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Diarrhea after switching food
I switched my Black Lab to Pedigree from Beneful because of a really great sale and he's having watery diarrhea several times a day. I only noticed it yesterday but we bought the food earlier in the week. I noticed him eating grass for the last three days but he seems fine otherwise, but I'm concerned. Scooter is 7 years old and weighs 112 lbs.
He eats 1/2 can of Pedigree wet food mixed with dry food then has dry food later in the day if he wants it.
He eats 1/2 can of Pedigree wet food mixed with dry food then has dry food later in the day if he wants it.
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Our dogs couldn't be much different, but both seem to have less than "bullet proof" digestive systems. My 20 pound Westie has been on Taste of the Wild Salmon and Potato (key ingredients) for a time (Kibble) and I started adding in Tractor Supply 4Health Salmon Potato Canned, at $1 a 13.2 oz can, a real bargain. I may switch to the 4Health Kibble too as it is lower cost and higher rated than the very good Taste of the Wild he is now eating.
Our Westie appears to have allergy problems that cause skin problems, not bowel problems. I have added Tractor Supply Probiotics powder to our dog's wet food and hope that adds more. The Probiotics is in the Horse section of the store (for dogs the size of yours : ) ) but the label advises dose for smaller animals, about a teaspoon full for a 20 pound dog.
Our Westie appears to have allergy problems that cause skin problems, not bowel problems. I have added Tractor Supply Probiotics powder to our dog's wet food and hope that adds more. The Probiotics is in the Horse section of the store (for dogs the size of yours : ) ) but the label advises dose for smaller animals, about a teaspoon full for a 20 pound dog.
Scooter is doing great! The 4Health food cleared up his dry skin in 3 days! His coat is as shiny as a new pup! He's lost 6 lbs already and is more playful than he has been in years. He's eating so much less now that he's getting nutrition instead of fillers! One can for breakfast and dry food at supper.
Thanks again guys! Wish I'd checked here before spending so much money at the vet that day!
Thanks again guys! Wish I'd checked here before spending so much money at the vet that day!
Hi. I was keeping up-to-date with your other posts and the very helpful post from Karla. Just wondering how Scooter is doing, now that a few weeks have passed. Hoping all is well ... Tony x
Just called Tractor Supply and the young lady knew a LOT about 4Health and dog digestive systems. She has numerous types to choose from AND it's only $5.00 a bag more than Beneful but said you feed them less since it's not all fillers which cause the dog to eat more .......
Thank you SO MUCH guys!
The vet just called to check on Scooter and he was pleased with the bm shape, etc.
Thank you SO MUCH guys!
The vet just called to check on Scooter and he was pleased with the bm shape, etc.
I'll do a search for Farm and Tractor Supply. We have several farm and feed stores in the area (tiny town of Villa Rica, Ga) but it might be possible they carry 4Health. I know there's a Tractor Supply about 20 miles from here and am wondering if that's the same thing.
If I add table foods, should that be introduced slowly, too? We eat NO fried foods and no red meat. I had colon cancer and that's contraindicated. We eat lots of fish, turkey, chicken, some pork, loads of veggies and fruits, etc.
Scooter had two bowel movements first thing this morning. Both were still quite soft but instead of streams of poo, it was hot dog sized and mounded. The color is more of an orange brown (I know pepto causes color changes in stool) and he is eating well. He also didn't have to get up and go during the night.
I feel SO GUILTY about feeding him bad food for 8 years. I just assumed those commercials were truthful and that I was giving him exactly what he needed.
Thanks for the names of the food. I'll make some calls.
If I add table foods, should that be introduced slowly, too? We eat NO fried foods and no red meat. I had colon cancer and that's contraindicated. We eat lots of fish, turkey, chicken, some pork, loads of veggies and fruits, etc.
Scooter had two bowel movements first thing this morning. Both were still quite soft but instead of streams of poo, it was hot dog sized and mounded. The color is more of an orange brown (I know pepto causes color changes in stool) and he is eating well. He also didn't have to get up and go during the night.
I feel SO GUILTY about feeding him bad food for 8 years. I just assumed those commercials were truthful and that I was giving him exactly what he needed.
Thanks for the names of the food. I'll make some calls.
Scooter's latest BM came out like thin streams of stool but it did form into a mound on the ground. I'd say it was the consistency of a thin pudding. NO mucous. NO blood. Color of peanut butter.
He's had 3 doses of Pepto for pups, injections of Albon, Dexamethsone and Vetalog. He took one pill tonight of Metronidazole and one pkg of Forti Flora on his supper.
Doc gave him 3 days of Albon. A full bottle of Pepto that we are to give until gone. Six days of Forti Flora and 5 days of Metronidazole.
