Could the change from dry food to wet mixed with it cause smelly gas and diarrhea or should I be concerned?

Question

The puppy is 12 weeks old and now has horrible gas and loose stools/diarrhea. I had a puppy that had parvo before and I'm scared. He is not lethargic or vomiting and he is eating, but the feces and gas smell pretty bad. Could it just be the switch from dry food to mixing wet and dry? He has been eating the new mix for about 4 days and the loose stools just started today. He has a vet appt. for shots in 5 days and I don't know if he should be checked sooner or if I'm just paranoid from past experiences. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Absolutely! Diet changes should take place slowly! When I shift my pups from puppy to adult food, it takes me almost a month to get the transition complete!

Answer 2

First, don't believe everything you read on the web (or in forums either!) IAMS kitten chow has chicken as the first ingredient. That is a plus. And there are a lot of haters out there against IAMS. But not all bags of IAMS are created equal. Stick to the original formulas, and read the ingredient listings. But more to the point. A sudden change in food can cause diarrhea. Any change in food needs to be done gradually, over perhaps a weeks time. So changing suddenly probably was what brought on the diarrhea. It should go away soon. And there are those who feel canned food is better, and they are often passionate. And there are those who feel dry kibble is better, and they are often passionate. When a cat doesn't do well on either dry or wet food, is that because of the food, or would it have happened anyway? Those questions are rarely answered when people give anecdotes. It is quality that is the most important thing. But genetics also plays a role. Until recently, the oldest lived cat, Creme Puff, passed away at 38 years and a few days. It was reported she was on Purina dry cat food. And what food is best? Actually, your kittens are the deciders. If they don't like the food, they won't eat it. The opinions of others don't matter. I look for meat as the first ingredient in the food I feed my cats.

Answer 3

Any time you change a dog's food, it will cause intestinal upset. That is why it's recommended that you do not change your dog's food once you feed it a certain brand. To switch, you should GRADUALLY mix the food it is currently eating with the new food. If you just switch in one day, yes, that could cause a problem. I suggest you talk to your vet if you suspect the dog has parvo, as this is parvo season. Also, if you believe it's parvo, you should take a hose to your backyard and use it to wash away any doggypiles. That helps disperse any flies that may be carrying it.

Answer 4

I was sooo excited to read this question!!!

My pup is 9-10 weeks and had the exact same thing. He is still active etc. I called and talked to a vet and they scared me with the whole parvo bit. I waited a couple days, took him off wet food, put him on Biljac, and now his stools are normal, no gas and he is fine! Wait a couple days and try if you can to take him off wet food. As a dog carer for all my life I never had good luck with wet foods.

Answer 5

Any time you switch a dog's food (especially to wet) the dog can develop diarrhea. I don't like wet/canned foods for that reason. They tend to come with a little more gas/diarrhea. When you switch a dog's food do it slowly, by gradually replacing the old food with the new. If it gets worse, and he exhibits any of the other symptoms (lethargy and vomiting, along with weakness, fever, or it seems like something's just not right) get him to the vet sooner. Or maybe call your vet and ask him. Most likely it's nothing to really worry about (unless he seems dehydrated).

Answer 6

Look, u should only feed your puppy dry puppy food like Purina bcuz if u mix them together they will (as u thought) have a lot of gas. (Believe me I have had expierence.) U really shouldn't feed ur puppy canned food at all yet. My puppy is only about 8 months old. And I still only feed him dry puppy food. Here r the major reasons: #1 He won't eat ne thing but the canned food. Use it as a treat. U really should wait until he/she is at least may be 10 months old or a yr.(depending on her/his stomach) till u start feeding him/her canned food. Stick with dry food. #2 It is not really good 4 ur dog. Once he/she gets older, then u can give them canned food but, only as a treat still.
If this does not work 4 u. U may want 2 see a Dr. immediatley.
~Fel~

Answer 7

instead of quickly changing from dry to wet try mixing both to get puppy used to it . the gas and wet stool is going to be an issue with wet food . you could also try another brand of food purina or IMS is usually pretty good. Good Luck

Answer 8

Yes. You shouldn't change their diet except from puppy food to the same brand and type of adult food when they are 12 months old. Same when they hit senior age. Always use the same brand and never go from dry to wet or vice versa.

Dog stomachs can be very sensitive to diet change.

Answer 9

Could be due to diet change, but with a puppy you should check with your vet right away. Even with a diet change, pups can dehydrate quickly, so treatment is needed right away. Don't wait the 5 days, because that is too long.

Answer 10

Ok. This Kinda happend to my one Kitten. I would put your Puppy on the Blan Diet. The Blan Diet is made Of: Rice, Eggs, and Chicken.
It should be fine for the 5 days. Also if you play with your puppy play more gentle so its stomach doesnt Get unsettled. ^^' I Hope this Helps