Warning: this post will contain references to Dexters ablutions! I've just come of Labkims post in which she mentioned Kronch dog food. I've recently changed vets and was discussing Dexters diet ( Royal canin gastro intestinal adult + steamed skinless chicken for rewards,occasionally roast chicken) I mentioned that as the norm dexter has very soft stools that hold their form until picked up,but the last bit can be quite mucousy,they are slightly green tinge in colour .....however I know a spaniel who's poo is a very similar colour ( sorry ,I know it's a yuck subject to be so detailed about)which makes me think dexter isn't totally abnormal and Dexter does drink plenty of water. The vet said that the chicken is probably aggravating his 'chronic low grade gastro sensitivity' and to eliminate it completely to see if that improved his stools and to also see if it would reduce an increase in wind we have noticed recently. This suggestion coincided nicely with Dexter having a right upset tummy and was just on chicken and rice for 3 days.....no wind...stools the same( probably a bit softer due to the upset and the antibiotics he was on) After the 3 rd day I reintroduced his kibble but kept him off chicken .....stools the same as usual but no wind. 2 days after that.....some roast chicken ,( recall work in the park where the cats roam....jackpot rewards required : )skin removed as much as possible,stool still normal soft consistency but the wind came back....... Do you think the state of his motions warrants enough concern to try another food? I think the roast chicken is the main culprit....which is a bummer as anything else sardines,salmon,sausage upsets him terribly.ive had a niggle about whether I should do something about this for a while.there isn't the availability of different food brands here though ,looking at what's available I've kind of thought royal canin is the best brand and if it's a specially formulated gastro int blend....that I shouldn't mess about.the first 2 months of having him where quite challenging getting his tummy and toilet to where it is now.....I don't want to put him through that again unnecessarily if he's really on what is suitable already and the best of what is available readily here? Does his tummy sound miles off to what all your dogs are?i think about that oil that Simba ate....that would have put Dexter in the vets overnight I'm sure,it would have crippled his tummy ! Thanks x
Re: Food again!sorry! Obi's poos are normally good - everything you'd hope for in a poo. His normal diet is a commercial raw diet. But at daycare on wet days they are inside and they get lots of kibble treats (kibble hunting games) to keep them busy - after these days Obi's poo is quite runny and he farts like a sailor. The 17th century kind of sailor....not your contemporary sailor...apologies to Barbara.... So, there certainly are things out there that give him the runs. I think that that is not unusual - to have that kind of reaction to some kinds of food. To be honest, Dexter doesn't sound toooo bad... If you had a lot of choice in foods it might be worth trying another kind, but under the circumstances it sounds like the options are very limited and there is no guarantee you'll find something to improve the situation. As you say, he is in good condition so is obviously getting all the nutrition he needs.
Re: Food again!sorry! Have you tried a lamb based food instead of chicken, sorted my GSP stomachs out. Supposedly its a more complex protein, takes longer to digest and releases its energy slower. Smell wise it is also meant to be more attractive to dogs than chicken
Re: Food again!sorry! When Hunter had chicken it was watery diarrhoea then jelly like (im so sorry lol) so Dexter doesn't sound that bad at the moment, another food we tried (soooo many!) was eukanuba intestinal which I can only assume is similar to Royal Canin GI or sensitivity, but again this upset him, a food that worked well for his digestion was Arden Grange lamb and rice and Barking Heads lamb and rice but his skin wasn't great on these but that's a whole new issue, I have found dog food such a headache over the years lol
Re: Food again!sorry! we have used beta puppy with chicken from day one, that is what the breeder used, we then went up to large breed puppy with chicken ,....we have just bought the adult beta chicken , not started him on it yet,...we still have 2 sacks of puppy food in, we intend to start him on the adult food in january, 10 % adult food to 90 % puppy to begin with increasing a little at a time,......jasper had very runny poos with cheese treats, so wont be using cheese again .....we get the 15 kg bags when they are on offer at 2 for 50 pound,
