Pointer Cobs with Charcoal

Charcoal biscuits are one of the oldest things in the dog trade, and they are bought for one reason: wind. Whether they help is a matter of long-running debate among owners and vets alike, but they have been sold on that basis for the better part of a century and plenty of people swear by them.

Pointer's version is a crunchy biscuit with charcoal at a minimum of 4%, which they describe as helping to aid digestion. The rest of the composition is cereals, minerals and oils and fats. The analysis is crude protein 6.5%, fat content 7%, inorganic matter 10% and crude fibre 2.5%. It is a complementary pet food with a daily guide on the box worked out by dog size.

• 10kg box
• Charcoal at a minimum of 4%
• Crude protein 6.5%, fat content 7%
• Inorganic matter 10%, crude fibre 2.5%
• Complementary food, with a feeding guide by dog size

Wind that is new, sudden or smells different is worth investigating. Charcoal biscuits are a traditional remedy for an ordinary problem; a dog whose flatulence has changed noticeably, or who has it alongside loose stools, weight loss or discomfort, has something going on that a biscuit will not touch. Diet is usually the cause, and changing the food does more than adding to it. Also worth knowing: charcoal can bind other things given at the same time, so keep these well away from any medication your dog is on and ask your vet if they are on anything regular.

Who it's for: owners of a windy dog who want to try the traditional answer, and anyone whose vet has already ruled out anything more interesting.