No matter how much we love our canine companions, nobody wants to be around a gassy dog. Not only can a flatulent dog be a bit of a pain, it’s also uncomfortable for our pups to experience. So how do you banish your dog’s gas for good? In this article we’ll discuss the details of gas in dogs, and recommend some of our favorite diets for the gassy dog in your life.
Quick Review: Top-5 Gassy Dog Food
Why are some dogs more gassy than others?
So why are some dogs more gassy than others? To put it simply, each dog has a different tolerance to the ingredients in their daily diets. Just like humans, our furry friends can have sensitivities to different diets. These sensitivities can often lead to an upset stomach, or even the presence of frequent gas. Since gas is simply a side effect of gastrointestinal upset, we can begin to understand why some dogs struggle more than others.
A dog that experiences frequent gas is often trying to tell us that they are struggling with their daily diet choice or a list of other possibilities. In order to help you understand what causes gas in dogs, let’s dive into the details.
What causes gas in our canine friends?
Our canine friends are not immune to flatulence. Similar to humans, our dog’s gas is often a product of something they ate or their body’s reaction to certain ingredients. Though dogs often have occasional gas that is short lasting, some dogs are plagued with gas after each meal. If your furry friend is experiencing daily gas with no relief, there are a list of possible causes. Some of the most common factors behind frequent gas in dogs include:
- Sensitivities to certain ingredients in their diet
- Sudden change in diet
- Frequent change of diet
- Eating fatty foods or other dietary indiscretions
- Swallowing air as they eat (aerophagia)
- Eating a poor quality diet
- Eating food too fast
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Gastrointestinal disease
Occasional gas in dogs is usually nothing to worry about, but frequent gas often warrants a search into their daily diet and gastrointestinal health. If your furry friend seems to struggle with frequent flatulence, it may be time to consider the above list of possible causes. If your dog ever struggles with other gastrointestinal symptoms such as, diarrhea, vomiting, or change in appetite, it’s best to contact your vet for further advice.
What makes a food ideal for gassy dogs?
If you fear that your dog’s frequent gas is a result of their diet, you may be in search of a new dog food that better suits their needs. So what do you look for in the best food for dogs with gas? Well, there are a few factors to keep in mind during your search.
Quality protein: Quality protein should be the star of any dog food. Since protein will often outshine many of the other ingredients in a diet, it’s important for a protein to be of quality animal tissue rather than of meat by products. If you are able to find a diet with only one protein source, that’s even better.
Natural Ingredients: Natural ingredients are much easier for the body to break down, making it so important for dogs with sensitive stomachs to eat diets that are rich in natural ingredients. Artificial ingredients and additives are not only challenging for dogs to digest, but can result in dietary discomfort and inflammation. You want to search for a diet that is filled with fruits, veggies, easily digestible carbs, and other whole food ingredients.
Prebiotics & Probiotics: Since gassy dogs have some difficulty with standard dog diets, it’s a plus to find a diet with added prebiotics and probiotics. These ingredients support digestive health, and reduce the likelihood of gas.
Easily Digestible Ingredients: Since gas is often a result of poor digestion, you want to make it as easy as possible for your dog by offering easily digestible ingredients. This means you will want to search for a diet that is free of hard to digest carbs like corn and wheat, a diet that is low in fat, and does not rely on plant protein as the main protein source.
Our Reviews Of The Best Dog Food For Gassy Dogs
Now that we’ve discussed the basics of gas in dogs, it’s time to introduce you to our favorite dog food for gassy dogs. Each diet has something special to offer, and is created with your dog’s sensitive stomach in mind!
- Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Pros
- Real turkey as the first ingredient and the only protein source
- Added peas and pumpkin to aid indigestion
- Grain free
- Free of any artificial preservatives, corn, sor, or wheat
- Lifesource bits that are rich in antioxidants for immune support
- Omega fatty acids that promote skin and joint health
Cons
- Since this diet includes turkey, some dogs with poultry allergies may not be able to enjoy it
- Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Pros
- Salmon as the first ingredient and only source of protein
- Natural probiotics to help support digestive health
- Grain free
- Ingredients to help combat intestinal inflammation
- Omega fatty acids for skin and joint support
Cons
- We can’t find any cons with this impressive diet!
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Dog Food
Pros
- Lamb meal is the only source of protein
- Filled with easily digestible carbs and other ingredients
- Essential amino acids that promote lean muscle growth
- Omega fatty acids for skin and joint health
Cons
- This diet contains lamb meal and not real deboned meat like other diets
- Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Canned Dog Food
Pros
- Salmon is the leading ingredient
- Easy to digest ingredients for healthy digestion
- Grain free
- Omega fatty acids for skin and joint health
Cons
- This diet does contain salmon, turkey, and chicken, so it may not be ideal for dogs that have allergies to any of these proteins.
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Pros
- Lamb is the #1 ingredient, as well as the only source of protein
- Easy to digest carbohydrates such as sweet potato and lentils
- Grain free
- Fruits and veggies for extra antioxidants
- Omega fatty acids for skin and joint health
Cons
- We can’t find any cons with this impressive recipe!
FAQ
When should I see the vet for my dog’s frequent gas?
If your dog is experiencing more gas than usual, you’re probably wondering when it’s time to contact your vet. Though occasional gas is completely normal, a sudden onset of gas or a chronic gas problem warrants a call to your vet. Your veterinarian should always be aware of any abrupt change in your dog’s behavior, and a sudden case of gas that doesn’t seem to go away is included. If your dog is experiencing gas for more than 24 hours, or has other GI symptoms to go along with it, it’s best to contact your vet.
What if my dog is only suddenly gassy?
Dogs can become suddenly gassy for many reasons. A sudden onset of gas can be due to a change in diet, our dogs getting their paws on fatty food, a bacterial infection, or any other cause of GI upset. If your dog seems to be suddenly gassy, think about the last 24 hours and if there were any changes in their routine or diet that you can recall. We also recommend that you contact your vet if your dog is suffering from a sudden case of gas.
Are certain breeds more gassy than others?
When it comes to gas, every dog can experience it. There is no breed that is more gassy than another, but there are some dogs that are more prone to gastrointestinal upset than others. Large breed dogs tend to be more prone to upset stomachs than small dogs, so this may mean that they end up being more gassy than other dogs.
How do I know if my dog has a food allergy?
Food allergies can be a bit tricky to diagnose in dogs. Since our dogs can’t tell us how they feel, we have to look for the signs of a food allergy ourselves. While gas can be a symptom of a food allergy. There are many other symptoms as well. These symptoms include
- Frequent itching and scratching
- Red or irritated skin
- Chewing or licking at their skin
- Chronic ear infections
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Change in appetite
If your dog is experiencing gas along with any of the symptoms above, it’s very possible that they may be experiencing a food allergy. It’s best to contact your veterinarian to figure out the best plan for your dog going forward.
Last update on 2024-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API