When it comes to gas, most of us would never admit to it, and some Greyhounds feel the same way. Despite this, we’re going to ‘clear the air’, as it were, about a delicate question. Do Greyhounds fart?
You bet they do! While your little Grey friend might look at you or the cat accusingly if the room gets a little stinky, they might still be the culprit. Greyhounds can and do fart and like most dogs, it happens many times every day.
Sometimes this is just a cute little incident, but you want to pay attention when this happens. In today’s article we’ll tell you why, as well as what you can watch for, and a few things that you can do to help your Grey with gas. Without further ado, let’s talk about Greyhound Flatulence and what you need to know!
Do Greyhounds Fart?
If your Greyhound lately seems to be propelling themselves along more by ‘combustion’ than from their own four feet, then this is quite likely a matter of their diet. While Greyhounds have their share of gas problems, they aren’t famous for it like some other breeds (looking at you, Pinschers, Pugs, and Pit Bulls!).
If you recently switched out their food, then take a peek at the ingredients and this can help to confirm that the food might be the issue. Things like soybeans, regular beans, and dairy products present in their foods or by added treats in their meals can definitely cause a bit of gastric distress.
Spicy foods also have that effect as well and can even be toxic, such as curry, or dishes that contain onions. Both curry and onions are toxic to dogs and should be avoided and spicy foods, in general, are likely to at least bring little indigestion to the table that might well result in a gassy Greyhound.
Check their food first, but if your dog is farting excessively, bring them to the vet even if you see the ingredients that we have listed. Gas isn’t always just from the food, after all, and checking with your vet first can help ensure that if it’s something more than new food that you can start treating it immediately.
How much gas is normal for Greyhounds?
You might not know it, but Greyhounds (and most dogs, in fact), actually pass gas quite a lot – they’re just sneaky about it like we are! Your Greyhound will likely ‘squeeze the cheese’ approximately 15 to 20 times per day and this is completely normal.
If your dog seems to be a bit excessive about it, aside from considering what they’ve just eaten, you should consider also if you’ve been home today a little longer than usual. In most cases, if your dog doesn’t seem uncomfortable, then being a little gassy from time to time is not a cause for alarm.
Now, if the volume of your dog’s ‘rear-reports’ seems to be on the excessive side or if the odor would be best described from a distance (in a rose-filled room, while crying), then all jokes aside, you need to get your dog to the vet immediately.
The occasional ‘silent but deadly’ gas is part and parcel of having a dog (and let’s be fair, for the dog it’s part of having an owner!), but when it’s happening often then you need to check with the vet to rule out a stomach infection, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and other conditions where gas is a symptom!
Do Greyhounds know when they fart?
Since they can feel it, like we do, your dog probably knows when they pass gas. With their heightened sense of smell, they’ll also definitely notice when they produce a fart that’s ‘got a bit of stink’ on it. Some dogs will react visibly to this, too, by immediately leaving the room!
This has been seen time and time again, so we know that if the gas is a bit on the sulfurous side, your dog will definitely notice it. That said, they are once again like their owners in that most dogs don’t seem to mind it – provided that they made it in the first place!
Now, if your Greyhound not only notices when they fart but jumps or quickly darts away as if frightened, then what you are seeing is a twofold thing. First, your dog doesn’t associate that sound as coming from them and secondly, your dog is startled by loud sounds.
You’ll mostly observe this behavior in dogs that are a little on the shy or nervous side and especially with dogs that are scared of thunder. They hear the loud ‘report’ from their gas movement and immediately evince a fear response to the loud sound that was produced. Don’t worry, it’s normal – your dog just distrusts sudden, loud sounds.
How can I help my Greyhound pass gas?
If your Grey has just gobbled up a massive feast and seems to be a bit bloated, then you can definitely help them out a little so that they can get some of that gas out and start feeling like their playful, happy selves again.
The easiest thing to do is to go to them if they laying on the floor or to call them over to your lap, and then you can help with the power of a directed message. Note: The floor will be the better option unless your dog is very trusting about being moved around on your lap!
