Best Dog Food For Gassy Dogs: Ratings, Reviews & Top Picks

What’s worse than a dog that farts? There aren’t many smells that can empty a room quite like a bad bout of doggy gas! Unfortunately, dog gas is part of the canine owner course, and there is no escaping this fact. When you finally get fed up with the stink, it’s time to find the best dog food for your gassy dog. All dogs fart, and just like us humans, some more than others! Thankfully though, there are certain things that you can do to decrease his gassy disposition.

This guide will talk you through why your dog might be experiencing unpleasant flatulence, how to decrease his gas and what particular ingredients could be the root cause of it, and the better alternatives to look for. We have also scoured the market for the very best foods around that will hopefully contribute to a decrease in his gas.

Each of the foods we’ve hand-picked below are also popular amongst many dog owners who are also fed up with their dog’s gas. So, join us on our gas-reducing discovery, and hopefully, your dog, and the rest of your family, will be forever grateful!

At a Glance: Our Favorite Foods Gassy Dogs

Note: Clicking the above links will take you to Amazon.com, where you can get additional product information and customer reviews. If you make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Why Do Dogs Get Gas?

Ok, so let me repeat, this guide will not cure your dog from bad gas, because this is not possible, and nor would it be healthy! All dogs fart, some more than others, and some more smelly than others. You just need to work out how to reduce it.

If your beloved pooch is more gassy than normal, or he suffers from horrendous and non-stop gas compared to his other canine siblings, then there might be a reason for it:

Swallowed Air

This sounds like a very poor excuse (and one that my husband will probably now try to use too!), but it can actually be a cause of gas, and it is known as Aerophagia. When dogs eat their food far too quickly they also scoff a lot of air, which must go somewhere. Whilst this type of gas isn’t particularly smelly, it can still sound awful and put you off your dinner.

If this sounds like this could be the cause of your pooch’s gas, then try purchasing a slow feed bowl that is designed to make your dog eat, well, more slowly, which will in turn prevent the amount of air he will gulp.

Air swallowing is also more common in flat-faced breeds, such as the English Bulldog or the Pug. Pugs need a dog food tailored to their nutritional needs, as does the English Bulldog as a result. This is because they often breathe faster and have more trouble eating their food, and hence they eat more air. Flat-faced dogs struggle with slow-feed bowls too, so you may just have to accept this if you have a Brachycephalic breed.

Poor Diet

A poor-quality diet, either budget store-branded food or a diet full of human table scraps is also another factor. Firstly, budget brands tend to include more fillers and harder-to-digest fibers, which, when they reach the intestine, require the body to work harder to break them down, essentially causing smellier farts. A recipe that lists ash is also a sign of a poor product.

Secondly, human food scraps are not designed to be dog-gut friendly, and again are harder to break down which again cause more gas. So, if his diet is full of fatty human snacks and low-quality food, you should think about upgrading what you put in his bowl. Not only will this reduce his farts, but it will also improve his overall health and happiness too!

Too Much Protein

On the other hand, if your pooch is lucky enough to eat a very high-quality diet which has a high protein content, this too can be a cause of bad gas. Meat contains sulfur, red meats more so than poultry or fish, and when sulfur breaks down in the gut it can cause super stinky gas.

So, if your pup enjoys a high protein diet, try finding a dog food that offers a protein content of around 25%, or switch him to a fish or white meat-based recipe instead.

Lactose Intolerant

A puppy’s diet consists of their mother’s milk, and puppies produce an enzyme called lactase which essentially breaks down the sugar in milk, known as lactose. As they grow older the production of lactase becomes very limited, and as such, they cannot break down the milk as they once did. Because they struggle to break it down, their large intestine must work much harder which causes more gas. Older canines have their own dog food needs but don’t rule out a limited ingredient diet.

Whilst many premium dog food brands do not list dairy products in their ingredients you should double-check the ingredient list for yourself. Do not feed him any milk, cheese, yogurt, or any other dairy product.

Sensitive Stomach

Again, just like us humans, some dogs simply have sensitive stomachs that need to work much harder to break certain foods down, and this is the main cause of bad gas. If you think you can pinpoint certain foods as being the trigger for your pooch’s bad gas, then simply don’t feed him these foods.

