Nutro Venison and Rice formula change; update; concerned about answers

 it's just so odd that they are all having the same symptom.  It's very aggravating.

 Also, my husband mention something that I completely overlooked.  We have been refilling their water bowl twice as much as we used to.  They are constantly thirsty.

Cant help much with this just wanted to welcome you to the forum and let you know that these folks are very helpful and knowledgeable so I hope you stick around :)

 Thanks for the welcome everyone! 

  Hi Lucy; I love the pic you posted of your dogs; they look so sweet. Allergies aggravate Jessie's anal sacs too, and they bother her less if she's on a food that has no ingredients she's allergic to, but they still need emptying about every 3 months. It doesn't seem likely the ingredient change in the Nutro Venison would cause this since all they really did was take out rice gluten and replace it with pea protein. Also, you should see other signs of a food allergy such as itchy ears, paw chewing, or face rubbing if it's the food. Do you give your dogs fish oil; that helps Jessie a lot. Adding some fiber to your dogs food can help too. Besides the suggestion of oatmeal, you can try wheat bran, pumpkin, or Metamucil. The goal is to make the stools more bulky, causing the anal sacs to empty as the stool is passed. Good luck; I hope you find out why they're having anal sac problems.

I know it's not an allergy, or else my Schroeder would have flared up like there's no tomorrow.  We had an allergy test done on him and he's allergic to everything under the sun, including human dander. 

I'm not convinced that it isn't the food.  My girls have never had anal gland issues until a few days ago.  Schroeder's glands have been so bad that when they are expressed, the vet uses phrases like: "it was like a fire hydrant" and "it actually hit the wall." It's really disgusting.   He already gets a teaspoon of pumpkin in his food daily.  I'll try the oatmeal, but I don't think it will work.  I actually have a very picky eater.  He'll probably turn his nose up at it. 

Perhaps there's another change that Nutro didn't disclose?  I emailed them over the weekend, but I haven't heard back. 

Anyway, I'm on the hunt for a new food.  We have our weekly vet apt. this Wed, so I'll see what the doctor says.  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 If you are thinking of switching foods, look into the Wellness Simple Solutions Allergy formulas----I know quite a few people who have had succcess with this line, particularly the Duck/Rice formula---very simple, should be good for an allergy dog.  Another option, but with more ingredients, is the Pinnacle Duck/Potato formula.  As always, the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient diets are worth looking into, as well as the California Natural line of foods.

Janice...I agree with Lori in that its so hard to find a food that works...I wouldn't even consider changing it unless you find that it isn't.  Gibby is eating the Venison and Brown Rice formula in Nurto...the one for Sensitive skin and stomach........ and its really the first food that I have found that he is doing the best on. I wasn't happy about going over to Nurtro to begin with....but so many people kept saying " since none of the food your buying is doing good for Gibby..why not just go buy something at the grocery store and try that???"  Well....no...............but I decided to just go and find something for sensitive stomach and try it...and this is what I ended up with. I was happy with the venison because he had just been on Taste of the Wild Venison which he started guzzling water on....and then throwing up. So that wasn't working... I like sticking with the same meat base.  I didn't plan to keep him on it because it was Nutro..... but heck..I'm not going to be stupid...if it works....I'm not changing it.    

dyan

Janice...I agree with Lori in that its so hard to find a food that works...I wouldn't even consider changing it unless you find that it isn't.  Gibby is eating the Venison and Brown Rice formula in Nurto...the one for Sensitive skin and stomach........ and its really the first food that I have found that he is doing the best on.

  Thanks Dyan; I'm sticking with it. Before trying Nutro, I tried California Natural low fat rice and lamb, and poor Jessie had bad gas and her stomach was making rumbling noises. I didn't want to change her food because dogs with chronic pancreatitis can be very sensitive to changes in their diet, but after this went on for about four months, I finally tried the Nutro and she has done so much better. The gas and rumbling noises are gone, she likes it better than the CN, and she has more energy. She also gets turkey, egg white, and lean ground beef every day and has been doing great.

 I'm so glad you've found a food that works for Gibby!!! That has to be such a relief after everything you went through.   We all have to do what works best for our dogs, regardless of the opinions of others.

jessies_mom

We all have to do what works best for our dogs, regardless of the opinions of others.

Yeah...and it took me a long time to realize that.  You know...the second bag of Nurtro I picked up at PSP a lady ( with a bird on a leash no less ) stopped to tell me NOT to feed Nutro...that she was on a dog forum and has read so much bad..she actually said some stupid kinds of things...but I just smiled and said " yes....I am also on dog forums....and I have been there and done that with all different foods...and now it time to do what is best for my dog!"   She kind of walked away saying something like " okay....but dont' say I didn't tell you....:"