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I'm sure every pet parent can relate to my experience – sometimes, one of our dogs has gas. There are a few times when all of them have gas. A fart here and there doesn't cause concern, but when my dogs can clear a room and their gas lasts for more than 24 hours – I have to do something. The smell is disgusting, and my dogs are uncomfortable. So I have a full proof (for my dogs, at least) plan to settle their gut and stop the gas.

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian or an animal nutritionist. If you have a health concern, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

Foods that Cause Gas and Diarrhea in My Dogs

If your dog has been a family member for a while, you may have a good idea of what will lead to gas. With our dogs, there are a few foods that'll do it:

• some proteins due to a sensitivity
• some raw blends (there are a few brands that are a no-no for my dogs)
• green beef tripe
• too much organ meat
• foods that are difficult to digest (this can vary with our dogs)
• too much fiber (vegetables or a supplement)
• digestive enzymes

Other foods that may cause gas and diarrhea in some dogs include:

• spoiled meat
• beans and lentils
• too much fat in the diet (fish, fish oil, coconut oil, duck skin, fatty meat, and dairy)
• a rapid change in diet

Every dog is unique, and not everything listed here poses an issue with all dogs. My dogs ate an old, dead rabbit they found and didn't have an issue. I feed my boys more than a 1/4 cup of green tripe, and I gas and diarrhea will join the party the next day.

Other Reasons Our Dogs May Get Gas

Foods aren't the only culprit for gas and diarrhea in dogs. In my experience, some medications can lead to diarrhea in some dogs, including sedatives to calm anxiety, antibiotics, herbal supplements, and chemotherapy drugs. And the main culprit in many dogs is swallowing air because they're eating too fast.

And finally, there are health issues that result in digestive upset, like irritable bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), and food sensitivities.

How I Stop Gas in My Dogs

When my dogs have gas or diarrhea, I can clear it up 99% of the time. #knockonwood If I cannot settle my dog's tummy and clear up the gas and diarrhea, then I call their veterinarian. But, 99% of the time, I do one of the following:

Olewo Carrots – Olewo carrots are a natural supplement that supports gut health and vision health, and these carrots clear digestive upset and diarrhea. The carrots are grown in nutrient-rich soil and processed immediately after harvesting, turned into pellets that we hydrate and mix into our dogs' food. A little goes a long way, and it works.

And, no, you can't just buy a bag of carrots and feed them to your dogs to get the same result.

Organic Canned Pumpkin (or Sweet Potato) – a great source of antioxidants and vitamins. The main reason I recommend pumpkin and sweet potato is the fiber content that supports digestive health. Fiber soaks up water in the digestive tract, adding bulk to stool and slowing down/stopping diarrhea and, in some cases, gas.

Slippery Elm – this natural supplement that soothes and lubricates the digestive tract, easing inflammation and irritation. This is a great option for short-term diarrhea.

Fullbucket Daily Canine Powder – I love this product and use it solely to calm a digestive flair-up. I add 2x the recommended dosage for a few days, stopping when I see a change (usually after 24-48 hours). I no longer add this supplement to my dogs' diet daily for fear of negatively impacting their natural gut flora.

Activated Charcoal – if I worry that my dog got into something toxic, I reach for activated charcoal. It absorbs and traps toxins and carries them out of the system. The dog's stool will be darker while everything passes, but it's an effective treatment. Be sure to check with your veterinarian for the appropriate dosage.

Rx Vitamins Rx Clay Powder – similar to activated charcoal, bentonite clay is a great option if your dog ate something toxic. It acts like a sponge in the system, absorbing toxins and carrying them out of the system.

When I Need to Call the Veterinarian

Most gas and diarrhea clear up within 24 hours with my dogs without intervention. On day two, I will reach for one of the abovementioned solutions.

If the gas and diarrhea won't clear up with one of the above solutions after a few days OR if they're accompanied by one of the following, then I'm going to call the vet or take my dog to the emergency vet:

• vomiting
• lethargy
• very liquid diarrhea (instead of loose stool)
• lack of appetite
• tenderness in the belly area
• constant stretching, as if trying to gain comfort

How to Prevent Gas in Raw Fed Dogs

One of the first things pet parents can do to prevent gas in their dogs is to slow them down when eating…

• feed from stainless steel slow feeder bowls
• create a relaxed environment; our dogs have plenty of space to avoid competition
• pay attention to your dog's diet and avoid foods/ingredients that cause gas
• if a medication causes gas, follow up with canned pumpkin (or something else from the above list)
• make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise; this helps keep everything moving

For raw fed dogs that are gulpers, some may recommend feeding frozen or partially frozen foods to slow them down. I completely disagree. Food fed at room temperature or warmed food is easier to digest, and the nutrients are more bioavailable.

One Final Thought About Our Farting Dogs

Don't allow a stranger on social media to convince you that raw fed dogs shouldn't get gas. It's simply not true. In a perfect world, no one would fart. But farts happen. So does diarrhea. This can be a bump in the road on an otherwise smooth ride or a heads-up about something more serious.

It's important to remember that 70-80% of the immune system lives in the gut. A dog that regularly has gas and diarrhea may also have other health issues or they're coming. If you have a dog that can clear the room, speak with your veterinarian and start educating yourself about any health issues (IBD, EPI, food sensitivities, etc.) and treat the gas as a sign of things to come. By doing so, you may be able to prevent health issues.

Read More About Dog Health and Raw Feeding

• Ultimate Guide to Kombucha for Dogs: Benefits and Risks
• The Omnivore Misconception: Unraveling the Truth About Dogs
• How Soon Do the Benefits of Raw Dog Food Appear?
• Easy Venison Homemade Dog Food Recipe
• Are Most Homemade Dog Food Recipes Nutrient Deficient?