You love your dog. You’d do anything for them. But also — what is that smell? A little gas? Fine. Dogs fart. We move on. But when your pup’s toots are loud, frequent, and smell like they’ve been eating something that died twice, it’s hard not to wonder what’s up.
At The Pets Table, we’ve seen it, we’ve smelled it, and, yes, we’ve cleaned it. So, if your dog is suddenly the main reason you’re lighting candles at 10 a.m., keep reading. We’re breaking down what might be turning your four-legged bestie into a walking whoopee cushion.
What Are the Signs It’s Gas (and Not Something Else)?
Before we dive into why your dog might be dropping stink bombs, you might be wondering — is it even gas? Because, let’s be honest, dogs are fluffy little oddballs. One minute, they’re chasing their own tail, and the next, they’re doing a slow-motion butt scoot across your rug, and you’re left trying to decode the situation.
Most of the time, gas shows up with a few telltale signs: belly gurgles, frequent tooting (especially if it’s new), a slightly bloated but soft belly, or just general restlessness — like your dog can’t quite get comfy no matter how many times they circle the bed.
You might also notice them pacing, stretching more than usual, or giving you that “something’s happening” look mid-snuggle. If all that’s happening, but they’re still eating, drinking, pooping, and being their usual weirdo self? You’re probably in harmless fart territory.
But if things take a turn — like skipping meals, throwing up, acting super off, or if their belly feels hard and painful to the touch — it’s time to call the vet. Toots are funny. Tummy trouble? Not so much.
Why Is My Dog Gassy?
So, your dog’s got gas. Not just occasional “oops, excuse me” farts — but frequent, room-clearing, tail-lifting blasts that have you considering doggy Beano and opening all the windows. The question is: why?
Here’s a breakdown of the usual suspects.
1. They Eat Like a Vacuum Cleaner
Some dogs don’t eat — they inhale. And when your dog’s scarfing down dinner like it’s a competitive sport, they’re also swallowing a ton of air. That extra air travels through the digestive system and eventually exits stage butt. Boom. Gas.
This is especially common with puppies, rescues, or food-obsessed goofballs who think every meal might be their last. It can also happen in multi-dog homes where mealtime feels like The Hunger Games. More speed = more swallowed air = more fart fuel.
2. Their Food Isn’t Sitting Right
Even if you’re feeding them top-tier dog food, some ingredients might just not sit with your dog’s belly. Think of it like your dog having a gluten-free, dairy-sensitive, “don’t even think about giving me fish” kind of gut. Common offenders? Dairy, fillers like wheat & soy, certain fats, and proteins like beef or chicken.
What happens when they eat something that doesn’t agree with them? Their body tries to break it down, fails, and ends up fermenting the leftovers inside like a science fair gone wrong. End result: bloating, stinky gas, and probably a dog who looks extremely proud of themselves.
3. The Great Table Scrap Heist
You look away for two seconds, and suddenly, your dog is licking an empty burrito wrapper like it’s a long-lost lover. Or maybe you caved and gave them some cheesy fries. No judgment — we’ve all been there.
But here’s the thing: most human food is too rich, greasy, spicy, or just plain funky for your dog’s digestive system. And if they raided the trash or licked something sketchy off the sidewalk? Yeah, mystery meat and decomposing leftovers don’t go down quietly. Expect an aftermath of farts that smell like betrayal and regret.
4. Too Much Fiber, Not Enough Chill
Fiber’s great. It helps with digestion, poop quality, and keeping things regular. But too much fiber (or certain types) can make your dog’s gut feel like a bubbly soda can that’s been shaken and forgotten in the sun.
Some high-fiber ingredients — like legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas), sweet potatoes, or certain “grain-free” formulas — can lead to fermentation in the gut. And where there’s fermentation, there’s flatulence. Think tiny gut microbes having a dance party with gas as the confetti. Each dog is different. That’s why we at The Pets Table offer a range of grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes.
5. Gut Bacteria Drama
Your dog’s gut is basically an ecosystem. Good bacteria help digest food, absorb nutrients, and keep things balanced. But when that balance gets messed up (thanks to antibiotics, illness, stress, or sudden diet changes), things can get explosive.
Too much bad bacteria = gas, bloating, weird poops, and a soundtrack of gurgles and toots. Some dogs have more sensitive microbiomes than others — kind of like that friend who can’t even look at dairy without consequences. When the gut’s off, you smell it first.
