While it’s tempting to blame the dog when a noxious smell wafts its way across the room, if you have a Boxer, it’s probably a safe bet. For various reasons, Boxer dogs are famous for their smelly gas. In fact, Boxer dog farts can be downright nasty.
For the most part, boxer farts are very normal and very common. However, there are things you can do to help alleviate bad Boxer farts if they become a consistent issue, like changing food and the way they eat. It’s important also to be aware if your boxer dog has bad gas suddenly.
Are boxers more sensitive to bad gas than other dogs?
Dogs with flat faces – like Boxers – are more likely to take in too much air while eating than other dogs. The boxer dog breed is also susceptible to stomach and other gastrointestinal problems. One of the biggest risks for boxer dogs is bloat, which can be fatal for boxers. As a result, try to avoid exercising your boxer immediately after mealtimes. That famous boxer dog speed is super cute, especially when they have the zoomies and want to play, but it’s not a good idea to encourage running and playtime after eating.
But they also just generally have quite sensitive stomachs. Like us humans, when we consume something that doesn’t agree with our belly, we’re probably going to have stinky farts. And stinky boxer dogs farts are no different, your pup may have just eaten something they shouldn’t have.
Too much gas can be caused by a Boxer dog eating too quickly, which we explain in more detail below. If you have a Boxer, you’ve probably seen how they go absolutely wild for food. Like most dogs do. But by eating super fast, they can ingest too much air. And that air that comes in, must come out.
Why do boxer dog farts smell so bad?
Speaking generally, it comes down to the digestive process in your boxer. After eating, the bacteria in their intestine will start to break down their meal, turning it into nutrients the body can use for energy. But this process has side effects with certain foods, as smelly hydrogen sulphide gas is released in the colon as a by-product. Farting is how that gas gets out.
Is it normal for boxers to fart a lot?
In a word, yes. Boxer dogs fart a lot. It is normal for a boxer dog to fart multiple times a day. Some of them will be completely silent, while others will let out a little ‘Pfft’ sound. Some of them will smell quite bad. It is common for boxer dogs to fart at least five times a day and sometimes more than 10 times a day.
But if your Boxer dog is farting constantly, or they smell really, really bad, it is probably time to consider what may be causing it. The same applies if your boxer dog is farting all of a sudden and you feel the behavior is unusual. You should also pay attention to boxer dog stomach gurgling and as always, if you are really concerned, consult your vet and consider your options.
What causes excess gas in boxer dogs?
The number one issue that causes Boxer dog gas is eating too fast. When your boxer inhales its food, it is consuming a bunch of air too. That air needs to come out, and it either does as burps or farts. By eating too fast, Boxers can also swallow their food whole, making it more difficult to digest. The more difficult it is to digest, the more the potential for gas issues.
We recommend getting a slow feeder for your Boxer dog, and dividing their meals into portions. Still give your boxer the recommended quantity at mealtime, but just give it to them in two or three portions instead of one lumped amount. That will help regulate the speed at which they eat.
A second cause of Boxer dog fart issues is the type of food they are eating. Boxers have sensitive stomachs and a change in diet requires an adjustment period. If you have noticed more gas since you changed your Boxer’s food, then give it a few weeks and see if it settles down. If it continues, then it may be an ingredient within the new food that is causing the gas. As always, consult your vet before changing your dog’s food.
Another reason could be an imbalance in your boxer’s digestive system. Like humans, boxers have ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in their system. If there’s too much ‘bad’ bacteria building up in their digestive system, it can lead to health issues like diarrhoea, constipation and gas.
Do certain foods cause bad boxer farts?
Yes, certain foods are more likely to cause your boxer dog to have bad gas. They are:
- Corn: Many poor quality dog foods are packed with corn. Meat is obviously expensive, so some dog food companies fill out their product with corn to make it cheaper to mass produce. Corn is not necessarily bad for your boxer as part of a balanced diet – it can be a source of vital nutrients, and it’s a myth that corn in dog food is difficult to digest. However, check the labels and avoid low quality dog foods that do not offer a good balance between proteins, fats and carbs. Many of the best dog food brands have labels that meet government standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
- Changing Meat diet: It can take your Boxer time to adjust to a change in diet. For example, changing your boxer’s dog food from lamb to chicken may initially upset their stomach. If it continues for an extended period of time, then you may need to change back, or consult your vet.
- Table scraps: Feeding your boxer from your plate occasionally is OK if the food is healthy. But doing it often, and especially with high-fat foods, is bad for your boxer’s health and can cause excess boxer dog gas.
- Certain vegetables: Just like in humans, certain vegetables can give your boxer dog smelly farts. Yes, we’re talking about you Brussels sprouts. The same applies to other steamed veg like broccoli and cauliflower. They are great, healthy treats. But too much and they’ll cause boxer dog farts for sure.
How to help my Boxer dog fart less
It doesn’t matter if they are silent but violent or loud and proud, boxer dog farts often don’t smell nice. While gas is normal (like it is in people), excess gas can be concerning. The good news is there are a few things you can do as a pet parent to help.
With information from a trusted source, the American Kennel Club, here’s what we think you can do to help your boxer dog fart less frequently:
- Change your dog’s diet slowly
- Don’t feed them from your plate
- Don’t let them get in the trash
- Avoid certain gassy foods
- Use a slow feeder
Good training can also help. Teach your boxer dog the ‘Leave It’ command so they listen to you when you catch them sniffing around in something they shouldn’t, like the trash can or a cat’s litter box. You want them to drop that nasty piece of trash or cat poop immediately before they swallow it and cause digestive issues later, which probably will result in some nasty boxer farts. Definitely get a covered trash can and prevent easy access to the dog food.
If you are really concerned about your boxer dog farts, then you should speak to your vet about different dietary options. They may have suggestions for a more easily digestible, low-residue diet that could help your dog. These type of diets have fewer hard-to-digest ingredients like peas, beans and fibre. That results in less gas for your boxer dog.
