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Dog farting and gas

Contents

Overview

  • Farting happens when gas builds up in your dog’s gut and passes out through their bottom.
  • Farting is a normal part of digestion.
  • Smelly or excessive farting in dogs can be caused by a change in diet or eating something they shouldn’t.
  • Farting can also be caused by eating too fast.
  • Some medical issues can cause farting, so speak to your vet if you’re concerned.

What is farting?

Flatulence (farting) is when your dog p­asses gas out of their bottom. It happens when gas builds up in the intestines (gut) and is usually completely normal. A build-up of intestinal gas might also cause a sore abdomen (tummy) and you might hear their tummy rumbling.

Causes

Farting is usually a normal part of digestion. However, it can also be caused by your dog not digesting their food properly, if they have a change in diet, or if they have eaten something they shouldn’t. It might also be caused by swallowing air while eating. If your dog has a medical issue such as a food intolerance, causing them flatulence, then it is very likely they will have other symptoms as well, such as vomiting, diarrhoea or weight loss. Causes of increased or very smelly farting and gas include:

Diet

  • Sudden change in diet
  • Eating table scraps, fatty foods, or scavenged food
  • Eating food that has gone off
  • Eating dairy food (milk or cheese)

Swallowing air

  • Eating too fast
  • Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds are prone to swallowing air when they eat

Medical issues

Diagnosis

Farting is likely to be normal and may not require any investigation from your vet. However, your vet might want to investigate further if your dog’s farting is excessive, or if any gas build-up is causing discomfort. Tests needed will depend on any other symptoms your dog may be showing but may include testing a poo sample, blood tests, X-rays, and/or an ultrasound scan. 

Treatment

If your dog is well otherwise, it is likely that their gas is totally normal. If the gas is bothering you, you could consider trying different foods. Make sure to always change your dog’s diet gradually, and give them a chance to get used to the new food to see if it helps.

If your dog eats too fast you could feed them from a bowl that makes them eat more slowly.

If your dog has a medical issue causing their gas, treatment will depend on the cause.

When to contact your vet

If your dog has a change in their gas, such as smelling more than usual or farting more often than usual, or if your dog has other symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting or weight loss then contact your vet for advice.

You know your dog best, always contact your vet if you’re concerned.

FAQs

My dog has bad gas – what can I give them?

If your dog is uncomfortable with their gas, contact your vet who may be able to prescribe medications to make them feel more comfortable. Never give your dog any human medications unless your vet tells you to.

What foods give dogs gas?

Different foods might cause gas in different dogs, but common foods that cause gas are fatty foods (such as table scraps), dairy foods, and spoiled foods. Keep any human foods including leftovers out of reach of your dog.

Published: June 2023

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Written by vets and vet nurses. This advice is for UK pets only. Illustrations by Samantha Elmhurst.