Why Do Pugs Fart So Much? And What Is Flatulence

Pugs are wonderful dogs: They are friendly, adorable, and incredibly even-tempered. The breed is known for its quirks and charm, as well as some less-than-desirable traits. For example, pugs are known for their flatulence, and pug owners often find themselves asking a very important question…

Why Do Pugs Fart So Much?

Pugs fart so much because of the speed at which they eat, diet, and genetics.

First, thanks to genetics and the physical layout of their faces, when pugs eat, they eat FAST. All dogs eat fast, but pugs are particularly skilled at devouring their food as quickly as possible. As a result, a pug will eat a swallow a ton of air while eating their food. The end result? Lots of gas, and lots of farting.

why do pugs fart so much

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Another reason? Their diet may not be appropriate.

Dog food companies have come under increasing scrutiny of late, as many have been found to use too much cereal or grains in their food. Sure, these food groups have a role in all dog food – just like it does in human food – but there needs to be a balancing act here. Too much grain or artificial chemicals is bad for a dog and can lead to serious health complications, including stomach trouble or diabetes.

One of those stomach troubles? Farting. Yep. Foods that contain too much corn, meat, or cereal can make your pug very, very gassy.

Before you can control your it, you first have to understand what flatulence is.

What Is Flatulence?

pug with flatulence
Brachycephalic breeds are prone to flatulence because of their flat faces.

Flatulence is something that affects both humans and dogs. It is nothing more than the formation of excess air in the gastrointestinal tract and colon. The air is then expelled through the anus.

Some dogs may even experience bloating, stomach discomfort, mild stomach distention, and excessive gaseous sounds, or rumbling from the abdomen (borborygmus).

Every dog is different and some will experience this more often than others. Just like us, their farts can smell pretty bad, so get ready to hold your nose, especially, since your pup won’t even realize they passed gas.

Tips To Stop Your Pug’s Stinky Farts

Sure is! The good news is that you, as a faithful pug owner, have control over making sure that your pug does not destroy your nose and chase away your guests because of their bad gas.

Change Your Dog’s Diet

Check out your dog’s food. Does it contain a lot of liver or beef? Are you giving your dog treats that may be making the problem worse?

Pugs thrive on diets that are as close to what they would eat in the wild. That means meat. Stick with the most natural food possible, and make sure that your dog is getting adequate amounts of meat.

You should also avoid foods that are high in beans, peas, soybeans, as they are known to cause flatulence. We’ve rounded up some high-quality dog foods for this Brachycephalic breed.

If you are confused about what is healthy and what isn’t, talk to your veterinarian. They will absolutely have recommendations for you about food that is healthy and will reduce your dog’s killer gas.

Exercise

why does my pug fart
Exercise your dog right after eating to help improve their digestion.

If your Pug is prone to farting after eating, you may want to consider walking them for 30 minutes after every meal. This can help your improve your dog’s digestion and elimination of gases.

You should also avoid feeding your dog right after they exercise as that can also cause your Pug to fart a lot.

Don’t Feed Them Table Scraps

Table scraps and human foods are known to cause digestive issues including gas in dogs. Dogs don’t have the same digestive system that we have and therefore foods that are high in sugars or fats.

If you do feed your dog human food, make sure you understand which ones they can and cannot eat. It’s best to avoid giving your pooch the following foods:

  • High-fat foods
  • Milk and dairy products
  • Sugary foods
  • Spicy foods
  • Foods with food additives
  • Spoiled food

Change Their Food Dish

Yes, that’s right, something as simple as changing their food dish can make a big difference when it comes to reducing your pug’s gas.

As noted above, one of the reasons pugs fart so much is because they eat incredibly quickly. This means that you have to physically later their food dishes in order to get them to slow down their eating style.

Some food dishes, for example, have impediments in them. These obstacles force pugs to eat slower. Other dishes are designed to intentionally slow down the speed at which a pug eats. These are called slow feeder bowls and they are proven to slow down greedy dogs.

All of this ensures that your pug will swallow less air when they eat. This, in turn, leads to less farting from your beloved friend.

Give Them Digestive Supplements

Pug farts in bed
If your Pug’s farts stink there are some things you can do to control it.

Just like humans, our little pug friends can often benefit from taking supplements that can help ease stomach pain and cut down on unpleasant gas.

Certain digestive supplements, like Prozyme, can be helping at reducing a dog’s farting by making sure that they digest their food better. You can also consider adding canned pumpkin to their food to improve digestion or charcoal dog treats to help your pup.

While these supplements can be great for both the dog and your nose, you should always check with your veterinarian before starting your dog on any new digestive remedy.

Your vet will be able to check your dog’s health records and make sure that there isn’t something more serious going on. They may also be able to make recommendations about better supplements, or determine if there are any potential complications in your dog’s medical history that would prevent them from taking the supplement you want to give them.

Check with your Veterinarian

Most of the time, farting is a sign that your dog is eating too fast, eating the wrong foods, or just has one of those stomachs that will cause their owners to cover their noses and run from a room.

Sometimes, however, it can be a sign of something more serious. Such as your dog is allergic to a specific ingredient in the food you’re feeding them. Your dog may need to be switched to a higher quality food that doesn’t contain as much fats or carbohydrates.

If your pug seems to be in pain, or if the farting is non-stop, it may be appropriate for you to check out the issue with your veterinarian. Excessing flatulence can be a sign of a more serious problem, like a stomach disorder, that can cause serious complications for your dog’s health.

If you are unsure, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Reach out to your vet and see what you can do, if anything, for your dog’s farting.

Final Word On Why Do Pugs Fart A Lot?

All dogs fart, but flatulence is affects brachycephalic breeds more often. It’s totally normal for your dog to fart, so you may want to invest in some pet friendly air sprays or scented candles for your home.

If your dog is farting everyday, then you feel like you need a gas mask to live with your pup, or the gas is accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, consult your veterinarian immediately.

References And Further Reading

PetHelpful – Audrey Kirchner – How to Stop Your Dog From Farting

Pub Med – Giffard CJ, Collins SB, Stoodley NC, Butterwick RF, Batt RM – Administration of charcoal, Yucca schidigera, and zinc acetate to reduce malodorous flatulence in dogs

Pet MD – Vladimir Negron – Treating Flatulence With Dietary Supplements in Dogs

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