A Rodale Press contribution
It's no secret when Rex passes gas. But he can't help being a four-pawed faux pas. After all, intestinal gas is a natural part of digestion. "It's just that some animals produce more than others," says William D. Fortney, D.V.M., assistant professor of small animal medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Manhattan, Kansas.
Cats are also prone to flatulence, although their diets and eating habits tend to make them less gassy than dogs. "Besides, there's a big difference between a flatulent little cat and a flatulent 80-pound dog," says Dr. Fortney.
No matter the perpetrator, flatulence is an ill wind that blows no good. So if you find yourself crying foul when your pet's around, try these tips.
For Dogs and Cats
Work it out with a walk.
Exercise helps move gas out of the intestine, and if your pet happens to relieve himself on his walk, even more gas will be released. "Just make sure to stay upwind," Dr. Fortney advises.Oy! Soy!
If your pet is frequently gassy, the culprit could be soybeans. Packed with protein, soybeans comprise up to 25 percent of some pet foods. While that's not a problem for most dogs and cats, some may find soy hard to digest, says Kathryn Michel, D.V.M., a researcher and nutrition expert in the Department of Clinical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. "Changing to a food with less soy or no soy could make a big difference," she says.To determine how much soy a product contains, look at the label. Ingredients positioned near the top of the list comprise the bulk of a product, while those farther down are included in smaller amounts.
Switch brands slowly.
If you notice a sudden change for the worse in air quality after changing foods, you might have gone too quickly. "It takes a while for the bacteria in the colon to adjust to a new diet," says Richard Hill, B.V.M., Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical nutrition and a specialist in internal medicine in the Department of Small Animal Sciences at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville. He suggests switching over a period of three days, substituting one-third of the new food for one-third of the old each day.Stash the trash.
"If your dog or cat gets into the garbage, the digestive system is bound to run amok for a while. The results can be rank," says Lawrence McGill, D.V.M., Ph.D., a veterinary pathologist in Salt Lake City.Go on pig-out patrol. Does your beast like to feast? Then it's time to face facts: Gluttons can get gas, says M. Lynne Kesel, D.V.M., assistant professor of elective surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. "Overeating can overload the gut, so things end up fermenting that normally wouldn't," she says.
Steer clear of supplements.
While many people like to give their pets extra vitamins and minerals, the use of supplements can stimulate bacterial action in the gut that can lead to gas, says Mark L. Morris, Jr., D.V.M., Ph.D., a nutrition consultant in Topeka, Kansas, creator of Science Diet pet foods and co-author of Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. "Unless there's a medical reason to be taking supplements, your pet may be better off without them," he says.Lay off the dairy.
Most adult dogs and cats can digest only tiny amounts of milk, says Dr. Michel. That's because they don't produce enough of an enzyme called lactase, which is needed to digest the lactose found in milk. "If your flatulent pet is getting milk, take it away for a few days and see if things improve," she advises. You can also try switching to lactose-reduced milk, she adds.Try a little culture.
Many yogurts contain digestion-friendly bacteria that can help decrease flatulence, says Ann-si Li, D.V.M., an expert in Oriental veterinary medicine in Oakland, California. She recommends giving 1/4 teaspoon of plain yogurt to cats and small dogs, 1 teaspoon to dogs 15 to 20 pounds and 1 tablespoon to large dogs. Most pets like the taste, so you won't need to hide it in their food. She notes that even pets that can't handle lactose can usually enjoy yogurt without any problems.Check it with charcoal.
"Activated charcoal is messy, but it can absorb the smell pretty effectively," says Dr. Kesel. For small pets, she recommends adding 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon to their food daily. For larger pets, 1/2 teaspoon is about right, she says.Keep in mind, however, that activated charcoal -- which is available over the counter in most pharmacies -- can absorb nutrients as well as gas from the digestive tract. It shouldn't be used for more than a few days at a time, experts say.
Calm it with CurTail.
This anti-gas product contains an enzyme that helps break down foods so they can be digested more efficiently -- and with less combustion. "The stuff really works," says Katherine Brown, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Salt Lake City.Reduce mealtime competition.
When you feed two or more pets at the same time, one may be wolfing his meal to prevent another pet from nabbing it. The result is swallowed air, which comes out as belches, flatulence or -- lucky you -- both. Feeding pets separately will allow them to eat more slowly and with fewer unpleasant consequences, says Dr. Michel.Extend the dinner hour.
Another tactic to reduce air-swallowing is to put a fairly large object -- a large ball, for example -- into your pet's food bowl. "He'll have to nose around and work harder to get the food, so he'll be forced to slow down," says Dr. Michel. Just be sure the object is large enough so that your pet doesn't accidentally wolf it down along with his food. "I've seen dogs come in with objects you could never dream of in their stomachs, so be careful what you use," she says.End the bends.
Yet another way to keep air out of your pet's system is to raise the food dish off the floor, says Dr. Fortney. "If he's not bending his neck so far down, he'll swallow less air," he says. He suggests that you can invest in a specially designed stand that holds the food and water bowls at mouth level.Panel of Advisers
Katherine Brown, D.V.M.
, is a veterinarian in private practice in Salt Lake City.William D. Fortney, D.V.M., is assistant professor of small animal medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Manhattan, Kansas.
Richard Hill, B.V.M., Ph.D., is assistant professor of clinical nutrition and a specialist in internal medicine in the Department of Small Animal Sciences at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville.
M. Lynne Kesel, D.V.M., is assistant professor of elective surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins.
Ann-si Li, D.V.M., is an expert in Oriental veterinary medicine in Oakland, California.
Lawrence McGill, D.V.M., Ph.D., is a veterinary pathologist in Salt Lake City.
Kathryn Michel, D.V.M., is a researcher and nutrition expert in the Department of Clinical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.
Mark L. Morris Jr., D.V.M., Ph.D., is a nutrition consultant in Topeka, Kansas, creator of Science Diet pet foods and co-author of Small Animal Clinical Nutrition.
Copyright © 1996 by Rodale Press, Inc.
