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          Canine Flatulence          

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 "Gas" or "flatulence",  is most often produced by foods that are high in polysaccharides. There are several digestive processes that take place, but essentially bacteria will feed on certain substances in the digestive tract producing gas. This can also be caused when dogs eat too quickly and swallow a lot of air.

Certain foods often agree with some people more than others. I see the same thing happen with dogs. There are certain foods that some dogs have a bigger problem digesting, including some vegetables, beans, potatoes, cheese, yeasts and milk products. Some dogs even digest certain dog foods better than others.

Some pet owners just "tolerate" doggy farts. If you can't, here are some things you can do:

1.  Minimize treats, especially vegetables and table foods that contain milk or milk by-products.

2.  Feed your dog the same dog food every day. If the gas continues, talk to your vet about changing your dog's food. Try a premium food, like Hill's Science Diet or Iams Products. Ensure the food is formulated to meet your dog's life stage requirements (for instance, if your dog is 7 months old - use a food that is specially formulated for puppies).

3.  Some people also think that flatulence is worse in dogs that eat quickly. You can try feeding smaller meals more frequently.

4.  Never feed spoiled food.  If your dog is having any abnormalities, see your veterinarian to ensure there is no underlying problem, such as parasites.
petplace.com

The Dog Did It – Really!

Why Does My Dog Have Gas?
by Kymythy Schultze
www.kymythy.com

When asked this question, I sometimes joke to the person inquiring that it’s good they’re going to start taking responsibility for their own emissions and stop blaming the dog!  But seriously, frequent gas in your dog shouldn’t be ignored.  It can be much more than just unpleasant aromatherapy.  First the question:  What causes gas in dogs?  Unfortunately, there is not one simple answer as the reason can range from bad food to parasites to illness.  To get to the, uh, bottom, of what’s causing gas in your particular furry friend you first need to look at the whole animal.  Is the dog healthy and in good condition other than having gas?  If your dog is not in good health, then a trip to your favorite veterinarian (preferably one who practices alternative medicine) is in order.  If your dog is in good health, other than occasionally clearing the room, then it may be time to try a few simple natural remedies.  The most important factor is food and this includes your dog’s regular diet and any treats they receive.  Your dog could have food allergies or the food may be of poor quality.  We’ve probably all heard the expression “Garbage in = Garbage out” and it applies to your canine friend as well as yourself.  If your dog’s diet contains any ingredients that interfere with normal digestion they may experience stomach problems, including gas.  And don’t forget to examine treats that are given.  From my experience as a canine nutritionist over the last two decades I find a fresh food diet creates the healthiest dogs I’ve ever seen.  Real species-appropriate food is easy for dogs to digest and utilize.  I’ve fed my own Newfoundland dogs this way for about 20 years now and we do not have any problems with gas (good thing too with a dog the size of a Newf – we’d blow out the windows!).  To learn more about preparing a simple meal of real food for your dog check out my book “Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats” as it explains exactly how to go about doing it correctly.  Even if you’re not willing to prepare your dog’s meals, you should definitely focus on finding a better source of nutrition to help eliminate gas.
 
Some dogs, even on a good diet, will occasionally get into something they shouldn’t and let you know about it the odiferous way.  Here are few natural remedies to try:

1.    Peppermint – tear up a couple of leaves of this herb into their food.
2.    Nux Vomica – this is a homeopathic remedy and should be given away from food.
3.    Enzymes – these help to breakdown undigested food.
4.    Probiotics – flora found in the digestive system; these “good guys” help knock out the “bad guys”.  Look for the non-dairy variety.
5.    Massage – relax your dog onto his back and gently massage the midline of the stomach, and yes, it does help to coo and talk calmly!

Do not try all of the above at the same time or you’ll never know which worked best.  But, do try them, as they are all gentle and effective ways to allow your farting furry friend back into the fold!

Kymythy R. Schultze is a clinical nutritionist and has been a trailblazer in the field of nutrition for almost two decades. The recipe above is from her new book “The Natural Nutrition No-Cook Book: Delicious Food for You…and Your Pets!” She is also author of the best-selling book “Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet.” Both books are published by Hay House, Inc. For more information go to www.kymythy.com
 
© 2007 Kymythy R. Schultze
Reprinted with kind permission from Kymythy R Schultze
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Possible Causes of Flatulence
Possible Causes
 Comment
 Action
Aerophagia
(swallowing air)
 This occurs when the dog eats quickly or gulps during eating
 Remove dog to a room on its own away from other pets.  Some owners put a tennis ball in the bowl to slow the dog down
Unsuitable Diet
 Some dogs cannot tolerate diets based on soya or other beans
 Take advice on a more easily digested diet
Sudden Diet Change
 The villi in the intestine need time to adjust when a radical diet change takes place,e.g. from a complete cereal diet to meat and biscuits
 Change diets gradually over at least 4-5 days
Overeating
 Too much food can increase the amount of gas produced by the intestinal bacteria and increase the amount of flatulence
 Give smaller more frequent meals
Feeding Household Leftovers
 Highly seasoned and spiced foods create digestive problems in dogs
 Avoid feeding spiced foods
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
 This is inflammation of the walls of the intestines. Vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, poor appetite, and weight loss are common clinical signs of IBD.
 If symptoms persist a veterinary consult is required
Scavenging
 Dogs are attracted to the smell of decaying flesh and will eat putrid carcasses
 Keep the dog under stricter control
Constipation
 Low fibre diets will contain very little residue and faeces may be difficult to pass
 The addition of 10% bran to the diet may help.  A special diet may be needed.  Your veterinary surgeon will advise
Old Age
 Lack of muscle tone in the digestive tract and a reduced ability to digest protein, fat and carbohydrate
 Try giving four small easily digested meals a day.  Your veterinary surgeon may advise you to use a diet specially formulated for elderly dogs
Pregnancy
 The digestive organs may be displaced and cramped by the full uterus
 Charcol granules on the food or charcol biscuits may help
Enforced inactivity
 A bitch nursing a litter or a dog on cage rest while recovering from injury inevitably lacks exercise
 Give 4-6 small meals a day plus a human digestive remedy such as Bisodol, Asilone or Milk of Magnesia tablets.  Give one quarter to a whole child's dose according to size of dog
Malabsorptive disorders

Maldigestive disorders
 Diseases that cause difficulty absorbing nutrients

and

Diseases that cause poor digestion of food
result in flatulence by altering bacterial fermentation and food processing
 Veterinary consult
Gastrointestinal cancer
 Cancer such as lymphosarcoma and others may cause flatulence.
 Veterinary consultation
Infections of the intestines
 infections with viruses, bacteria, parasites may increase gas production, but this is often overlooked because of the significant vomiting and diarrhea they also produce
 Veterinary consultation

source: Doglopaedia A complete guide to dog care J.M.Evans & Kay White

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