Cat & Dog Flatulence - Not Necessarily Serious
Do
you feel like passing out when your pet passes gas?
Although the smell may be terrible, in most cases,
flatulence is not indicative of a serious medical
condition. Unless it's coupled with diarrhea or
vomiting, intestinal gas usually means that your
animal companion has eaten something he can't digest
properly. The culprit most often tends to be excess
carbohydrates, which contain sugar and starch that
ferment in your pet's intestine.
Dog & Cat Gas May Be Food-Related
Has
your four-footed gas-passer found something particularly
tasty in the garbage can? Or perhaps you have been
giving him cheese or milk? Some dogs and cats are
lactose-intolerant, and any dairy product can result
in occasional flatulence. If there seems to be no
end in sight, however, your pet's regular brand
of food may be causing his chronic gas. Check the
ingredients; you may want to opt for a formula with
smaller percentages of wheat, corn and soy, which
are laden with carbohydrates. It may take several
brands before you find the one that works best for
your dog or cat, but make sure you change the food
gradually, staring with 1/4 part of the new food
and 3/4 old, until you've completely switched over.
Remember, any sudden change in diet can bring on
a bout of gas or diarrhea.
Gobbling Can Result in Cat & Dog Gas
Animals
who eat too quickly or too much, are prone to flatulence,
so if your pet falls into one of these categories,
you may need to modify his dinner routine. If you
have one cat who gobbles his grub just to keep your
other cat from eating it, consider feeding them
in separate rooms; the same goes for dogs who partake
in group dining.
Companion
animals suffering from flatulence may find relief
with an anti-gas remedy available from your veterinarian
or pet supply store; it works by making the carbohydrates
in his food easier for your pet to digest. And try
to get in some extra exercise - a good walk or play
session can do wonders to help push the excess gas
out of your animal companion's system.
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