Home Remedies: Gas Relief for Dogs

Dogs can develop gas either because of a digestive problem or aging. Although occasional gas is normal, chronic gas is irritating and can be worrisome. Before you take your dog to a vet for an expensive checkup, there are home remedies you can try.

Dogs need exercise just as people do. Making sure dogs get time to walk and play outside is good for overall health. Exercise for your dog has an added benefit when it comes to gas. Walking and running help to stimulate bowel movements, which can alleviate gas. Also, the more chance your dog has to release his flatulence outside, the less often he'll do it in the house.

Don't feed your dog table scraps, especially anything that has dairy in it. Raw vegetables, meat and other leftovers can also cause gas, so stay away from those as well. Check your dog's food and treat labels to see if they contain any soy products; soy can cause gas in dogs. You can try adding yogurt to your dog's diet, but be sure to pick a brand that is loaded with digestive-friendly bacteria.

Anise and fennel are natural substances that are known to relieve gas and help with digestion. There are also several natural products sold at pet stores, such as CurTail Pet Food Enzyme Drops and Dinovite, that claim to help with gas and digestion problems.

While there are several changes you can make to what your dog eats, you can also make changes to how he eats. If your dog wolfs down his food, he may also gulp in air, which can lead to gas. Put a large object in your dog's bowl so he has to eat around it. This will force him to eat slower and take smaller bites. You can also raise your dog's food bowl. The farther he has to bend his neck down to reach the bowl, the more likely he is to swallow air. If you have more than one pet, feed them in separate rooms or at different times. When pets eat together, they feel like they are in competition to protect their food, which leads them to eat fast. Make sure to feed your dog the right amount of food, because overeating can also cause gas.

If all else fails, try activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is a fine, black, tasteless powder made of wood and other substances that have been burned at very high temperatures and then exposed to certain chemicals. Every dog owner should keep some around, because its main use is in cases of possible poisonings. It works by absorbing toxins in the stomach. That same mechanism also works to absorb gases in the digestive system.