Welcome to the stinky world of farty Frenchies! Why do french bulldogs fart so much, you ask?
Well, these dogs fart for a lot of reasons, and today, we’re going through them all! You probably aren’t too happy about your dog being restless and your house being stinky.
French Bulldogs can fart because of bad feeding habits, but they may also develop gassiness as a result of health issues.
It is better for a French bulldog to let it rip rather than hold it in, regardless of the cause, would you agree?
Why Do French Bulldogs Fart So Much? 21 Causes Of Frenchie Flatulence
I don’t always fart when guests come over… But, when I do, I make sure I walk out of the room so everyone thinks it’s you! Yeah, Frenchies can be like that. It’s definitely not you.
So, what are some causes of flatulence?
Here are a bunch of excuses that you can use to explain why you…I mean, your French Bulldog just farted.
1. High-Carbohydrate Diet
First, let’s talk about the most common dog food ingredient, carbs. Carbohydrates are a great source of energy for pooches of all shapes and sizes, especially for our beloved Frenchies.
However, consuming too many carbs can lead to an increase in flatulence, or should I say, your Frenchie will fart more often because he just ate a meal with excess carbohydrates.
Not only do they take longer to digest, but their fermentation takes place in the large intestine which can lead to the production of stinky gas.
This may also happen if your Frenchie is not used to eating a diet that is high in carbohydrates, or if he has just been introduced to it. He may have a hard time digesting it which can also lead to excessive gas.
2. Fermentable Foods
French Bulldogs fall in the category of dogs that are more sensitive to fermentable foods, which is why their sensitive stomachs produce more gas.
Here are some fermentable foods that are often found in dog food:
- Whole grains (oats and brown rice)
- Legumes (lentils and green beans)
- Artificial and natural sweeteners
You see, these foods are called fermentable because they are broken down by the good gut bacteria in the large intestine. This fermentation process is what produces those stinky dog farts!
3. Dairy Products
Are you lactose intolerant, or is it your Frenchie that is leaving a putrid odor behind him? Well, I bet it is the dog. Similar to the majority of humans, a dog’s digestive system is not built to process dairy products such as blue cheese or cow’s milk.
Lactose-intolerant dogs lack the enzyme that is necessary to break down the lactose in dairy products which is why they are difficult for them to digest.
While some sour cream and yogurt make good treats for them sometimes and are a good source of natural probiotics, it is still best to avoid incorporating them into everyday meals.
These canines also like to stuff their flat faces into whipped cream every now and then, but they should not be allowed to do it every day!
If your dog’s diet includes a huge amount of dairy, it will definitely lead to excessive gas production, stomach problems, diarrhea, and flatulence.
4. Human Food
So you want to feed your dog a tortilla? Ugh, think again!
There is a reason why you can’t share your whole lunch with your lovely Frenchie. He may like to dig in, but your human food will do more damage than good for his canine body.
Not only will your dog gain weight (in a bad way), but it will also develop gastrointestinal problems and fart too much.
5. Table Scraps
While many human foods are safe for dogs to eat, others can be harmful or even toxic to them, especially table scraps. The dangers lie in cooked bones and seeds that may cause your dog an upset stomach, chronic gas, and diarrhea.
Broken bits of bones may get stuck in Frenchie’s little stomach which is why they won’t be able to poop for quite some time.
6. Spicy Food
If you love to eat jalapenos, you may have wondered if your Frenchie would like some. He’d probably be interested in trying some, but you should not let him.
Spicy food is dangerous for dogs because it leads to acute stomach irritation, chronic gastritis, burning sensation, and vomiting.
French Bulldog’s flat face surely won’t take the burning sensation well!
7. Low-Quality Dog Food
Avoid bad dog food brands as they produce low-quality kibble that often contains fillers, such as wheat and corn. Besides that, it usually contains preservatives and artificial colors, all of which cause your French Bulldog digestive problems, bloating, and excessive farting!
So, instead of buying a bag of dog food that you’ve found at a super-cheap price, choose kibble from well-known and high-quality dog food for your Frenchie buddy.
8. Vegetables
While everyone knows that a dog’s regular diet should consist of vegetables, rarely anyone talks about what kind of vegetables cause excessive gas production in dogs.
French Bulldogs are among those dogs that have a hard time digesting certain types of vegetables, particularly those that are high in fiber, such as:
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
So, if your Frenchie farts after eating certain veggies in his meal, then you know who the culprit is! Must be the cabbage…
9. Fruits
Yes, like vegetables, fruits can also put your Frenchie on a farting frenzy!
Fruits can be sources of sugar and difficult-to-digest fiber for dogs. Moreover, some of them contain seeds and pits that are not canine-friendly.
Here are the infamous fruits that cause these dogs to fart:
- Apples
- Berries
- Pears
- Papaya
- Grapes
Similar to many veggies, fruits can also turn the dog’s poop into many colors and turn him into an indestructible farting machine!
Trust me, your French Bulldog will be better off without them and your house will smell way better!
10. Spoiled Food
You wouldn’t eat spoiled food now, would you? Well, your French Bulldog probably would because, you know, they sometimes eat cat poop. Yuck!
Not only is spoiled food stinky, but it is also full of bad bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause dog food poisoning, bloating, vomiting white foam, farting, and even death!
For the love of fart, don’t incorporate spoiled food into your Frenchie’s diet!
11. Processed Food
We all know that processed foods are not good for anyone, especially not for dogs. Sure, they make a quick snack but the majority often contain fillers, colors, and artificial preservatives.
These are harmful ingredients that can negatively impact your Frenchie’s health over time. These dogs react badly to processed food — they fart, poop a lot, feel a bit moody, and even have diarrhea at night.
