Dog Flatulence - does your dog "fart" and would you like to help him or her reduce that flatulence problem?

You love your dog - who doesn't. But if you dog does have a spot of flatulence you'll know it can be embarrasing as well as rather smelly! Read on for information and tips that can help to reduce your dog's flatulence.

What follows is general (but detailed) information on dog flatulence. See also additional information by using the links to other pages on this site from the navigation bar to the left.

All dogs can have a touch of excessive wind from time to time. Just like us humans do. And when a dog has wind, he gets rid of it in the same way us humans do. Yes – dogs get flatulence and (in the politest possible way) blow it out their ass or fart to relive themselves of it. Again – just like us humans do.

When your beloved dog does suffer from a touch of flatulence you’ll be sure to know about it not only by the sound of that “fart” but also by the unmistakable aroma. Oh boy, it stinks! While you may be able to handle that while out for a walk with your pooch or by a quick blast of air freshener at home, your dog’s flatulence can be a touch embarrassing if it happens when you’re with friends, in the car and similar. Even if it’s not embarrassing or your comfortable with it, your dog may not be.

There are things you can do to ease your dog’s flatulence and make your prized pet healthier and happier. What follows is general help and advice relating to dog flatulence for informational purposes. If and you are in any doubt about your dog’s health then please consider consulting your vet.

Causes of dog flatulence

Flatulence is basically the accumulation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. The breakdown of bacteria during normal digestion when can cause this naturally. Any dog can suffer from it do differing degrees – some may get excessive flatulence. If your dog’s flatulence does become prolonged or excessive, consult your vet.

Some common causes of dog flatulence are food or diet related. For example:

Swallowing air through “wolfing” down food. Eating too fast in other words.
Feeding your pooch food which will, in all likelihood, cause wind problems just like they might you. What happens if you eat too many sprouts, beans etc. Oh yeah, well feed them to your dog and he may well end up just as you would.
A poor quality diet – cheap dog food, scraps, leftovers etc
How can you combat dog flatulence

There’s more than one way to skin a cat – I mean there’s more than one way to help your dog out if he has a bit of a wind problem.

Give him the best quality dog food you can. Perhaps a recognised, named brand rather than the “generic.” Same goes for kibble – only the best. Your dog will feel the better for it.

Think about it for a moment – if you eat a nice steak and a few trimmings, don’t you feel better than if you’d stopped at the services on the motorway somewhere. Translate the same to feeding your dog. Give him the best dog food you can. Do your research and buy the type of food recommended for the particular breed and age of dog you own.

Don’t give him food you know has a reasonable chance of triggering a “wind problem.” We all know what that means.....!

Some dogs (my old greyhound used to love this one - that's her at the top of the page) enjoy a spoonful of natural yoghurt as a little treat after their dinner. This can aid digestion and reduce the risk of flatulence.

If you dog does “wolf” his food he’ll be swallowing air as well as his dinner. Get ready for a gas outbreak! Try feeding him on a “little and often” basis – the same amount of food as he’d normally have in a day but spread it out a bit. Instead of feeding your dog 1 or 2 portions of food per day, divide the daily ration into smaller portions and feed the dog more frequently.

Cut out or drastically reduce those little treats and leftovers from your dinner. If he gets bloated, you know what’ll happen……..! Sure – it’s hard to resist throwing him an extra piece of doggie chocolate or sneak him a bit of meat from your plate when he comes begging, but resist if you can. Your boy (or girl) will have less chance of a “wind episode.”

Walkies! It’s your dog’s favourite word. Man, how he knows what it means. Take your dog for regular exercise. He needs it anyway and it’ll help to keep his “insides” healthy as well thus aid digestion in general and reduce flatulence. And while you’re out on your walk, there’s a better chance that any gas build up will find a way out “naturally” and it’ll be gone before you get home.

You’ll never completely cut out flatulence on your dog. Well, do you think you’ll never get the odd bit of excess wind – of course you will. And it’s the same for your dog. That said, what you’ve read here should help to reduce your dog’s flatulence and those “nasty smells.” Plus your doggie might just feel all the better for it.

In closing – at all times have the best interests of your dog at heart. Consult a vet immediately if you have cause to think your dog is unwell, suffering and requires professional attention.

Dog diarrhoea. Causes and treatment

Dog diarrhoea. Causes and treatment

If your dog develops diarrhoea it is a sign of intestinal or digestive problems just as dog flatulence is. On this page we’ll take a general look at diarrhoea including causes and treatment.

Dog diarrhoea can be caused by many things. In a not dissimilar way to dog flatulence, your dog my develop diarrhoea from a diet of poor quality pet food or overeating particularly if fed just once a day. If you dog does get a spot of diarrhoea try feeding him two or three times a day in smaller quantities.

Stress may also be a contributing factor for example of the dog suffers from separation anxiety if left alone. He may begin to nibble on or eat anything he can get his teeth in I to around the house in an attempt to relive his stress at being alone. If he eats anything which doesn’t agree with him then diarrhoea may result.

Intestinal parasites (such as worms) won’t do you dog any favours and may also trigger diarrhoea and other unpleasant side effects. Viral infections such as parvovirus and bacterial infections such as campylobacter are quite common causes of dog diarrhoea.


