How to reduce flatulence

If you’re a greyhound owner, you will know that it’s impossible to stop your dog from farting J The good news is, there are ways to help your dog produce less offensive gas that won’t have you clearing the decks every time they let off a stink bomb.

Certain foods are known to be gas-producing fiends during the digestion process. Here are some foods you should reduce or avoid feeding your dog if you can:

-       Soybeans

-       Milk and dairy

-       Processed carbohydrates

-       Corn and starch

-       Scraps from the table (ie. human food)

-       Lots of treats

When dogs get too excited about their meal, they have a tendency to scoff down their food without chewing. During this process, they also ingest large amounts of air which become trapped in their system.

To slow down their eating, you can purchase special bowls or mats which force them to work a little harder to get to their food (and reduce the amount of air they are swallowing).

Regular exercise has a myriad of benefits – one of which is it helps release built-up gas. Try walking, running, or playing with your dog before they settle in for the night, this should help them to release their 'aroma' into the open air (and away from your nostrils) before being couped up in the house for the night.

It’s important to remember that flatulence is natural and your dog should never be scolded for letting 'one go'. Excessive flatulence, however, can be a sign of health issues like food intolerance, parasites, or unhealthy gut bacteria. If you notice sudden changes in your dog (and you haven’t changed their diet), you should speak to your vet who can diagnose and treat any serious health issues.