Key Takeaways
- Massage and proper food are some of the best home remedies you can give a dog for gas.
- There are many types of human foods that can cause stomach upset and gas in dogs, so monitor what your dog eats.
- Always consult your vet if your dog does not seem to recover from stomach gas.
Humans frequently suffer from the pain of excess gas, but dogs can have this problem, too. This makes many pet parents ask, “what home remedy can I give my dog for gas?” The best ways to relieve your dog would be giving a massage, probiotics, and using slow feeders.
Although it’s not my most favorite part about dogs, excess gas or dog flatulence isn’t usually a cause for alarm. Still, I would advise you to check with your veterinarian to ensure there isn’t an underlying health problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and intestinal parasites, before you try any home remedies for dog gas. The good news is that most problems that cause gas in dogs can be treated easily or avoided altogether if you know what to look for and how to treat it.
What Causes Smelly Gas in Dogs?
Bacterial fermentation of nutrients can cause smelly gas to form in the intestinal tract and be released. A more frequent reason for gas is that an animal swallows too much air. When a dog gas is developed from bacterial fermentation, the reason is usually from a change in its diet. An owner may change a dog’s food because of the dog’s dietary preference, or to address a health issue like yeast infection. Another reason for gas resulting from bacteria could be that your pooch got into something that caused the upset in the dog’s stomach. The culprit could be food in the garbage can. Foods that may cause excess gas in dogs include:
- Beans
- High-fiber foods
- Milk
- Peas
- Spices
These foods are problematic for dogs to digest, and it’s harder for their bodies to expend the excess gas.
Best Home Remedies For Dogs With Gas
- Avoid human food
- Provide high-quality dog food
- Massage the gas away
- Supplement them with prebiotics and probiotics
- Use slow feeders
Avoid Certain human food And GIve Them Healthier Fruits And Vegetables
As pet parents, we all love to give our pups an occasional dog treat. Many human foods aren’t good for a dog’s digestive system and could be harmful, especially gassy or greasy foods. One of the most common reasons that a dog gets excessive gas is the quality of its food. When dogs can’t digest their food effectively, it causes excess gas. An alternative to human food is to offer high-quality treats. My dogs love love slices of fruits and vegetables as treats or food toppers. Some dog-friendly options may include:
- Apples, sliced
- Apricots, fresh or dried with no sugar
- Blackberries and blueberries
- Peaches, sliced
- Pears, sliced
- Pineapple, small amounts
You must only give your dog sliced fruit and never any seeds or cores. Many fruit seeds and cores contain traces of arsenic [1]. Some fruits are high in sugar and dogs can only have small amounts of these.
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Carrots
- Corn
- Green beans
- Peas
- Potatoes, boiled or steamed only, not raw
Vegetables should only be fresh and not canned. The one exception for digestive upsets or excess gas is canned pumpkin. But let me warn you that you should only give your pup plain, canned 100 percent pumpkin without any spices, sugar, or additives. One spoonful can usually alleviate upsets in a dog’s tummy and may help with excess gas. You must make sure the pumpkin is plain and not pumpkin pie filling. Canned pumpkin pie filling contains ingredients that can be harmful to your pet.
Provide high-quality dog food
When a dog is passing gas and you are trying to find the cause, it’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian to make sure your pup doesn’t have an allergy or sensitivity to ingredients in their food. Your vet can assist you in selecting high-quality food, fresh dog food, or they may even recommend prescription food. I also suggest you look for the best dog food brand for allergies.
Massage the Gas
Sometimes a dog will experience a buildup of gas that it can’t expel on its own. You may have to help your pet rid itself of the dog farts by massaging it away. How to massage gas out of dogs:
Sit on the couch or floor, whatever is most relaxing. Get your dog on your lap or near you, so you’re both comfortable.
Flatten your palm and move it slowly over your dog’s body to get him relaxed.
Feel the layers of your dog’s hair, skin, muscle, fat, and bone. Pay closer attention to the areas that feel hard or distended instead of soft and pliable.
For a small area, you may be able to squeeze to eliminate the bad gas gently. Gently rub to relieve the pressure and expel your dog’s farts on larger areas. Your dog will thank you once you’ve helped him relieve his discomfort.
Give Prebiotics and Probiotics
A dog’s gut or gastrointestinal tract contains good and bad bacteria. For a dog to have a healthy digestion, there must be a balance of good and bad bacteria. Adding prebiotics and probiotics to your dog’s diet is a good way for your dog’s digestive system to achieve this balance.
