Do Pugs Fart More Than Other Dogs? Exploring Pug Flatulence
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
If you are a dog owner, you know that dogs can be extremely gassy and stink up the house as well as any human, but if you meet a Pug owner, they will likely argue that their dog farts more often than other dogs. Unfortunately for these dog owners, they are right! Pugs do fart more than many other breeds. Keep reading as we explain why, give you a few tips on how you might be able to control it, and tell you about other dog breeds that fart frequently.
Do Pugs Fart More Than Other Dogs?
Yes. Due to the shape of their faces, Pugs eat extremely quickly, which causes them to swallow a large amount of air when they eat, which comes out later in the form of flatulence. Since they tend to swallow more air than many other breeds, they must fart more in order to expel it.
What Else Causes Flatulence?
Diet
Gases are produced in the intestines as food is broken down, and this gas comes out as flatulence. Your dog’s diet will greatly affect how much this occurs. Foods with large amounts of complex carbs and fiber, like soybeans, peas, and lentils, will contribute to flatulence in general, while sulfur-containing ingredients, like eggs, legumes, broccoli, cauliflower, and peas, will make the farts smell worse. However, these ingredients are important to a dog’s health, so you shouldn’t eliminate them; just reduce them until the flatulence is more manageable.
Diet Change
If you recently switched to a new brand of dog food, there is a good chance that your Pug’s gut will need time to adjust to the new ingredients, and your dog will likely experience more flatulence until it does. They may also experience soft stools and even diarrhea. If the symptoms last for more than a few days, it’s likely a good idea to go back to the old food if possible, or choose a new brand. It is also recommended to mix the new food in with the old food in increasing quantities over several days to help your dog adjust.
Food Sensitivity
If your dog eats food that they don’t have the enzymes to digest, like dairy, it can lead to more flatulence than usual and will likely smell bad. Eating these foods will also likely lead to diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other problems.
Illness
Unfortunately, many different illnesses can cause your pet to have smelly farts, including inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal parasites. If your dog’s flatulence suddenly gets worse or starts packing more of a punch, it’s a good idea to have them looked over by the vet to rule out any health problems.
How Can I Reduce My Pug’s Flatulence?
1. Use a Slow-Feeding Bowl
Since one of the main causes of excess flatulence in Pugs is their fast eating, resulting in them swallowing a large amount of air that must come out the other end, a slow-feeding bowl can be extremely helpful for helping your house smell better. Slow-feeding bowls use ridges to make your dog work harder to get the food, forcing them to eat up to 10 times slower.
2. Adjust Their Diet
Look over the ingredients of your dog’s food. Make sure it’s a brand with real meat, like beef, turkey, or chicken, as the first ingredient. Some dog foods also contain probiotics that might help improve digestion and reduce farting. Avoid ingredients like soy, which can produce gas, and eggs, which make farts especially smelly.
3. Stop Providing Table Scraps
We eat many foods that aren’t safe for dogs to consume. Even if it won’t hurt them, they might not have the enzymes to break down the food properly, which can lead to more farting, as well as an upset stomach and even diarrhea.
4. Take Your Pug for a Walk
Excessive farting could be a sign that your dog needs exercise. Going for a short walk can help get the digestive system going enough to expel the gases and help your pet return to normal.
5. Test Their Gut
You can purchase a microbiome test kit to help you learn about any imbalances in your pet’s gut that might be causing the farts, so you can start taking steps to correct it.
What Other Dog Breeds Fart Frequently?
Besides the Pug, several other dog breeds seem to produce more than the usual amount of gas, including the English Bulldog, Pit Bull, Yorkshire Terrier, Beagle, and Golden Retriever.
Summary
Pugs fart more than other dogs because they swallow a large amount of air when they eat, and it eventually comes out the other end. Certain items, like complex carbs, dairy, and eggs, can produce even more flatulence and make it smell worse. Purchasing a slow-feeding bowl can help reduce the amount of air that your pet swallows, and adjusting their diet can also help. However, if you think that there could be a serious issue with your pet’s digestive system, a microbiome test or a trip to the vet can help you figure it out.
Featured Image Credit: Praisaeng, Shutterstock