Re: Food again!sorry! Thanks for the replies....gives me a comparison (did I mention he's our first dog ;D ) Hmmmmm a lamb suggestion seems to be coming to the fore I can have a look into that and see what's available here .....guess I'd then be roasting lamb legs for his training treats.... You are all right,it's not dreadful but he is a lot softer than all the other dogs I walk with....( this thread reminds me,I must delete the photos I've been taking of mine AND other dogs poo,revolting) Dexter is in great condition,bright eyes,loads of energy and he's got a shine on his coat( hard for a yellow lad I know ,but you'll know what I mean Rachael,you can see a sheen when the light hits them a certain way,can't you ? so I do think he's getting everything he needs. My Mum uses Arden grange for her red Irish setter,he's in lovely condition....but I know that is definately not available here...... Lynne you get a great deal 2 bags for £50, I pay that for nearly one!in fact I've got 2 bags in stock because I overheard a conversation in the vets about a renal food being out of stock for 2 months....... Thanks for your thoughts everyone x
Re: Food again!sorry! [quote author=Dexter link=topic=3633.msg40791#msg40791 date=1386821389] he's got a shine on his coat( hard for a yellow lad I know ,but you'll know what I mean Rachael,you can see a sheen when the light hits them a certain way,can't you ? [/quote] Yes, you certainly do! The yellow boys and girls are shiny - it's just needs the right light. We should try to get a photo
Re: Food again!sorry! Hunter is our first fog aswell so I understand all too well about over worrying hope you manage to find a food that suits him
Re: Food again!sorry! Lynne? Are you not meant to keep them on the puppy beta until two years old? Just checking as we need more food buying. ;D
Re: Food again!sorry! Make sure you aren't eating..... While he's been upset I'd stopped giving him the My Beau supplement on his food too ( we call it doggie caramel )This morning was the first day I've reintroduced .....mistake! Just taken him out for a toilet break ( he's like clockwork,twice a day morning and dinner time,another reason I've pushed my misgivings about his food to the back of my mind) .....big explosion......awful,awful,had to go back out when I brought him home with a bottle of water to clean up( sorry :-[) so definately no more My Beau....I can say definitively that upsets him ,so every cloud I suppose! Enjoy your breakfasts!
Re: Food again!sorry! Oh dear. We get those from time to time. I read your first post while I was having breakfast so thanks but I'm all good right now.
Re: Food again!sorry! Oh I'm sorry,its usually me,talk of toilets and ear infections...I'm there,eating a sandwich!glad I didn't put you off your champagne though Blimey Rachael,champagne on a school night...nice warm up for the weekend ;D
Re: Food again!sorry! I'm on Dogfoodadvisor.com now reading up about Taste of The Wild.....it's available in Dubai and they do a grain free lamb recipe but it only rates at 3.5 points out of a possible 5.... On this website ,it is considered an 'above average dry food product' and they describe it as highly recommended Royal Canin doesn't even get a mention in their list of top dry dog foods oh I'm hating the thought of doing this and messing him about further...but it's a good time to do it because we are around a lot the next few weeks Anyone any experience of Taste of the Wild? Thanks
Re: Food again!sorry! Taste Of The Wild has a good reputation here in Oz. I would rate it as a quality kibble. However I have no personal experience of it.
Re: Food again!sorry! jade, you have got me on that one, ....on the pack its from 25 kg plus, we have not started him on it yet, can any one answer this,....when to start them on adult food,? angela its normally i think 35 pound a bag,...we just wait for the offers
Re: Food again!sorry! [quote author=jade805 link=topic=3633.msg40798#msg40798 date=1386831393] Lynne? Are you not meant to keep them on the puppy beta until two years old? Just checking as we need more food buying. ;D [/quote] In my personal opinion that is way too long. I would prefer to feed an adult food with a lower protein content to slow down the puppies last growing phase.
Re: Food again!sorry! he will be one next week, am i right to introduce adult food ? starting in january
Re: Food again!sorry! I think if I had a big healthy lab like yours Lynn, yes, I would gradually switch to adult food now.
Re: Food again!sorry! thank you heidrun...... got a large bag of puppy food in so as soon as that gets down to half, i will start the adult food mixed with the adult food
