Best Dog Foods to Prevent Gas: Reviews and Buying Guide

We all love our dogs and enjoy spending time with them, but sometimes we don’t like the smells they produce. In this guide, we will be reviewing and sharing with you the best dog foods to prevent gas, so you can enjoy your pet without quite so much of the pong!

At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Dog Foods to Prevent Gas:

• Taste of the Wild
• Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach and Skin
• Purina One Smartblend Natural Sensitive Systems
• Nature’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet
• Natural Balance LID Formula
• .Canidae Grain Free PURE Senior Recipe
• Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo
• Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free
• Zignature Limited Ingredient Recipe

Extreme flatulence in dogs is not only unpleasant for us, but the buildup of gas can also be painful for your dog. It might also be a sign of hidden health problems such as food allergies or gastrointestinal disease or parasitic infections.

In this guide we’ll be looking at the top ten dog foods that have ingredients specially chosen to help minimize the stomach problems that cause excess gas build up in dogs. You’ll find that not only do they smell better, but they will feel better too.

Keep reading for a complete guide to dog foods to reduce gas.

Top 10 Dog Foods to Prevent Gas

1. Taste of the Wild – Editor’s Choice

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Taste of the Wild is a popular brand with a great reputation. Made in the USA, Taste of the Wild is a family-owned business with a Missouri headquarters. They source all their ingredients from sustainable providers that they trust. The basic premise of their food is to try to replicate a wild dog’s diet – high in protein and easy to digest, without grains and fillers.

There are a range of different flavors and varieties, all packed with premium animal protein and highly digestible. The “High Prairie” formula uses real buffalo as the main ingredient, supplemented by other “meal” proteins. They aim to replicate a perfect profile of amino acids to support the development of lean muscle.

For carbohydrates, they choose sources that are easy to digest, such as sweet potato and dried chicory root, and avoid grain, corn and wheat.

To help the overall health and digestion of your dog, fruits and vegetables are added to increase the range of vitamins and minerals and natural antioxidants in the food. Probiotics are added after cooking, so they are fully active and thrive to aid digestion. 

Omega fatty acids from sources such as salmon oil, ocean fish meal or plant sources maintain your pet’s overall health from nose to tail. Chelated minerals attach themselves to protein to help increase absorption in the gut. There are no artificial colors, flavorings or preservatives.

All in all, they aim for a recipe that avoids potential allergy triggers and instead is nutrient rich and easy to digest.

2. Hill’s Science Diet – Adult Sensitive Stomach – best for dogs with sensitive skin

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Hill’s Science Diet for adult dogs with sensitive stomachs is a variety of the popular Hill’s brand formulated specially for dogs with more sensitive skins and stomachs. Hill’s is made in the USA and is often recommended by veterinarians.

The main ingredients are chicken, brewers rice, chicken meal, yellow peas and cracked pearl barley, so unlike some of the other Hill’s varieties, this one is not packed with grains and is therefore much easier to digest. 

3. Purina One Smartblend Natural Sensitive Systems – best for those sensitive to chicken

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Purina One Smartblend sensitive systems is another brand that pride themselves on the scientific theory behind their foods and that have a wide range of varieties for different ages and types of dog.

This bend is particularly formulated for dogs with more sensitive systems and the main source of protein is real salmon. Many dogs are sensitive to chicken without their owners being aware, and this is one of the few foods, even amongst foods for sensitive stomachs, that contains very little chicken.

The carbohydrate sources are rice flour, pearled barley and oatmeal, all quite easy to digest for dogs with sensitive systems. In addition, there are a range of vitamins and fatty acids both in the vegetables and added supplements to help your dog’s overall health. There are no fillers and no artificial preservatives. 

A great recommendation of this brand’s formula is that dogs appear to like the taste and that it has seemed to help improve the stomach of a lot of dogs.

4. Nature’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet– Best for dogs with allergies

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Nature’s Variety operates on the principle that dogs in the wild do not have a diet packed with multiple ingredients. This limited ingredient food uses just one source of protein and one vegetable and is specially formulated to avoid potential allergens and be easy to digest.

All of the short list of ingredients is high quality from the main ingredient – grass-fed lamb, to the other naturals such as peas and coconut oil. These ingredients have been selected to provide all the essential amino acids your dog needs and are prepared in the USA with minimal processing.

To avoid allergies, this food contains no grain, no dairy, no eggs, chicken, beef, fish, sweet potato, potato, chickpeas, corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives or colors. A few beneficial supplements such as chelated minerals which aid the absorption of nutrients have been added, but that’s it.

The unique thing about the Nature’s Variety formula is that every piece of kibble is coated with freeze-dried raw lamb. Dog’s absolutely love the flavor that this adds to their food.

5. Natural Balance LID Formula – Best for easy digestion.

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There are a few options from Natural Balance, but we like this Sweet Potato and fish formula. The short ingredient list demonstrates that your dog can get a balanced diet without all the extras – in fact, they get a lot of natural flavor, but the amount of fat and calories is kept under control. 

