Why Do Pitbulls Fart So Much? 7 Causes and Effective Solutions 

If you are a Pitbull owner, then you know that they are pretty gassy dogs. But why do Pitbulls fart so much?

Farting is normal for all dog breeds, but if it becomes too excessive, it can be very unpleasant for their owners. It may also be a sign of a more severe health problem. You need to understand the causes of your dog’s excessive farting in order to reduce the problem.

The first and utmost reason behind your Pit bull’s excessive farting is poor diet. Other reasons can also be swallowing air, food intolerance, digestive issues, and lack of movement/exercise. 

Keep reading to learn more about the reasons why Pit Bulls are gassy and what you can do to make them less gassy.

Why Do Pitbulls Fart So Much? 

As mentioned before, farting is normal for all dog breeds, and Pit Bulls are no exception. Some dog breeds are just gassy by nature due to their sensitive stomachs and eating behavior.

However, you may notice that your Pit Bull is farting more excessively than normal, which indicates an underlying issue with the dog’s health that you need to address. 

Without further ado, let’s take a close look at the main reasons why your Pittie could possibly be farting excessively. 

7 Reasons for Excessive Farting in Pit Bulls

Sensitive Stomachs

Pit Bulls are known to have sensitive stomachs, so what they eat is most likely the main cause of their excessive farting. 

Certain foods can be difficult for them to digest, causing more fermentation in their stomach and bowls, which will result in more frequent farts.

Examples of the foods that could be causing your dog’s discomfort are soybeans, beans, broccoli, peas, cabbage, brussels sprouts, dairy products, high-fat foods, cauliflower, oats, or spicy foods. I know for us humans, these foods are delicious and sometimes also not so harsh on the stomach, but in this area, dogs are different. 

It might be best to avoid the mentioned foods altogether, but if that is not an option for you, you can resort to keeping them to a minimum. After all, if your dog is into dairy or spicy food (a lot of dogs love cheese), then you should not completely prevent them from their beloved diets. 

Proper nutrition is essential for your dog’s intestinal health and the control of gassy reactions. If you’re not sure what to feed your Pit Bull, check out my recommendation for the best foods for Pit Bulls here.

Sudden Dietary Change 

You might be changing your dog’s diet because the dry food you used to buy them is not produced anymore or to cut back on costs. However, any sudden change to your dog’s diet will cause gassiness, at least until there stomach gets used to the new food.

In order to reduce the proble, it’s best to introduce your dog to new food gradually. Phase out old food and start introducing the new diet. It will give their digestive system a chance to adapt slowly without causing too much discomfort. 

Allergies

Pit Bulls are relatively healthy dogs; however, that does not mean they are immune to allergies. Usually, excessive farting can be an indication that your Pittie has an allergy to certain foods. Other indications to look out for are itching, excessive licking of the paws, red underbelly, ear infections or bloating, and diarrhea.

Vatious foods can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog. It is different from one dog to another depending on what they’re allergic to.

Some of the most common allergy-inducing foods are dairy products, grains like wheat, corn, and maze, or protein sources like chicken. Before deciding on eliminating a certain food group or introducing a new diet, make sure to consult your trusted vet.

Keep an eye out for food sensitivities, and try to avoid giving your dog things that you think are causing the problem. For food recommendations, check out my guide on the best foods for Pit Bulls with allergies here.

Swallowing Air 

It sounds weird, I know, but let me explain. Pit Bulls enjoy a good meal; they love food, so they have a tendency to inhale their food. They consume every meal as if they were dying of hunger, frequently swallowing significant volumes of air in addition to the food.

Pit Bulls may inhale more air when drinking, especially if they drink as quickly as they devour their food. Even if your dog isn’t a “speed eater,” they may take in more air after exercise.

If they are fatigued and pant frequently while eating or drinking, all of that extra air will be absorbed along with the food and fluids.

Eating Leftovers or Garbage

If you are a Pit Bull owner, you have most probably experienced the following: You sit down to enjoy your meal, and when you look up, you see that adorable pup’s face staring at you, and you end up giving it a taste of what you are having. 

Well.. that can be a bit problematic since your leftovers are usually very fatty, high in sugar, or other ingredients that are hard for your dog to digest properly. So, if your Pittie is prone to farts, you should avoid giving them a taste of your food. 

Similar to leftovers, garbage can cause your dog a lot of stomach issues. Your Pit Bull may eat something off the floor when you are not looking, such as other animals’ poop, such as cat poop, other dogs’ poop, rabbit poop, etc.

Lack of Exercise

Exercise is very important pillar to your dog’s overall health, including farts. 

Pit Bulls are naturally energetic dogs, so if they are kept inside all of the time and do not get enough exercise, their health will suffer.

Make sure to give your Pit Bull at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This can be done in the form of playtime or by taking the dog for a walk. You can learn more about how much exercise Pit Bulls need here.

Underlying Health Issue 

In some circumstances, your Pit Bull gas problems are caused by underlying health issues, such as gastrointestinal problems, neoplasia, inflammatory bowel illness, gut inflammation, or a parasite or virus, to name a few.

If your Pitbull is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite 

How to Make Your Pit Bull Less Gassy?

I will list a few solutions for your dog’s farting problems below that will make your life easier and definitely better smelling. 

Change Your Dog’s Diet

As discussed above, changing your dog’s diet should happen gradually. So, my advice is to transition them slowly and gently. This will allow your Pit Bull’s digestive system to adjust to the new food without causing them to fart excessively.

Of course, it is easier to change your dog’s diet when they are younger as they are more adaptable at a younger age. 

I discuss changing a dog’s diet in more detail in my guide on how to switch your Pit Bull from puppy food to adult food, so be sure to check it out.

Slow them down

There are certain types of  dishes that are made for speed eaters. 

These dishes can help your dog eat less air by reducing the amount of air he swallows as they only allow a small bit of food to be released at a time, causing the dog to slow down and taste the meal.

It is also advisable to mix ice with their meals; this will force them to chew the ice, which ultimately will slow down the whole process. 

Exercise Your Dog Daily

Allow lots of time for your Pit Bull to play outside in your yard or at the dog park by taking them for daily walks. 

This will not only help them to expend built-up energy, but it will also keep things moving through their digestive tract, perhaps preventing gas buildup.

Probiotics

Giving your dog a daily probiotic may assist if they have a sensitive stomach or have excessive gas that isn’t caused by an underlying medical condition.

 Probiotics give your Pit Bull the good bacteria in their gut that you need for a healthy digestive system, and may also help them get rid of excess gas.

When to take your Pit Bull to the vet? 

So, if you have tried the above-mentioned solutions and nothing seems to reduce the frequency and foul smell of your Pit Bull’s farts, it is definitely time to consult a vet. 

After all, excess gas may be a sign of an underlying health issue that you definitely want to avoid. It can be a sign of pancreatitis, a nasty bowel syndrome, and sometimes even cancer. 

The symptoms (other than farting) are usually vomitting, diarrhea, blood stool, and a loss of appetite. 

If you like this article, share it! (it will mean a lot to us ❤️)