6. Stress + Zoomies = Fart Fuel
Panting = air swallowing. And dogs pant a lot — when they’re stressed, excited, playing fetch, barking at squirrels, or just being their extra selves. All that air? It doesn’t just disappear. It takes the scenic route through the digestive tract and exits later, often in the middle of a cuddle session. Rude.
If your dog is extra gassy after a trip to the park, a car ride, or an anxiety-ridden vet visit, this might be the reason. Play hard, pant hard, fart hard. That’s the motto, apparently.
How Can You Soothe the Toot?
Managing your dog’s gas doesn’t have to be a stinky affair. Here are some effective, nose-friendly strategies to help tame your pup’s turbulent tummy and restore peace to your nostrils.
Slow Down Mealtime
Working with a pup that falls into the “eat everything in under four seconds” camp? Classic. Once you know that gulping food = swallowing air = digestive drama = gas that could peel paint off the walls, it’s clear: you’ve gotta do something to slow your dog’s chow-down chaos.
Here’s how to put the brakes on the mealtime madness:
- Break out a slow feeder. You’ve probably seen those funky-looking bowls with swirls and ridges. They’re not just pretty — they make it physically harder for your dog to hoover their food. More chewing, less inhaling, way fewer post-dinner stink clouds.
- A muffin tin works great. So, does a baking sheet, a snuffle mat, or literally just tossing kibble around the floor like a snack scavenger hunt. The more they have to work for it, the slower they eat.
- Stuff it in a toy. Food-stuffable toys (like Kongs or puzzle balls) turn dinner into a game. Bonus: they keep your dog mentally busy and too distracted to be a fart machine later.
- Split up their meals. Feeding smaller portions more often can help keep the belly calm and the gas to a minimum. Same food, fewer fumes.
Bottom line? Fast eating leads to fast exits. Slow it down, and you might just reclaim your living room from the gassy chaos.
Keep the Human Food Off the Menu
We know those puppy eyes are powerful. But if your dog’s snacking on bacon, pizza crust, or whatever’s left of your late-night nachos, they’re definitely going to pay for it later — and so will your entire living room.
Avoid giving your dog greasy, rich, spicy, or super-processed people food. Stick to dog-safe treats, or go for a couple of plain fruits and veggies (like carrots or blueberries) if you want to share a snack.
Rethink What’s in the Bowl
You’ve tried the slow feeder — check. You haven’t shared your fries or let them dumpster dive — check. Still getting stink bombs? It might be what’s actually in their bowl.
Remember how we talked about certain ingredients just not sitting with your dog’s gut? Yeah, this might be one of those times. Even the fanciest food can stir up trouble if it’s packed with stuff your pup’s body just doesn’t jive with.
So, what’s a pet parent to do? That’s where we come in.
At The Pets Table, our meals are made with belly-friendly ingredients and none of the sketchy filler fluff. Real food, gently cooked or air-dried, designed with vets, and totally customizable to your dog’s age, size, and sensitive stomach sitch. It has all kinds of fiber from fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as added yeast culture, a postbiotic to support gut health. It’s food that feels good going in — and doesn’t cause a full-blown toot parade on the way out. What’s not to love?
Get Them Moving
Laying around like a furry loaf after a big meal might be the dream, but for gassy dogs, it’s basically a one-way ticket to Fartsville. A little post-dinner movement can do wonders for digestion, helping everything cruise through the system without turning into a hot-air balloon situation.
We’re not saying you need to run laps or hit the agility course. Just a chill 10 to 15-minute walk around the block can help your pup burp, poop, or at least not launch a crop-dusting campaign during date night. Bonus: it also helps reduce boredom, which is a huge win if your dog’s the type to eat a shoe just for fun.
The Bottom Line
And there you have it — six reasons your dog might be dropping rear-end remixes and a bunch of ways to help ease the breeze. Some causes are no big deal (hi, food inhalers), while others might need a little more TLC, patience, or a chat with your vet.
Whatever the case, we’re here for your dog’s digestive glow-up. At The Pets Table, we make meals that are designed with your dog’s belly in mind — no mystery meat, no filler weirdness, and no nonsense. Just gently cooked, vet-developed food that’s made to match your pup’s unique needs, delivered to your door, and ready to earn a two-paws-up rating.
Because a happy gut = a happy pup. And a happy pup means fewer unexpected air raids during cuddle time.
Take our quiz to get started. Your nose will thank you.
Sources:
Flatulence in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals
How to Help Your Dog Eat More Slowly | AKC
Analysis of the gut microbiome in dogs and cats | PMC
People Food Dogs Can Eat and Can’t Eat | American Kennel Club