Once you’ve gotten your Grey comfortable, then you will need to gently feel their abdomen and their sides, looking for tight areas that feel a bit out of place. Taking the flat of your hand, you should rub lightly in slow, gentle circles for a little time on each of the spots that you find.
The targeting of these affected areas should help and the massage on will also relax your dog, so that they can better release the gas buildup naturally. If it happens often, consider a vet visit too – they can recommend antacids that are safe or prescribe drugs like Simethicone to help your dog feel normal again in record time!
Home remedies for gassy Greyhounds
When it comes to handy cures, it’s really surprising what you have already in your home that can help you when you feel bad… and which can also help your dog! One of the easiest ways to do it doesn’t even require ‘getting fancy’ with the things that you have in the cabinet.
Here are 3 examples that you can use alone or together for excellent results:
- Give your dog a tablespoon of plain Yoghurt – just make sure it doesn’t have the artificial sweetener called Xylitol. This is found in many foods, so if your dog likes peanut butter watch out for it there, too. Xylitol-free Yoghurt helps your dog’s digestion naturally and can be given every day if you like.
- 1 teaspoon of raw ginger (1/3 teaspoon for pups) can also help with digestion, but you’ll have to hide it in their food and we’ll warn you in advance – this only works with some dogs so results may vary. That said, it can definitely help with their gas and proper digestion when your dog overeats this Thanksgiving.
- A tablespoon of fresh parsley is much easier to sprinkle and hide in your dog’s food than Ginger and will also work a treat for settling their upset stomach.
Gas as a sign of bloat in Greyhounds
While sometimes farts are simply natural (and we’ll admit, even cute and funny), you want to get in the habit of taking notice – because they can also be warning signs that something more serious is afoot. Bloat is one example, though your vet might also call it Gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV for short.
Bloat is a condition where your dog’s tummy fills with gas, too much food, or even liquids and then it twists! This is as awful as it sounds and requires a vet visit RIGHT AWAY because it can progress dangerously fast.
Signs of bloat that you should look for besides gas are as follows:
- Belly feels swollen and rigid – often your dog will react with discomfort at the touch, but not always.
- Excessive drooling
- Empty-retching without actual vomit
- Frequent licking of the lips
- Heavy or pained panting
If you see these signs, then get your dog into the vet’s office post-haste. Bloat is very dangerous and there aren’t any home cures for this, so it’s vital to bring them in immediately.
Do tummy aches cause gas in Greyhounds?
A tummy ache can indeed come with an ‘order of gas on the side’, though a little tummy rubbing and maybe a spoonful of yogurt should quickly help to settle things. Tummy aches occur every now and again, so this shouldn’t alarm you, but if it becomes a regular thing then it’s time to see the vet.
Flatulence along with ‘tummy ache’ type symptoms can be indicative of more serious conditions, such as pancreatitis, gastrointestinal tumors, roundworms, and a number of other possibilities that you want to start treating as soon as you can.
When it doubt, we recommend that you don’t hesitate to being your dog to the vet or even to simply call them. Your vet is there for you and your dog and if it is indeed a health problem, finding out early increases the chances of effective treatment or management of the issue.
When it comes to your furry best friend, after all, you can’t be too careful!
In conclusion – Some Greyhounds are Gassy
While they aren’t notorious about it like some breeds, Greyhounds do indeed have their fair share of gas issues and this is completely normal. Your dog will likely ‘squeeze the cheese’ 15 to 20 times every day and unless it is excessive or particularly stinky then everything should be fine.
If, however, it is happening often or even just a little bit, but with a very foul odor, then it’s always best to get your vet involved quickly. That said, just make sure to consider what they’ve just eaten before panicking — especially if you love beans or eat a lot of spicy foods.
After all, it’s hard to tell your little Grey guy or gal ‘no’ when they give you THAT look, so the two of you might have simply ‘earned’ a little gas on your own this time!