Living with a gassy pet can be annoying, but a fiber-rich diet can help alleviate the symptoms of repeated gassy outbursts.
Let's face it - there's nothing worse than being stuck in a room with a constantly gassy dog or cat. Those noxious odors and a symphony of unpleasant sounds are enough to make even the strongest among us wilt like a daisy.
But fear not! You can reclaim your home from and get back to living your best-smelling life. You’ll feel confident inviting your friends over for game night, once you know what causes gas in pets and how to resolve it. You’ll never have to worry about your pet clearing out the room ever again.
We're here to support you in the fight against pet poots with some tips and tricks to curb gas in pets. So, grab your air freshener and let's dive in!
Causes for Gas in Dogs or Cats
Just like you, cats and dogs passing gas is a normal biological process. But their toots are 1,000 times harder to tolerate because cats and dogs don’t really care if it’s socially acceptable. They’ll let it fly whenever the feeling is right, regardless of who is visiting or where their stinky bombs land.
So what causes your cat or dog to have gas? Two common culprits for gas in pets are (1) guzzling down large meals too fast or (2) a sudden change in diet - both result in poor digestion.
When your cat or dog eats too quickly, they swallow extra air with their food. And if it isn’t burped out, the gas will find an exit path on the other end. Gas always finds a way out! Also, without proper transitioning from one food to another, the bacteria in your pet’s stomach will have a harder time adjusting to a new diet.
While these are more benign causes for gas in dogs and cats, sudden or repeated episodes of flatulence may indicate something is out of whack with your furry friend. You can avoid this from the start by adding a premium, fiber-rich cat food or dog food to your pet’s diet.
Other causes of gas in pets include:
- Irritable bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Parasitic infection
- Food allergies
- Inadequate production of digestive enzymes
If you know your pet eats at a normal pace and you haven’t made any recent changes to their diet, it’s wise to ring up your vet for a checkup. A professional doc will know if there’s a more serious, underlying condition that’s causing those gaseous releases in your home.
Life’s Abundance dog foods are made with a proprietary fiber blend that helps improve digestion and overall wellbeing.
Tips for Dealing with Gas in Pets
Even if your pet suffers from one of the ailments above, there are some proactive things you can do as a caring pet parent to clear up these smelly issues that plague your pet - and ultimately your nose! Below are our professional tips for putting an end to these airborne attacks:
- The first place to start is their diet. Poorly cooked and highly processed foods cause more hydrogen sulfide in the digestive system (the gas that smells like rotten eggs). Feeding your cat or dog a premium diet featuring optimally balanced amounts of fiber will make a world of difference when it comes to reducing the production of hydrogen sulfide. A high-quality food also has nutrients which are easy-to-digest and absorb, and helps overall digestion.
- Try feeding several smaller meals, split between morning, afternoon and evening, rather than just one large meal. Little bites will help your pet adjust to a new food and also give their tummy time to digest properly.
- Avoid feeding foods that contain beans, milk and cheese, and canned foods containing carrageenan, a substance used to add texture to processed foods. This means table scraps! We know Fido loves a little bite of whatever you’re having, but if your pet is suffering from digestive problems, it’s best to keep the pizza and tacos to yourself.
- Slow your pet’s roll with a slow-feeder bowl. This popular solution puts a speed bump in your pet’s hungry chomps and regulates their pace of eating.
- Get outside and exercise more. A sedentary lifestyle increases the production of gasses and keeps gas stuck. Gas will naturally move out with some daily activity - and a nice walk is good for you, too! Plus, if your pet is going to pass gas, it’s better to do it in the open air. #fartiquette
If none of these help the problem, it’s time to consult with your vet. This is especially true if the problem is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting or weight loss. Your vet has seen and smelled it all, and their experience will help your pet be happy and gas-free once again!
Fiber-Rich, Premium Pet Food Helps Deal with Gas in Pets
If there’s one thing that unites all pet owners, it’s poop. It’s unavoidable. That’s why we created Firmtastic - to make those daily bathroom breaks easier on your pet’s digestive system, and more tolerable for you. Our proprietary prebiotic and fiber blend in our dog foods and cat foods provides natural, fiber-rich ingredients to help your pet develop an overall healthier gut, resulting in better health you can see - right down to their poop.
The bottom line (no pun intended!) is when it comes to reducing gaseous pet odors and reclaiming your house as your own, there are a few minor changes you can make towards victory. From adding fiber-filled pet food to implementing a slow feeder bowl, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that gaseous outbursts are a thing of the past.
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