Poor guy has had loads of antibiotics this year. He had infected/ impacted anal glands that were treated for over a month last spring. He had an ear infection that came back twice before we got it cleared up, late last spring. An old vaccination 'lump' abscessed just over a month ago and he had surgery to clean that out plus 10 days of meds. Whew.
He's eaten 3 small bowls of Beneful tonight and has always been a big drinker.
How many days might it take for his tummy to calm down and stool to return to normal after 3 days on the new food?
He's had 3 doses of Pepto for pups, injections of Albon, Dexamethsone and Vetalog. He took one pill tonight of Metronidazole and one pkg of Forti Flora on his supper.
Doc gave him 3 days of Albon. A full bottle of Pepto that we are to give until gone. Six days of Forti Flora and 5 days of Metronidazole.
Poor guy has had loads of antibiotics this year. He had infected/ impacted anal glands that were treated for over a month last spring. He had an ear infection that came back twice before we got it cleared up, late last spring. An old vaccination 'lump' abscessed just over a month ago and he had surgery to clean that out plus 10 days of meds. Whew.
He's eaten 3 small bowls of Beneful tonight and has always been a big drinker.
How many days might it take for his tummy to calm down and stool to return to normal after 3 days on the new food?
Tony I have never seen anything like that but there's a Petsmart in the next town. I think I'll take a ride tomorrow and see what I can find. Scooter is 8 and has been such a joy to me. I've had cancer twice since we got him and between surgery/ chemo and then a liver resection, he was right by my side always ready to give me his love and attention. He's just a wonderful friend!
Hi Diane. Karla has hit the nail squarely on the head with her reply (as always). I understand the dilemma when you don't have much income, but there are alternatives, such as making up your own dog food or (as I do) buy in frozen natural meat and fish blocks and mix with a reasonable quality mixer. Not sure about the US, but here in the UK the frozen blocks (available from good pet stores) are very nutrition rich and most of our best friends love the beef, lamb, white fish, chicken and green tripe variations - and they are very economical. Tony
We had run out of his usual food (which I mix with wet food in the a.m.) and switched right to the Pedigree. We took the Pedigree to the city dump!
I took Scooter to the vet who agrees that it's most probably the food. He gave him 3 shots and sent him home with a bag of meds. They did a stool sample which was clear.
Locally we see 'Ole Roy' which I know is awful, and the usual inexpensive foods. We're a very low income family but thought we were feeding him well.
Checking your link now.
I took Scooter to the vet who agrees that it's most probably the food. He gave him 3 shots and sent him home with a bag of meds. They did a stool sample which was clear.
Locally we see 'Ole Roy' which I know is awful, and the usual inexpensive foods. We're a very low income family but thought we were feeding him well.
Checking your link now.
Unless you did a very slow transition, what your describing is digestive upset from the food change.....Ideally, you should mix alittle new food with alot of the old & gradually end up with all new food over a period of 7-10 days...This will avoid what your dog is experiencing.....
However, you also need to thoroughly evaluate both of these foods you've mentioned.....They both fall into a category of very low quality w/ little nutrition......Bottom line, you get what you pay for and your dog will eventually suffer because of it! Karla
http://www.dogfoodscoop.com/bad-dog-food-list.html
However, you also need to thoroughly evaluate both of these foods you've mentioned.....They both fall into a category of very low quality w/ little nutrition......Bottom line, you get what you pay for and your dog will eventually suffer because of it! Karla
http://www.dogfoodscoop.com/bad-dog-food-list.html
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Petsmart will not sell it, so don't waste your time...This food can only be purchased at farm and feed stores, tractor supply shops, Orschlens, Sutherlands.....Next choice for a large breed dog would be "Chicken Soup for the Soul".....It's less money compared to the above AND still a Very good food...Can be also found at the above stores...
Now, if you can find a Farm and Tractor Supply (That's their name), they have their own line of foods that are surprisingly very low cost for the quality....The name of the line is "4Health" and is actually a 4 (Out of 5) star food.....I coundn't believe the low cost for this...They make a grain free which would be best & their canned looked wonderful...Alot of varieties, too......
So, before you head to petsmart, check out the above information......The only food I can think of that Petsmart sells that I would feed is either the "Wellness" or "Blue" brands, but they ARE very expensive per pound compared to what I have listed above.....
Another thought that might help you, is you CAN add fresh foods from your own table to his bowl when you have extras...No fried or seasoned, No onions, but any fresh cooked veggies or meats or fresh fruits can go along way to health AND moisture in the diet and will boost the nutrition of a lower quality dry food....Good luck...Oh Yes, please do a slow transition to any new food and his tummy won't hurt.......Karla