Gas relief for dogs: Causes & Relief

Loud, silent, and sometimes seriously smelly, a little gas is perfectly normal for your pup. Farting is simply one of the ways the digestive system gets rid of gas.

But if your dog suddenly starts clearing the room, is producing much more gas than usual, or seems uncomfortable alongside their wind, you might wonder what's going on. So why do dogs fart, what can cause excessive gas, and what can you do to help?

Where does gastrointestinal gas in dogs come from? 

Gas is a normal byproduct of digestion for all animals, and in dogs it mostly comes from two places: swallowed air and the normal activity of gut bacteria. Depending on their anatomy and enthusiasm at mealtimes, some dogs swallow more air than others.

Brachycephalic breeds with short noses and dogs that inhale their food at lightning speed can swallow more air than normal. 

Then there's what happens further down the digestive tract. Gut bacteria ferment some of the food that hasn't been fully digested and absorbed earlier in the digestive process.

This naturally produces gases that, depending on the bacteria and gas produced, are responsible for the range of not-so-wonderful smells your pup is capable of producing. Read more about why your dog's farts smell so bad. 

A little gas is therefore nothing to worry about. It's when the amount, smell or frequency suddenly changes that it's worth thinking about why.

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What causes excessive gas in dogs? 

Although it’s difficult to say how much gas is normal, you’ll often notice when there’s a sudden change. Here are a few things that can contribute to excess gas. 

Food and eating habits

What your pup eats can have a big influence on how much gas they produce. Some foods are simply more likely to be fermented by gut bacteria, while rich or unfamiliar foods can upset the digestive system, altering how quickly food moves through and how much undigested material reaches those bacteria.

Common food-based triggers for extra gas can include:

• Sudden changes to their usual food
• Large amounts of highly fermentable fibre
• Dairy products, particularly in dogs that don't digest lactose well
• Fatty or rich table scraps
• Large amounts of certain vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts
• Eating too quickly and swallowing lots of air

Some pups can safely eat small amounts of these foods with no problems, while others are much more sensitive. 

Intestinal inflammation 

If the gut becomes inflamed or irritated, digestion and absorption can be affected. This can mean more undigested food reaches the large intestine, where bacteria ferment it and produce gas. Gas caused by a temporary tummy upset usually settles as your pup recovers, however, intestinal inflammation can have many causes, some of which won’t resolve on their own. 

Colitis 

Colitis is inflammation of the large intestine and can cause changes in your pup's poops as well as extra wind and tummy noises. You may notice your dog needing to go outside more often, passing smaller amounts of poo, straining, or having mucus mixed through or around their poop. Some pups may have a one-off mild episode, others can have recurrent bouts that deserve a vet check. Learn more about colitis in dogs.

Food allergies and intolerances 

While food allergies in dogs involve an immune response, food intolerances don't; however, both can cause digestive symptoms in dogs. If your pup repeatedly develops gas alongside diarrhoea, vomiting, itchy skin or recurring ear problems, your vet may want to investigate whether their diet could be contributing.

Medicines and other health problems 

Medicines and illnesses elsewhere in the body can also upset the digestive system or alter the balance of gut bacteria. Though any increase in gas may not be dangerous, gas that goes hand-in-hand with other symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. 

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When is gas dangerous?

Although being a bit gassy and passing wind isn't dangerous, it’s a different story at the other end of the digestive tract, when gas begins building up in the stomach. A bloated or distended stomach can become twisted, causing a life-threatening emergency called gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV). 

Signs can include:

• A suddenly swollen, tight or painful tummy
• Restlessness or obvious discomfort
• Repeated attempts to vomit without bringing anything up
• Excessive drooling
• Rapid breathing
• Weakness, collapse or pale gums
  

If your pup has a swollen tummy, contact your vet immediately. 

How can you help relieve gas in dogs?

If your pup has developed a sudden gassy problem or is always a little whiffy, provided they’re otherwise happy, eating normally and behaving as usual, a few simple changes may be all that’s needed. 

Sudden or recent change in gas production 

Get moving. A gentle walk can help keep the digestive tract moving and may help your pup pass gas more comfortably. Avoid strenuous exercise immediately after a large meal.

Think about recent changes. Has your pup had a new food, extra treats or a few too many table scraps? If there's an obvious dietary trigger, returning to their usual diet may help things settle.

Temporarily cut out raw fruit and veg. Extra fibre and certain vegetables can add to the problem, especially when a mild tummy upset means the gut isn’t working quite as normal.

Always a little gassy 

Judging what’s normal when your pup always seems a bit gassy is tricky. Telltale signs your dog’s gas is trying to tell you something include:

• Gas accompanied by a lot of tummy gurgling
• Poops that are always on the soft side and leave behind a ‘stain’ after being picked up: take a look at our dog poop chart.
• Slow but noticeable weight loss or a slight drop in appetite
  

Slow down mealtimes. Dogs that gulp their food can swallow a lot of air. Try smaller meals or a slow-feeder bowl if your pup tends to hoover up dinner.

Beware of dietary triggers. Treats, table scraps and new foods, even better-quality ones, can upset your pup's digestive system if it isn’t given time to adjust. Make changes slowly and introduce new foods in small amounts. 

Book a health check. There may be nothing but a sensitive tummy underlying your pup’s gas, but it’s worth having a health check just in case. 

Consider supplements. Discuss probiotics, digestive and fibre supplements with your vet. They may help some dogs, but aren’t right for all. Discover the 8 signs why your dog could benefit from probiotics. 

When to contact the vet about gas 

When is gas more than just a little tummy upset? Look out for the following signs that signal it’s time to call your vet for advice: 

• A bloated or swollen tummy
• Signs of pain and discomfort
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Lethargy
• Persistent diarrhoea or slime-covered poops
• Black, bloody or very pale poops
  

What to feed a dog with a lot of gas

Because allergies and intolerances can be involved, there isn't one magical diet that reduces gas, though cutting out treats and table scraps can be a good place to start. If your pup has frequent gas or other digestive symptoms, don't start chopping and changing their diet every few weeks to see what works. Pop into your vet for a check-up and a chat about how to carry out an elimination diet or diet trial safely, and to get results you can actually use to work out what’s going on. 

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Gas relief: the bottom line 

A little wind is part of being a dog, and if your pup is happy, energetic and eating normally, the occasional whiffy fart is usually nothing to worry about. If they've suddenly become much gassier, think about what’s changed: a new food, extra treats or just eating a little too enthusiastically.

For persistently gassy pups or those with other symptoms, it's time for a health check. And if you notice a suddenly swollen tummy, that’s a sign for a trip to the vet right now! Otherwise, a nice slow stroll might be all it takes to get things moving, help shift the gas and save the rest of the household from the next stink bomb.