There's dog fart, and then there's dog fart—the kind that makes you question every life decision that led to this moment. The kind that could probably be classified as a war crime.
If your dog's flatulence regularly clears the room, here's what's going on and how to fix it.
Why Dog Farts Smell So Terrible
Dog fart smell comes from sulfur-containing gases—the same compounds that make human farts stink. But dogs often produce more of these because of their high-protein diets and faster digestion.
Several factors make dog farts particularly potent:
The Chemistry of Stinky Dog Farts
The main odor compounds in particularly nasty dog farts:
Dog farts often seem worse because they're low to the ground and rise up to hit you unexpectedly. Also, dogs have no concept of "crop dusting" politely—they just let it rip wherever they are.
Common Causes of Extra-Smelly Dog Farts
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Too Much ProteinVery high-protein foods produce more sulfur gas. This includes premium raw diets and some high-meat kibbles.
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Table ScrapsEggs, meat, dairy, and fatty foods from your plate are digested differently and often create smellier gas.
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Food IntoleranceIf your dog is sensitive to an ingredient, it ferments poorly in the gut, producing extra-smelly gases.
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Low-Quality FoodCheap fillers and byproducts are harder to digest and produce more malodorous gas.
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Eating GarbageIf your dog gets into trash, compost, or dead things, expect truly heinous farts for a day or two.
Sudden onset of extremely foul-smelling gas (worse than usual) can indicate a digestive infection or illness. If it's accompanied by other symptoms, see your vet.
How to Reduce the Smell
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Review the Protein LevelIf feeding a very high-protein food (35%+), try a moderately high-protein option (25-30%). Still plenty for health, potentially less smell.
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Add Digestive EnzymesEnzyme supplements help dogs break down food more completely, reducing the material available for smelly fermentation.
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Try ProbioticsGood bacteria can outcompete the sulfur-producing ones. Dog-specific probiotics often help with fart smell.
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Eliminate Table ScrapsCut out all human food for 2-3 weeks. If farts improve, you've found a major contributor.
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Try a Novel ProteinIf your dog eats chicken-based food, try fish, lamb, or venison. Sometimes a different protein source digests better.
Some pet stores sell charcoal-based treats that claim to reduce fart odor. Results are mixed, but some owners swear by them. Worth trying as a supplement to diet changes.