Gas in Dogs

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Causes of Gas in Dogs

The most common causes of gas in dogs include:

• Diet - Certain diets may not agree with the digestive system, particularly those of lower quality. Switching to premium brand pet foods can sometime help the problem. Milk and cheese are not properly digested by dogs once weaned from their mother, so diets that include a lot of dairy can also trigger gas. Rapid dietary changes can also cause increased gas in pets while their digestive system adjusts to the new components.
• Parasites - Parasites such as roundworm, whipworm, or giardia can cause increased gas in pets>
• Internal health problems - Maldigestion or malabsorption, inflammation, infection, or any other pathology of the gut lining that leads to change in the digestive process can lead to increased levels of gas in your pets.

Reducing Gas in Your dog

Because increased levels of gas can be caused by a number of things, there is no one answer for fixing the problem. Some initial things to try include:

• Switching to a highly digestible, high quality diet can help alleviate gas issues.
• Send a stool sample to your veterinary clinic to rule out parasite infestations.
• Prevent intake of non-foods (garbage, cat feces etc.)
• Encourage exercise to help promote regular bowel movements.
• Have a check up performed if any other digestive signs are present, weight loss occurs, or the frequency or intensity of episodes increases in order to rule out health problems.
• Medications may be necessary in more sever cases. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations.

Preventing Gas in Dogs

Source: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association