Why Do Frenchies Fart SO Much? [7 Reasons]

You know that feeling when a bunch of humans are in the room and there’s this FOUL scent wafting all over? Someone farted! You instinctively look toward each other but everyone looks oh-so-innocent and vehemently denies any involvement in the “suffocate-the-humans” attack.

You check under the table, and lo and behold! Your Frenchie is lounging under the table, with not a care in the world. Guess what? Dogs fart. A LOT!

Table of Contents

why do Frenchies fart so much — Why do Frenchies fart So much? [7 Reasons]

What causes farts in dogs are remarkably similar to what causes us humans to let one rip.

What Causes Farting In French Bulldogs?

Farts in French Bulldogs are mainly caused by their regular food, but they might also be caused by ingesting anything odd or different from their regular diet. Fast eaters also have a tendency to fart heaps, as when they eat, they gulp loads of air, storing it in the intestines which produce gas.

The French Bulldog breed is prone to flatulence and general stomach gassiness, but in most cases, your Frenchie’s farts should not be a cause for concern.

In addition, food allergies might also cause excessive gas. Common allergens in food include chicken, beef, dairy, soy, and wheat.

In addition, some of the ingredients in their food might cause gas, although this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Let’s look at what is causing your Frenchie’s butt burps.

French bulldog looking — Funny French Bulldog looking at the camera.

Diet

The nutritional content of food can sometimes cause excessive farting. The culprit here is likely to be carbohydrates, in addition to common allergens such as dairy, wheat, and protein sources.

Excess Carbohydrates

If you give your dog kibble, you should be aware that the majority of these foods are high in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are made up of fiber, starch, and sugar. Fiber is indigestible and will pass through your Frenchie’s delicate digestive system and settle in the colon, where it is fermented by a gazillion microscopic unsung heroes called probiotics.

Probiotics are the beneficial gut bacteria that keep the digestive system maintained and ward off harmful, invading bacteria. The fiber feeds the probiotics, which in turn, produce loads of gas.

gray French Bulldog eats kibble — Gray French Bulldog eats kibble outside the bowl.

Table Scraps

While giving in to your pooch’s adorable beggar-impersonating look is tempting, don’t! Our digestive systems are different from theirs. Dogs have shorter intestines than we do, which means they can’t break down certain types of food as well as we can.

In addition, they lack the enzymes necessary to properly digest carbohydrates and other common ingredients in human food.

To make matters worse, human food often contains substances that are indigestible and even toxic to dogs like garlic, onions, and chives.

As a result, when they eat these kinds of foods, they can experience bloating, flatulence, and other gastrointestinal issues.

French Bulldog looks behaved — French Bulldog looks well-behaved in a room.

Dairy Products

Just like many humans, dogs can be lactose intolerant as well. Lactose intolerance is a condition that affects the ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

For humans, lactose intolerance is often simply a matter of discomfort after consuming dairy products. However, for dogs, the condition can be much more serious. Dogs are not able to produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose.

As a result, they are unable to properly digest milk and other dairy products. Consuming even small amounts of lactose can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other serious health problems. If you suspect that your dog is lactose intolerant, it might be best to avoid dairy altogether and prevent your dog from becoming severely sick.

cheese for dogs — Are cheeses good for dogs?

Highly Fermentable Foods

Although veggies and legumes are nutritional powerhouses, they are also highly fermentable. They often have a high fiber content, which, as mentioned previously, passes through undigested into the colon where they meet the trillions of hungry bacteria called probiotics.

When the probiotics start chomping on the high-fiber foods, loads of gas is produced. Foods high in fiber include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and beans.

Keep in mind that gas passed from fermentation is natural and healthy. If you can turn a blind eye (or a blind nose!) to the nasty smells, there’s no harm in letting your dog enjoy the nutritious value of fiber-rich foods.

fiber for dogs — Is high fiber foods good for dogs?

Grains

Many commercial dog foods contain grains such as corn and wheat. While these grains may be inexpensive and easy to produce, they offer little nutritional value for dogs. In fact, grains can actually be harmful to dogs, causing digestive problems and exacerbating allergies.

