So your Dobie is letting them rip like no tomorrow! This is a frequent issue that owners have to deal with, so you’re not alone. This article runs through the known reasons why farting happens with Dobermans, and ways you can prevent it from happening.
A diet that is being poorly digested is the main reason why Dobermans fart so much. Other reasons include swallowing too much air when eating or drinking (Aerophagia), consuming the wrong kinds of food, or due to specific health concerns.
Table of Contents
3 Reasons Why Your Doberman Farts So Much
If your Dobie has excessive flatulence issues, it will be caused by one of the following (or a combination of them). Let’s get into it!
1. Diet & Food Issues
The number one reason behind most gassy Dobermans is their diet and the kinds of food they are eating.
It could be the type of ingredients your Dobie is eating or it could be that your Dobie isn’t digesting something well within his diet. A lot has to do with how well his digestion, so it’s something I will point out consistently.
Common foods that are known to cause digestion issues:
- Chicken, beef, lamb, or pork (used everywhere, yet considered a common allergen!)
- Milk and dairy products (very common in treats and food)
- Fermentable fibers (oat bran, lactulose, psyllium, pectins)
- Soybeans, beans, peas (very common in kibble)
- Garlic, onion, salt, chocolate, raisins, grapes, xylitol, certain nuts (considered toxic for dogs)
- Spicy foods
- Preservatives and additives
- Rotton and spoiled food
As you can see, this list looks extremely familiar! And it’s true, nearly all kibble contains at least one of the above. Unfortunately, these are all known to cause digestion issues, and with digestion issues, comes gas.
● Chicken, beef, lamb, and pork.
Despite being so common, these meats are actually classed as common allergens, meaning they upset not all, but a lot of stomachs. This could be the cause of your Doberman’s excessive farting. Many owners have success opting for protein sources like salmon, duck, turkey, or other kinds of fish. These protein sources usually digest better for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
● Nearly all adult dogs are lactose intolerant.
Yep, practically all adult dogs are lactose intolerant, either completely or at least a little. When your Doberman puppy was weaned off his mother’s milk, his body would have naturally stopped producing an enzyme called lactase. And it’s this enzyme that’s needed to breakdown lactose (the natural sugar in dairy products). Of course, without this enzyme, dairy products do not digest well, and this can cause excessive flatulence as a result.
● Have you recently changed foods?
If you have recently tried a new dog food, it could be the cause behind his flatulence. It could either be a slow transition period OR that the food isn’t working well for him. Transition periods usually only take around 5-10 days, so if he is still expelling gas, or has other symptoms like diarrhea after this period, it may suggest the new food isn’t going to work for him.
I will run through further tips and best practices for food and diet in the next section.
2. Aerophagia (swallowing too much air)
Aerophagia at first doesn’t sound like a big deal, but swallowing too much air can cause bigger issues.
What causes your Doberman to swallow too much air?
- Eating too fast
- Eating too soon after exercise
- Eating from a bowl that’s too low down
- Eating fermentable foods that expel gas once inside
- General stress & anxiety can cause aerophagia throughout the day
- Underlying respiratory disease
The problem is that ingesting air can actually lead to further issues like Gastric Torsion (GDV) and Bloat which are both serious health concerns that need veterinary attention.
There are a few ways to tackle and prevent Aerophadia that I will discuss in the section after.
3. Underlying Health Concerns
According to Vet West Animal Hospital, there are a handful of health concerns that cause excessive flatulence to be a symptom. Check them out below:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Intestinal parasites
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Enteritis
- Tumors
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
There is a range of other symptoms that go along with these health concerns, but excessive flatulence certainly is one of them.
It’s virtually impossible to diagnose your Doberman from home, and from Google! (I’m guilty of it too).
This raises the importance of having regular routine check-ups with your veterinarian, as well as ruling out health concerns before you try solving this issue yourself.
Fortunately, in most cases, as I mentioned above, excessive flatulence is usually diet-related, then aerophagia-related. Health concerns are the least common reason, but it’s still something to keep in mind.
Popular Doberman Articles:
● How Much Exercise Do Dobermans Really Need?
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● Are Dobermans Better In Pairs?
Ways To Stop Your Doberman Farting So Much
There are a few great ways to prevent your Dobie from being so gassy! Gas masks may finally be removed.
1. Raise Your Doberman’s Food Bowl
Neck position when eating significantly impacts Aerophagia and air consumption. One of the easiest things you can try right away is to raise your Doberman’s food bowl up from the ground.
This will align his neck better and will put less stress on his body as he eats. This is known to be one of the best ways to prevent Aerophagia while eating and drinking.
