Foods That Cause Gas in Dogs

All species of mammals, including humans and dogs, produce intestinal gases. A dog's diet can go a long way in reducing the amount of gas it passes. Certain forms of protein, filler products in dog foods, table scraps and dairy can contribute to a dog's gas problems. Changing your dog's diet is a good way to reduce gaseous emissions.

  1. Protein

    • Dogs eat a variety of foods, but require a large amount of protein to be healthy. Soy is a healthy, earth-friendly form of protein, but it can be difficult for dogs to digest. Some dog foods are made up of nearly one-quarter soy, which contributes to gas problems. As with all pet foods, check the label to determine how much soy is in your dog's food; the further down on the ingredients list, the less there is in the food. Animal byproducts, such as ground bone and other non-meat parts are also more difficult for dogs to digest and can cause gas.

    Wheat and Corn

    • Wheat and corn are in many dog foods because they are inexpensive filler. However, complex carbohydrates are difficult for dogs to digest, as these are not generally part of their diets in the wild, and again can cause flatulence.

    Dairy Products

    • Dogs, like people, can grow lactose intolerant over time, so feeding a dog dairy can result in gas. Cheese, milk and ice cream can give a dog gas. However, yogurt may actually help alleviate gas, as its active bacteria can aid in digestion.

    Garbage and Table Scraps

    • Many human foods, even those that are healthy for people, can be difficult for dogs to digest. Other, less healthy fare can be greasy and even more likely to cause gas. Do not feed dogs table scraps and ensure that garbage cans are secure.

    Switching Foods

    • If, after reading the ingredients label on your dog's food, you find that there is a high amount of soy, corn, wheat or dairy, you may want to try to switch foods to see if this will ease the gas problem. However, dogs grow accustomed to their food, so owners should make the switch gradually, as a sudden change can cause diarrhea.