Well, it looks like your pet has flatulence. This is the name given to swelling of the stomach or intestines with gases (air) in excessive amounts.
Here you should understand well. After all, flatulence is a completely normal condition, just like the fact that a dog occasionally passes gas. Gastrointestinal gas is produced during the digestion of food (during bacterial fermentation). When a dog eats food, it also swallows air, which must later be expelled.
However, if you have noticed that lately this is happening more and more often, accompanied by loud sounds and an extremely unpleasant smell, you should be wary. Any changes in the pet’s well-being are a reason, at least, to familiarize yourself with the necessary information on the topic, and even better – to pay a visit to the veterinarian. In some cases, flatulence in dogs can signal the emergence of health problems (gastrointestinal diseases, parasites, etc.), especially if such symptoms as: vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, weight loss are added.
Learn more about the causes of flatulence
Among the most common causes of abdominal distension, veterinarians name the following:
► Peculiarities of the pet’s body. It is healthy, and excess gases are formed during normal digestion and absorption of nutrients from food by the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Brachycephalic dogs are most often included in such features of body structure: boxers, pugs, shih tzu, Pekingese, English and French bulldogs, bull mastiffs, Boston terriers, Lhasa Apso.
► Incorrectly prepared diet for a dog. The child eats foods that cause bloating (for example, cauliflower, legumes). Feeding with human food.
► Absorption of food too quickly. Greed does not lead to anything good. The dog may think that if she does not eat a portion of her food as soon as possible, it will be taken away from her. A lot of air is swallowed in a hurry, which enters the intestines and leads to flatulence.
► Overeating.
► Incorrect feeding regime: snacks, malnutrition or the dog is fed too often, inconsistently.
► Low-quality feed, which includes artificial food additives, starch, etc.
► Your pet has a food allergy. With flatulence, intolerance to some food products (for example, lactose) is possible.
► Parasites.
► Infectious damage to the organs of the digestive system.
► Weak work of the pancreas. Your dog does not have enough enzymes to digest food.
► After a recent illness, dysbacteriosis is possible due to taking antibiotics.
► Mechanical intestinal obstruction if the dog swallowed a foreign object.
► Various diseases of the digestive organs, ranging from the syndrome of insufficient intestinal absorption to tumors.
How to deal with bloating?
Try to help your four-legged pet by using these tips:
► Feed the dog in calm, comfortable conditions for it, so that it is not afraid of running out of food and is not in a hurry. You can help her eat more slowly by buying a special silicone mat for slow eating. If there are several pets, feed them separately in secret from each other so that no one gets jealous and does not feel stressed.
► Divide the daily rate of food for the dog into a larger number of portions. For example, if you fed your dog 1-2 times a day, try to give food 3-4 times, but little by little. Feed at the same time.
► Try to grind the feed. Dry can be soaked for better absorption of nutrients.
► Do not give your pet food from your table. Human food can make the flatulence problem worse.
► Increase the pet’s physical activity. Active games and long walks in the fresh air are suitable. In this way, the work of the intestines will be stimulated and getting rid of excess air and gases.
► During walks, do not allow the pet to pick up anything found on the ground.
► Raise the food bowls off the ground, then your tailed friend will swallow less air while eating.
► Vaccinate your dog in a timely manner and do not forget to deworm it, so you will protect it from parasitic and other types of infections.
► Give your pet adsorbents (Enterosgel, activated carbon), carminatives (simethicone, Espumizan), prebiotics or enzymes for better food digestion.
► Take the pet to the veterinarian, especially in case of severe symptoms. He will help establish the causes of health disorders, detect food allergies, prepare a proper diet, prescribe veterinary drugs and, if necessary, additional examinations.
Nutrition with flatulence :
An important condition in the fight against bloating in dogs is the correct selection of feed. Choose premium rations, then the food will be absorbed much better. Low-quality feeds often contain synthetic additives, low-grade components, and starch.
Avoid dog foods that contain oligosaccharides, poorly digestible proteins, and carbohydrates. And they are in the following products: potatoes, legumes (beans, soybeans, beans, peas, lentils), cabbage, bakery products, pasta.
Foods with a high fiber content can also cause flatulence.
Pungent smell. All types of cabbage (brussels sprouts, white cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) are fermented, forming sulfur-containing gases that have an extremely unpleasant smell. Feeds with a high protein content or with various types of poorly digestible proteins also lead to the formation of increased gas formation with a sharp smell.
It is not recommended to feed the pet with eggs and corn. However, if these ingredients are included in a ready-made, balanced, quality dog food, they will not cause harm.
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