Dealing with bulldog farts is probably one of the worst sides of living with these pooches. While it might be funny to blame your dog for farts, if you actually let one rip under your nose you will probably not be laughing.
This is even more true for bulldog owners. Bulldogs are known for their stinky farts, unfortunately. Honestly, this is true for most small-framed but chunky dog breeds, such as Frenchies and pugs.
But why does your bulldog rival a skunk at times? Well, there are different reasons why your bulldog is frequently farting.
Why do Bulldogs Fart so Much?
Bulldogs suffer from sensitive stomachs and, as a result of that, digestive problems. On top of this, they are a food-loving breed, which does not know how to stop eating when they are full. Additionally, they eat quickly, which heightens the stomach problems.
Their anatomy features a small stomach, which might not be able to correctly digest some food sources. Foods that do not agree with them will cause your bulldog to build up excess gas, which will result in them farting more.
However, food and digestive issues are not the only issues.
Bulldogs have breathing problems due to their short snouts and small noses. Due to this, they often result in them taking large breaths through their mouths while eating. This causes air chunks to enter their stomachs, which will have to come out somewhere.
Lastly, the lack of exercise is also an issue. In order to live a healthy life, bulldogs need consistent exercise – which can be a problem, since they also love to laze around. But, there is no denying the fact that lazier bulldogs build up gas more easily.
Tips To Reduce Bulldog Farts
Sadly, their anatomy and build will prevent you from completely eliminating bulldog farts from your pet’s life. But there are ways to consistently lower the frequency and stench of their farts.
Elimination Diet
Firstly, eliminate problem food from their diets. As bulldogs have sensitive stomachs, owners must be careful of what they are feeding them with.
Generally speaking, it would be ideal to eliminate dairy products (cheese, milk, ice cream, and butter), table scraps (your food is not good for bulldogs), low-quality dog foods (cheap foods use cheap ingredients), fermentable foods (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and beans), and excessive amounts of carbohydrates from their diet. By doing this, you will eliminate foods which cause digestive issues and gas build-up in their tummies.
If you are interested in what types of treats you can give your bulldog, take a peek at our guide to the 10 treats your bulldog will adore.
Secondly, you need to introduce regular exercise into your bulldog’s life. Exercising will ensure their body works properly. It helps to improve their metabolism and will allow them to digest their foods with ease. A bulldog that exercises is a healthy bulldog.
There are also some additional ways you can reduce the frequency of farts your bulldog releases.
Dairy products
Usually, dairy products are not good for them, but yogurt is an exception. The live bacteria cultures in the yogurt will balance out their digestive system, which will reduce their farting.
High-Quality Diet For Your Bulldog
Buying better quality dog foods will also help. Look for dog foods that use natural ingredients without any additives, allergens, or colorings, and which have high fiber levels in them. Natural ingredients will make dog food more expensive, but it will be worth it in the long run. For fiber, you can also mix carrots, brown rice, green beans, or apples into their foods.
What Food Can Cause Excessive Gasses in Bulldogs?
- High-Fat Foods: Foods that are high in fat can be hard for Bulldogs to digest, leading to an increase in intestinal gas. This includes fatty cuts of meat and overly rich dog foods.
- Spicy Foods: Spicy ingredients can irritate a dog’s digestive system, causing an increase in gas production.
- Dairy Products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack the enzyme needed to break down lactose in milk and dairy products. Consuming these can lead to bloating and gas.
- Legumes: Beans, peas, and other legumes contain complex sugars that are difficult for dogs to digest. When these sugars reach the large intestine, they ferment, producing gas.
- Soy: Soy is a common ingredient in many commercial dog foods but can cause digestive upset and increased gas in some Bulldogs.
- Cheap Dog Food Brands: These often contain fillers and artificial ingredients that are not only poor in nutritional value but also hard to digest, leading to excess gas.
- High-Fiber Vegetables: While vegetables are generally good for dogs, some high-fiber options like broccoli and cauliflower can cause gas if fed in large quantities.
- Grains: Some Bulldogs might have a sensitivity to grains like wheat and corn, which can contribute to digestive issues and gassiness.
Adding Supplements
Looking into extra supplements is also a good idea. Introducing probiotics, vitamin B, and other digestive enzymes, along with some herbs, improves their digestion. You can find treats that include these ingredients.
Try Anti-fart cookies
Lastly, if you are truly desperate, you can get your bulldog some anti-fart cookies. If everything else fails, investing in some of these cookies might be a good idea. They are fiber and nutrient-rich, which help control the odor of the farts. These cookies will not hurt bulldogs, they are basically just to ease the pressure off their digestive system.
Use slow-feeding bowls for English bulldogs
If your bulldog eats too quickly, which most bulldogs are guilty of, getting a Slow Feeder or Slow Eating Dog Bowl. These have obstacles in the dish, preventing the dog from just inhaling their meals. Instead, they will have to maneuver around the bumps on the dish, allowing them to take actual beats while eating.
Bulldogs are naturally brachycephalic (having a broad, short skull), and as a result, they are prone to ingesting air while eating, especially if they eat quickly. This can lead to increased gas and discomfort. Implementing stress reduction techniques during meal times can significantly help in reducing these issues.
One effective method to encourage slower eating is the use of slow feeding bowls. These bowls are specially designed with ridges or obstacles that make dogs slow down to maneuver their bites, which minimizes the risk of gulping air along with their food. This not only helps in reducing the ingestion of air but also improves digestion by promoting better chewing. The benefits of slow feeding bowls include less bloating, decreased likelihood of regurgitation, and an overall improvement in gastrointestinal health.
In addition to using a slow feeding bowl, here are a few more strategies to create a calming eating environment for your Bulldog:
- Consistent Feeding Schedule: Stick to regular feeding times to reduce anxiety around meals. Bulldogs often feel anxious if they do not know when their next meal is coming, leading them to eat too quickly when food is finally available.
- Quiet Feeding Area: Set up a feeding station in a quiet part of your home, away from high-traffic areas. The less noise and commotion around their feeding area, the more relaxed your Bulldog will be while eating.
- Separate Feeding Areas for Multiple Pets: If you have more than one pet, feed them in separate areas. Competition for food can cause stress and prompt your Bulldog to eat faster to prevent other pets from accessing their food.
- Gradual Introductions to New Foods: When introducing new foods into your Bulldog’s diet, do so gradually. A sudden change can cause stress and digestive upset, contributing to more gas production.
What are the signs that my Bulldog’s flatulence is due to a more serious health issue?
Persistent increase in gas, discomfort, changes in stool quality or frequency, and unexplained weight changes are signs that your Bulldog might need a veterinary check-up.
How To Reduce English Bulldog Farts? Wrapping up
Everything comes down to health. Bulldogs need a healthy diet and regular exercise in order to live a happy life. However, this will also allow you to lower the frequency of their farts, making your life more pleasant as well.
All in all, bulldogs need structure in their lives. Daily walks, even if they are being lazy, will help keep their health – and it will not cost you anything. On the other hand, keeping a close eye on the foods they eat will enable you to eliminate allergens and other inflammatory foods which can cause discomfort to your pet.
So, try out the suggestions above and let us know which ones helped to reduce your bulldog’s farts. We will be happy to hear back from you.
