Gassy Dogs Go Viral on Social Media... But No So Funny to Live With

Mary Simpson
by Mary Simpson

(photo credit: kukurund / shutterstock.com)


Okay, I agree those gassy dog videos on sites like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok can be pretty funny to watch. And clearly, the pet owner finds their dog’s flatulence to have a certain entertainment value, hence their determination to wait, watch, record and then post the big event. Viewers love it… so what’s the problem?


While those noisy outbursts are to be expected from time to time with any pooch, it should be a bit more of a concern if your dog’s gassiness can empty a room on a regular basis. In fact, it might require you to consider changing up his lifestyle. While he will no longer be that frequent-tooting media sensation, he may be healthier and a heck of a lot more comfortable.


Identify the Cause / Eliminate the Gassiness

Now, you may be surprised to learn that a dog will typically pass gas between 15 and 20 times a day. For the most part, it’s silent and odorless, with only the odd one actually making it to Insta-worthy status. But if you find his flatulence is chronic and more “pronounced,” it may be time to explore potential causes and solutions, particularly if this is a new behavior that’s taking place more frequently versus just once or twice every few days.


Potential causes of heavy flatulence (meaning it’s frequent, audible and seriously smelly) can include any or all of the following:

  • Food Sensitivities

We’re talking grains, dairy… there are several ingredients in his diet that he could be having a hard time digesting. So, consider switching to a top-quality grain-free dog food such as this nutrient-dense option from Orijin. If you’re still uncertain which ingredient/s could be setting him off, and it doesn’t seem to be grains, consider working with your veterinarian to introduce an elimination diet that will help narrow down potential triggers.

  • Gulping Air

Several dog breeds are inclined to gobble down food at breakneck speed. And that means taking in excess air along the way. While chowing down in large gulps isn’t breed-specific – multi-pet households can also notice dogs prone to this behaviour - it does need to be managed. That’s where a slow-feed dog bowl like this deeply grooved design from Outward Hound can help. It holds both wet food and dry food (up to two cups of kibble) and forces your pet to slow down as they navigate the heavy ridges.

  • Portion Control

While some dogs like to graze and nibble away at their bowl of kibble throughout the day, others will scarf it all down within seconds. If that last description sounds like your pet and he also tends to be gassy, you can resolve the problem by altering his feeding schedule. Smaller, frequent portions spaced throughout the day will prevent him from overeating and, for larger breeds, from developing a life-threatening condition called Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat. If your feeding schedule isn’t super flexible, consider an enclosed feeder that releases kibble on a pre-set schedule. This timed pet feeder from Voluas dispenses a small portion of dry food, four times throughout the day and is perfect for those who work outside of the home. I love that you can record a personal message to call your pet over when it’s time to eat… though my furry crew wouldn’t need the prompt!

  • Decrease the Fat

Consider using a food diary to track how often you slip your pet a little something that they really shouldn’t have. While it may not be part of their regular diet, we like to think these little treats are harmless and make life more interesting for our pooches, right? But that piece of cheese, errant potato chip, piece of bacon or lick of ice cream all add up, and you may find the added fat is wreaking havoc on his digestive system. In addition to making him super prone to flatulence, your pet can experience a serious ailment known as pancreatitis. The solution is to find a low-fat dog treat (low fat is considered to be anything less than 10% fat content) that you know he’ll love. These all-natural peanut butter-flavored treats from Blue Dog Bakery tick the boxes for yumminess, chewiness, and healthfulness.


  • Increase Activity

If your dog is older, heavy-set, or just not a big fan of exercise, getting them up and moving can be a challenge. But introducing regular physical activity into their daily regimen can help improve digestion and ultimately reduce gas. If your pooch is a couch potato that considers a walk to his food bowl to be the extent to which he’s willing to move, try making it more fun. Keep walks short but frequent, change up the route, and take him to a leash-free site where he’s guaranteed to meet other dogs. Bring healthy dog training treats. Tiny, tasty, and chock-full of real mixed berries, these 5-calorie treats from Nutro are perfect for keeping your pooch engaged… and moving.



  • Work With It

When your dog is just naturally prone to flatulence and you’ve altered his diet, paced his consumption, taken him on regular walks, and even rethought the treat situation, it may be time to incorporate a little digestive support. This veterinarian-formulated digestive dog treat from NaturVet comes in the form of a daily soft-chew. Made with white ginger to help alleviate stomach upset, yucca to minimize stool odour and both parsley and fennel seed to help relieve gassiness.


If your pooch is still heavily gassy, consult with your veterinarian to rule out causes such as parasites or ailments that require medical intervention.

Mary Simpson
Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and 2 felines who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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