If you have a dog, it’s likely that you’ve had to deal with gas at some point. Dogs are very similar to humans when it comes to digestion and elimination of waste – they have stomachs and intestines just like we do. However, while we can easily diagnose our own digestive problems, there are many ways that dogs can become gassy or have other digestive issues. Below are some steps you can take at home to help your pup feel better:
Diet is the Most Efficient Way to Decrease Gas
The most efficient way to decrease gas is to change your dog’s diet. If you suspect that your dog has a food intolerance, try feeding him a bland diet for a few days. You can feed him some sugar-free yogurt or cottage cheese instead of dry kibble for a few days, then slowly introduce different types of food back into his diet one at a time until you find what works best for him.
Avoiding grains and processed foods will also help reduce gas in dogs because these substances are harder for dogs’ digestive systems to break down than proteins and vegetables are.
Try Putting Him on a Bland Diet for a Few Days
Keep these three points in mind while undergoing a bland diet for your pet –
- Don’t feed your dog a lot of high-fat foods like bacon.
- Don’t overfeed your dog.
- Feed your dog a bland diet for several days to help him manage his gas and digestive issues. This means no fruit, vegetables, dairy products, or grains until he’s feeling better.
Try Healthy Medication and Food for Dogs with Gas and Stomach Inflammation
If your dog has gas, you might want to try a medication like Famotidine first. It’s a prescription medication used to treat heartburn and other digestive problems in dogs. It works by blocking the stomach’s acid production, which reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. It can be given daily (10, 20, 40 mg) with or without food and is usually given for 1-2 weeks, depending on how well it works for your pet.
You can also give your pooch a little sugar-free yogurt or cottage cheese, which will also get his digestive system back on track. Yogurt and cottage cheese are both loaded with probiotics, which are good for digestion and can help reduce gas.
Also, remember:
- Try not to feed your pup a lot of high-fat foods like bacon, as they can make his problems worse — and may even induce pancreatitis in some cases.
- If you have noticed that your dog has been gassy recently, it’s important to keep an eye out for symptoms of other health issues as well. Diarrhea and vomiting are two common symptoms of pancreatitis, so if your pup is experiencing either of these things in addition to gas or flatulence, he might be experiencing this condition instead.
Precautions
If you switch to a new brand of dog food, do it slowly by blending small amounts of the new food with his old food each day. Start with a quarter of the new food and make sure that your dog has no negative reaction to it before increasing the amount by half each day until he is eating 100 percent of the new diet. If you see any signs that your dog doesn’t like or can’t tolerate this change in diet, consult your vet immediately.
Overfeeding Can Be Problematic
Overfeeding can also cause gas and sometimes diarrhea in pups. If you’re concerned your dog is eating too much, cut back on the amount of food you’re giving them. Offer snacks in between meals instead of all at once. You can also offer –
- Healthy snacks
- Fruit and vegetables
- Cheese sticks (the fat content will help digest food)
- Plain yogurt (good bacteria for digestive health)
Surviving Gas With Dogs Is Possible
Dog’s digestive systems are different from humans. Dogs have a short, simple digestive tract that works quickly to digest food and get it into the bloodstream. They don’t have much of an appetite and tend to eat small meals several times a day rather than three larger ones. Your dog probably has gas because he is eating too fast or does not chew well enough before swallowing. This can cause excessive air to be swallowed, which leads to flatulence later on down the line when his stomach gets full of air bubbles!
Conclusion
With all being said, following these tips will help you keep your pup happy and healthy. If you notice that your dog has persistent gas or digestive issues, it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian so they can make sure there are no underlying health problems.