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So, a ratio that favors loose versus firm would be a safe bet? Did the balance shift while using IAMS. More firm versus loose? If so, how often were loose in a matter of a couple of weeks? Less than 10 stools, less than 5 stools?
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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More of his stools are loose than are firm, yes.
He had loose stools often when on the IAMS too, but maybe that was because I was giving him "extras" that didn't agree with him. I'd say that it was 50-50 then. Maybe 60-40 for loose.
Do you think that this is a good test for the next week or so: Only feed him his kibble, supplemented with some brown rice. See if the stools firm up.
If they don't, switch him to a food that has no milk.
Here's what I have read, (and maybe CleosMom may chime in here as well);
You may be over-feeding. Dog's ideal food amount should be around 3% of what their body weight (should) be.
(Say if a dog is overweight and weighs, say 75 lbs but he should weigh 62 lbs; then 3% of the 62 lbs should be daily intake.)
Also, with veggies, we were advised (Holistic) to process them in a blender first because carnivores can best digest them in already-processed form. (This is why so many dogs instinctively eat doo-doo, looking for already "processed" nutrients...)
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Travel'r
Here's what I have read, (and maybe CleosMom may chime in here as well);
You may be over-feeding. Dog's ideal food amount should be around 3% of what their body weight (should) be.
(Say if a dog is overweight and weighs, say 75 lbs but he should weigh 62 lbs; then 3% of the 62 lbs should be daily intake.)
Also, with veggies, we were advised (Holistic) to process them in a blender first because carnivores can best digest them in already-processed form. (This is why so many dogs instinctively eat doo-doo, looking for already "processed" nutrients...)
Hi! Thanks for the info. However, I don't think Artie's overeating. I feed him two cups of kibble per day (one in the morning, one in the evening) and he's never been the kind of dog that eats when he's not hungry. In fact, when he's not hungry, he won't even eat a treat.
The information about the veggies is VERY interesting! He does love his veggies -- I'd guess he'd take them in any form.
Just so you know: Brown rice doesn't increase the solidity of stool. It's because of the fiber, which is hygroscopic, meaning that it retains water, preventing the water from being reabsorbed in the large bowel. WHITE rice will help to firm up the stool.
The fiber will also promote decreased transit time (the time it takes food to go from one end of the GI tract - the mouth - to the anus), but not firmer stool.
He had loose stools often when on the IAMS too, but maybe that was because I was giving him "extras" that didn't agree with him. I'd say that it was 50-50 then. Maybe 60-40 for loose.
Do you think that this is a good test for the next week or so: Only feed him his kibble, supplemented with some brown rice. See if the stools firm up.
If they don't, switch him to a food that has no milk.
Is that a good plan?
Yes, that sounds good. I would think that 5 days would be ample time to find out if the changes are making a positive. With that being said 5 days for one test 5 for the other if no change I would seek out a Vet. Don't want to scare you so I am hesitant on telling you this but I am hoping the problems does cure itself using your methods in the changes in his diet, if it doesn't I might suspect a possible problem with his prostrate. Please keep us posted! As mentioned before, I am not a Vet but been around dogs most of my life and done a lot reading and and also sharing actual experiences.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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Viralmd -- Thanks for letting me know about the brown vs. white rice! Is your gut feel that the loose stool could be caused by the milk in the Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul kibble?
Dukester -- I just asked a friend of mine who switched his dogs to Chicken Soup kibble and he also had the problem. I wonder if I'm best off changing to Canidae. I appreciate your help.
Viralmd -- Thanks for letting me know about the brown vs. white rice! Is your gut feel that the loose stool could be caused by the milk in the Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul kibble?
Dukester -- I just asked a friend of mine who switched his dogs to Chicken Soup kibble and he also had the problem. I wonder if I'm best off changing to Canidae. I appreciate your help.
Have you considered a grainless food? Taste of the Wild, Evo, Orijen, among many others, make great grainless foods. If you don't want grainless, I highly recommend Fromm (the four star line; it's not rated 4 stars, that's just the name of this particular line). People swear by this stuff and refer to it as doggy crack, so it might be great for your picky eater! And, you can switch flavors with each bag to diversify the protein (I think they have 5 or so?) Artie might be excited to eat again but if his poop goes back to normal, you'll have nothing to post about!
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MAK802
Have you considered a grainless food? Taste of the Wild, Evo, Orijen, among many others, make great grainless foods. If you don't want grainless, I highly recommend Fromm (the four star line; it's not rated 4 stars, that's just the name of this particular line). People swear by this stuff and refer to it as doggy crack, so it might be great for your picky eater! And, you can switch flavors with each bag to diversify the protein (I think they have 5 or so?) Artie might be excited to eat again but if his poop goes back to normal, you'll have nothing to post about!
When you told me about those foods, I checked and none of the retailers close by stock it. Can you imagine? It's not like I'm living out in the sticks! There was one -- I don't remember which -- that was stocked at a place near me, but it's VERY expensive.
I think I'll go to the store that stocks the high-end stuff (the place I got the Chicken Soup from) and ask them what they have -- WITH NO MILK -- at or around the same price point as the Chicken Soup.
I'd love to give Artie doggie crack. Tee hee! Oh. Scratch that. He's hyper enough as it is.
Are you kidding? If Artie's poops get normal, I'll be able to post more on the Porkchop threads. About how cute he is!
Oh! I meant to tell you, I saw a doggie listed on Craigslist (sigh.... ) just like Porkchop -- but obviously nowhere near as freakin' adorable -- and his name was Meatball. I just about spit out my coffee laughing. Porkchop, meet Meatball. Meatball, Porkchop...
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About how cute he is! 
) just like Porkchop -- but obviously nowhere near as freakin' adorable -- and his name was Meatball. I just about spit out my coffee laughing. Porkchop, meet Meatball. Meatball, Porkchop...
