Been covering serious topics lately—toxic food, kidney failure, and PKD walks for kidney failure—and it's time for a change. Let's look at flatulence, which is not a toxic problem but is nuisance for many dog families. According to a study that asked pet owners if their dogs were flatulent, 43% said - even when resting! If a family has two dogs, this is a quality of life issue.
We're focusing on dogs because cats don't have the gas problems that dogs have--or we notice it less. There's no scientifically verified breed, age, or sex predisposition to flatulence, but in my experience, boxers and bloodhounds are simply amazing. You may have other breeds that belong on the predisposed list; let me know and we'll publish "informal" research results.
We do know what causes flatulence in many dogs:
1. bran cereal, oatmeal, psyllium, celery or other high fiber foods.
2. potato chips, French fries and other high fat foods.
3. eggs, broccoli or other high-sulfur foods.
4. food that hasn’t been eaten before, or being allergic to the food.
5. milk in lactose-intolerant animals. This is caused by enzyme deficiency.
6. lack of enzymes in general--exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
7. lack of the right gut bacteria so that food is not processed and absorbed.
8. gulping food in competition with other pets in multi-pet families.
9. gulping because they have a rescue-dog's fear that they’ll never eat again.
10. gulping food, swallowing fast, then opening the mouth to breathe. This happens with an allergic pet that can't breathe through its nose.
Knowing why some pets are pass gas, makes it easier to know what steps families can take to decrease flatulence:
· alter the diet,
· remove competition,
· control allergies, and
· provide enzymes.
For some dogs, digestive enzymes, such as Super E12 Enzymes, help control flatulence. Dr. Madalyn Ward at http://www.holistichorsekeeping.com/ has lots of experience with these enzymes and swears by them.
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