Can I do this to my dog?

Question

My dog was sick with some stomach problems a few months ago and during that time the vet switched her to some prescription food. She had previously eaten dry food her whole life (6 years) but the vet switched her to wet food and I just kept her on it even after the illness cleared up. However, she has had diarreah recently and I think it is because of her food. I feed her Pedigree chunky wet food exclusively. She doesn't get any human food. I do swithc flavors of the food, just like from chicken and rice, to beef and rice to lamb and veggies, etc. but it is all the same style from the same brand. Switching flavors isn't a big enough change to give her diarreah, is it? Should I just get one flavor and always giver her that? Or should I change to a different brand or back to dry food? She seems to really love the wet food(I'm sure it tastes better than dry) but she always has diarreah.

Other than that, she seems totally healthy. Also, it's not like she is going diarreah all day long, it is only usually twice per day, just like she used to, just now it is really runny instead of a log like normal. Sorry to be gross and long, just want to get all the details in. Thanks for any advice. Oh ya, 6 YO female english Bulldog. Thanks.

What's wrong with Pedigree? I thought that was one of the big name brands. I love my dog and treat her like my child, however, I am not very informed on these sorts of matters because she has never really had any problems. Is it just junk food? Bad ingredients? Maybe that is why her poo is the way it is. Oh, and by can I do this, I meant change flavors.

I used to feed her NutroMax, is that good stuff? That is what a guy I went to school with whose parents own a vet store suggested. What kind of wet food is good?

Answer 1

Wet food can result in looser stools, but that isn't necessarily what you are dealing with. Ought to have her checked out.

As to the Pedigree. Have you read the ingredients in that stuff? Major Ewww! Totally not healthy. Certainly not good for any pooch. Beware of foods that have "byproducts" in them, as well as those who's first ingredient isn't some sort of real meat. By real meat, that means plain ole chicken, or lamb, or beef. Not Chicken Meal, or Lamb byproduct, etc.

Answer 2

sounds like you are upsetting the bacteria in her stomach and intestines, when the bacteria level gets high diarrhea ensues. You must pick ONE dog food and stick with it, best thing to do is pick a dry dog food and a wet and mix a little bit of wet in with the dry to add flavor, she'll eat it. Just a spoonful to mix in and coat the dry dog food.

Constant diarrhea will cause dehydration, when she gets diarrhea skip a meal give the bacteria a chance to level out again, a dog can go a long time without eating, but give her 12 to 24 hours before feeding again. If she's always getting diarrhea then you might want to consult with your vet about putting her on a low residue dog food. It's prescribed to my dog every time she gets gastroenteritis and she get's it a lot. Iams makes a low residue intestinal dry food that is recommended for dogs with sensitive stomach's which it sounds like your dog has, it's only available thru your vet as it's prescription only.

Good luck

Answer 3

Pedigree is one of the worst foods out there.

Put the poor pup on a HIGH quality food.

If you didn't do a gradual switch from the dry to the wet only - that could be your problem. Dogs needs to SLOWLY switch foods.

Because she has had diarrhea for a while, make sure she gets LOTS of water so she doesn't become dehydrated.



My advice to you would be, change to a high quality diet, switch gradually, and consult your Vet further on this issue.

Answer 4

I had the same problem with my dog. I took him to the vet several times. Make sure the diarrhea is not bloody. I think all dogs love wet food better than dry but dry is better for their digestion, especially if the dog is a mixed breed. The breed can impact what the dog can handle for food. Also if your dog has swallowed something that they cannot pass that will cause diarrhea. Have you had an xray done of their tummy?

Answer 5

actually, the flavor may make a difference. I have a dalmation who is allergic to beef, so we have to keep him on chicken or lamb. Not even the meat itself, but they may need to use different preservatives for each type of meat, which could be contributing.

My dog is sick this week too, and we're on the Rx food. Petco today had me change from Beneful which was making her poop all the time, to Natural Choice by Nutro. Apparently, alot of grocery store type dog foods only about 10% of the food actually stick to their stomach, the rest runs right through. Maybe think of a natural dog food (I'm new at this too, my old dogs always ate grocery store available foods...).

I'd try experimenting...give her chicken and rice one week, beef the next week, lamb the next. See if one week is worse than another with bowels, and you may be able to pinpoint it to a certain flavor to stay away from.

Best luck :)

Answer 6

Wet food can cause loose stools, and so can low quality food. Both of which your dog is eating.

I would recommend going back to a high quality dry food. High quality foods include: Canidae, Wellness, Innova, Natural Balance, and Eagle Pack to name a few.

High quality foods do NOT include: any store brands, Science Diet, Purina, Pedigree, Eukanuba etc.

Answer 7

She should get some kibble. It's good for the teeth. Pedigree is not the best food, either. You can mix some wet in with kibble.
If she always has loose stools, she should see the vet just to be sure, as well.

Answer 8

You can switch flavours as long as it's from the same brand...you may have picked up a bad batch of the food.
Take your dog off of her wet food for a day or two and replace it with cooked white rice..let it cool and serve... it helps the dogs poo get solid again...make sure your dog gets plenty of water.
After the day or two or when the stool hardens you can switch her back to her regular wet food....but use a different can.

Answer 9

If your dog really like wet food you should give it to her unless...have you gone to the vet? If you haven't you should. Maybe it's some ingredients in the wet food that cause the diarrhea. At least the vet can check if every thing's ok.

Answer 10

Personally, I'm not a fan of soft dog food. Take your dog to your vet to get her checked out. She shouldn't have diarrhea everyday. Something is up. Switching flavors should not cause diarrhea.