It's normal for a dog to experience an occasional bout with intestinal gas much to its owner's dismay. However, some dogs have chronic gas problems, making it difficult to remain in the same vehicle or even in the same room with a gassy canine. According to the "Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook," some breeds, such as boxers, are more likely to experience frequent gas. Because diet is often the culprit when your dog passes gas on a regular basis, some home remedies may offer relief.
-
Dinnertime Remedies
-
Monitoring your dog's diet and eliminating substances that form gas in her digestive system may be the easiest way to reduce the problem. Check the dog food label for the inclusion of soy products or a high percentage of fiber. Both items can cause gas in dogs and the nearer they are to the top of the ingredient list, they higher their concentration is in the dog food. Inexpensive commercial dog food may contain large amounts non-digestible fiber.
Table scraps can wreak havoc on some dogs' digestive systems. If you enjoy giving Fido bits of your dinner, eliminate the practice temporarily and introduce only one food item per week to determine what makes her gassy. Common culprits include cabbage, onions, beans and cauliflower.
In addition to certain foods causing gas in your dog, the way she eats may contribute to the problem. When dogs greedily gulp down their food, they can swallow air, which may result in flatulence. Some pet owners find it beneficial to place a non-edible item, such as a tennis ball in their dog's food bowl, making her slow down and eat around the object. Likewise, if more than one dog is fed at the same time, they may both gulp their food to keep the other from eating it.
Neutralizing Remedies
-
Veterinarians sell products, such as CurTail, that helps a dog's digestive system break down the enzymes in his food, reducing gas. At home, plain, unflavored yogurt may be beneficial in solving the problem by introducing friendly bacterial culture into the dog's stomach, aiding his digestion.
When a dog's flatulence causes an extremely disagreeable odor, the addition of activated charcoal in his food may lessen the smell. Available over the counter in health food stores and pharmacies, charcoal may be mixed into the dog's food at the rate of approximately 1/2-tsp. for large dogs and 1/8-tsp. or less, for small dogs or toy breeds.
-