If you’re a Boston Terrier parent, you’ve surely had to deal with the dreaded, deadly farts of your baby! You love them so much, but could do without this inherited trait of theirs. It’s important to understand their bodies in order to help them overcome this “stinking” issue.
Boston Terriers fart (a lot) more than other dogs. They are brachycephalic dogs, characterized by their shorter, broader skull. This affects the way they digest food, causing excess flatulence. The formation of gases in the digestive tract is the result of bacterial fermentation, which usually has a dietary cause. Their shorter nose causes them to swallow more air when they eat. More air in, unfortunately, equals more air out. Excessive farts do not mean that your Boston Terrier is sick. Because they are predestined to fart so much, even healthy Boston Terriers are prone to farting.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to minimize the frequency of your Boston Terrier’s farts. Obviously, you won’t know the exact reason for the excessive flatulence until you try changing different aspects of your dog’s lifestyle. Several of the reasons for your dog’s excessive farting includes:
Swallowing Air
You’ve probably watched your dog gobble down his/her food. Eating food this quickly can cause them to swallow extra air, which goes through their digestive system and ends up coming out as gas.
Carbohydrates
Food or treats that contain indigestible carbohydrates, especially soluble fermentable fibers, and less digestible meat products, can make it harder for your dog’s body to break down their food and digest. Also, changes to new types of food will cause more gas than usual until your dog’s body gets used to the change.
Food Allergies
Food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, or leaky gut can cause several symptoms including gas and skin irritation. Many dogs are allergic or have sensitivities to grains, so trying certain foods may help reduce gas. If your dog’s diet contains soybeans or other bean meals, it could lead to excessive gas. Beans in general are not easily digestible and it is best for dogs to avoid soy products.
Eating Human Food
Just like with carbohydrates, human food may be difficult for a dog to digest and will not break down properly in their body, creating gas.
Not Pooping Enough
If your dog does not have enough opportunities to poop, they are forced to hold their bowel movements. This causes more pressure in their GI system that comes out as gas. Try to monitor how often your dog needs to poop, as the frequency may be too low compared to what you think they need.
Disease
Certain medical conditions can cause excessive flatulence in dogs such as GI disorders. In GI disorders, nutrients are not properly absorbed in the intestines.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes the GI tract to become filled with inflammatory cells that change the environment of the intestines and disrupt the normal microflora, or, good bacteria. This can cause bacterial overgrowth that stops the ability of the intestines to absorb nutrients. This will lead to symptoms much worse than gassiness such as weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and protein loss.
Parasites such as giardia and parvovirus can also cause excess gas in dogs by inhibiting the intestines to absorb nutrients properly.
Antibiotic use can kill the good bacteria (as well as the bad bacteria), leading to excess gassiness.
Even though Boston Terriers are more prone to flatulence, does not mean we as parents are doomed to deal with their gas. Only a veterinarian can determine whether the cause of gassiness is due to any of these disease-related factors. However, you can eliminate certain foods in their diet and change certain aspects of their daily routine to help determine the cause and decrease gassiness. If none of the options work, it is your choice as the owner to determine whether your dog needs to see their veterinarian. In the meantime, some of the things you can tweak in their normal routine is:
Diet
Depending on your unique dog, landing on the right diet will be trial and error. You will have to figure out which brands and foods your dog tolerates better than others. One diet to start out with is with a bland diet. This will help with intestinal irritation and cause your dog’s bowels to be more regular. The following are foods to start with and see what settles with your dog the best:
- Ground, cooked turkey: Turkey is low in fat, unlike beef, and can help settle the GI tract.
- Canned pumpkin: Canned pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber, which helps to coat the lining of the intestines.
- Sweet potato: Skinless and cooked sweet potato will help seal the intestines.
- Cooked chicken breast: Chicken is low in fat and will not irritate the GI tract.
- Raw food: (found in the frozen section of a pet store) Raw food will ensure they get all of the nutrients their bodies need and this may be the first diet you want to try.
Stay away from:
- Rice: Since rice is a complex carbohydrate, it can be fermented in the GI track and make the issue worse
- Beef: Beef can irritate the GI tract and create more gas in the body.
A bland diet is only recommended for short periods of time. This is not a long term diet your pet should be on.
Probiotics
It is recommended that you speak to your veterinarian or animal chiropractor about an appropriate probiotic for your dog. This will help heal the gut with healthy bacteria. There are many types of pet probiotics out there, and be aware that not all dogs can tolerate milk-based probiotics or those derived from yeast cultures or certain strains.
Enzymes
Many dogs with gas issues also benefit from adding enzymes to their meals. There are different types and strengths as to which enzyme blend is best for your dog, so it is best to ask your veterinarian. Some dogs benefit from adding hydrochloric acid such as betaine HCL.
Exercise
Regular exercise, such as long walks or running around, can ensure that your dog’s bowel movements remain regular. Their bodies can better digest food when they get regular exercise. There are also many other health benefits to cardio when it comes to the digestive system. Consistent exercise in your dog will likely help their bodies function better overall.
Relaxed Setting
Make sure your dog has his or her meals in a relaxed environment. By eliminating stressors associated with eating, this can help decrease the amount of air they are swallowing. Provide a quiet and solitary environment at mealtime to ensure they are not eating competitively or quickly around other dogs or people.
This article is not meant to replace the advice of a veterinarian. If you notice a change in your dog’s farts or bowel movements, you may want to see your veterinarian. These changes could be caused by a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that only your veterinarian can address. It is worth starting with a bland diet to see if this simple change can decrease the frequency of gas in your dog. Only you as the dog parent can determine whether your dog is sick and needs to see a veterinarian.
Written by Andie Ibarra, DC, CAC, Dallas Animal Chiropractic