Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to deal with your dog’s out-of-control stinky farts

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

Everybody toots, it’s just a fact of life. Whether you’re human, canine, feline, or even bovine (be grateful you’re not dealing with cow farts), flatulence is a totally normal bodily function. It means that your digestive system is working as it’s supposed to, and it can even be a sign of good health. As healthy and hilarious as they can be, dog farts definitely have a downside: some of them downright stink. Not only do they leave the room smelling like a dumpster fire, but they can settle in for a while too. Odor-reducing sprays and scents only go so far, so what else can you do to make dog farts more tolerable?

A close up of a Corgi's butt with people standing in the room behind
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why do dogs fart so much?

During digestion, bacteria in the gastrointestinal system help to break down the food from our previous meal, according to the American Kennel Club. Hydrogen sulfide gas can sometimes be created as a byproduct of this process, and there’s only one way to get that gas out of the body: flatulence.

Recommended Videos

While some gas every day is normal, excessive farting can be a symptom of a larger problem (though typically a mild one). For example, the AKC notes that dogs who eat faster have a higher tendency to swallow air, and therefore have more gas trapped in the body. Food sensitivities and intolerances are also common reasons for excess gas, though it can be tricky to narrow down what exactly is causing the issue.

You can always enlist the help of your trusted veterinarian if your dog’s farts are becoming a big, stinky problem. Most likely, a few small lifestyle changes will be all you need to rid your home of dog farts—well, some of them—for good.

A white and brown dog eats from his bowl of kibble
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to deal with stinky dog farts

Another surprising cause of dog farts, whether new or old, can be switching up your pup’s food too quickly, according to the AKC. Even though changing your dog’s diet might help reduce flatulence in the long run, it’s important to make sure it’s a gradual process.

Lifestyle changes

It’s also a good idea to lay off the table scraps if you’re dealing with a particularly gaseous dog. Many human foods are high in fat and sugar, which isn’t healthy for canines anyway, though even dog-safe snacks (like veggies) can cause excess toots.

If your dog is a fast eater, you can invest in a slow-eating bowl to help them take their time. This will decrease the amount of air they swallow while eating, which can be particularly helpful for flat-faced breeds like Shih-Tzus and pugs, which may ingest more air than other breeds, notes Waunakee Veterinary Clinic.

You may also want to consider taking your buddy for a walk after their meals. This can help get their digestive system moving, which can in turn prevent as much gas build-up as before. The best part—even if your pup does have to break wind, it will be outside instead of in your home.

Products to reduce dog farts

Besides switching up your dog’s food, you can make a few dietary additions that will make canine flatulence a lot easier to tolerate. Pumpkin or powdered pumpkin (no additives, please!) contains a high amount of soluble fiber—great for digestive regulation. You may be able to get a similar effect from adding probiotics to your pup’s kibble.

If you’re really concerned about the pungency of your dog’s farts, try activated charcoal. This ingredient reduces the absorption of toxins in the gut, though you need to make sure to buy activated charcoal treats meant for dogs instead of feeding them any other kind of charcoal.

With these tips and tools in mind, you can hopefully get ahead of your dog’s flatulence problem. Once you’ve resolved any digestive issues—and taken care of the whole stink issue—dog farts are a lot more amusing. Trust us.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
5 surefire ways to keep your dog off your bed and get a good night’s sleep
Dog sleeping in the bed? Here are some ways to avoid that behavior
Big dog lying on bed

One of the most lovable things about dogs is their attachment to you, their pet parent. They want to be wherever you are — no ifs, ands, or buts. Although you, of course, adore spending time with your four-legged friend, there are times when you might want your space — for instance, when it's time to go to sleep.

Dogs don't always understand these boundaries at first, but it is possible to train them to sleep in their crate, a dog bed, or anywhere else you prefer that's not your sleeping spot. With these five tips and tricks, you can learn how to keep your dog off your bed and in their own in no time.

Read more
Are ‘dog years’ really 7 human years? How to calculate your dog’s age
Time to bust the myth: A dog year may not equal 7 human years
A dog licks a person's finger with yogurt on their nose

There are many ways to identify a dog's age and translate dog years to human years — other than knowing their birthday, of course — from the formation of their teeth to the development of their body. Then there’s the classic rule of 7: 1 year in "human time" equals 7  "dog years". However, research shows that figuring out exactly how to translate dog years to human years may not be as simple as multiplying a number by 7. So how can you calculate your dog’s age?
Let’s dive into the latest and most accurate techniques for canine age calculation. Once you know how to apply this knowledge, you'll be able to figure out what stage of life your dog is in.  This calculation is yet another way to ensure you’re taking the best possible care of your best buddy — and it’s fascinating to know either way.

Is 1 dog year 7 human years?
Despite the popularity of this trope — that 1 year for a dog is equal to 7 human years — it’s not quite that simple. In fact, the dog-to-human age equivalent can change from year to year depending on the age and size of your pet. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), all pups will gain about 15 human years within their first actual year of life, while the second year of life equals another nine years.
Past year two, however, the numbers tend to differ. Larger breeds will “age faster” on paper, meaning their human age equivalent will be higher than that of a smaller dog who was born at the same time. This may sound a bit sad, or even worrisome, so it’s important to remember that age isn’t an indicator of health or life expectancy. As we tell humans, age is just one number.

Read more
How to stop a dog from peeing in their crate for good in 5 easy-to-follow steps
These tricks will keep your house — and his — pee free
A brown puppy lies in their crate on a blanket with their head resting on their crossed paws

As pet parents, we’d like to think that we have every solution for behavior issues, like how to stop a dog from peeing in his crate. Your buddy can’t exactly tell you why he pees in the crate when you’re not home, though, and you can't always catch him in the act — so it can be tricky.
Luckily, with a keen eye and a few trial runs, you’ll figure out the problem in no time. You can always enlist your family, vet, or local doggie daycare to keep an eye out, too, but it’s up to you to make the necessary changes to change the behavior. Anything from a more consistent routine to a new treat-dispensing toy could be the difference between cleaning up a puddle or coming home to a happy pup.
Here’s how to stop your dog from peeing in his crate.

First, rule out medical issues as a cause for crate incontinence
Before anything else, it’s important to make sure your fur baby is in good health, so you should book a visit to your vet. Many medical issues could cause a dog to lose control of their bladder, not all of which are obvious or even noticeable. Dogs are notorious for hiding their discomfort, after all.
A few reasons your dog might not be able to hold it include:

Read more