogs in separate areas as steps that “may all help decrease a dog's flatulence and flatus.” The AKC names slow-feed bowls, which “can also encourage dogs to eat at a more controlled pace and reduce the amount of air they swallow.”
Exercise is the third step. The AKC says “Daily walks, play sessions, and other physical activities may help food move through the digestive tract more efficiently and reduce excessive gas.” A daily walk for your pup is the easy start, and daily exercise can come from play at home, which our guide to interactive dog toys covers with five picks. VCA adds that “Walking a dog outside within 30 minutes of feeding encourages defecation and may help dispel excess intestinal gas.”
For a dog with chronic gas, the AKC says to ask a veterinarian whether a “highly digestible, low-residue diet” might help. It says these diets “contain fewer hard-to-digest ingredients like peas, fiber, beans, and soybeans, which may reduce gas production after meals.”
When To See A Vet
A little gas is normal. A sudden change is a reason to call. The AKC says it is important to “visit your veterinarian if your dog suddenly starts farting more than usual.” It lists several conditions that can contribute to excessive gas: canine colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal parasites, cancer, and pancreatitis. It adds that food allergies and food intolerances can also cause digestive problems.
Book the visit sooner when the gas comes with other signs. The AKC says “A sudden increase in gas, especially when accompanied by diarrhea, discomfort, vomiting, or blood in the stool, warrants a veterinary examination.” VCA says that when gas appears “along with weight loss or diarrhea, it is quite likely that something serious is happening in the GI system, and this warrants a visit with your veterinarian.” The signs named by those two sources:
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Diarrhea
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Vomiting
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Signs of discomfort
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Blood in the stool
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Weight loss
A dog with ongoing stomach trouble needs a vet.
Two Other Habits That Need A Vet Check
Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?
The habit has a scientific name, coprophagia. In a study presented at the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior conference, researchers led by Dr. Benjamin Hart of the University of California, Davis found that 24 percent of dogs were seen eating poop at least once, and 16 percent were classified as “serious” poop eaters, which the AKC explains means they were caught in the act five times. The study used two surveys sent to about 3,000 dog parents.
When an adult dog starts eating poop, the AKC says to “consult with your vet to rule out health problems like parasites, drugs such as steroids, malabsorption syndromes, diabetes, Cushing’s Disease, thyroid disease, and other conditions that might cause an increase in appetite.” It says to consult a veterinarian if the habit is ongoing.
Why Does My Dog Drag His Bum Across The Floor?
Scooting is the word for a dog sitting down and dragging its bottom along the ground. VCA says “Anal sac disease is common in dogs” and “The first sign is often scooting or dragging the rear end along the ground.” It also says “Anal sac disease is very painful. Even normally gentle dogs may snap or growl if you touch the tail or anus if they are affected.”
VCA says older dogs can develop cancer within the anal sacs, with symptoms that “may include swelling beside the anus, dragging the back end, and excessive licking.” It says “it is important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian as soon as you see any clinical signs.”
Next Up: 6 Dog Park Etiquette Tips You Need to Know!
FAQ
Why does my dog fart a lot while sleeping?
Some dogs pass gas while dozing off. If the gas comes with diarrhea, vomiting, or blood in the stool, the AKC says that needs a veterinary examination.
Is there a link between my dog's breed and excessive gas?
Gassiness may have a genetic component. For any dog, a sudden increase in gas is a reason to call the vet.
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