If you can’t pinpoint it then try feeding him a limited-ingredient recipe. Do not feed him any other treats or food, and after a few weeks, you should notice that his flatulence has reduced. At this point you can slowly reintroduce foods back into his diet, and if the flatulence returns you will be better placed to pinpoint the cause of his bad gas.

Disease

There are certain diseases that can cause bad flatulence in a dog.  Some of these diseases include Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Neoplasia, Parasites, Infection of the GI tract, Pancreatitis, and Bacteria in the small intestine.

Diseases such as these also come with other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, a change in appetite, lethargy, and weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, then it is time to get yourself and your pooch down to your Veterinarian for a checkup as soon as you can.

Furthermore, 80% of his immune system is influenced by his gut, so it is important to find the right diet for his gut in order to keep his immunity strong, increase overall wellness and ward off other diseases.

---

Gas-Preventing Dog Food Tips

So we’ve spoken about certain foods and diets being the cause of bad gas, but let’s get more specific and talk about what to look for in a gas-reducing dog food. All of the points below are important when considering what type of food is going to be best for your pup. No food can solve all problems, so it may take testing a couple of different formulas to see what works best for your pup.

Natural Is Best

All natural foods are always the first thing to look for in gas reduction. Artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors are known to wreak havoc with a doggy digestive system. Harmful preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, and ethoxyquin should be avoided at all costs, and instead, rosemary extract or mixed tocopherols should be listed.

Limited Ingredient Recipes

If you are trying to work out what could be upsetting your dog’s stomach, then a limited-ingredient recipe could be your answer. Some limited ingredient dog foods list as little as 4 ingredients, which are fortified with vitamins, minerals and probiotics to support a healthy gut flora without forgetting overall wellness.

Digestible Fibers & Carbohydrates

Whilst some dogs find that high-fiber dog foods and/or diets help their digestive system and reduce gas, some find it too much. So, if you’ve tried a high-fiber diet but it didn’t work, try a brand with moderate fiber content, between 3% and 5.5%. Try a lower glycemic diet that also uses gentle grains, such as oatmeal and brown rice, and avoid harder-to-digest ones such as corn or wheat.

Additionally, look for vegetables such as sweet potatoes and pumpkin as they can also help support a regular digestive system. Soybean is also hard to digest so stick clear of dog foods that list this.

Omega Fatty Acids

A diet rich in omega fatty acids have a plethora of health benefits. From nourished skin and a shiny coat to healthy brain and eye function, omega fatty acids also work wonders for the gut by supporting it to function as it should. Look for omega fats such as Salmon and fish oils, flaxseed, canola oil, and linoleic acid found in Chicken fat and meat meals.

Prebiotics & Probiotics

Dog food recipes that are fortified with prebiotic fibers and probiotics are also supportive of sensitive stomachs. Probiotics such as lactobacillus casei or lactobacillus acidophilus, added after the cooking process to retain their potency, support a healthy gut. Brands that state that they provide live cultures will add that little extra boost of support for his digestive system too. Prebiotic fibers such as chicory root are also supportive of his intestinal tract.

---

Top Foods For Gassy Dogs

So, now you are armed with all the information you need to hopefully reduce your pooch’s bad gas. Using all this information we have scoured the market to find the very best gas-reducing dog foods around, and have found products suited to all dogs, including puppies, and small and large breed adults, as well as options for every budget.

---

The Farmer’s Dog offers four grain-free recipes that are fresh-prepared specifically for your dog’s breed and weight. The ingredients are natural and free of additives that can upset tummies. Depending on the formula, you will get a mix of veggies and meats like sweet potatoes, green beans, or even broccoli among the other produce fiber sources. All of these superfoods have nutrients to maintain a robust immune system.

If you’d prefer to include grains, you can always cook up some rice to mix in. This will not only help your dog’s diet and also spread the food across more meals, saving you money!

We love that these recipes are cooked fresh based on a personalized meal plan for your best friend. Every ingredient is human-grade, so you can be sure that your dog is getting the very best dog food possible while staying gas-free.

