Puppy with excess gas

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I own a 4 month old male staffordshire Bull Terrier mix puppy. He is current on all of his shots and vet care. He is currently battling a minor case of demodex mange and slight eye and ear infections. I have had him since he was 8 weeks old and always had him on Science Diet Puppy food. However, I first feed him the original puppy formula, then switched to the lamb meal and rice puppy formula. Well, every few weeks he acts like his butt bothers him alot. He has regular bowel movements and is wormed but every once and a while he acts like he has alot of gas and discomfort. I feed him 4 times a day to make sure he does not eat too fast and swallow alot of air. When this happens he looks at his bottom area and hides, as in he will go into his crate and hide. I am not sure why but it seems to be very uncomfortable. Do you think the Science Diet Lamb Meal and Rice puppy food could be causing these problems? I have him on Science Diet because I thought that was the best commercial food. I also just bout a new 20 lb bag and emptied it into his air tight food holder. Before I got him the people I got him from said he was on basic purina puppy chow. I want him to get the best nutrients due to his mange and infections so I am not sure if I should change his diet or do something else. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I dont want him to be uncomfortable. Thanks.

ANSWER: Is he really producing gas or is he just uncomfortable?  If he is uncomfortable ask the vet abut his anal glands, or even have a groomer empty them.  

If he is passing gas, and has done so on both the chicken and lamb formulas, you might try a beef or fish based chow.  

There are those that will tell you Science Diet is garbage.  Likely they are either selling something more expensive or bought into the marketing hype of somebody that is.  I think it does have corn in it, and corn does give an occasional dog gas.  If you dog has gas, you may have to pay extra to get a corn free chow.  Expensive chows aren't the answer to every problem.  I am going to paste in the last question I answered:

''Subject:    dog's diet?
Question:    My 8 month old lab has been eating Evo dry and can food.  Prior to that she ate Wellness.  Both brands I believe are good, but my problem is gas!!  After eating she passes gas.  Is it the food?  I have tried gas aid products--no luck.  Can you help?

Answer:    As near as I can tell, premium chows such as EVO and Wellness are no better than the common brands when it comes to gas and soft stools.  I have seen many cases where people go through a half dozen ''good'' brands before finding one that works.  I have fed 19 different dogs common brands and only had a couple I had to change chows for.  

I would look for another chow that has different ingredients and try it.''

The Wellness and EVO are $50 a bag.  So much for buying your way out of the problem.  



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, he does pass alot of gass. I think he was also alittle constipated. I bought him some edible puppy bones and he loves them. He just started eating those two days ago, could it be them? They are milk with added vitamins. He went a few minutes ago, number 2, and it was normal. Perhaps the bones are the problem and not the Science Diet? Either way, he has always passed gas ever since I got him at 8 weeks. Any ideas?

ANSWER: Rereading your original question, yes, I see he does have gas.  Sorry.   If he had gas before the bones, they are unlikely to be the problem.  Although, as I said. you may need to get away from the Science Diet.  I know for a fact it is a good chow.  However, no one diet works for all dog.  Check around for something different and perhaps corn free.  If somebody starts going on about how terrible Science Diet is, smile, nod, and let it go out the other ear.  

If you think eating too fast and swallowing air is the problem, that can be fixed.  Labs are terrible about that.  Before switching chow, you could try slowing him down.  There are not one, but 2 easy, tested, effective ways to control rapid eating. You can spread the food out on a cookie sheet or something. Some of my friends just throw it on the floor of the crate. You can put large rocks in the food dish, much to big to swallow. Either way, the dog can't gulp down one big mouthful after another.

How is his weight?  Excess weight causes no end of problems, perhaps even gas.  Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, I understand. I always knew Science Diet is a good food, but as you say it may not be the best for all dogs. I will try to slow him down first cause I just bought a new bag of food, and if that doesnt work I will try other foods. Are there any particular foods for puppies you would recommend? You say corn free, any ideas? As for his weight, he is a perfect weight, he is not overweight and not skinny. They vet says he has a body score of 5 which is perfect. He has a clear tuck and you can feel his ribs and he looks great. He is only 4 months old and I hear alot about people wanting to make their puppies fat but I am glad my pup seems to maintain a good weight. He is very active which likely helps him maintain the weight he is.

Answer
As far as I know, the data at http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ is accurate.  The ratings do not reflect the real world nor have data to back them.  There are many that buy into the idea that a more expensive dog chow has to better for your dog and those with a good story ready to take their money.  

Before the current form of the net existed, we were raising puppies for a large dog guide school that feeds Pro Plan, no better rated than Science.  Once I started reading how awful it was, I started digging.  What I have learned is that many other service dog schools with all their resources to determine the best diet and the incentive to do so, are feeding back of the pack chows including Science Diet.  I have not been able to find any research backing up the claims of the premium chows.  I have challenged people on open forums to provide me with research backing the premium chows.  They don't seem to appreciate the importance of controlled testing.  Those selling premium chows are very good at exploiting the emotions of many.  

Yes, try the slowing him down.  If that doesn't work, try a corn free chow.  If you have a Cosco, I think Kirkland would be OK, or Diamond.  

One other thing is that most of the gas comes following a meal.  Years ago we solved a gas problem by feeding the dog at bed time.