This might sound a bit nuts and sorry but yes this is another thread about bowel movements but it's a bit of a mystery to me. Scott's bowel movements have always been softer than Scout's. Scout's are usually always kickable even the second of the day, although softer. Scott's will start kickable but not end kickable especially the second of the day. Last January I started giving them anco roots to chew. After a few weeks I noticed Scotts bowel movements were firmer. I'd did cross my mind if it could be the bits of fibre he was eating off the roots. In the summer we had a plague of rabbits and Scott found rabbit muck irresistible. His bowel movements firmed even more on a par with Scouts. A couple of months ago they stopped having anco roots, they'd got fed up of them and I worried about scout chewing them too hard, and the rabbit muck supply dwindled. Over the last month or so Scotts bowel movements have softened again. :-\ . This is the bit that might sound nuts but I'm wondering if it's the reduction of vegetation matter he is now consuming. ??? I was thinking of trying the Pro Fibre supplement that mags has recommended. Unfortunately I googled adding fibre to a dogs diet and some articles say it can cause diarrhoea and you should consult a vet. Incase it's not obvious I'm neurotic about diarrhoea. : . I have mentioned it to my vet but I don't think he quite understood what I meant. He suggested probiotics if it got worse incase the rabbit muck has affected the gut bacteria but my dogs have probiotics anyway so I don't think its that. The question is do I try adding fibre or leave well alone and accept that's just how Scott is ? :-\
Re: Adding fibre I think I would tend to leave things as they are Jen , the last thing you want is to start the trots again
Re: Adding fibre Just like with humans...fiber can either help bulk up stools, or can relieve constipation - it's all about the soluble and insoluble differences - and the effect it has on absorption in the intestines. I would be inclined to try a well balanced pro/pre biotic and fiber supplement and see if it makes a difference. Another simple thing to try and see if it makes a difference is to cook up some oatmeal and add a tablespoon or two to each of his meals. It's cheap, easily accessible, mild on their tummy, and will give you a quick answer to your question on if fiber helps or not. My Bella loves oatmeal added to her kibble/canned meals - and it does help if she's a bit softer than I like....I just cook up a quick batch in the microwave of a serving and split it over her meals for a day or two.... Also, as I said in another thread about colitis - I use a product called Gastriplex to help keep tummy/poo production normal and generally kickable.
Re: Adding fibre Fibre is not something that I would feel necessary to add to a dog's diet. Fibre is basically carbohydrate...er...isn't it? Yes, must be. Dogs don't need carbohydrate, and kibble fed dogs get loads anyway...