Because just a few high-quality ingredients are selected, there is less likelihood of digestive problem or allergies. Digestion is easy and there is maximum nutrient absorption.

The only additions are a good blend of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, along with calcium and phosphorus which help improve bone strength, healthy skin and a shiny coat.

6. Canidae Grain Free PURE Senior Recipe – Best for older dogs

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Unfortunately for your dog, digestive problems are more likely as your dog begins to age. The Canidae Senior Recipe is formulated to help reduce his flatulence while ensuring that he has the correct nutrition.

With just 9 easily recognizable, wholesome, main ingredients, this is an ideal dog food for those with sensitive stomachs and is crafted with dog health in mind.

Proteins, either meat or fish, are from premium sources and are paired with whole ingredients such as sweet potatoes, peas, lentils or chickpeas. Grain-free and digestible sources of carbohydrates are used – no corn, no wheat and no soy.

The few extra ingredients include Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat, supplements to help with bones and joints, antioxidants for a strong immune system, probiotics for healthy digestion and vitamins for a beautiful coat, as well as chelated minerals to support your dog in absorbing all the rest of the nutrients.

Check out our Canidae food review here.

7. Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food – Best for quality

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There are not many dog foods that a human would want to eat – but Holistic Select is one that you might actually consider. Made from premium natural ingredients and exceeding both AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration – for human food) guidelines, this is food with some serious credentials.

In fact, Holistic Select has been working in the USA for over ten years to ensure through their quality assurance program that they have the best standards of food safety in the business. They want to ensure that our pets are healthy, from the inside out, and concentrate on using good quality natural ingredients such as healthy proteins, fruits and vegetables. 

In this variety lamb is the main protein source and is highly concentrated as lamb meal. This is combined with digestible carbohydrates, in this case oatmeal and rice, and vegetables and fruit such as pumpkin and cranberries.

Full of flavor, the ingredients are also supplemented with prebiotics and probiotics from live yoghurt cultures and chelated minerals to help absorption as well as Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon oil and flaxseed to support a healthy skin and coat

8. Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey and Potato Recipe Puppy Food – Best for puppies

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Blue Buffalo is a trusted brand and this Blue Buffalo Basics formula adds that little extra protein and fat needed for puppy growth. The limited ingredient food is nutritionally balanced for puppies and a good way to get their digestive system off to a healthy start. 

The main ingredient is always a single source of protein, in this case it’s real turkey. This is combined with potatoes, pumpkin and peas which support gentle digestion – a good option for puppies with sensitive stomachs. 

There are grains, but they are whole and easily digestible so should be fine unless you are already aware that your puppy has a grain allergy.

To help reduce food sensitivities there are limited ingredients in this recipe, which don’t contain chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy or eggs or any byproduct meals, artificial flavors or preservatives.

In fact, holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists have worked to select a precise blend of vitamins and minerals to support the requirements of a growing puppy. In addition, DHA and ARA, two important fatty acids found in the mum’s milk, are also added along with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids from fish-oil and flaxseed which help take care of the skin and fur.

9. Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free – Best fish recipe

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The high-quality salmon in this Wellness Simple LID Grain-free formula may be just what your dog needs to sort out digestive issues. In fact, in this limited ingredient yet balanced food every ingredient on the short list has been selected to fulfil a purpose and promote the health of your dog.

As well as the salmon and salmon meal, you will find digestible grain-free carbohydrates such as peas (a good source of fiber and protein) and potatoes to provide just the right amount of fiber. Ground rice adds carbohydrate calories but is still easy for the gut to digest.

Ideal for dogs with sensitivities and allergies, most of the main allergens: soy, wheat, dairy, corn, eggs and meat byproducts are omitted from this recipe. Instead, you’ll find chicory root as a great source of fiber, probiotics to support a healthy gut, omega fatty acids to support coat and skin. You will not find artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, any fillers or any GMO ingredients. 

In fact, this food is expertly blended in the USA to create a nutritionally complete and nourishing food to support the health of the whole body.

10. Zignature Limited Ingredient Recipe – best for sensitive stomach

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For a dog with a sensitive stomach, a dog food with a limited number of high-quality ingredients is important. Zignature Limited Ingredient Lamb Formula contains just one source of novel animal protein and digestible grain-free carbohydrates. It’s a well-rounded recipe which perfectly fulfills the nutritional requirements of the dog and takes advantage of the advances of nutritional science.

Zignature has aimed to create the best dog food in the world, both healthy and delicious and has started by aiming to mirror the diet followed by canine wild ancestors. Their prey would have varied, but there would have been quite a limited content in each meal. Similarly, Zignature have limited the ingredients in their recipes to allow easier digestion for the dog.

