Get your dog treated right

Feed your dog properly at night so that he doesn't go to a garbage bin to find snacks. Keep a lid on the bin.

My dog has become unusually gassy. What could be the problem and how do I treat this?

Bacterial cultures can be your dog's best friend. Adding 1 or 2 tbsp of low-fat yogurt with each meal can help reduce internal gas. Probiotics and digestive enzymes, found at your local pet supply store or veterinarian's office, are also beneficial microscopic bacteria. These enzymes help make your dog's innards digest food better and stop gas.

Try treating your dog to activated charcoal tablets or biscuits. Zinc acetate and yucca, found in health food stores, can also be beneficial. Since charcoal can rob the body of nutrients, it's best to limit usage to one or two days.

Don't give your dog poor-quality food as this contributes to excessive gas, especially if the dog is allergic to any ingredients, such as corn, wheat, soy or dairy. Stay away from highly fermentable table scraps, especially foods like beans, cabbage or onions.

Though your dog's smells may borderline on toxic, the issues that cause the gas are usually harmless, such as simply swallowing too much air. Prevent your dog from wolfing down food by feeding smaller, more frequent servings in a raised feeder. More serious causes of gas may be inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome, caused by food sensitivity or intestinal bacterial overgrowth. These conditions are generally accompanied by more severe symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea; see your veterinarian if your dog's gas persists.

My dog seems to be drooling too much lately. What are the possible causes & treatment?

Drooling occurs if the animal is producing too much saliva or is unable to swallow. Excessive saliva production is often due to pain, nausea, seizures, after eating toxic or bitter substances. Problems to swallow saliva can be due to mouth trauma, bad teeth, infection, inflammation or pain within the mouth. Problems with oesophagus, infection (Rabies, Tetanus), and facial nerve paralysis, as well several other conditions, could cause problems to swallow. Excessive drooling is always a worrying sign and you should seek veterinary attention without delay.