Made specifically for large breeds, this recipe has larger kibble pieces that they will prefer to munch on. Made with 10 limited ingredients or less, the main protein source here is Lamb, which makes it a great alternative for those dogs who struggle with poultry or fish protein.

Despite the limited ingredients, it is full of vitamins and minerals thanks to added supplements, and canola oil and Lamb meal provide all the omega fatty acids that he needs, as well as supporting his large bones and joints with glucosamine. This too is grain free and instead uses chickpeas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and lentils.

We love that this recipe is specifically designed for the nutritional needs of larger breeds, while still maintaining the need for digestive support. It’s on par with other bigger brands when comparing costs.

Designed specifically for puppies who have sensitive stomachs, the ingredients start with deboned Turkey and Turkey meal which are the only meat protein source. DHA and ARA are supplied through fish oils and not egg products, which is important for his development. The LifeSource Bits are full of optimized nutrients that all puppies need, and are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a strong immune system.

This recipe lists peas and pumpkin, so you can be sure that the fibers are gentle and highly digestible. It is a grain-inclusive diet using gentle oatmeal and brown rice and does not include any corn, soy or wheat. Listing important probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus also ensures enzyme support to limit his foul-smelling gas.

We love that this recipe is designed for puppies specifically, which means that they get all the puppy growing power they need even on a limited-ingredient diet.

This recipe is made with only 8 limited ingredients, with Salmon being the only protein source, in the form of fresh whole Salmon, Salmon meal, and freeze-dried raw Salmon, so if your small breed loves Salmon we think he might like this recipe! Peas, lentils, and garbanzo beans replace the need for grains, which is important for some pooches.

A probiotic solution, including lactobacillus casei and acidophilus, is added to every kibble piece so you can be sure that his digestive system is supported with every bite and helps to reduce bad gas. Salmon and canola oil provide plenty of omega fatty acids, so his overall health is cared for, and with extra added vitamin and mineral supplements so is his immunity.

We love that this recipe is great for small breeds who need smaller kibble pieces for their smaller mouths.

Salmon and fish meal are the first two ingredients, followed by Salmon meal and smoked Salmon, so you can be sure it is rich in omega fatty acids and oils for his overall health. No other protein is used so it is just as effective as a limited-ingredient recipe. Lactobacillus acidophilus is listed also, and it is preserved naturally with no nasty additives.

Dried chicory root and sweet potatoes provide prebiotic and gentle fibers, and each pound of kibble contains live microorganisms to support healthy gut flora. Antioxidants are found in blueberries and raspberries, as well as vitamins and mineral supplements.

We love that this recipe has the lowest fiber content on this list, which makes it the best option for those dogs who are gassy because of the higher fiber content in their previous diet.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I decrease my dog’s gassiness?

You can reduce your dog’s problems with gas by ensuring that your pup has a healthy lifestyle, doing multiple feedings instead of one, and monitoring everything your dog ingests. Some dogs eat poop, and this alone can cause extreme flatulence. This is behavioral and can be addressed without switching foods.

Is being gassy a serious health issue?

Only your vet can answer this question, but generally speaking, not having gas as a dog isn’t harmful at all. In fact, most dogs pass gas just like humans, but the smell factor is what mostly depends on their diet. You may consider a pea or lentil-free dog food if that seems to bother your pup.

Should my dog be on medication?

Typically no, but this is a good question for your vet because every dog’s situation is going to be different.

Does eating grass cause gas in dogs?

It can yes. Your dog might eat grass for a number of reasons too, so it’s important to consult with a vet if this is happening frequently.

Will probiotics give my dog gas?

It can possibly, yes. It will usually stop after your dog gets used to having probiotics in their food.

Will pumpkins, carrots, or other vegetables give my dog gas?

If it’s the first time introducing these foods into their diet, yes, it’s likely that your dog’s stomach may get a little gassy. This is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about unless it happens continuously.

Final Thoughts

 So now you know that there are a lot of things that you can do to reduce doggy flatulence. Whilst they might take a few weeks to take effect, being patient is key to working out what works and doesn’t work for Fido’s stomach.

Be sure to try out our gas-reducing tips and choose from our list of options above, and hopefully your house will be (almost) gas free in no time! And remember, if none of it works then you need to visit your Veterinarian.