Read This Before Giving Your Dog Gas-X!

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Are you wondering if Gas-X is safe and effective for your dog?

You aren’t alone! After all, it is super common for canines to have bloating and discomfort from excess gas.

Can I Give My Dog Gas-X?Here’s the deal:

Gas-X has a good safety record. It could help your dog with temporary gas-related issues.

So, yes! This popular product can be provided to a pet for a bout of gassiness — although such situations typically pass without requiring medication.

Dogs Can Take Gas-X

Just remember that Simethicone, the active ingredient, is for short-term relief only.

And while Gas-X is an option, a quality probiotic may be much more beneficial over the long-term.

But really the best course of action is to get your dog properly checked out. It makes a lot of sense to first rule out what could be an underlying medical issue.

Side Effects And Dog Dosing

Gas-X, given in moderation, has virtually no adverse effects.

Simethicone is one of the safer over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, a proper dose is key for effective results.

So how much chewable or softgel Gas-X for a pet dog?

Well, it really depends on body size.

Veterinarians typically dose Gas-X in amounts as low as 20mg for small breeds, 40mg for medium-sized canines, and up to 80mg for large dogs.

Only your dog’s vet is qualified to tell you the exact optimal dosage. But if you must go it alone, be sure to take into account the product’s different concentrations.

The following forms are available:

  • Extra Strength (125mg)
  • Ultra Strength (180mg)
  • Maximum Strength (250mg)

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus

Bloating is caused by too much gas production. It is a very serious condition known as Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus is the actual name).

Gas-X can help reduce your dog’s gassiness, but GDV is a medical problem that requires urgent veterinary care.

Indicators of Bloat include:

  • A bloated stomach
  • Rapid, shallow, or difficult breathing
  • Pale colored mucus membranes
  • Increased pulse and/or heart rate
  • Pacing and/or restlessness
  • Unproductive retching (failure to vomit)

Your buddy’s stomach may also seem harder to the touch than usual.

Are any of these symptoms happening to your dog?

If so, Gas-X certainly can’t help!

Go to your local clinic or emergency veterinarian hospital ASAP. Do not delay as the situation can be fatal.

A Few Preventative Tips

Lots of gastric problems are the result of a poor lifestyle — bad eating habits included.

You’d be smart to avoid low quality dog foods! They usually have too many grains which can produce excess gas.

Also, do not feed one large meal per day. Instead, provide your dog with 2 or 3 small servings over 24-hour periods.

And restrict exercise for a few hours after meals for better overall digestion.

These changes can go a long way towards decreasing gas.

Gas-X is not a real solution.

The Bottom Line

Gas-X is unlikely to harm your dog. The active ingredient, Simethicone, is not known to be dangerous.

But make it your goal to address the problem and not just symptoms.

For your dog’s sake, let an expert take a look!

If nothing else, they’ll likely suggest a more suitable treatment alternative.

In any case, Gas-X is not for frequent use. Do not provide it to your pet regularly.

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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15 thoughts on “Read This Before Giving Your Dog Gas-X!”

  1. Hello all! I see a lot of comments on here from many who have not experienced GVD with their animal. As having just recently been through an ordeal with my sweet girl and GVD, I’d like to express the knowledge I have in hopes of helping anyone who finds this in preventing GVD, and best practices post-GVD:

    Preventative:

    – Make sure your pup has a healthy gut (give probiotics)
    – Don’t let your pup eat too fast (try using a slow-feeder or puzzle bowl)
    – Try to feed primarily wet food – if using dry food water it down or use chicken stock to wet the food (there is no research behind one being safer, but kibble expands in the stomach)
    – Do not play excessively or go to the dog park within an hour or two of feeding
    – Do not throw treats for your dog to catch in the air, this can cause then to swallow air

    Tips:

    – If you think its GVD, take them to a vet right then and there or they likely won’t make it
    – Get the Gastropexy surgery (3 weeks after she got GVD, my pup got into the trash and bloated and needed her stomach to be pumped – thanks to the gastropexy during her first life-saving surgery her stomach didn’t flip)

    I hope this helps someone.

  2. My Pit bull occasionally gets a very noisy gut. It squeaks and gurgles like crazy for hours, but she shows no discomfort at all. Her tummy is not firm or bloated. She sleeps through all the noise. Has anyone’s dog experienced this?

  3. I have a mini Schnauzer with painful gas. She cries out! She’s eating prescription Royal Canine gastrointestinal food. I wonder if grain-free would be better.

    My vet puts her on medicine for this problem, but I think it makes her constipated. Any idea what might help?

    I also had her tested for pancreatitis and it was negative. Her stomach gets really tight when she has this.

    1. Have you tried a little mineral oil? My vet recommends it for occasional constipation. It does not hurt them in any way. Works wonders!

  4. Christine says:

    I never realized my Golden could be at risk.

  5. I have a 7 week old Poodle that’s whiny and irritable. I believe she has gas. What do I do for this baby?

  6. I have a 19 pound Pomeranian. She’s 11 and a half years old and occasionally she gets noises in her stomach. When I give her brown rice the noise goes away. There are no smells related to this issue so I don’t know if it’s gas.

    She tends to stay away from food when this happens. The vet said to put her on a bland diet, which she is on 99% of the time. Today is one of those days and she won’t even eat the rice. What about giving her Gas-X or Pepto-Bismol?

  7. I have an older, 15 pounds overweight, Boxer. They are known for sensitive stomachs to begin with. The vet said to put her on a weight maintenance food. I did that and after a year she is down to her proper weight. We are now using the weight maintenance food just to maintain this weight.

    The problem is that for the last year her gas has been horrible, every time after she eats. I’ve tried every brand out there that the pets stores carry. My question is could I give her a Gas-X pill with her meal to help relieve the gas on a daily basis? She is never in pain she is usually sleeping when it happens.

    1. Boxer Lover says:

      My Boxers had a similar problem with gas. The vet suggested plain yogurt. I mix in about a tablespoon of it with their evening meal and it helps greatly. If I run out, and don’t get to the store immediately, you can tell right away.

      1. Thanks so much for your help. Actually, I always have vanilla yogurt at home because I eat it every morning myself. I guess my dog and I will be having breakfast together every morning now.

    2. Plain Greek Yogurt or Lifeway Kefir plain. I give my dogs both. For the yogurt they get 1 heaping tablespoon twice a day in their meals. The kefir is more liquid so I just pour a little on their kibble. My dogs are Dobermans so they are notorious for sensitive stomachs and skin.

  8. I have 3 standard Poodles. They have had gas or bad breathe every now and then. But this week a horrid smell started in all 3. I can’t even explain this horrible smell.

    I have always fed them the same food, same food dish, nothing new. About a month ago I got some new milk and cookies, but they are a little different.

    I have always given them one small sized cookie a day so maybe it’s that. But they haven’t had a cookie for four days and this gas is still filling my entire house. Any ideas on what to do?

    1. Hi Tonnie. I know this sounds weird but your dogs need their scent glands squeezed. Soft stools mean not enough pressure is being put on the scent glands. So, liquid is built up until it becomes a discomfort.

      What dogs then do is lick them and this can lead to a very nasty smell. What I would advise is ask your vet to check their scent glands to see if there is a build up.

  9. Breeds most at risk for bloating include:

    Afghan, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain, Bloodhound, Boxer, Doberman, Great Dane, Great Pyrenee, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, King Shepherd, Kuvasz, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Shiloh Shepherd, Standard Poodle, Saint Bernard and Weimaraner

    1. Greyhounds also bloat easily.

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