French Bulldog Farts: Why do Frenchies Fart so Much?

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So my brother has a French Bulldog and one of the things I noticed is that it farts… A LOT. French Bulldogs, I came to find out, are known for farting! I thought this was just the funniest thing, so I had to do some research and find out why they are so gassy.

So why do French Bulldogs fart so much? There are two primary reasons:  1) The French Bulldog has a flat face, which tends to cause them to swallow an excess amount of air when they are eating.  2) The other reason is that French Bulldogs have very sensitive stomachs. These two factors are combined in the compact French Bulldog and can create quite a stinky situation!

It seems that the characteristic short muzzle of the French Bulldog, while being the most defining factor of their appearance, is also the main culprit in their tendency towards gassiness. Lucky for your Frenchie (and your guests), there are ways to pump the brakes on his gas. Here’s how to minimize your Frenchie’s flatulence:

French Bulldog Gas Remedies: How to Minimize Your French Bulldog’s Flatulence

French Bulldog Farts Meme: Introspective French Bulldog

The first and most important step you can take is to minimize how much air your dog is swallowing while they gobble down their food.

This means helping them to eat slower. Here are 2 French Bulldog gas remedies:

1. Invest in a Slow Feeding Dog Dish

These doggie bowls are deeply textured and obligate your dog to use his tongue to fish out a piece or two of kibble at a time.

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They end up pushing the food around and eating much slower.

These bowls and the forced change in eating behavior helps reduce the intake of air during feeding and also reduces the incidence of bloat and other gastro-intestinal problems.

2. Pay Attention to Your French Bulldog’s Diet

Don’t give your dog table scraps.

Don’t let your dog get into the garbage to fish out leftovers.  Feed your Frenchie a high-quality diet and pay attention to the ingredients.

If you notice that your dog seems to be gassier after eating a certain type of feed, keep a close eye on it until the bag is gone. If the gas remains at a high level, swap out that dog food for one with different ingredients.

Blame the Brachycephalic!

The flat face common to the Bulldog genre of modern breeds was originally selected as a desirable trait because of the dog’s use in the blood-sport of bull baiting.

The shorter snout gave the original bulldogs a stronger bite and allowed it to breathe while maintaining its famous vice-grip like bite.

Fast forward a couple hundred years to the great variety of bulldog descendants, and you will find the French Bulldog.

The modern “Frenchie” has been bred to have a nearly non-existent muzzle along with all the other brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds.

One of the main complications that the non-existent muzzle causes is an oversized palate.  This is the top of the mouth, and in French Bulldogs often stretches back and blocks the internal airways, causing breathing problems for your pooch.

So what do breathing problems have to do with farts?

Well, what goes in must come out, right?!

If your dog has problems breathing normally through its nose then it will have a tendency to swallow air, especially when eating.

There isn’t definitive evidence to explain the physiological reasons for the French Bulldog’s notoriously sensitive stomach.  There is, however, a widely acknowledged tendency towards Frenchie food allergies.

Allergic reactions can show themselves through a wide variety of gastrointestinal issues that can include:

  • Heavy flatulence
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Even if your pooch is not specifically allergic to certain foods, they may suffer from a sensitivity that generates a gassy reaction in their gut.

Many French Bulldog owners report that beef, chicken and wheat ingredients in their dog’s food notably increase the frequency of those noxious farts the breed is known for.

Is There a French Bulldog-Specific Diet?

Many French Bulldogs are known to have digestive issues and increased flatulence when they consume beef, chicken and wheat products.

Corn is also a common food allergy of the French Bulldog. Cutting those ingredients out are a great place to start.

We actually whole study on the best food for French Bulldogs. And because stomach issues are so common in the breed, you should investigate different dog foods.

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If you can commit to it, a raw/homemade diet is always our #1 recommendation.

The best advice I can offer is:

When introducing a new dog food to your French Bulldog, simply observe his reactions (food logs or note-taking apps are a huge help). Give the new food a 2-3 week trial period. If you notice increased (or consistent) farting, switch foods again.

It really boils down to trial and error and testing what has the best results for your individual dog.

Other Digestive Issues Your French Bulldog May Have

One of the really common health issues that affect the different bulldog breeds is called Bulldog Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Typical symptoms include:

  • Vomiting
  • Bloody stool
  • Difficulty defecating
  • Abdominal pain

This disease, while it can present itself in a variety of symptoms, is characterized by the infiltration of white blood cells into the bowels and generalized inflammation of the intestines.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, get to the vet asap.

Related Questions

What health issues do French Bulldogs have?

Because of their intensive breeding for very specific and somewhat extreme characteristics, the French Bulldog tends to have a variety of other health problems that go far beyond stinky farts.  Their short noses not only contribute to their gassiness through the swallowing of excess air but also are the root of other breathing and respiratory problems that can range from “cute” to problematic.  It is well known that Frenchies tend to snore and wheeze in their sleep (French Bulldogs sleep a lot!). Aside from this, they also have a hindered ability to pant, meaning that they have a hard time regulating their body temperature and are extremely sensitive to heatstroke.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IDD) is another common issue that small breed dogs can have.  This is a degenerative disease that affects the shock-absorbing discs between the vertebrae in the spinal column.  This degeneration is often worsened by repetitive stress or injury that can be caused by something as normal as jumping up and down stairs.  Symptoms can include a hesitancy to lift up the head, whining or vocalizing when being picked up or other neurological symptoms like incontinence or confusion.  IDD most often affects older dogs but has been diagnosed in dogs as young as two years of age.

Other health issues that come up frequently with this breed involve the eyes. Glaucoma, corneal ulcers, and early cataracts are issues that many French Bulldog owners will have to confront during the life of their dog.

What are the Pros of owning a French Bulldog?

French Bulldogs are considered one of the best dogs to own and is highly popular for a variety of reasons:

– The Frenchie is a great apartment dog. Most of the time a quick walk around the block is enough to keep your pet in shape.
– They are extremely affectionate with their owners, considered to be very good with children and are not exuberant barkers.
– Many owners consider them to be endlessly entertaining, as they zoom around in circles and interact intensively with people.
– They are well-known attention seekers and will surprise you with their antics. If you can live with their flatulence, the French Bulldog is a great companion animal that can accompany you wherever you go.

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