For these reasons, it is best to avoid feeding your dog any food that contains grains.

grains for dog — Are grains harmful to dogs?

Low-Quality Dog Food

Many dog owners don’t realize that the low-quality dog food they’re feeding their pooches can actually be doing more harm than good.

Low-quality dog food is often loaded with cheap fillers and preservatives that can cause gas and worse health problems down the road. In addition, it’s often lacking in the nutrients that dogs need to stay healthy and active. As a result, feeding your dog low-quality food can lead to expensive vet bills and a shorter lifespan for your beloved pet.

switching diets — Switching dog food diets

Spicy Food

While most dogs love table scraps, there are some foods that they should avoid. One such food is spicy food. Just like humans, dogs can find spicy food irritating to their digestive system and might excessively fart in response to the disruption.

In fact, in some cases, it can even lead to vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, spicy food can cause inflammation of the esophagus, which can be painful for your dog and lead to difficulty eating.

Other Factors That Can Affect Your French Bulldogs Farting

While diet is one of the main reasons for excessive flatulence, other factors may also affect your French Bulldog’s toots.

A sad French Bulldog is lying on the floor.

1. Obesity and Lack of Exercise

Overweight bulldogs are more likely to suffer from gas. Regular exercise will assist your French bulldog to have regular bowel movements and minimize gas build-up caused by inactivity.

Regardless of nutrition, overweight and inactive dogs are more likely to have chronic flatulence.

2. Aerophagia or Frequent Swallowing of Air

French Bulldogs are brachycephalic dogs, much like Boxers and Pugs. This category of dogs have flat faces, and short muzzles and tend to inhale a lot of air while eating or drinking.

The condition is exacerbated when your Frenchie eats so quickly that they virtually inhale their food. For this reason, there are slow-feeder bowls designed specifically to cut down their hoovering skills.

The following are some potential causes of aerophagia:

Eaters who are jittery.
Gluttony, often known as obsessive eating, is a condition in which a person eats excessively.
Illness of the lungs.
Feeding as soon as possible after exercise.
Flat-faced or brachycephalic breeds.

3. Worms

When a foreign invader enters the body, it is never good. Worms can cause a variety of stomach problems, including flatulence.

Worms can be acquired by ingesting contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, and so on.

Monitoring what your bulldog digests in a controlled atmosphere is the greatest approach to preventing worms, and stick to your regular deworming schedule.

4. Pharmaceutical Medications

Medication can sometimes cause dogs to produce excess gas, which can be uncomfortable for them and smelly for their owners. In some cases, this side effect can be severe enough to warrant a change in medication.

If your dog is taking medication and experiencing excessive farting, talk to your veterinarian. They may be able to prescribe a different medication that won’t have this side effect.

5. Underlying Medical Conditions

There are a few different medical conditions that can cause dogs to fart more than usual. One is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. This can cause irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to increased flatulence.

Another condition that can cause excessive flatulence in dogs is intestinal blockage. This can be caused by a foreign object, like a piece of toy or bone, that gets stuck in the intestines. The blockage prevents gas from passing through and can cause pain, vomiting, and bloating.

If your dog is farting more than usual, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

When To Be Concerned About Your French Bulldog’s Farting?

Just like us, some farting is normal! Imagine if we were to run off to the doctor’s every time we had a bad case of the toots. Though these symptoms from your Frenchie can be overwhelmingly stinky, they are usually nothing to worry about and will pass in time.

However, there are a few cases in which excessive gas could be a sign of a more serious problem. If your dog’s gas is accompanied by other symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, then it’s definitely time to take them to the vet.

However, if your dog’s gas is just a bit smelly and they’re otherwise acting normal, there’s probably no cause for concern. Dogs produce gas when they eat, and French Bulldogs are simply more gassy than others. As long as your dog isn’t in any discomfort, there’s no need to worry about their flatulence.

Final Thoughts

One thing is undisputable – dogs have incredibly stinky farts! And French Bulldogs tend to fart way more than others. That’s one of the many things we love about them.

So fling the doors wide open, put the fan on high speed and have yourself a good laugh!