Dog gas! Holy Moley! Could it be breed specific? Could it be from ingesting the cat kibble?

Question

Okay, dog gas is NASTY! My Chi likes to curl up on my chest when I'm on the laptop, and my Westie snuggles right beside me.

One of them had the most foul odor this evening. Each likes to partake of the cat kibble if we don't pick it up quick enough (the Chi more so than the Westie).

Here's the question -- is one breed more than any other prone to gas issues? Could the cat kibble be contributing to the dog's methane output? What's in the cat kibble that reacts so horribly in the K9's bellies?

Both dogs eat Artemis Fresh Mix Small Breed Adult dry kibble exclusively (unless they're eating the cats Artemis Feline kibble). We do not give table scraps at ALL.

Appreciate your knowledge of all things gassy. I think I need a bath.. peeeeewwwww!

It's a rare phenomenon (Thank God) but man it'll knock your socks off!

To expand further, both dogs had (within the last hour) done their big business, so they aren't constipated or ill or anything.

Just stinky tonight!

I love all of these answers!! I'm not alone!!

http://www.artemiscompany.com is a holistic dog food recommended by their trainer.

Answer 1

This is a phenomenon that's well known to people who own German shepherds -- quite possibly the worst "gasbags" in the entire known universe. I had one German shepherd whose effluvia was so noxious that he'd chase HIMSELF out of the room. That's pretty sad, if you ask me.

Some foods will contribute to WDS (Windy Doggy Syndrome), and the cat food may be a factor in your dogs' cases. Cat food isn't formulated for dogs, and it can play heck on some canine innards.

And some brands of dog food can have the same effect. A friend of ours used to feed his two 120 pound black Labs "Old Roy" brand food. Lemme tell ya, 240 collective pounds of black Lab can produce enough methane to suffocate half of Grand Central Station and make the other half WISH they'd died.

This went on until Rich's wife collared him (literally) and told him in no uncertain terms that if he brought home another 50 pound bag of "Old Roy," he'd best be prepared to eat the whole d@mn bag by himself! That was the immediate end of the Old Roy and the gaseous Labs saga.

Good luck. . .if you can't keep the dogs out of the cat food, I can probably get you WWII gas masks at a reasonable price! ;-)

Answer 2

LOL! I'm a Vet Tech and I get this question alot! Food absolutely has to do with gas. The brand of food and kitty food will add to the amount an odor of gas. Including treats. Same as people! I'm not formalize with the brand you're feeding. There are no studies on gas & breeds! Puppies & Kittens have the worst smelling poop for some reasons! Any thing givin to an animal that is first introduced can give diarrhea and/or gas. It could be the cat food. It is safe to regular gas-X to a K-9.

Answer 3

I Know Cat Foods Not Good For Dogs..My Vet Told Me That..Is To Rich He Said...I Dont Think One breed can be more Gasey than Another..I had a Foster Doxie That Could Strip the Paint off the Walls..And My Cousins Doxie Doesnt.My Sisters Boxer..I kept her for a Month..I sat with a Can of Febreze When the Dog was Around! My Lab Stella, She smells like her Diet consists soley of Boiled Rotten Eggs!!!!All She Gets is Dry and Whatever she can Sneak!!!!

Answer 4

I am not familiar with the food that you are feeding them. It could possibly be the diet they are on. One way to find out is to somehow reinforce they are not getting into the cat kibble at all. It is bad for them anyway.
If the gas continues after you have eliminated that problem, you may want to consider switching their dog food to something wich is not so rich or so stinky. (IF that is the problem!)
I think all dogs farts are very stinky but if they are doing it often or all the time, you have a problem and I am glad it isn't mine! Especially since I have three good sized dogs.

Answer 5

Oh, you're tellin' me! I knew a young Lab (10 months) who cleared a room with a Silent But Deadly!

I don't believe it's breed specific. I have heard that the amount of gas they have is related to how fast they eat. A dog that chows down really fast also swallows a lot of air with their food, and will "toot" more than slower eaters. I wish I could remember where I heard that, but it seems to be true with my two doggies. We never had a problem until the puppy arrived. She's a fast eater, the older dog is slow and picky. Every evening after her last meal, the smell is baaad! At least we have a ceiling fan that seems to clear it out quickly.

Answer 6

II don't think it has anything to do with the cay food. My dogs do not get any scraps nor do I have a cat they can sneak "kibble" from. I think all animals can get a case of gas. I know my dogs get gassy from time to time and boy does it stink.

Answer 7

Kitty food can cause gas and/or diarrhea in dogs - not sure why, but it can. If it continues, I'd take poochy to the vet and make sure that is the cause. A good thing to give your dog for foul smelling gas, stool, breath, etc., is Acidophilus. Be sure to get one that is formulated for dogs. This stuff balances things in the digestive tract, with beneficial bacteria that we ALL need. Good luck!

Answer 8

My beagle is a fart machine, unfortunately. Otherwise he is adorable. My husband insists on feeding him 2 hot dogs a day, and once in a while, table food. Keep cans of air freshener around the house to grab in a hurry. That's what I do. :)

Answer 9

lol I bet it's just the cat food. Farts are not breed specific as far as I know. My Iggy gobbled some soft cat food once and he had the worst farts EVER. He farted all night and I had to move him into another room because I thought I would die.

Answer 10

It's got to be methane plus something infinitely worse. I used to have a cocker who from half way across the living room would chase me out.

And you're right - sooo putrid!