Regular consumption of processed foods such as Vienna sausages, bagels, and breakfast cereals can lead to health issues such as canine obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.
So, I recommend that you don’t even try to think about feeding your dog some spam!
12. Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is very common in dogs of all breeds, shapes, ages, and sizes! Unfortunately, it causes many digestive problems such as excessive gassiness and pooping clear liquid. In some cases, it can lead to chronic gas, congestion, and stress colitis.
Intolerance occurs when your dog’s body is, well, intolerant to a certain type of food. He is unable to properly digest a specific ingredient or the whole meal.
It is wise to look for other symptoms of food intolerance such as
- Skin irritation or itching
- Ear infections
- Recurrent hot spots
If you notice that your Frenchie is constipated, it may be due to food intolerance. Luckily, PupVine’s got you back with these home remedies for dog constipation.
13. Food Allergies
Are your dog’s eyes red and swollen? Does your Frenchie fart and scratch himself a lot? Chances are that he is experiencing an allergic reaction to a certain type of food! But, gassiness seems to be a minor problem here.
Similar to Pugs with skin problems, French Bulldogs can develop skin rashes and scabs on their back. In addition to dry and flaky skin, your Frenchie may even develop scabs around his mouth that resemble canine acne.
You may want to call your vet to check if you can test your dog for specific allergies, just to make sure!
14. High-Fat Diet
So your dog ate a bunch of fish sticks that were laying on the table? It’s farting time! Fish sticks, hamburgers, fries, and all similar foods are bad for dogs as they are high in fat.
Besides the fact that many human foods do not provide the necessary nutrients, they are also high in fat which can be difficult for dogs to digest.
Not only does a high-fat diet cause your Frenchie to fart a lot, but it also makes his pancreas work harder to produce enzymes to digest the fat. Canine pancreatitis is incoming! Additionally, your dog may poop yellow and vomit more often.
15. High-Fiber Diet
A high-fiber diet is a no-no in the doggie world. Not only do Frenchies fart after eating a lot of fiber, but that same fiber interferes with the absorption of other essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Next time you’re out shopping for dog food, read the ingredients list thoroughly. What you do not want on that list are:
- Psyllium husk
- Beet pulp
- Corn
- Wheat
Note that some fibers will make your dog poop instantly, while others are going to cause constipation.
16. Aerophagia
Lots of air in a dog’s stomach = lots of farting!
Frenchies are a brachycephalic breed that already has difficulty breathing, which makes it harder to eat or drink. With aerophagia, your dog may also have a swollen belly.
Many other dog breeds such as Pugs, Boxers, Pekingese, and even Rottweilers fart so much due to ingesting a lot of air while eating.
17. Lack Of Exercise
Believe it or not, a lack of exercise can contribute to flatulence in dogs. There is no doubt that French Bulldogs take the spotlight on the lazy dog breeds list.
When such a dog is inactive, food moves more slowly through the digestive tract, which can lead to extreme gassiness.
18. Obesity
French Bulldogs, like many small dog breeds, have a tendency to be prone to canine obesity. Overeating, eating unhealthy food, as well as having a genetic predisposition can all turn into obesity.
Consecutively, obesity can lead to excessive farting, diabetes, and difficulties with breathing.
19. Foreign Object Ingestion
Foreign objects like dog toys, bones, and even your socks can get stuck in the dog’s digestive system and can cause a variety of stomach problems, including excessive farting.
If they stay in a dog’s stomach for some time, these objects can become very dangerous. Gastrointestinal blockage, perforations, and infections pose a huge threat to your Frenchie.
20. Health Issues
Poor French Bulldogs are not famous for their good health. Instead, they can suffer from various hereditary conditions. But, they can also develop several diseases that can cause them to fart a lot:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Gastrointestinal tumors
- Liver Or Kidney Disease
- Gastrointestinal Parasites
You may notice that your poor Frenchie is acting weird all of a sudden and does not want to eat as much as it used to. In this case, you should find out more about what to feed a sick dog with no appetite.
21. Reaction To Medication
Is your French Bulldog taking medication? Chances are that his excessive farting is a side effect!
Your dog may even stop eating for a while because, aside from gassiness, some medications can cause an upset stomach and other gastrointestinal issues.
If your Frenchie is farting a lot as a side effect of medication, then you should speak with your veterinarian pronto!
How Do I Make My French Bulldog Fart Less?
While it is not possible to entirely stop your dog from farting (he needs to fart every now and then), it is possible to stop your dog from farting too much.
Here are a few ideas all French Bulldog owners should take into consideration:
- Avoid low-quality dog food
- Get a slow feeder/slow feed bowl
- Try other protein sources
- Avoid food that is toxic to dogs
- Consult your veterinarian
Your veterinarian may recommend you give your dog oral simethicone to help relieve his stomach pain and flatulence.
What Is The Best Diet For A French Bulldog?
When choosing the best diet for a French Bulldog, it is important to keep in mind that they are a brachycephalic breed. They were not blessed with a longer snout, instead, Frenchies have flat faces and short snouts.
Their diet should be versatile, and full of vitamins, nutrients, and healthy fatty acids. Consider putting the dog on a:
- High protein diet
- Low in fat diet
- Easy-to-digest diet
Don’t forget probiotics, as they contain live cultures of good gut bacteria that will make your dog’s stomach healthier.
The Final Fart
Conflatulations, you made it to the end!
Are you still asking yourself why do French Bulldogs fart so much? I bet you’re not!
And, as the last word on the whole dog farting issue, I would like to say that these adorable, stinky goofballs make each day an adventure, no matter how much they fart.
We can’t imagine our life without our farty Frenchies!