Like humans, dogs can also experience discomfort with trapped gas in their stomachs.
Generally, a dog can relieve itself in the form of flatulence. However, there are some instances where the dog will need some human intervention to relieve the bloating and pass gas with the assistance of a massage.
If a dog’s stomach is hard and certain symptoms are present, such as lethargy, it could mean your dog is suffering a form of indigestion relating to excess gas and constipation. Causes for gas include an unhealthy diet, food allergies, or lack of exercise. Learning a simple home remedy, like how to massage your dog can help alleviate the pressure in the abdominal area and/or help it to poop. That, in addition to a proper diet and exercise, will keep your dog happy and bloat-free.
Furthermore, information on techniques of how to massage gas out of a dog, including the signs, and symptoms, plus the sources that ascribe to constipation and gas, will be discussed in detail in these topics below.
How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Trapped Gas
In general, a dog can exhibit certain physical and behavioural evidence if it is having problems with its digestive system. One of the most common symptoms is excessive bloating and a hardened abdominal cavity. Dogs can also shy away from food or water as ingesting either could enhance the concern. Besides those, lethargy and lack of energy can also be a result of gas that can’t escape.
If you suspect your dog is experiencing these symptoms, gently feel with your hand for any hardened areas on the abdomen near the stomach and intestinal area. If there are, watch how your dog reacts to your touch. Sometimes, it will be painful for the dog, and they might retract from your hand. If this is the case, ease up on the pressure being applied.
Listen for audible digestion sounds from your dog. You may hear rumbling and gurgling, which indicates the digestive tract is attempting to do its job. However, some intervention might be all your dog needs to release that built-up pressure.
How to Properly Massage Your Dog to Relieve Gas Pressure
Mild cases of dog bloat and trapped gas can be relieved by applying massage to certain areas of the dog. Keep in mind, the dog could be experiencing pain in specific sections, so it’s important to be gentle, and get a feel for your dog’s comfort level.
You can apply the massage on your dog while it is standing or laying down. If standing, place your palms on each side of the dog’s abdomen area and massage with slight pressure in a circular motion. Concentrate on the hard areas, as these are where trapped gas can be. However, if it causes your dog pain, avoid those areas and concentrate on the less painful ones.
If your dog is laying down, make sure it is on its side. Run one of your palms down the dog’s body, while feeling for soft and hard areas. Apply the same technique, with circular motions and slight pressure or a squeeze.
Next, lay your dog on its back and rub your palms up and down the belly with gentle pressure. Circular and side-to-side motions can also be included during the massage to assist in releasing the gas. Again, avoid any areas that cause the dog pain.
In addition to the massage, it’s also important to comfort your dog by petting and giving positive reassurance so your dog relaxes and enjoys the massage. Do dogs like massages? They absolutely do, so find a quiet area where your dog can settle in comfortably and not be distracted by outside influences.
How To Help Your Dog Poop with a Massage
Another human characteristic that dogs have is constipation, just like gas, poop can sometimes be difficult for a dog to pass. Applying a massage to help your dog poop is similar in comparison to a massage that relieves gas.
There are several pressure points on a dog’s body, especially on the dog’s spine. Running your hands down or stroking the length of the spine can stimulate these pressure points and relieve muscle tension.
Also, when pooping, dogs squat on their haunches, therefore they could be experiencing some discomfort while in this position. This particular massage technique could relieve that pressure and make going easier. A massage can also be applied while the dog is in a pooping position. Run both hands starting at the base of the neck down to their lower back along the sides of the spine with slight pressure. Continue this exercise numerous times, then repeat on a weekly basis if constipation is a regular occurrence.
Why Dogs Get Gas
Dogs get gas for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons are an improper diet, excessive eating, or eating too fast. Examples of an improper diet include consuming too much fiber, protein, and foods that are not easily digested. Examples of these foods include seed pod plants such as peas, soybeans, beans, etc., dairy products, and high-fat content foods. Also, switching to another brand of dog food can trigger a digestive upset if it is not introduced into their diet properly.
Having a food allergy, or an intolerance to certain ingredients can also be a factor for excessive gas accumulation in the stomach and intestines. Besides food, a lack of exercise can be attributed to trapped gas in your dog as well.
More severe causes for gas could be health related. These can include Gastroenteritis, a parasitic infection, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or even possible tumors. In this event, if you suspect any of these attributes, seek advice from a veterinarian instead of tackling the problem yourself.
Remember, massaging your dog to pass gas is a simple solution for less severe cases and should not be considered a cure-all for more in-depth medical issues.
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