Seek treatment from your vet as soon as possible as parvovirus in particular is a dangerous condition. Your dog will suffer much diarrhoea, be depressed and become dehydrated from fluid loss.

If you become concerned about your dog’s diarrhoea then seek professional help from your vet. If possible take a stool sample with you as this may assist the vet with diagnosis and treatment.






Dog vomiting. Causes and treatment

If you dog vomits this is another condition related to digestion or intestinal issues similar to causes of dog flatulence. Dogs can vomit for all sorts of reasons.

The vomiting could be because the dog has simply eaten something it disagrees with and has caused an obstruction. Not just food – swallowing a toy or a bone for example. Changing the type of food you feed your dog can cause vomiting or other related problems such as dog flatulence particularly if you have decided to feed your best pal on lower quality food than he is used to.

Always feed him the best quality food you can afford. Yes, I know it’s hard to resist when you dog begs for food or treats but do try to say no and mean it. Feeding your dog scraps of food that you like but he doesn’t may mean it quickly comes back up again as your dog vomits. It may come back up just as fast as he wolfed it down.

Think about the types of treats you do allow your dog. Feeding him some of that left over Chinese meal might seem like a good idea at the time but the consequences may be unpleasant for you and your dog. Parasites such as roundworms may induce vomiting. You can worm your dog using regularly available treatments such as drontal and others. A worm free dog will be less prone to vomiting as you’ve taken away one of the causes and at the same time helped to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Heat stroke can cause dog vomiting. Some breeds (greyhounds for example) are particularly prone to heat stroke. Be aware of this and keep your dog out of the sun to avoid overheating. Signs are rapid, shallow breaths. Vomiting (or worse) may result. Bring your dog out of the sun and try to cool him down.


Do you yourself suffer from travel sickness? Well so may your dog. If he does, he may vomit. If your dog does have trouble with travel sickness try not to feed them before travelling. The condition may reduce the more you take your dog out in the car.

As always it is suggested that you seek advice from your vet if you are concerned about your dog’s health. If dog vomiting is the cause of you taking your dog to see the vet it may help your vet with diagnosis and treatment if you can take a sample of the vomit with you.

Dog diarrhoea. Causes and treatment

If your dog develops diarrhoea it is a sign of intestinal or digestive problems just as dog flatulence is. On this page we’ll take a general look at diarrhoea including causes and treatment.

Dog diarrhoea can be caused by many things. In a not dissimilar way to dog flatulence, your dog my develop diarrhoea from a diet of poor quality pet food or overeating particularly if fed just once a day. If you dog does get a spot of diarrhoea try feeding him two or three times a day in smaller quantities.

Stress may also be a contributing factor for example of the dog suffers from separation anxiety if left alone. He may begin to nibble on or eat anything he can get his teeth in I to around the house in an attempt to relive his stress at being alone. If he eats anything which doesn’t agree with him then diarrhoea may result.

Intestinal parasites (such as worms) won’t do you dog any favours and may also trigger diarrhoea and other unpleasant side effects. Viral infections such as parvovirus and bacterial infections such as campylobacter are quite common causes of dog diarrhoea.


Seek treatment from your vet as soon as possible as parvovirus in particular is a dangerous condition. Your dog will suffer much diarrhoea, be depressed and become dehydrated from fluid loss.

If you become concerned about your dog’s diarrhoea then seek professional help from your vet. If possible take a stool sample with you as this may assist the vet with diagnosis and treatment.






Dog vomiting. Causes and treatment

If you dog vomits this is another condition related to digestion or intestinal issues similar to causes of dog flatulence. Dogs can vomit for all sorts of reasons.

The vomiting could be because the dog has simply eaten something it disagrees with and has caused an obstruction. Not just food – swallowing a toy or a bone for example. Changing the type of food you feed your dog can cause vomiting or other related problems such as dog flatulence particularly if you have decided to feed your best pal on lower quality food than he is used to.

Always feed him the best quality food you can afford. Yes, I know it’s hard to resist when you dog begs for food or treats but do try to say no and mean it. Feeding your dog scraps of food that you like but he doesn’t may mean it quickly comes back up again as your dog vomits. It may come back up just as fast as he wolfed it down.

Think about the types of treats you do allow your dog. Feeding him some of that left over Chinese meal might seem like a good idea at the time but the consequences may be unpleasant for you and your dog. Parasites such as roundworms may induce vomiting. You can worm your dog using regularly available treatments such as drontal and others. A worm free dog will be less prone to vomiting as you’ve taken away one of the causes and at the same time helped to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Heat stroke can cause dog vomiting. Some breeds (greyhounds for example) are particularly prone to heat stroke. Be aware of this and keep your dog out of the sun to avoid overheating. Signs are rapid, shallow breaths. Vomiting (or worse) may result. Bring your dog out of the sun and try to cool him down.


Do you yourself suffer from travel sickness? Well so may your dog. If he does, he may vomit. If your dog does have trouble with travel sickness try not to feed them before travelling. The condition may reduce the more you take your dog out in the car.

As always it is suggested that you seek advice from your vet if you are concerned about your dog’s health. If dog vomiting is the cause of you taking your dog to see the vet it may help your vet with diagnosis and treatment if you can take a sample of the vomit with you.