Rottweilers are super popular pet dogs. In fact, the Rottie, as devotees like to call this dog breed, is eighth in the nation in terms of dog breed popularity!
Rottweilers are known to be loyal, loving, protective, and deeply attached to their people. Strangers see an aloof, stoic protector. Owners see a silly, goofy little lap dog trapped in a big furry dog body.
But there is one trait Rottweilers are known for that has Rottie owners commiserating rather than celebrating. If you are reading this article right now, you likely already know what that trait is – farting.
Why do Rottweilers fart so much? Is it something they ate? Something they didn’t eat? Something you can (hopefully) control? Or is it just a habit you have to learn to live with? We will explore all of these questions and more in this article.
Meet the Rottweiler Dog
Rottweilers love their people. If you have a Rottie, you already know your dog pretty much wants to be wherever you are, doing whatever you are doing…and eating whatever you are eating.
As the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed profile points out, Rottweilers are prone to weight gain despite their large size. They love their food and are masters at begging for treats.
Part of the reason for this is because Rottweilers have always been bred to be active working dogs. When “on the job,” they have a focused determination and nothing will interfere with the task at hand.
Rottweilers are amazing protectors, police and military dogs, guide dogs, service and therapy dogs, and protection dogs. But they also make great family pets. Unfortunately, most family pet dogs don’t get the kind of daily exercise working dogs to do.
More treats plus less exercise can add up to a particularly plump pup! But does this cause farting in Rottweilers? Let’s find out now.
Sometimes Farting in Rottweilers Is Totally Normal
It is true that no Rottweiler owner wants to hear this.
But unfortunately, as PetMD points out, farting is a normal byproduct of what happens when bacteria in the gut go to work to break down and digest foods.
Gas builds up in the digestive tract as the bacteria are busy digesting. Eventually, all that gas needs somewhere to go – voila, fart!
But certain kinds of foods are more prone to causing the busy bacteria to produce gas. We will talk more about which foods and how diet can play a part in how often your Rottweiler farts (as well as how smelly those farts may be).
Why Do Rotties Fart So Much?
Rottweiler owner forums are full (literally chock full) of threads focused on the stinky and seemingly unstoppable habit of Rottie farting.
Why do Rottweilers fart so much? Is it just a dog thing? Or is it particular to the Rottweiler dog breed?
While there is no general consensus on which dog breeds fart the most, Rottweiler owners will definitely attest that their dogs can fart a lot. There may actually be some science to back this up.
Rottweilers, like many purebred dog breeds, have certain known heritable (genetic) conditions that can occur more commonly due to selective breeding. With a more limited gene pool, it is more likely these conditions get passed on to puppies.
But not all of the medical reasons that can cause Rottweiler farting are genetic. Some are common threats to all dogs regardless of breed, such as parasites.
In the next section here we will look at the most common medical conditions that can cause your Rottweiler to fart.
Medical Conditions That Can Cause Farting in Rottweilers
Here are the most common medical conditions that can cause your Rottweiler to fart. Here, it is important to stay aware of when your Rottie’s farting gets more frequent or stinkier, as this may be a warning sign of a developing medical condition.
Rottweilers are prone to allergies
As Harlingten Veterinary Clinic points out, Rottweilers as a breed are known to suffer more from food allergies and seasonal allergies than many other dog breeds.
When allergies flare up, this may cause an imbalance in the digestive tract that can lead to farting and other G.I. and skin symptoms.
Rottweilers are more likely to develop bloat
Rottweilers can also be predisposed to a potentially fatal condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus, or “bloat.”
As the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVM) explains, bloat happens when the dog’s stomach becomes bloated with gas to the point where it can twist inside the abdomen.
This condition typically develops rapidly and can be fatal even if treatment is given right away. Luckily, there is a simple preventative surgery your veterinarian can do to keep your dog safe. This is a good surgery to do when your dog is spayed or neutered.
As this YouTube video by a canine veterinarian explains, bloat can be controlled by slowing down how quickly your dog eats and making sure you are feeding smaller portions.
Rottweilers are more prone to developing IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, should not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.
IBD is actually a malfunction in the Rottweiler’s immune system. It causes the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract to become inflamed. In a way that is similar to Crohn’s disease in humans, Rotties can have flare-ups for no apparent reason.
However, the introduction of new dog food, new treat foods or a change in a daily routine that causes stress can also cause an IBD flare-up as well.
When a flare-up occurs, your Rottweiler may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and other really uncomfortable symptoms as well as farting.
Parasites
Sometimes parasites can cause digestive distress and farting. Essentially when your dog has parasites, they are feeding themselves and their unwelcome visitors.
As Vet West Animal Hospitals explains, intestinal parasites may not be the first thing that owners think about when a Rottie starts farting more than usual. But there is definitely a link.
What Foods Can Cause More Farting In Your Rottweiler?
VCA Animal Hospital gives a good overview of the medical condition known as flatulence (from the Latin word “flatulentus,” which translates to mean “a blowing.”)
And what a blowing it is indeed!
These foods are all implicated as more likely to cause flatulence, gas, farting, whatever you choose to call it, in your Rottweiler.
- Soybeans.
- Peas.
- Beans.
- Dairy (cow) products.
- Spicy food.
- High-fat food.
- Some grains: corn, cornmeal, wheat (gluten).
- By-products.
- Chemical preservatives.
- Fillers and artificial ingredients.
- Table scraps.
- Coprophagy (eating poop).
- Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts.
- A newly-introduced dog food.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that some foods are just harder for your dog’s digestive tract to break down.
Other foods are basically foreign to your dog’s G.I. tract, like artificial or filler ingredients a wild canine would never even encounter, let alone eat.
And while some breeds can cope relatively well with food changes and new foods, Rottweilers don’t tend to be one of them.
So keeping your Rottie’s daily diet very consistent in every way (amount of food, time of feedings) is going to be one key to keeping the farting under control.
What Can You Do to Make Your Rottweiler Fart Less?
While it is always nice to know that Rottweiler farting is something most Rottie owners deal with, it isn’t the same as figuring out how to reduce the problem.
Here, eliminating the problem is most likely never going to happen. But there are some practical steps you can take to cut down on the quantity and, well, the intensity of your Rottweiler’s gas.
Add prebiotics and probiotics to your dog’s diet
Veterinarians are recommending these important supplements more frequently to help dogs with G.I. problems digest their dinner more easily.
The truth is, passing gas isn’t just uncomfortable for you. It is probably not very pleasant for your dog either!
Prebiotics are an important source of insoluble dietary fiber to keep your dog regular. They can also help aid in digestion and food breakdown.
Probiotics are food for the good bacteria in your dog’s gut that break down what your pup eats.
Talk to your veterinarian about changing foods
Once you have ruled out any major medical issues as the cause of your Rottweiler’s farting, it is time to look closer to home.
Sometimes, Rotties stop tolerating their daily dog food as well as they used to. This could be due to age or hormone changes. It may also be due to a developing food allergy.
Trying an elimination diet with a limited ingredient in dog food could be the key to reducing the farts.
Are you living with a farting Rottweiler? Have you found something fantastic that works to keep lifeless stinky? We’d love to hear it – please post your ideas in the comments.
