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Is my liver treats causing the "poo-poo's"?

Posted : 6/18/2006 2:40:39 PM

Hi,

I am the loving owner of a 10 week old Lab/Coonhound. He has had the poops for the last week, and we think it is because of some liver treats we recently got for training. They are Authority brand Liver treats. They are about 3/4 of an inch around and are soft. We get about 5 commands out of each treat and he generally gets about 5-10 day.

Does anyone think this could be causing poops in a puppy so young? He started the poops last Sunday, right when we incorporated the treats. We didnt give him any yesterday, but he still had the poops last night. Maybe 2 days off them will get his tummy back in order?

Also, when I say poops, his poop is normal (but really soft) during the day and he only squats once(goes about 2 times a day), but at night, he needs to go out every 2 hours and squats multiple times, sometimes really soft poop comes out and sometimes nothing (maybe a little water)...

Sorry for being so graphic, as I am just concerned about my little man....

I am going to post this in the "Sick" section as well.....

Any help on any of the above would be greatly appreciated.

willowchow

Posted : 6/18/2006 3:06:26 PM

Well, I'm not remembering the ingredients in those treats but I've seen them.

First, it seems like a lot even though they are small in size for such a small dog.

Second, organ meats like liver do tend to cause digestive upset in some dogs.

You could first try cutting back on the treats and if that doesn't work, stop them altogether and see if the situation improves.

Xerxes

Posted : 6/18/2006 3:20:02 PM

What I can tell you from my own experience is this: Xerxes was on one of the major brands of food when I got him from the breeder, Pro-plan something. He was pooping up to 6 times a day. I switched him onto Iams/Euk and he still was eliminating 5-6 times a day or more. I put him on Solid Gold and Blue and his poops are down to 2-4 per day and are firm.

Liver treats might cause some digestive upset, so you might want to try a more natural/whole foods type of training treat. Look at the ingredients if there's any sweeteners or artificial colors or preservatives you wouldn't eat, don't get 'em. At least that's my rule. (My preferred training treat is Liv-a-chips, or freeze dried cow liver.) But I don't overdo it with any of them. Another good training treat is to use those sample packs of food you can get from some pet food stores. Use the super premium ones. They're free promotional items and each little bag has lots of little kibbles for the pup.

dyan

Posted : 6/18/2006 7:26:07 PM

I answered on your other thread that this used to happen to our Dane when he was young,,,it was his food, (Iams) not snacks. BUT he still gets runs when he eats peanut butter,,,and greasy things. Eagle Pack food is good for him though, and he has nice firm stools now.

losinsusan

Posted : 6/18/2006 9:33:16 PM

It is not uncommon for puppies to have less than solid stool. This isn't the runs here- its simply softer than the stool was in the last couple weeks you have had the pup I assume. Yes the liver bits can be a bit rich for some sensitive dogs. Try using maybe the very small training bits that are hard in consistency. Like little mini biscuits and break them into small pieces to get more training in for less. Some dogs will (if food motivated) perform for you with just your kibble. Nothing wrong with that either if that keeps the stools firmer.