Fortunately, you can buy raised food bowls at all different heights, or you can even buy adjustable ones. You can see a range of them here (Amazon).
In the meantime, you can place his dinner bowl on a box or step and see if your situation improves over the course of a week. Remember, it may well be his neck position giving him all the gas. So give it a shot.
2. Consider Switching Kibbles
I know, switching kibbles is awkward, expensive, and tiring. But it could be what’s needed to prevent your Dobie from farting.
Check the ingredients on your current kibble and consider whether it’s worth the change. It’s likely that all kibble will contain at least some of those culprit ingredients, but the fewer, the better.
Let’s run through some pointers for switching kibbles…
Switch to a different protein source. Opt for a kibble that uses salmon, duck, turkey, or other fish as the main ingredient. Avoid allergens like chicken, beef, pork, and lamb. You would be surprised how many dogs suffer from digestive issues their entire life because they eat chicken-based kibble.
Opt for a kibble that’s tailored for sensitive eaters. Sensitive stomachs are a big thing among dogs of all breeds and ages. That’s why there are many kibbles specifically made for sensitive eaters. Usually, these kibbles contain less irritable ingredients and fewer ingredients, in general, to make it digest better. Remember that improving digestion is the key to reducing flatulence.
Go for grain-free. There’s heavy debate surrounding whether grain-free is good or bad for dogs, and that’s best reserved for a different article. But, when it comes to gassiness and flatulence, grain-free kibbles are known to reduce bad gassy habits. So you may want to give a grain-free kibble a try.
If you want to try switching kibbles, always opt for a reputable brand and give your Dobie 5-10 days for his body to adjust to the new food. Monitor his gas issues after a couple of weeks.
If you are unsure about making dietary changes, please consult your veterinarian first.
3. Reduce Stress and Anxiety From His Life
Stress and anxiety are big contributors to a range of negative health issues. Aerophagia and IBS are two of them, both of which cause excessive flatulence.
Stress is a broad topic when it comes to dogs, but it’s just as easily brought on as it is with us. Following issues that can cause canine stress:
● Lack of exercise and activity
● Lack of attention from owners and family
● Being left alone for long periods of time
● His environment (is your household calm, busy, noisy?)
● An insufficient relationship with you and the family
● Being punished or shouted at
● Not receiving enough mental stimulation (training or mind puzzles)
As stress can be caused by many things, is easier to think about each major area of his life and consider if he’s lacking somewhere…
Maybe he spends several hours alone every day, maybe his exercise is not enough, or perhaps he doesn’t receive enough attention in general.
Healthy habits and an active lifestyle with a set routine are what create a stress-free and happy Dobie.
Can Dobermans Eat Charcoal Dog Biscuits?
If you’ve spent some time googling this topic already, you would have seen by now other owners mentioning charcoal dog biscuits. And it’s certainly a thing. Even veterinarians often recommend charcoal dog biscuits as an effective and immediate solution to excessive gas.
Activated charcoal is made from natural products like wood, coconut shells, and bamboo. It has many detoxifying properties and it’s said to work to reduce and absorb gas from within the stomach and intestines.
However, charcoal dog biscuits should only ever be tried as a short-term solution. It is not recommended or advised to feed your Dobie charcoal biscuits long-term. The flatulence must be solved and rectified properly.
And you must only purchase activated charcoal DOG biscuits. HUMAN activated charcoal is not the same and you should not give your Doberman human versions of anything activated charcoal related.
Although many owners do commend these biscuits, I would definitely consult with your local veterinarian first about whether this is something you should try with your Doberman.
Key Points Summarized
To clarify everything that’s been said including the causes, the solutions, and what to think about, I’ve listed the key points below.
● For most Dobermans, it will be their diet that causes them to fart
● The second & third reason why your Dobie could be farting is due to Aerophagia, and then health concerns
● Rule out health concerns with your veterinarian early on to avoid worrying
● The easiest thing to do first is to raise his food bowl up
● Avoid feeding him too soon after his exercise
● Encourage him to eat slower by using a maze bowl
● Consider switching his kibble to avoid common allergens and irritable ingredients
● Consider a kibble that’s made for sensitive stomachs
● Work to reduce as much stress as possible from your Dobie’s life and environment
● Ensure your Dobie is receiving enough exercise and mental stimulation
● Ask your veterinarian about whether you can use charcoal dog biscuits with your Dobie
Thank you for reading! I really hope the information has provided you with some helpful insights into what could be causing your Dobie’s farting, as well as some solutions to try.
If I have missed out on anything, please let me know! I love hearing feedback and am always happy to add in relevant sections.