Fart Machine...pardon...

[saden99]

For the past week or so my little guy has had smelly gas. Now I usually notice he passes gas all the time and I assumed it was entirely normal(I pass gas sometimes...). He often does it when he is climbing onto the bed, going up the stairs or playing with someone and it doesn't have any sort of aroma. I always thought it was odd, but didn't think anything of it.

Well lately he has been passing gas in the normal places and sometimes while he sleeps(which I assume he did before but I never noticed because of the absence of malodor). At first I thought maybe it's his diet...before today I was giving him Science Diet and I started him today on Blue Buffalo Adult Chicken and Brown Rice formula. I doubt it is the new food since it's been going on for a week. I haven't noticed him being sickly...in fact the last time he was actually sick and I could tell was 4 months ago. The smell is always the same and I wouldn't have a problem with it except for the fact that it seems to linger.

He can pass gas and I will be in another room then I come into the same room and I smell it for over 20 minutes(and he hasn't passed MORE gas...I can ALWAYS hear it and it's quite funny...I usually chuckle and he looks at me like "What? I've HEARD you pass gas for 5 whole seconds before so don't give me grief!").

I HAVE noticed a difference in attitude. Lately he has been very cuddly and sweet when he usually isnt(I'm fine either way as long as he is happy). When I say cuddly and sweet I mean he will climb up with me onto the couch and lay his head on my chest when he usually just lays at my feet and waits for me to play with 'em. He also likes to bundle next to me when I go to sleep where as he would usually sleep on the floor in my room since he has more room to move around there.

He's going to be 10 months old on the 18th so I'm thinking it may just be a phase or perhaps he was 'leaving' a stubborn phase. He is primarily a Coonhound mixed with Brindle Pit, but again I say 'primarily a Coonhound' because he looks just like his daddy except for the coat color.

I'm fine with the gas and I'm fine with the sweetness, but I'd rather there not be something wrong and he's "cuddling" because it helps with pain or something. I know sometimes I get sick and I do 'pass gas' that is just nasty....

He's still very active and loves to play with me or anyone willing to play. One thing to note is that today he got very possessive with a rawhide that he was chewing while my 11 month old niece was trying to take it from him. He usually does not flinch when she does that and he will end up licking her face because he knows that gets her away. He doesn't flinch with me when I take it and he just waits for me to give it back.

I don't want to take him to a Vet to tell them I'm being a worry wart...just wondering if anyone else has had this happen. Is it a phase? Is it perhaps him being satisfied with the way I'm caring for him(I'm actually home A LOT more than I used to be and can pay a great amount of attention to him).

[Lonewolfblue]

Most gas problems are due to food. Sometimes the food is just too rich for the dog, or poor quality can also cause gas. When I got my Betty, they had her on Science Diet, and she had pretty bad gas. I moved to one other food, and it just got worse. Then I changed to Solid Gold Wolfking, and within a week, there was quite an improvement. And over the first month, it was completely gone. You just need to find the food that works for your dog's stomach. And remember, switch over slowly by mixing the old and the new, gradually increasing the new. And give it some time, as in a month or 2, not just a few days or a week. Science Diet is not a very good food, and the reason most vets push it is because they get money for promoting it. Blue Buffalo is a good food, but as I mentioned, if you've given it a month or so and still has gas, it may just be too rich for the dog. Also, watch the stools. Usually, when they start passing more gas, the stools may get softer as well. And if you are wanting to try something different, get a small bag of Solid Gold Wolfking, and give it a try. I'm happy with it, and all 3 of my dogs do wonderful on it, solid stools, and zero gas. Another thing you can try is yogurt. Give a teaspoon of plain yogurt with the meal and see if it helps in the meantime.

Another thing to add, rawhide is very bad for a dog. It's not easily digestable, and can also be a cause of an upset stomach. I much prefer Bully Sticks, as they are considerably better than many of the chew treats out there.

As for the cuddling, it is more than likely that he's becoming more bonded with you, and not that he's trying to make the pain feel better. An upset stomach is an upset stomach, and no amount of cuddling is going to help much. So think of it this way, the more he cuddles and feels more confident in himself, the stronger the bond he's going to have with you.

[saden99]

Thank you for the reply...I am slowly switching him onto the Blue Buffalo along with the other dog...

About 10 minutes after I initially posted I took him out and he had some runny poo(not entirely though..there was a solid piece). I think he may just have a tummy ache...I'll lower the amount of new food tomorrow and see if that helps.

[Lonewolfblue]

If you can get a small container of plain yogert, try giving a small teaspoon of it with his meal. It helps the digestion process. Just don't get the flavored ones, just the plain.

[dogs4life]

About the farting....or gas....pardon! I agree with Lonewolf, it's probably tummy issues or maybe illness. When we get tummy issues I've had great luck with digestive aids, plain goat yogurt, homemade chicken soup and dairy-free probiotics, not all together at the same time of course. I've heard lots of owners let pup tummies "rest" for 12-24 hrs when they get diarrhea, then start up again with easy digestible and soothing foods like homemade chicken soup (leave out the onion). I personally just jump to Soup and skip the "fasting" period unless there is a fever involved. The occassional loose stool is OK in my home, but I do keep a close watch on poop, if they have 2 loose ones, I add probiotics to the next food item, if it continues, I switch to soup or a bit of goat yogurt.

A note on cow dairy and dogs - some dogs don't do well on cow dairy, it gives them diarrhea but they might tolerate goat or sheep.

If your worried, you can just take a clean, fresh fecal sample in to your vet for some quick tests. Pipping hot poo is best. Fecal tests are a great way to trouble shoot tummy issues, keep your vet included and help settle your nerves. You don't have to make an emergency visit, just take poo in.

Originally Posted by saden99

I HAVE noticed a difference in attitude. Lately he has been very cuddly and sweet when he usually isnt(I'm fine either way as long as he is happy). When I say cuddly and sweet I mean he will climb up with me onto the couch and lay his head on my chest when he usually just lays at my feet and waits for me to play with 'em. He also likes to bundle next to me when I go to sleep where as he would usually sleep on the floor in my room since he has more room to move around there.

Ahhh, he sounds like a cuddle bug. I agree with Lonewolf, he's probably getting comfy with you and bonding. I've had dogs curl up with cats, other dogs and of course humans when they have close relationships. Just make sure it's OK with you...if you're uncomfortable, don't hesitate to ask your dog to move, it's a great lesson in respecting personal space.

[GSD]

I saw the Thread title and thought you were talking about me

pheeewww

[dogs4life]

Oh lord....GSD, what have you been eating!

Cute smile, never thought I'd see a farting smilie....