Why Do French Bulldogs Fart So Much? Causes & Prevention Tips
Alex Vicente • Updated on August 21, 2023
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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you are a proud owner of a French bulldog, you’ve mostly come across their signature move: the great flatulence!
Frenchies have a bad reputation of giving gases to their owners when they least expect it.
It can get really annoying when they do it while you eat or as they sit on your lap.
But, why do French bulldogs fart so much?
French bulldogs fart a lot because they tend to build more gases in their stomachs than most other dog breeds.
Additionally, their clumsy fast eating habits make them swallow a lot of air during mealtime.
The short snout adds more to the amount of air swallowed.
There’s a bit more to it than this brief answer.
We’ll discuss more reasons as to why Frenchies fart a lot, as well as how to tone it down, in this article.
Stick around.
Table of Contents
The Main Reasons Why French Bulldogs Fart So Much
There are two main causes for the excessive farts of your Frenchie
Sensitive Stomachs
This particular breed is known to have a sensitive stomach.
Frenchies have various food and environmental allergies.
A seasonal weather change could be very upsetting for your pup.
Even a simple thing as changing the type of food that your dog eats can lead to an upset stomach.
An upset stomach forms gas bubbles that the dog needs to constantly let out to prevent further complications.
Short Snouts
Dogs with short snouts are scientifically referred to as brachycephalic dogs.
These dogs are liable to breathing issues that could form gases in their stomachs.
Additionally, the short snout makes them struggle a little bit while they’re eating their food.
They usually end up taking a lot of air inside their stomachs while they eat.
All that excess air causes a condition known as bloating, which makes your dog more likely to fart most of the time.
These two reasons are breed-related and your control over them is very limited.
However, there are other factors which you could have more control over.
Other Causes for Frenchies Farts
Let’s talk about the other causes of farts that can be addressed.
Spoiled or Low-Quality Food
Some dog owners prefer to stock up on dog food to avoid repeated store visits.
If that’s the case with you, then always check the expiry date on the package before feeding it to your pup.
Even if the food is not expired, low-quality foods could give gases to your pups.
Don’t look at dog food brands as if they’re all the same.
The more expensive brands are costly for a reason.
If you constantly buy cheap foods for your dog, you’d end up with extra gas and maybe a few other health problems.
Sudden change in diet
If you decide to upgrade your Frenchie’s food, that’s great, but it’s recommended to do this correctly.
Their stomachs are so sensitive that a sudden change in diet could upset their stomachs and build up gas.
Gradually add portions of the new food while removing portions of the old food in every meal.
This will be more tolerated by your dog.
Allergies to specific ingredients
There are many foods that we eat that dogs should normally be able to eat as well. Let’s say chicken, for example.
If you decided to start feeding chicken to your dog, he might experience more gases from it than other foods.
Keep track of the foods that give your dog the most gas and try to cut back on them.
The Extra Weight
An overweight dog is never a healthy dog. In French bulldogs, that’s an even less tolerable scenario because of their breathing issues and sensitive stomachs.
Your dog should have a fair amount of exercise and an active lifestyle in general to reduce the risk of obesity.
If you suspect you might be overfeeding your dog, consult a veterinarian to get the best advice.
Fiber-Rich Foods
Foods that have high fibrous content could cause your Frenchies to fart more than you like.
Fibers take a long time to be digested which eventually leads to fermentation and gas production.
Examples of such foods are broccoli, beans, lentils, and cabbages.
These foods won’t harm your pet, but they’ll certainly make them fart a lot more.
Carbohydrates
Most foods that we eat contain high amounts of carbohydrates.
High carbs are not healthy even for us, imagine the stomach upset they could cause for your dog.
We’re all guilty of it, but don’t share your usual food with dogs.
Frenchies can eat some of our foods but most of them are harmful.
Tips to Reduce the Frenchies Farts
Let’s face it, we can’t stop our Frenchies from excessively farting.
They’re simply notorious for it. Here’s what you can do to reduce it, though:
Feed Them Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the greatest sources of probiotics.
These are helpful bacteria that assist with digestion.
Most dogs can eat yogurt; even most lactose-intolerant dogs could.
You could mix a couple of yogurt tablespoons in your pup’s food to help him develop less gas.
Herbs
Herbs like Pimpinella and Peppermint are very helpful for food digestion in humans and dogs alike.
Try to feed your dog some of these herbs occasionally.
If he refuses, you may try mixing them with their food.
Medications
Some medications like yucca schidigera and zinc acetate have proved to be effective in reducing dog farts.
They don’t have serious side effects, but it’s always recommended to consult a vet before getting any type of medication.
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Conclusion
Owning a dog is always a pure joy and French bulldogs are no exception.
Are they messy? Yes. Do they fart a lot? Also, yes. Will they love you forever? A definite yes.
Every dog breed has its pros and cons, you choose what you like based on what you could tolerate.
If you decide that a French bulldog is your next pup, go for it.
They’re more than worth it, but you have to accept the whole package.
They will fart so much. It’s just a fact.
About Alex Vicente
Dog Lover, Founder & Chief Editor at Paws Insider
I’ve been rescuing dogs since a very early age. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and I remember how he, out of a litter of 6 puppies, started running towards me. He’d just chosen me. Ever since then, my love for dogs only grows stronger and I want what’s best for them. My mission is to let our readers know about the best products in the market for our best friends, as well as providing guides and tips on how we can take better care of them.