Does anyone have any recommendations for the best food for pups with sensitive tummies and I think maybe skin too. She is always scratching (she has been fleaed) She is currently on Royal canin, skinners didn't suit her. She is currently on antibiotics as vet thinks it will help but mentioned that if it doesn't then will have to experiment with food again. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Possibly a grain free like Millie's Wolfheart. Did your vet recommend any food? ( although unfortunately I find some vets have a vested interest in certain brands ).
That is a tricky question, and going for "exclusion diets" isn't one to be taken lightly. A lot of people blame grains, but as a number of our members will attest, often chicken is the culprit. I think salmon and potato is a popular choice. But there are loads of choices, And even RAW to consider, but a huge topic in itself. Sometimes puppies just need time to settle.....
AND, a food that is grain free will most likely just use something else that may disagree with a pup, like potato, peas, tapioca. Grain free is good for some but it is also an awfully successful marketing ploy. Itching is more often caused by environmental allergies than by food intolerances. Puppies do itch when their coat is changing. I firmly believe as well that when they acquire the co-ordination and balance to be able to itch they just do it for the novelty. Getting used to wearing a collar will prompt itching in some. Some flea treatments/meds only make the flea sterile so it can't reproduce and thus they limit infestation. But your pup can still get the odd flea which can bite and make her itchy. Maybe the product you used is such? When her tummy is upset what happens?
I honestly, honestly think you should look at the protein source first - as Jacky says. Lots of people blame grains - and it might be the case that for some dogs that is the problem - but swap protein sources first. If you really need a quick solution, swap to a single source protein and a single source carbohydrate food neither of which your puppy has had before. I use Royal Canin SC21 - I use Duck and Tapioca. But, you have to check with a vet about this, and check it is ok for a young puppy. Lots of people say negative things about Royal Canin, but I have found their sensitive and special diets to be excellent, and their advice very good indeed.
We have only had her 2 weeks and she hasn't had a firm poo since we got her. It is better than it was but still very squishy. Ah ok that may explain the itching! We'll stick it out a for a bit longer. She's fine in herself. Just the squishy poos on the lawn are such a nightmare with young children. Impossible to pick up cleanly.
Thanks @JulieT i will just see what the vet suggests after this round of antibiotics. I'm certain they have a relationship with Royal canin so would recommend another food from them. So will see what they suggest. I've always used Royal canin for my cats and been happy with it!
Royal Canin often gets poor reviews on comparison sites, and people question the ingredients. For example there was a 'shock, horror' story doing the rounds that the chicken protein in Royal Canin was made from feathers. The truth of the matter is that Royal Canin do make a hypo-allogenic food where the chicken protein is derived from feathers and it costs a fortune to extract the protein from feathers. They do it because this protein from feathers is often the last resort in terms of a protein tolerated by very, very, sensitive dogs. My new puppy, who seems to be able to eat anything, is on Orijen, but my older dog just can't tolerate the mix of proteins in it.
Have you tried reducing her food? I know it might be an obvious point, but the first culprit for runny poo is just too much food.
Yep, someone gave that advice on another thread of mine. I have worked out that 4 meals should be 57g and I'm only giving her 40g each time plus a small amount of kibble and chicken for training rewards and to disguise her tablets.
It does differ massively from pup to pup...and food to food. But my new puppy gets 100g of Orijen when the packet says 270g.... Edited to say - that's per day plus her training treats.