What you won’t find in this food is grains, high-glycemic carbohydrates and common allergens such as corn, wheat gluten, soy, dairy and chicken, including chicken eggs, chicken meal or other chicken byproducts. 

What you will find is an additional blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and beneficial supplements for healthy skin and coat, fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and low glycemic legumes such as chickpeas to promote stable blood sugar and provide dietary fiber. 

Read more about Zignature dog food here.

Best Dog Foods to Prevent Gas Buyer’s Guide 2020

Why do Dogs get gas?

Flatulence is common and quite normal among dogs just as it is in humans. It’s just a byproduct of the digestive process. Some dogs are notoriously more gassy than others. The most gassy breeds are: Mastiffs, Boxers, Pugs, Beagles, Rottweilers, Pitbulls, Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs and Boston Terriers.

It’s also possible that large dogs experience digestive issues more than small.

However, if you notice an increase in the amount of gas, or it seems to be much more frequent than other dogs, it might not be quite normal. 

There are a few different reasons why a dog might get gas:

• Diet is the leading cause of gas in dogs. Some foods that are high in fiber can be difficult for your dog to digest and lead to a buildup of gas, but high meat content food can also produce some terribly odorous flatulence. 
• Allergies or Sensitivities – an often-overlooked cause of gas.
• Sudden change of diet – if you are changing what your dog eats, it should be a gradual change, mixing in just a little of your new food with their usual food and gradually transitioning with less and less of the old food and increasing amounts of the new food.
• Eating something that has spoiled.
• High-fat or spicy foods
• Eating too fast and swallowing air (aerophagia).
• Being overweight or obese.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Too many bacteria building up in the small intestine
• Parasites in the intestines.

If your dog is especially gassy, it would be a good idea to consult your veterinarian to see if there’s anything going on under the surface.

To reduce your dog’s flatulence, you’ll need to work out which of the above triggers is responsible.

Dog Food for Flatulence

Your dog’s food should be highly digestible with few ingredients and preferably whole-food and not too much fiber.

There isn’t a single ingredient in dog food which is responsible for flatulence. In fact, your dog could be allergic or sensitive to just about any ingredient in dog food. The most common culprits are food additives, common proteins, low-quality grains and dairy products.

Look for natural ingredients. The dog’s body is designed to digest food from its whole form, not highly processed and with many additives and preservatives. The closest you can get to a whole-food natural diet, the better.

Dog food should have protein as their main ingredient, but many animal foods use mycoproteins and plant-based proteins such as corn-gluten or soybean meal. They are largely indigestible for dogs so should be avoided. The best quality foods have named protein such as beef, chicken or salmon as their main ingredient rather than unnamed “animal” or “poultry”, meal or byproducts.

Red meat can make flatulence worse, so white meat or fish as the main protein ingredient is best. 

Limit the numbers of high-fiber carbohydrates and grains such as corn and wheat in your dog’s diet. They have trouble digesting these. Ground rice or sweet potatoes are better options.

Look for foods which are rich in omega fatty acids. They are great for your dog’s health, benefiting their skin, fur, joints and digestion. At the same time, avoid artificial additives such as preservatives, dyes, flavorings etc, which can often trigger food allergies.

Look for AAFCO approval. The Association of American Feed Control Officials oversees animal food labelling. It has to reach certain standards for approval.

Other ways to prevent gas in dogs:

Here are some top tips to consider to reduce flatulence in feeding as well as changing their food:

• Supplements including zinc acetate or Yucca schidigera may be helpful.
• Feed smaller meals more frequently.
• Use a slow-feed bowl to make your dog take his time and gulp down less air while eating.
• Avoid feeding table-scraps.

If excessive flatulence continues after you have tried improving diet and some of the other tips suggested here, it may be time to see your vet. They will be able to identify any medical issue that could cause the excess gas.

Final Thought on Choosing the Best Dog Food to Prevent Gas

In the end, your choice of which dog food to get will depend very much on your dog. We’ve given you information about some of the best ones here, but every dog is an individual and the likely cause of your dog’s excess gas could be any number of potential ingredients so you may need to try a few to find the one that works best for your dog.

Remember to change to a new food gradually and to give it a few weeks to see if there’s any improvement in your dog’s overall health and flatulence. 

There are a few dog food formulas that focus on limiting the number of ingredients, such as Nature’s Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet, Natural Balance LID Formula, Zignature Limited Ingredient Recipe or Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free.

With a senior or a puppy, we recommend Canidae Grain Free PURE Senior Recipe or Blue Buffalo for puppies.

For a Scientific approach with a huge range of varieties you might consider Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach and Skin or Purina One Smartblend Natural Sensitive Systems and for a company with one of the highest standards of food labelling and safety in the business, you might consider Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food.

Our personal favorite, and Editor’s Choice today, is the Taste of the Wild food. You don’t get the kind of reputation Taste of the Wild has without doing a lot right. We love their focus on a small number of very high-quality ingredients. Read our Taste of the Wild Review here.

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