Prebiotics are made up of fiber that a dog can’t digest. Since prebiotics aren’t digestible, they’re carried through the dog’s system to the colon. Prebiotics then create a healthy environment in the dog’s colon by feeding the good bacteria and keeping harmful bacteria from increasing.
Today’s best probiotics for dogs are excellent because they repopulate or increase the numbers of good bacteria that are missing in the gastrointestinal tract. A good analogy about probiotics for digestive health is to consider them to be a fertilizer that can reseed a garden after a destructive storm.
When your dog has a healthy digestive tract, it reduces the chances of excess gas buildup. Prebiotics and probiotics can help with a dog’s well-being and overall good health. Another reason for adding these supplements to your dog’s diet is that they’re very unlikely to cause any adverse side effects. It’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian for recommendations.
Use Slow Feeders
The most common reason a dog has excess gas is taking in too much air. This usually happens when a dog eats too fast and thus, gets too much air with its food. Did you know that this is a very common behavior for pups that grew up with a group of dogs? They eat fast to make sure they get enough food. Puppies will develop this behavior if they aren’t fed separately after they’re weaned. The most common problems with dogs that eat too fast are:
- Dog bloated stomach
- Choking or vomiting
- Food aggression
To avoid these problems, I highly suggest that you train your dog to eat its food in an unhurried pace using slow feeders. These special dog bowls come in different designs that are like puzzles because of the built-in obstructions designed to slow down your dog’s eating. Another thing I love about slow feeders is that they are also considered mental enrichments for dogs.
One or more of these remedies will usually quickly relieve the gas and discomfort. If your dog has excess gas for a week or longer, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
FAQs
1. How can I relieve my dog’s gas?
Excess gas in a dog’s gastrointestinal tract usually isn’t anything serious and can be relieved with simple, home remedies. You can gently massage the area of your dog’s abdominal area that feels hard or bloated to help him expel gas. Add prebiotics and probiotics to your dog’s food, and use a slow feeder to help him stop eating too quickly.
Before there’s a problem, avoid feeding your dog foods that are meant for humans. Although many human foods aren’t necessarily harmful to dogs, they can cause digestive upsets. Feed your dog high-quality food that doesn’t contain artificial ingredients or fillers. If you’re making a change to your dog’s diet, it’s best to reduce the amount of food it’s currently eating and add the new food slowly over a week or two to avoid any upsets. Your veterinarian may have recommendations based on your dog’s age, dog breed, size, and any food allergies he may have.
2. What can I give my dog for upset stomach and gas?
When a dog is experiencing an upset stomach and gas, an effective way of eliminating the problem is to use a probiotic. A probiotic supplement can rid your dog of the gas and associated pain. High-quality probiotics for dogs also has these benefits:
- Alleviates allergy symptoms
- Alleviates recurring problems with diarrhea
- Gets yeast infections
- Increases muscle mass
- Prevents dogs from biting their paws
- Prevents excess shedding
- Reduces anxiety and improve mood
- Reduces scratching and itching
Dog owners should know that all probiotics aren’t the same. It’s essential to follow the recommendations of your veterinarian when you give your dog a probiotic. High-quality, vetted probiotics may contain:
- Black pepper to calm the gastrointestinal tract, produce stomach acid that is necessary to kill harmful bacteria, and maximize how the probiotic is absorbed.
- Lactobacillus boosts the immune system and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in your dog’s digestive tract.
- Turmeric is for human and canine use. Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant, aids in digestion, and reduces inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Yucca Schidigera improves digestion. The fiber contains aids in passing normal stools.
CAN I GIVE MY DOG TURMERIC IN HIS FOOD?
I’m so glad I found this post! My dog has been dealing with gas issues for weeks, and I’m trying everything to get rid of it. I’ll definitely try the apple cider vinegar trick next time he has a gas attack. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing these tips! My pup has been dealing with gas issues lately and I’ll definitely try out some of these remedies. In particular, the baking soda and water idea caught my eye – I’ll give it a shot and see if it helps. Appreciate the clear explanations and advice!
Loved the tips on home remedies for dog gas! My pup has been having some issues lately and the peppermint oil trick worked wonders. I’ll definitely be trying the ginger tea approach next time as it seems like a great alternative to over-the-counter meds. Thanks for sharing!