I think I would try a different food at this point, since he's never had good stool on it.

MeadowCat

 

Sounds like there is too much 'filler' or fiber in the food! I agree with changing his food!

I feed and recommend Purina Pro Plan Salmon and Rice. No canned, no supplements.

 

What I need to know is what has more fiber - grain, protein or veggies? I guess I don't know what creates harder stool.

 

What foods are available for you? I personally like grain free dog foods if you are going to feed kibble, but everyone has a different preference. It's a matter of finding what works for your dog.

If you can get it, my dog did fantastic on Orijen.

MeadowCat

 

depends. If the protein is from Meat, no fiber, Some veggies and grains have more fiber than others!

 

I guess I need to look at different kibble and see what the fiber content is. We do have some no grain Canidae that I've been feeding Gretchen. This can be so confusing.

 

It can really be just a matter of trial and error until you find the right food for your dog.

MeadowCat

 

My Baron did not do well on Canidae. Also, he does not tolerate too much canned food. I only give him a tablespoon or two maybe 2 or 3 times a week and he seems to be OK on this. I switched his food fromf Canidae to Innova Adult and he has done really well on this from the beginning. Nice firm, normal size poops. Another thing which gives him what I call "soft served ice cream" poops is fish oil. Have tried regular fish oil, dermcaps, 3V caps. Tried introducing slowly to no avail. Every dog is different and you might have to try a few different foods until you get the right one. But remember to introduce a different food gradually. Best of luck.

 

Looks like I'm going out shopping tommorrow and looking at the different kibble everyone has mentioned here. Would giving him a little pumpkin in his dinner tonight help at all, or is it more for the runs?

 

Are those big round stools hard? Something is odd about all this. I need more info.!

Color of stools, amount at one 'poopin'?

Does he drink enough water?

Do you mean out of the blue it went from pancake to baseball? No changes in diet at all?
Is he on any meds for anything else?

 

He has been on the same food his whole life. No medication at all. It went from pudding during puppy and then after he became a year old this has started and has gotten worse with age. The color is medium brown. They aren't really hard, just well formed. The first "link" that comes out is literally a baseball size round poo, followed by a few links measuring about 12" - no kidding this boy can poop a load at one time. This happens 3-4 times a day. It's always the first thing that tries to come out is round. I was starting to wonder, could there be a deformity in his rectum that is allowing the stool to form a ball at the end?

 

Odder by the minute! The amount of times a day he poops is way more than normal too.

Have you discussed this with your Vet?

somewhere in my brain a thought is forming, heehee, I will think on it more and get back to you!

 

My girl had pudding poop with Canidae also. I am now feeding Taste of the Wild venison & bison. Her poop is now well formed but not real hard. This is grain free and she poops once or twice a day, usually twice. Pumpkin is fiber, so it usually gives them a solid stool. I have read here on DT that if given to much it will give them soft stools, never experienced that but thought I would pass on what I read. I personally would switch foods to see it it helps, do it gradually so you don't upset his stomach.Good Luck !

 

How much are you feeding him?

 

At each meal he gets a cup of kibble with about 3 tablespoons of can with 2 squirts twice a day of Iceland Pure Salmon Oil. One dog biscuit in the evening.

 

OK, here is my brains thought on all this................since he had the loose stools for so long I am thinking his bowels have gone 'slack' and now since things do not move along like they would normally the stool is 'bunching' up.
You need to see about improving the 'muscles' of the digestive tract. Something to 'train' the bowel to move the stool along correctly so at the end you get a nice normal bowel movement. He is NOT constipated, the stools would be HARD if he was.

I will get back to you with an Idea of how to do this.

 

Before I recommend anything...............you need to have your guy in for a complete blood panel, paying extra special attention to how his liver is functioning!

 

Thanks DLS for your input. I need now to convince my husband to take him in for a few tests. After doing some reading about what would help hard stools, I am starting the process tonite of changing his kibble and treats to the no grain variety. I think another problem is the kid never drinks much water, that probably doesn't help matters much. Another thing I should add is that he goes to work with my husband every day and he says he will not poo there, so he is holding it maybe longer than he should.

 

Not sure how much a complete blood panel costs! Maybe ask your Vet!

To help increase his water consumption try adding 1/4 tsp. of A Natural, Organic, sea salt to his food once a day. A good quality unrefined, unprocessed ( slightly grey in color)sea salt has over 80 trace elements in it too!!!!

 

Thanks for the salt tip - I'll get some from the health store and try it. He only seems to drink twice a day.