Yes, you sure can. Gas-X or Simethicone is considered a safe drug for dogs.
If you are a pet owner, you can honestly attest to the unpleasant smell that fills the house when your dog farts.
It is, however, not advisable to administer the Gas-X before consulting your vet or any other form of medication.
What is Gas X? How does the Drug Work?
Gas X or Simethicone has an active component that helps relieve gas fast as build-up will result in bloating, flatulence and discomfort.
However, Gas-X does not cure your dog’s gastric distress.
Instead, it works by speeding up the process of expulsion of gas while also making it easier to pass through the digestive tract.
Meaning that even though the farts will continue, your dog will feel better due to the farts.
Gas X medication is effective only for a short period because it aids in forming larger gas bubbles.
Dogs can get rid of these by burping or passing gas, which makes it easier for them.
In any case, the gas will still need to be expelled from your dog’s body in some manner.
Simethicone is simply a chemical that aids in the acceleration of this process.
Simethicone is a medication used to treat gas-related issues in dogs.
Flatulence, burping, and bloating are some of the symptoms that can occur, though they should not be confused with bloat, which is a potentially fatal condition that requires immediate emergency veterinary care.
What Causes Gas in Dogs?
Before we get to know more about administering Gas-X, let’s first discuss why dogs get gas in the first place.
The primary cause of gas in dogs is that their digestive system isn’t functioning as efficiently as it should.
It is considered normal for some gas to be produced during digestion.
Extremely excessive gas, or gas that is exceptionally odoriferous, should not be occurring.
Listed here are some of the primary causes of dog gas:
- Eating fast: The faster your dog eats, the greater the likelihood that they will swallow air along with their food. Gas build-up occurs in the stomach as a result and expels it through the mouth as flatulence.
- Poor diet quality feed: Dogs, like us, require high-quality food to maintain their health and happiness. A diet rich in processed foods, preservatives, and meat meals means your dog is unlikely to be getting all the nutrients they require. This causes them to be more susceptible to health problems such as excessive gas production.
- Extra gas could be a sign of a more serious medical condition, such as IBS or intestinal parasites, and should be addressed immediately. Make a point of contacting your vet to determine the cause of the problem.
- Feeding on human food: It is tempting to slip your dog treats from the dinner table as they watch you eat. However, human food causes flatulence as your pet cannot digest the human food properly as we do.
- Gastrointestinal infections: Following bacterial infestation in your dog’s gut can disrupt the normal digestive processes, resulting in more gas production. Some of these infections may be self-limiting and resolve independently, but others may necessitate antibiotics to clear them up.
- Food sensitivities and allergies: Foods such as wheat, soy, and dairy products are some of the most common food allergies in dogs.
- Bloating can result from your pet swallowing excessive air: Dog gas of this type does not have a particularly foul odor, but it can still cause them to experience discomfort due to the accompanying pain. By gulping down their food and water too quickly, gassy dogs, in particular, end up swallowing excessive amounts of carbon dioxide.
- Food products like peas, dairy products, and high-fat treats: These are prohibited as they cause gas to your dog since the digestive system works harder when digesting these foods. As a result, the dog’s stomach will produce more gas than usual. Peas, dairy products, fatty table scraps, and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are the most common culprits.
- Dogs with brachycephalic heads, such as boxers and pugs, are more prone to gas than other breeds. Because of their adorable smooshed face, they swallow a lot of air when they eat, resulting in a gas build-up in their stomachs.
Common symptoms and signs you will observe when your dog has gas include,
- Swollen or distended stomach
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Pacing
- Lack of bowel movement
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tender stomach
- Excessive salivation
- Whining when you touch her stomach
When gas is untreated, it may eventually lead to bloat.
This medical condition known occurs when gasses become trapped inside a dog’s digestive tract.
It is extremely dangerous and frequently accompanied by a twisting of the stomach, which further confine the gases within the stomach walls.
In the absence of immediate medical attention, bloat is often fatal.
Recommended Dosage of Gas-X in Dogs
You should not administer any form of medication to your pet without consulting with your vet.
Gas X is unlicensed for dogs, and it is, in the true sense, a human drug administered to dogs.
The recommended dosage does vary depending on your pet’s weight, size, condition, and medication formula.
- For the small dogs, administer about 20 milligrams
- Medium-sized dogs give about 40 milligrams
- Large dogs will require about 80 milligrams
Your veterinarian will provide a more specific and safe dosage recommendation that takes into account the severity of your dog’s gas-related condition as well as the size and weight of your dog.
However, it is critical to adhere to the dosage and administration instructions to the letter at all times.
The instructions include the amount of time you should give your dog’s medicine over what period.
It is also necessary to visit the veterinarian if your dog has gas followed by regular diarrhea or vomiting, experiencing severe pain, or when your dog appears weak and exhausted.
These symptoms could indicate a severe illness, and it is best to have your dog’s condition evaluated by a veterinarian.
Side Effects of Gas X in Dogs
Gas X is considered a safe drug that dogs can easily tolerate; however, there are possible side effects if you administer a high dosage.
Some of the possible side effects include,
- Loose stools or diarrhea and vomiting
- Hives
- Swelling
- Difficulty in breathing
If your canine buddy has an allergic reaction or any of the above symptoms, contact an emergency vet immediately.
Gas X is a safe medication for dogs, and it works rapidly, as results are within a couple of minutes.
Give Gas X to your canine buddy experiencing gas or bloating, but consult your vet for proper administration.