any tips on how to deal with it? Storm had issues with runny poo and blood when she first came to us. It is a lot more formed now but still really squishy to pick up and impossible to get off the lawn. I have a 4 and 6 year old who ride around the lawn on their bikes and fall over. I have regular toddler visitors too. Am I missing something? Is there an easier way or will her poo firm up and become less of an issue when she is allowed out for walks?
Since we changed Loki's food (Eukanuba to Orijen) his poos are much firmer, darker and less frequent. A big cost difference between food though
Maybe a change of food? Pro-fibre also helps to firm up the poos. The poos should be 'kickable' and easy to pick up leaving no mess behind.
If anything I think it's likely to get softer as they can have excitement poops. Is it all her poops that are soft and hard to pick up? Because it's not uncommon for out on a walk poops to be soft and for my boy, nearly 9 years old, the last poop on a walk (usually he does 2 or 3) is always softer than the first. I also find a delayed walk makes for a soft poop. It's like it gets over processed or something by being retained in the dog longer. So I wonder if Storm is getting out in time to do a proper, firm poop? This is a wild guess on my part. AS @Boogie says poops should be kickable and easy to pick up. What do your breeder and Vet say? It's not good either to be constantly changing food but maybe it should be considered. A wee bit of pumpkin or sweet potato might help, cooked. Sweet potato has six times the fibre of pumpkin so you'd need to add very little, I'd try a half tsp per meal to start, for a puppy. Too much loosens things up, same as us.
We recently changed Busters food from RC to Millie's Wolfheart and now he's poos are absolutely perfect, where on RC they were always formed but a bit soft, so now I'm hoping he won't hav as many problems with his anal glands need emptying.
Could I please ask what pro-fibre you use please and where you get as I want to try to improve rorys bum a bit more
Thanks everyone, We only got her 2 weeks ago. The breeder had said that they thought we may need to change her food as she was runny bum with them. Her first poo with us had blood in it so took her straight to the vet. They gave her pro kolin and advised chicken and rice diet which we did for around 4-5 days. Blood disappeared so restarted on a different food. Royal Canin for digestive issues. Started her new food just over a week ago and poos are still soft. Obviously I don't want to keep changing her food but keen to try orijen. Have just started feeding our new kitten this (kitten formula obviously) and her poos are very firm haha! Saw vet today for kittens jabs and mentioned pup has also got spots on her lady bits and she is going to see her again tomorrow but thinks she may needs some antibiotics. She also has gunky eyes.
If the blood has cleared and it is just runny poos that are the issue have a look at how much and how often you are feeding her. Is she having 3 or 4 meals a day? For young puppies,especially whilst they are dealing with getting used to a new home life more smaller meals can be easier on their tummies.However many meals you are feeding, I would think about breaking it down into An extra meal over the day rather than changing food again.A food change has to be really gradual.I had very similar problems with my dog when he came to us at 5 months ,when I changed his kibble it would literally take me 10-14 days to get him onto the new one ....and there was a time during this period when he literally was not allowed anything other than his kibble.This proved challenging at his training classes when other high value food was in the vicinity but we soldiered through and it was worth it.I eventually got him stable but for a couple of years I always introduced new foods very cautiously.. X
@Dexter she is having 4 meals a day. Should I do fewer than this? It's a nightmare hey. She doesn't have any interest in kongs. She gets bored after about 1 minute! I think it is because I have only been putting her kibble in or the Kong biscuits you can buy. I have been giving her a little bit of cheese on toast for heel and recall Training but have only done 2 days of that. X
No 4 meals are great ....I've not been clear when I've replied,spreading the daily amount over more smaller meals is best. With her having bloody stools ,and gunky eyes and a few little spots she might be quite under the weather generally.Have you discussed Giardia with your vet? My dog had it whilst I was trying to get his tummy sorted,it can make them feel quite unwell as well as the upset tum. Are you making the kong easy for her get into ? I'd stop using the shop bought Kong biscuits and use her kibble until she gets the idea.Literally pop some pieces in dry so they fall out easily then build up to soaking some kibble and stuffing it in when it's soft to make it more of a challenge and then you can progress to freezing them. When Dexter was a little older, I had an ear issue which we couldnt clear so we'd started a food trial to eliminate allergies ,He was only allowed his hypoallergenic kibble.I went from making 'gourmet' kongs with chicken ,sardines and sea biscuits to just plain old kibble,he wasn't any less interested in them. Whilst she has an runny tummy Id stop the cheese on toast,bread isn't great for some dogs due to the grains and wheat and cheese can be a bit rich for them too .....if she did well on the chicken and rice,I'd steam / buy some chicken breast and chop that up....you can use it warm to make it even more appealing. Don't want to add to your woes but if she needs antibiotics tomorrow ,that can make them a bit runny too so be prepared.Have a chat about Giardia with your vet and confirm,that her worming is all ok and let us know how you get on x
I have nothing helpful to add, but I'm just so cross for you that the breeder released a puppy who was clearly not 100% healthy into your care. I really hope she gets sorted asap.
Sarah, I just purchased a bag of Orijen 6 Fish and going to try it on Cooper. Yes, it is much more expensive than Fromm or Blue Buffalo but he is not happy with either of the last two right now and he NEVER was finicky....would eat bark off a tree. Since had had kennel cough and was "babied" by me with chicken, he just will not eat dry food!! Not going to cook chicken for this little fella every day, that's for sure! Sometimes I don't even cook for myself! Anyway, tried wet food (he was very happy with that for about a week and then.....), grated cheese, sardines, chicken broth.....NOTHING. So if Orijen works, I will be happy.....but, yes, much more $$$$$'s. It is a 5 Star dry food. Just curious....which Orijen are you feeding Loki?
Knees,the four meals a day are fine....but make sure you are not over-feeding in those meals....Less would be better but four times a day. Sometimes too much food makes poo runny. Sounds like you have a bit of a sick puppy on your hands but am sure the vet will sort it out for you. Good luck.
Thanks everyone. I will stop the cheese and toast and stick to kibble and chicken for now. Maybe give her a little less! I feed her what it says on the packet minus a rough estimation of what I use for training. See what the vet says tomorrow. She said today that Labradors are one of the most allergic breeds! Never knew that was a thing! She just ate 2 daddy long legs while I was taking her for a toilet break. Guessing that won't do her tummy much good!! Tried to stop her but the grass is full of them. Had to bring her in early hopefully she didn't need a poo as well! Haha
Hi Yvonne, it's called Orijen Puppy Large. We ordered it in to a local pet shop as they only had another type available
Cooper is 2-1/2 years old.....have to tell you....gave him one cup of the Orijen 6 Fish and he gobbled it up! Will have to see if he does the same at breakfast tomorrow. Went on website that compares all the dog foods sold in USA and Orijen is a 5 star where the other two that I was giving Cooper were 3-1/2 and 4 stars. Hopefully that means that Orijen is far better than what I had!!
Hello Knees....daddy long legs...that is so funny because Cooper eats flies (if he can catch them), spiders, bugs, moths......and then he is finicky with his food.....darn these doggies!!!
