Would a food change help?

[Ritz459]

Chloe does well on the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand, but she poops at least four times a day, more if we go on walks. I have NEVER had a dog poop this much before. She poops once in the morning (stool is normally firm), once late morning (semi-soft), late afternoon (soft), if we go on a walk she poos probably three times (all soft), and then again late night (usually firm, unless she isn't feeling well).

I didn't know if that had to do with her food, her feeding schedule, or if it was just Chloe. She gets fed a cup in the morning and a cup at night. Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul adult food. She has these "moods" where she will refuse to eat all day (for a day or two) and she still sticks to the same pooping schedule. She doesn't get fed table scraps beyond the occasional veggies (carrots, potatoes, etc.). She also seems to get sick every three months or so and will vomit/have diareah and if it persists long enough I have to take her into the vet to get meds. Her last bought was the beginning of this month and it lasted for about a day.

Any thoughts?

[Sentry]

I know I went throught 4 different types of dog food before I found ones that worked well. I feed a mix of exceed(Lamb),beniful radiance(salmon) and natural kibble(veggies). Mastiffs have touchy tummies and the last thing you want is to clean up from eighter end of them,LOL I'd see what your vet has to say and then at that point if she still has problems, a food change would eliminate the question if it is the food. Hope she feels better.

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by Sentry

I know I went throught 4 different types of dog food before I found ones that worked well. I feed a mix of exceed(Lamb),beniful radiance(salmon) and natural kibble(veggies). Mastiffs have touchy tummies and the last thing you want is to clean up from eighter end of them,LOL I'd see what your vet has to say and then at that point if she still has problems, a food change would eliminate the question if it is the food. Hope she feels better.

I would ask the vet about a change of food, but they push the Science Diet and Royal Canine brands....and I am SO not feeding Chloe that crap.

When she's gotten sick before I'll take her into the vet if it doesn't clear up in a day or is really bad, and there isn't anything wrong with her to cause her to have the tummy issues. I think it is due to any slight changes in her environment, be they stressors (new dogs, new places, new people, new things) or new foods (even small amounts like a handful of catfood).

Even when she was a puppy and I gradually switched her from Blue Buffalo to Chicken Soup (over a two week period) she STILL had tummy troubles until she was on Chicken Soup for about a week. While on Blue Buffalo Chloe would have loose poop all of the time and had the same pooping schedule she has now. Shortly after the switch her stools got firmer and she pooped less (maybe three times a day). But after a short time, she was back to pooping a heck of a lot, just with firmer stools.

[Rivsky]

I don't think you've got anything to lose by trying a new food.

Just a thought, what happens if you cut back on the amount of food you feed her (if that's possible)? Maybe she's pooping a lot because she's being fed too much???

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by Rivsky

I don't think you've got anything to lose by trying a new food.

Just a thought, what happens if you cut back on the amount of food you feed her (if that's possible)? Maybe she's pooping a lot because she's being fed too much???

She's at the perfect body type right now (hourglass shape, can feel ribs, etc.) and I don't want her to loose any weight. I was actually considering upping her food amount, but decided against it because with the food she has now she can have a couple of milk bones or bacon treats stuffed in her kong without me feeling guilty.

If I try a new food, should I look for one for dogs with sensitive stomachs?

[IceyBlueSibes]

Maybe try a different protein source? I know some dogs can have trouble with foods that are Chicken based.

Have you tried adding some rice to her food? Maybe that would help to firm her up some?

[Sentry]

Originally Posted by IceyBlueSibes

Maybe try a different protein source? I know some dogs can have trouble with foods that are Chicken based.

Have you tried adding some rice to her food? Maybe that would help to firm her up some?

We went from chicken to lamb and fish...much better on lamb as main source of protein. I noticed a much better coat, less poo and no gas. A switch might be worth a try if you think your vet will not recomend a food you like.

[Lunachick]

I'd suggest changing the brand. I went from Pro Plan to Nutro, to Eagle Pack and now Zoe is on Wellness. With Pro Plan, she went poop about 3-4 times a day. That didn't lessen any with Nutro. She also vomitted quite often on those brands as well as had almost constant diarhea, sometimes in the house. Eagle, she did alright. But I really think Wellness is the best she's been on. She poops twice a day (morning and then late at night). She's at a good weight now, 29lbs and she gets 1 cup and 1/4 once a day.

[SpringerLover]

I'm seconding/thirding the 'change the protein source' recommendation.

What else do you have access to?

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by SpringerLover

I'm seconding/thirding the 'change the protein source' recommendation.

What else do you have access to?

There is a feed depot nearby that carries all of the top of the line food (Canidea, Innova, etc.). That is where we currently get the dogs' food, as well as the Guinea Pig's food. There is also a Petsmart, but that isn't saying much in terms of food quality.

I'd like to not go too expensive (think college student budget) if at all possible. But I have access to just about anything.

[SpringerLover]

Do they carry HealthWise? That's Innova's still good-but cheap food and I'm fairly certain they make a lamb and rice version.

Otherwise, CA Naturals used to be reasonably priced, but I really don't know anymore.

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by SpringerLover

Do they carry HealthWise? That's Innova's still good-but cheap food and I'm fairly certain they make a lamb and rice version.

Otherwise, CA Naturals used to be reasonably priced, but I really don't know anymore.

They carry HealthWise (just checked). The Lamb and Rice version that HealthWise has still has chicken in it....is this a problem, or no?

They carry CA Naturals too. Should I look into the Lamb and Rice or Herring and Sweet Potato formula? The CA Natural is only $10 more than the Chicken Soup (for a 3lb bigger bag), so that shouldn't make much of a difference.

[SpringerLover]

I'd go with whatever you think would go over well with her... hah. But, I'd definitely try something without chicken, just to see.

Good luck!

[Ritz459]

I had my mom pick up a small bag of the California Natural Lamb and Rice. I am very happy with it. Even after mixing in just small portions to her food I noticed a change in her poop. Much more solid and dark than what it had been. She is still pooping alot, but not near as much (down to three times a day now).
I'm going to buy a big bag today or tomorrow and convert her over totally. (She's still eating a mixture.)

She still hasn't been eating, even with some chicken broth drizzled on her food, but I think I've figured out a way to get her to eat. I give her all of her daily food in the morning (2 cups - might up it to 2 1/4 cups) and then put her out in her kennel. I leave her out there for an hour or so while I eat breakfast and take a shower. If I'm working in the morning, she stays out there till I get home. When I bring her back inside she's normally eaten about half of it. I leave it down for her during the day incase she wants to nibble on it. In the evening we go jogging (just started this up a couple of days ago) anf when we get back I gate her off in our back hallway where her food is at...and then she'll normally eat the rest of it.

If that weird schedule doesn't work, I'm going to try adding some tasty tidbits (even if it just a handful of cheerios) or a tablespoon of canned food (that is like the gravy with chunks).

[Sentry]

Glad to hear she's doing better on the lamb and rice. If she continues to lose weight or stool still soft I'd have her thyroid checked. Hopefully she just needs the food change.