Flatulence in French Bulldogs can be quite annoying. If you have a Frenchie, you may be wondering why French Bulldogs fart so often and why they’re so smelly.
It may not be the most pleasant topic, but there is some valuable information about why this happens so often and what to do about it.
Why Do French Bulldogs Fart So Much?
Your French Bulldog farts a lot, and you must know why. I can’t blame you!
While this doesn’t happen to all Frenchies, and it’s not always so regular, a lot of times it is, and the smell can be so bad you really may think there is a bigger issue. Knowing why may help you, as a pet owner, feel a little bit better about it.
Gas
Flatulence occurs when gas accumulates in the intestines. The gas is created when intestinal bacteria process the food that the dog has received. Gas formation is very normal, but gas must also leave the body. This often happens in the form of a badly smelling fart.
Keep in mind that, like humans, this happens to every dog. While French Bulldogs’ farts are extra smelly, farts are not exclusive to Frenchies. Older dogs experience flatulence more than younger dogs. Occasional passing of gas is normal.
When it becomes persistent and extra smelly, that’s when you should look more into why and treatment.
Food Sensitivity or Allergy
Regular flatulence can indicate that your Frenchie is sensitive to a certain food. Many dogs are sensitive or allergic to the beef protein, chicken meat, or dairy.
If this is the case with your Frenchie, their gastrointestinal tract gets upset and results in a bubbled belly, flatulence, and sometimes diarrhea after consuming one of these foods.
This can also manifest itself in skin complaints, such as itching and rash.
If you are giving your Frenchie table food, your dog is certainly sensitive to these foods. In addition, many of our own meals are not suitable for the dog’s stomach. Dogs’ stomachs do not agree with the ingredients in our food, which make it spicy, sweet, or salty. Be sure you are giving your dog appropriate dog food; more on that later.
Other Stomach Issues
Unfortunately, French Bulldog farts can also indicate an irritated or inflamed intestinal tract. If symptoms persist for more than a week, your dog starts to have diarrhea, or your dog’s stool has blood in it, immediately contact your veterinarian.
Gobbling
Some dogs eat very quickly or gobble, and doing this causes them to gulp air. Then, air bubbles travel through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines before leaving again as a strong and sometimes smelly “wind.”
A slow feed bowl is a great option if your Frenchie is a gobbler.
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Nutrition
Food is a huge component of Flatulence. French Bulldog farts, and all dogs for that matter, are more prevalent when their diet consists of a lot of soybeans, peas, dairy, and high-fat products. Check ingredients and change food if needed. Remember that dogs should not consume dairy.
Is my Dog in Pain?
When French Bulldogs fart, they are releasing built-up gas. As this passes through them, they may experience discomfort or stomach cramps in their belly, just like with humans.
We can sometimes tell if they are not feeling right by their behavior. They may either start acting out or eating unusual objects. Remember, our fur babies have no words to express how they’re feeling. If you notice these behaviors, consult your vet.
How Can I Make it Stop?
To resolve long-term flatulence in French Bulldogs, you should most importantly consider its diet. You can ask yourself the following questions:
- Is my dog’s food easy to digest?
- Is this food complete with essential vitamins and minerals?
- Does the food contain a lot of starch or grains?
- Does my dog also have flatulence with other types of food?
- Is my dog perhaps allergic or hypersensitive?
- Does my dog have any more complaints?
A well-fed French bulldog has a healthy gastrointestinal tract and a strong immune system. Yet no dog is the same when it comes to food.
One performs best with a certain type of high-quality kibble. Another may best digest fresh meat. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of food. The fact that your dog appears sensitive to a certain type of food does not mean that he has to use hypoallergenic food.
Changing my Frenchie’s Diet
Are you going to change your Frenchie’s diet? If so, do this gradually because dogs’ gastrointestinal tract is sensitive and needs time to get used to it. You can mix the new food with less and less of the old food until their meal consists of only their new food.
Give new foods or diets a couple of weeks before making your conclusion if it works or not. This allows for a proper adjustment time.
If the problem gets worse, you should return to the old diet. Contact your vet if it worsens or persists at the same rate. You can speak to a veterinarian now using the link below.
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Can I Prevent it?
French Bulldog farts can be so displeasing to human family members and may also not be pleasant to your pup, so it’s ideal to prevent it in the first place. Again, diet is crucial and is usually the best way to avoid flatulence in the first place.
For most dogs, avoiding people’s food, dairy, and bad carbs (soy, corn, and wheat) is the key to a proper diet.
As soon as you get your new Frenchie, look for foods with these ingredients:
- Protein
- Good carbohydrates and grains from fruit, vegetables, rice, oats, and barley
- Healthy fats found in meat and oils (omega-3, omega-6, fish oils)
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Water
Some dogs may need limited-ingredient foods like this one by Natural Balance.
Avoid foods with the following:
- Extracts from meat: choose food with real meat
- Preservatives (BHA and BHT)
- Artificial colors (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE)
- Gluten
- Corn syrup
- White flour
It may be inevitable that your senior Frenchie is going to fart more than you’d like. This is because older dogs’ bodies become less able to process and digest certain foods. In this case, provide them with the best food that you can. And always contact your vet if you need to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do French Bulldogs fart so much?
Flatulence in French Bulldogs can be caused by gas accumulation in the intestines, food sensitivity or allergy, stomach issues, gobbling, and certain dietary factors such as high soybean, peas, dairy, and high-fat content.
What should I do if my French Bulldog’s flatulence is persistent and extra smelly?
If the flatulence persists for more than a week, is accompanied by diarrhea, or has blood in the stool, you should contact your veterinarian.
Can French Bulldog farts indicate pain?
French Bulldogs may experience discomfort or stomach cramps as the gas passes through them. If you notice changes in behavior, such as acting out or eating unusual objects, consult your vet.
How can I make French Bulldog flatulence stop?
To resolve long-term flatulence in French Bulldogs, consider their diet by checking if it’s easy to digest, complete with essential vitamins and minerals, low in starch and grains, and not causing any allergic or hypersensitive reactions. A well-fed French Bulldog will have a healthy gastrointestinal tract and a strong immune system.
Can a slow feed bowl help with French Bulldog flatulence caused by gobbling?
Yes, a slow feed bowl can help as it prevents your Frenchie from gobbling and gulping air, which can cause air bubbles to travel through their esophagus, stomach, and intestines and leave as a strong and smelly “wind”.
