Has to be the puppy food...I think?

JagerMonster · 06-18-2008, 07:51 PM

So I just spent the last week and half giving meds and bringing Jager back to his regular diet after a few days with runny stool. Vet said she could not tell me why he had runny stool but put him on meds...tonight was the first night that he had just food without any rice (I have been adding rice and increasing his food gradually). Well just took Jager out and lo and behold....RUNNY STOOLS.

My intuition tells me it is either a bad bag or his little belly just doesn't like it anymore. Thoughts? I am of course calling the vet but thought I would ask.

If it is the food, how do I switch to new food since his belly doesn't like his current food?

What puppy food would you suggest???

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!

trey lee · 06-18-2008, 08:54 PM

Hi there, feeding a high quality food is so important. Spirit is 3 months old, almost, and is on the Wellness brand for large breed puppy. It's a great quality food. Here in Toronto Canada a medium bag costs about 40 bucks. Some other high quality foods are Orijen (based on a high protein low grain diet) and Natural Balance (which is an all stages dog food- so it is used for puppies right through adulthood). It sometimes takes a dog a few weeks well to ease into it and settle. When switching foods do it gradually in a 25% new food -75% old food , then 50/50, then 75 new/25 old. I hope this helps you. Research the foods online and check out the high quality food ingredients. Wellness is a no wheat, no corn, no soy and no by product

Dry Dog Food Formulas - WELLNESS®
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance® Pet Foods :1
Orijen Pet Foods: About ORIJEN:

CMax · 06-18-2008, 09:09 PM

There are 3 main reasons (not mentioning viruses and infections) why dogs have runny stools...
1. Teething
2. Parasites (coccidia, giardia, worms)
3. Adjusting to new food

If the dog is not teething, try doing a fecal. If the dog is not teething and has no parasites, then switch to a new brand of food. If the dog is not teething and has no parasites and has been on that food for several weeks, then it's possible the digestive system is not responding well to this brand. If the same happens after you try 2-3 different brands, give BARF diet a try.

Good luck!

P.S. My dogs did well on ProPlan and Nutro.

**dobermansrule** · 06-18-2008, 09:14 PM

what food is he on now? then second, I wouldn't feed a puppy food, per se. Try one of the all life stages foods.

and I'll one to CMax's list: a bloom of the naturally occurring bad gut bacteria that overwhelmes the good bacteria and throws the system into upset. The colon can be a dogs stress organ (lots of nerves in there) so what we might not think as stressful could be stressing out the puppy resulting in the out of whack bacteria and loose stools.

MY69RS · 06-19-2008, 06:21 AM

I had mine on natures choice and it didnt agree with them at all. When i had the scare with Clyde on monday i had started to switch them over to diamond. They seem to like it so far but im like you he is on meds right now so im not to sure. Bonnie has taken to it with no problem that i see.

JagerMonster · 06-19-2008, 06:31 AM

My problem is that he has been on Eukeneba (ug spelling) since he could eat puppy food. I am wondering if I just got a bad bag of food?? I am also wondering if he is feeling my stress with summer classes. I try not to stress too much but anyone who has taken doc classes knows that is difficult. I just think it is strange that his bowl movements were fine until he was just back on his puppy food. He is teething...no parasites (vet looked last time) and I am just at a loss!

MY69RS · 06-19-2008, 06:38 AM

If you figure it out let me know and i will try with mine. I have heard yogert or something like that but im very strict on no people food. Dont want two 70lb beggin dobes :-) I hope its the teathing thing.

JagerMonster · 06-19-2008, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MY69RS

If you figure it out let me know and i will try with mine. I have heard yogert or something like that but im very strict on no people food. Dont want two 70lb beggin dobes :-) I hope its the teathing thing.

OMG, yes! Because he has been getting rice he thinks everytime I go to the fridge or use the microwave it is for him!!!

trey lee · 06-19-2008, 06:55 AM

Plain yogurt has awesome probiotic qualitites for our dogs. If you do try it, just buy the plain one without fruit added. Many human foods are great for dogs. People who do the BARF diets could help out here. As long as its a plain food and not at all processed or added spice or fat there is lots of nutrience in our human food way more than in dog kibble.

JagerMonster · 06-19-2008, 10:12 AM

So it is official.....vet said change the food. Jager and I are off to the pet store to buy new food. I hope this is not the beginning of a very long process...