5 Reasons Why Bulldogs Fart so Much (and How to Reduce the Potency)

A friend of mine asked me "why do bulldogs fart so much"? At first, I took offence, I mean it was fairly obvious when reading between the lines that I could tell they were talking about Luna.

I know Luna farts, but I didn't know how bad it was. Maybe I was accustomed to it by now - danger zone!

But it made me wonder what causes the stink bombs and what I could do to minimise the smelly accidents. So in this article, I'll share with you my observations and 5 common causes of flatulent bulldogs.  

Grab your gas mask and let's jump in.

Why do bulldogs fart so much?

1. Carbs
2. Diet rich in fats and fibres
3. Fermented foods
4. Dairy products
5. Aerophagia

Don't be fooled by their adorably scrunched faces, these wrinkly pooches are like walking and barking dustbins.

Bulldogs are more susceptible to farting in part due to the excessive over breeding of their kind. Their stomachs are much smaller than their ancestors the Old English Bulldog, which means they have difficulty digesting many foods.

Any leftover food is partially digested or left raw as it passes through the stomach, eventually ending at the bulldog's trumpet.

Not only is the sensitive stomach a contributing factor, but the flat face (also due to over breeding) means the bulldog needs to work harder and faster to get food into its mouth. This has its complications which we'll explore below (teaser: aerophagia).

So if you're considering getting a bulldog in the future, beware farting is all part of the package. And if you own a bulldog already, this will be an insightful article.

There is a silver lining to all this, when a Bulldog farts it can be incredibly amusing, just check out this Tweet I found using fart fuel to jump on a sofa. Smart guy.

1. Carbs

All dogs need carbohydrates, it's what their bodies use for energy. Just like us humans.

But too many carbohydrates can cause excessive bloating and gassy tendencies. This I learned was because of the way carbs ferment in the body.

Did you know, that the mass-produced dry kibble that you can buy in pet stores is filled with carbs, way more than your bulldog will actually need? I understand this is to make the product cheaper and easier to produce in bulk.

It's good for the consumer but bad for the doggo.

If you have dry kibble I encourage you to check out the ingredients, I guarantee one of the first ingredients will be starch like potato or grains.

If you've eaten a doughy pizza or a dense pasta, have you needed to fart afterwards? The same applies to dogs.

Try this: I feed Luna Rocketo's Dehydrated Raw Dog Food. It contains just enough daily carbs and energy for your dog, and since I've started feeding it to Luna, she's been less gassy. She still has her moments but it's nowhere as bad as it once was.

Reduce the feeds in your Bulldog's diet:

• Corn
• Starch

2. Food rich in fats and fibres

Don’t get me wrong, fats and fibres in moderation are great macronutrients for all dog breeds.

They provide a healthy balance of food intake and provide the essential nutrients and minerals your bulldog needs on a daily basis.

Though pay close attention to foods rich in fats and fibres because, not all of the minerals will be absorbed by the body, and the leftovers are the catalyst for a stinky toot.

3. Fermentable Foods

Like carbs, any foods that easily ferment are going to fuel your bulldog's trumpet.

Have you ever heard the phrase "beans, beans, are good for your heart, the more you eat, the more you fart"?

Well, it wasn't created by accident. It's so true.

So if you prefer Oxygen over whatever it is that comes out of your pup's butt, then I'd avoid feeding your dog:

• Beans
• Brocolli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Peas
• Greens

4. Dairy Products

Most dairy products are on the 'stay clear' list. Bulldogs are lactose intolerant which means they can't break down lactose, it really upsets their gut and well it has to come out somewhere.

So avoid these foods:

• Milk
• Yoghurt
• Ice cream
• Cheese
• Butter
• Soy

Try this: as an ocassional treat you can give your dog goat's milk, it has less lactose content so it's easier for your dog to digest.

And for the cheese fanatics out there, there's something called yak milk chew bone which you can buy too. Luna absolutely loves this stuff, and I think her stomach does too.

5.  Aerophagia

Aerophagia is the scientific name for "eating air". We've all been there before, we gulped and swallowed a bit too much air whether it was intentional or by accident, ultimately we end up sharing some extra toots.

According to The Kennel Club Aerophagia can be caused by stress or anxiety too.

The same applies to all dogs, and Bulldogs, in particular, are more prone to this because of their flat faces. As you can imagine they need to get much closer to the food in order to scoop it up and at the speed of a vacuum - they're asking for trouble.

Try this: opt for a slow feeding dog bowl, which as the name suggests makes a Bulldog eat slower, so they consume less air too. Here's a pic of Luna eating from hers.

Resources: My favourite dog products, tech, and apps

If you’re curious about what dog products, tech, apps, and books I’m currently using check out my resources!

FurrimalsLee Parker

Final thoughts

Bulldogs are particularly prone due to their sensitive stomachs and flat faces. Here's a recap of the 5 most common causes of gassy farts:

• Too many carbs
• Food rich in fats and fibres
• Fermented Food
• Dairy Products
• Aerophagia

If you've made it this far, thank you and well done.