any advice on my dogs food?

Question

i started feeding my dog Wellness brand dog food because it has no "filler" such as corn gluten or soy and also no artificial ingredients. however, i feed my dog according to the feeding chart on the bag and she has very runny stool since i satrted feeding this food about 10 days ago. i'm hoping that i can get some advice on the matter. my dog is just 4 months old and is in other wise good health. even having an upset stomach hasn't made her act any different. any advice?

Answer 1

I've heard of several puppies having issues with the puppy food and runny stool. Did you start her "cold turkey" on the food? That could be an issue. If it is the Wellness (it's a great food but nothing works for everyone) try out Solid Gold or Innova. They're also fantastic foods that some dogs take better to.

Also, giving a dose of yogurt a day will firm up the stools. I split a small carton between my cocker and my dachshund and they LOVE it!

Answer 2

First of all PLEASE do not listen to anyone suggesting that you should switch to Iams or Pedigree, etc. As you mentioned, Wellness is such a great food because it doesn't have fillers or by-products and uses whole fresh ingredients. Those people obviously don't care enough to actually read the ingredient labels, they just watch a lot of tv and believe everything they hear. So, please, you are doing the right thing by feeding a really good food.

There are several COMMOM reasons why puppies/dogs get diarrhea.

1. I think first you need to eliminate any chance of it being a parasite or illness. You should check with your vet to make sure that your dog is otherwise healthy.

2. If your dog is healthy, then you probably need to reduce the amount of food that you are feeding. I know that you said you are going by the recommendations but remember, that is all they are, recommendations. Try cutting down on the amount and/or frequency that you feed to see how your dog adjusts. Remember, you have only been feeding this for 10 days and it is recommended that you take at least 10-14 days just to switch foods gradually. If you just stopped feeding the other food and went 100% to this food, it might take your dog a bit longer to get used to it.

3. Also consider the fact that it is summer and your dog might be a bit under the weather because of the heat. don't automatically assume the problem is the food.

4. As a last option, if your dog still has diarrhea and none of these suggestions have worked (make sure you give it a couple more weeks), then you may have to switch to another food. If this is necessary....PLEASE do not go to a lower quality food. Look for foods like Innova, California Natural, Solid Gold, Eagle Pack Holistic, Canidae, Fromm, Evolve, etc. This foods are all still made by a smaller company and are similar to Wellness in quality.

Great job in trying to provide your puppy with the best possible diet. don't get too worried as this is a common problem in puppies. Just make sure you give him water so he doesn't get dehydrated and moniter your progress.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

My dog did great on Pedigree. I'm more willing to put my trust in a big company with a full testing and research program than a small company. I raised her on pedigree puppy and now on pedigree regular. I've never had any problems with her. She's also got the shiniest coat, healthiest dog I know. The wellness stuff could be too rich for her. Don't fall for the big hype about 'filler' etc., get something that works for your dog that they're happy with and their bodies are happy with.

Also, I found that when my dog was a puppy - every time she had a growth spurt she would get the runs a bit and then be fine. Especially during teething time - which you should be getting into now at 4 months.

A call to the vet might be a good idea. Make sure she gets enough water, that's the main thing.

Answer 4

When changing a dogs food you should do it slowly so that they won't get the runs. start with 3/4 of the old food, and 1/4 of the new food for a few days, a week would be better, then go half and half for a few days, then go 1/4 of the old food and 3/4 of the new food for a few days, then go with all new food.

You only need to keep a puppy on puppy food until it is 6 months old, unless directed otherwise by a vet.
Good luck.

Answer 5

ok, first off - do NOT go and feed your dog pedigree like someone else mentioned - that stuff is garbage - that is why it is so cheap. Wellness is a good food but just know that any time you change your dogs food, they will usually get diarhea from the change - once they get used to the food it should be normal. Usually when you switch a dogs food, you want to mix the old and the new to prevent diarhea. But i would recommend the dry food over the wet food since it is better for their teeth and gums. and you want to keep a puppy on puppy food till they are about a year old to a year and a half depending on the size of the dog.

Answer 6

If you suddenly change a pet's diet, inconsistencies with urine and feces are common occurences. Suddenly changing a diet on an animal screws up the animal's body. If you do change your pet's diet, make sure you do it over a period of a couple of weeks. Gradually mix more and more of the "new" food in and less and less of the "old" food in until you have all "new" food. Keep an eye and see if the problem lasts; if it doesn't clear up in a couple of days, contact your veterinarian for advice (that's why vets are around for!!!)

Answer 7

Try Iams puppy food and add it gradually to his diet. My sister has fed Iams to her dogs for years and it has made a difference in their hair and overall energy, not to mention they poop less according to her. I began feeding my cat Iams (switched from Purina Cat Chow) and I see a difference in her appetite - she is no longer hungry all the time, and her litter no longer has a strong smell. Her fur is shinier and softer.

DO NOT feed your dog canned or pouch food - it sticks to their teeth and can rot them like too much sugar does for our teeth (this also applies to cats).

Eating dry food is enough to keep their teeth clean. Treats like Milk Bones and ones that say they clean teeth are just dog food packaged as a snack and can add unwanted pounds - that came directly from the vet! This includes pig's ears and rawhides.

When it comes to pet food, just saying there's no filler or artificial ingredients isn't enough. Your dog is growing and needs nutritious food (That sounded like some cheesy dog food commerical, but it's the truth!). A lot of vets will recommend Iams, Eukanuba or Hill's Science Diet food for optimum nutrition.

Answer 8

it may be the quick change when i change my ferrets to a new food i would mix their old food with the new tell i gradually just had the new i usally half to do this with rescue ferret since i always ask what they feed them i try to get them on what my ferrets eat so i don't have several differnet brands of food, so it just may be you started him on the food and it cause a shock to his system if you have some of his old food try mixing if not keep him on it and keep an eye on him if it dosn't clear up call your vet or taken him in but i can almost bet he just got a shock to his system i see it all the time.

Good luck

Answer 9

It might not be the food. Maybe she has worms. If she is only 4 months old it is a possibility. It could be just a coincidence that you changed foods at the same time. I would ask the vet if runny stool is common from this type of food.

Answer 10

Don't feed her wet dog food it's bad for her.
And I suggest feeding her pedigree,
it's worked for my dog from the stages of puppy hood to now being 13 years old.