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It’s no surprise that the adaptable and all-around adorable French Bulldog became the number one dog breed in America, but if there’s one thing many owners would change if they could, it’s the flatulence.
Thanks to their short noses and sensitive digestive systems, French Bulldogs tend to pass gas and stink up the house more than the average dog. While we can’t control their physiology, owners can work with it to reduce the issue. If you’re tired of bearing your Frenchie’s constant toots, check out these insights into why French Bulldogs fart so much and how you can manage it for everyone’s sake.
Why Do French Bulldogs Fart?
French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs have a reputation for farting more than most dogs. The issue primarily centers on the shortened faces that define brachycephalic dogs like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Boxers, but the Frenchie also has unique intestinal sensitivities that cause a higher chance of flatulence and foul-smelling stools.
Brachycephaly and Air Ingestion
The shortened faces on brachycephalic dogs are a cute feature but don’t do much for their health. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a common issue these dogs face, as their elongated palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, and other malformations create significant breathing difficulties.
Signs of BOAS include:
- Loud breathing
- Snoring and wheezing
- Gagging
- Panting
Issues like these can make conditions like heat stroke and exercise intolerance a more pressing concern. Brachycephalic dogs also swallow a lot of air. Aerophagia, the ingestion of air into the digestive tract, occurs as dogs struggle to breathe, but it also often happens when they eat too quickly. Once the air gets to their stomach, dogs can either burp it up or let it pass and fart it out.
Gastrointestinal Upset
French Bulldogs are more prone than many other dogs to gastrointestinal disease and this can lead to flatulance, vomiting, regurgitation, and diarrhea. Brachycephalic dogs also already have a higher incidence of gastrointestinal disorders. French Bulldogs have shown much higher odds of esophageal, gastric, and intestinal diseases that could lead to more flatulence. One study showed that 93% of Frenchies with BOAS also had gastroitnestinal signs, but these signs appeared to improve after corrective surgery.
How to Reduce Your French Bulldog’s Farting
Knowing the unique causes of your French Bulldog’s excessive farting, we can see there are two essential solutions — stop them from swallowing air and improve their digestion. While your vet is your best resource for developing a tailored diet and routine, the following tips may help you decrease your Frenchie’s flatulence today.
Surgery
If your Frenchie is showing signs of BOAS, a surgery may not only improve their flatulance and other gastrointestinal issues, it could save their life. Severe BOAS restricts a French Bulldog’s ability to get enough oxygen into their blood. Oxygen deprivation can lead to blue/purple gums, collapse, and death if it isn’t resolved in a matter of minutes.
Provide a Balanced Diet with High-Quality Ingredients
Excessive fiber can cause Frenchies to fart more than usual, especially if they’re eating low-quality foods withother ingredients that produce gas. Give your dog a consistent, high-quality diet formulated for their life stage. Avoid offering table scraps, and keep the treats to a minimum, providing them as no more than 10% of your dog’s diet.
Avoid Fart-Inducing Ingredients
Many food sources are known for spurring flatulence more than others. If your French Bulldog is prone to farting, you may limit its severity by avoiding the following foods in their diet:
- Certain vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts)
- Dairy items, especially if your dog is lactose intolerant
- Beans
- Spices
- Soybeans
Slow Your Dog’s Feeding
Some of a French Bulldog’s flatulence can come from inhaling their food and gulping down air. If your dog is a fast feeder, try to pace their eating and reduce the likelihood of swallowing air by replacing their standard food bowl with a sectioned slow-feeding bowl.
You can also try breaking your dog’s meals into smaller portions to keep them from eating too quickly for too long.
Exercise Your Dog Daily
Frequent exercise is essential in maintaining efficient digestive function for your dog. Give your French Bulldog 30–60 minutes of physical activity split between walks and playtime to keep their system running smoothly.
Give Your Frenchie Probiotics
Restoring a healthy intestinal microbiome will improve digestions, with less gas produced by fermentation in the colon. Consider a probiotic supplement to optimize your dog’s digestion. Several dog-focused products are available online or in pet stores.
If your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, you may even give them a dose of healthy bacteria with a few spoonfuls of plan Greek yogurt. You may want to consult your vet before offering your French Bulldog probiotics in their diet.
Since these dogs can respond sensitively to minor changes in the diet, you must ensure they’ll comfortably and safely tolerate whatever you offer.
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Monitor for Gastrointesitinal Disease
As we mentioned French Bulldogs are prone to gastrointestinal disease like inflammatory bowel disease, stomach ulcers, and hiatal herniea— a condition where the entry to the stomach is sucked into the chest cavity. If you notice gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain consult with your vet for a treatment plan to help your dog.
Final Thoughts
A Frenchie’s farts are cute and funny to a point, and then they get overwhelming, irritating, and, if they persist, a little concerning. French Bulldogs are uniquely built to be more flatulent than most breeds, but you have several possible solutions to limit their gassiness with minimal fuss. Try these solutions at home today, and if you still need help, ask your vet about changes to their diet or routine that can finally put a damper on your dog’s farting.
Featured Image Credit: eva_blanco, Shutterstock
