Dog Community

Some problems after switching to Innova

MJ

Posted : 4/7/2006 8:31:18 AM

I've recently made the switch from SD to Innova kibble. I did the switch over a 2 week period and have been feeding strictly Innova for about 3 weeks now. Both of my dogs have loose stools and 1 has very bad gas. Before the switch neither had any problems.

Is this normal and will it get better over time? Should I consider switching to another food?

Thanks in advance.

MJ

probe1957

Posted : 4/7/2006 9:30:39 AM

Not all foods, even quality foods, work for all dogs. Sometimes, a loose stool is indicative of feeding too much food. Is that possible in your case? How many meals a day do you feed?

ewin0210

Posted : 4/7/2006 9:39:06 AM

Scout had the MOST horrendous gas when I tried to switch him to innova evo. After 3 weeks it should be getting better if its going too. Not all foods work for all dogs.

glenmar

Posted : 4/7/2006 9:39:34 AM

Compare the kcals in SD to the kcals in Innova (which is 557 per cup) and adjust accordingly so you are feeding the SAME number of kcals you did with SD. Often overfeeding is the problem.

MJ

Posted : 4/7/2006 9:44:20 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I did cut back the amount based on the feeding guidelines, but did not check the kcals. I'll give that a try.

I just checked the nutrition facts on the web. Previsously I was feeding 2 cups SD 2 times per day. I switched to 1.5 cups Innova 2 times per day. So I was feeding 4 cups SD (1456 kcals) vs 3 cups Innova (1671 kcals). To get the equivalent kcals I'll cut back to 2.6 cups of Innova. For the sake of my Olfactory system, I hope this works.

bamaeskie

Posted : 4/7/2006 10:54:03 AM

It all depends on the dog. What works for one might not work for another. Dakota was on Wellness before, and his poop was not as firm as I would have liked. That was a big reason of why he had some anal sac problems. Now he's on Innova, and I am just amazed at how firm his

oops are and how little there is to clean up.

tony

Posted : 4/7/2006 11:44:21 AM

I personally did not have good luck with Innova or any of the Natura products, my dog always had loose stools and or diarhea, I cut back on the amount of food, below what was recommended, my skinny dog lost 5 lbs and the stool problems persisted, there was just something about those foods that did not agree with her.

MJ

Posted : 4/7/2006 12:26:50 PM

I'm going to try cutting down and see if that helps. Both of my dogs have loose stool, but luckily only one has the bad gas. If it doesn't get better I'll switch. Any recommendations?

loveukaykay

Posted : 4/7/2006 12:55:46 PM

I think Eagle Pack and Wellness both look like really good foods too, or maybe if they are allergic to something and thats what causring it California Natural would be good.... I may be wrong but I think thats the one with minimal ingredients - if I am someone will correct me.

Paulo

Posted : 4/7/2006 12:58:00 PM

I also recently switched from Innova puppy to Innova adult and he has loose stools. I cut down on the adult food as it has more kcals per cup. Its only been 1 week of him being on it 100% so hopefully it'll get better by week 3. If not, I'll switch to another brand.

PS

Posted : 4/7/2006 4:11:47 PM

Another suggestion I read and which seems to be working for our puppy who started on Innova Puppy a few weeks ago - is to feed a spoonful of 100% pure pumpkin each day. This has really helped firm up Molly's poop!

sooner

Posted : 4/7/2006 4:28:27 PM

It was suggested to me recently to give a food 6-8 weeks to decide if it's working. I posted that I was waiting 3 and they said that wasn't long enough.

ashland

Posted : 4/7/2006 6:13:25 PM

I recently switched to Innova Adult and at first Ash was going diarhhea. She did this for about 3 weeks, but not anymore. The entire time she was having problems, she still loved the food. She couldn't wait to be fed. Now she's fine. I had been told to give it about 3-4 weeks before giving up on it.

angelamarie

Posted : 4/7/2006 6:21:09 PM

I'm surprised to see all these reports of runny stools on Innova, my dogs have the opposite problem if anything. My little one has always been on Innova, and she has very hard stools. I supplement her with cooked carrots to help. My recently adtopted 6 year old I slowly switched to Innova, and his stools are fine, and not as plentiful as they were on the food he was sent to me with. They do eat a mix of the Innova Evo and some Innova canned (in the green can), maybe that bit of canned helps. I do find the Innova is an efficient food, they don't need to eat as much and they poop alot less. Also, I think it iz a good smelling food, and that leads to a good smelling dog. This is obviously the opposite of your experience.

He is The Boss

Posted : 4/7/2006 7:56:37 PM

Boss had gas and loose stools when I first switched him to Evo, but I think it was more his system cleaning out the junk in the old food I was feeding him. It took a few weeks actually to clear it all out, but he's doing great on it now.. still has gas, but he is just my fart boy![:'(]