Dog Community

poop problem/question

Posted : 5/19/2006 11:18:31 AM

I have 2 pups, an 11 month old lab mix and a 5+ month old Malinois. Right now, they're both eating Pedigree puppy. The only treat they get is peanut butter inside their Kongs. The problem is that they both have very unsolid poops. They both control their BM's, but once they decide to poop, the first little chunk is solid and everything after that is very very wet and impossible to pick-up.

I don't know if we should change their food or what else we can do to help solidify their poop and can use any advice. Also, is there anything I can buy to put on poop to help dry it out, please let me know.

sooner

Posted : 5/19/2006 11:23:26 AM

Changing their food is the most important thing you can do right now. It will help their poops and their overall health. Pedigree is not a very good food and this is just one sign that it is running right through them and they are getting very little nutrition out of it.

Go here- [linkhttp://www.dogfoodproject.com]www.dogfoodproject.com[/link] and read about reading labels and ingredients to avoid. This- [linkhttp://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#TopDry]http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#TopDry[/link] is a good list to begin with when picking a better food.

glenmar

Posted : 5/19/2006 11:34:49 AM

Pedigree is primarily corn. Corn is not a good protein source for dogs. Most dogs are unable to utilize the stuff in foods such as this, so it comes right on out and quite often in a less than firm manner.

Please visit the site Kelly provided. You'll be astounded at what you're feeding your dogs!

Jas

Posted : 5/19/2006 2:11:12 PM

You will find more problems down the line if you continue feeding Pedigree. I would definately switch to a "PREMIUM" brand like Innova, Canidae, Natural Balance, Solid Gold...... these brands you will NOT find at your local Petsmart/Petco chains. You should look in to a feed store or a higher end pet store should carry them.

christina

Posted : 5/19/2006 4:21:30 PM

I agree with all the posters above, however, to help your situation until you change your food, you may also want to add some pumpkin puree to their diet. I actually stuff my puppy's kong with canned pumpkin puree because I think peanut butter upsets his tummy. Don't get the pumpkin pie one though, just plain pumpkin. I always add a little to the food if his poops get really soft. It works wonders. Good luck and definately change the food!!

dyan

Posted : 5/19/2006 4:28:32 PM

When we got Ollie the Great Dane, he was on Iams with runny stools,,,then changed to Pedigree and it was at least if not more runny. Not only runny, but he was going maybe 4 or 5 times a day. Lord knows the food wasn't staying in him for long. Switched to Canidea which firmed it up but he stopped eating it. He is now eating Eagle Pack in which case he has very firm stools and goes twice a day. Bubblegum also eats Eagle and has very firm stools and goes once a day usually. You can get Eagle Pack at Pet Supply Plus if you have one, and they also sell Canidae, and ours sells Solid Gold. Also Chicken Soup for Pet Lovers is good and can be found there,,,at least at ours.

JoeyBear

Posted : 5/20/2006 6:23:57 AM

Thank you all so much for the information. We have a Pet Supply Plus a town over and are going to go over there and get some new/better food. My wife was shocked to find out that we may actually be hurting the pups by feeding them crap food.

I really appreciate the advice and am sure this is going to help. As for the pumpkin puree...my wife has some in the pantry and we'll try that today when we leave for a little while

dyan

Posted : 5/20/2006 6:38:12 AM

The canned

umkin is a great thing,,,,and its good for them. I also keep a few cans in the cupboard.
Please keep us updated on how they do after you change their food. And remember, you might not want to change them over too fast,,,because that could cause stomach upset. Just add some NEW to the OLD for the first time then the next a little more NEW and less OLD, that way their little tummies will not be going right from one kind of food to the other,,,that sometimes is very stressful to them.

JoeyBear

Posted : 5/20/2006 6:17:26 PM

Dyan and everyone else...thank you so much. My wife and I went to a pet store today and found Chicken Soup for the Puppies Soul, or whatever it's called. There was a woman there who breeds dogs and she also recommended the Chicken Soup for puppies. The store, Pets Supply Plus, has an enormous selection of excellent foods. There was a representative there from Evanger's and we brought home a lot of samples. The wet food looks better than what I make for dinner 6 of 7 nights a week[

][

]

I'll let y'all know how the pups do with switching their food.

Thanks again [

]

dyan

Posted : 5/20/2006 8:23:20 PM

Great news! Your puppies will be healthier,,,and you will be happier!!!
Please keep us updated on those pups,,,,,and we LOVE pictures here!

jaye

Posted : 5/21/2006 7:40:59 PM

is there a way to get a picky dog to eat pumpkin? neither of mine will eat pumpkin or yogurt

Edie

Posted : 5/21/2006 8:12:54 PM

Its called pedigree BUM for a reason [

] Its a horrible food and tends to run right through most dogs!

dyan

Posted : 5/21/2006 9:12:57 PM

Jaye, My neighbors dog will not eat pumpkin or yogurt either. We just couldn't talk her into it. Maybe others will have a suggestion.

jaye

Posted : 5/21/2006 9:15:39 PM

oh good! i thought mine were the only ones!

kennel_keeper

Posted : 5/22/2006 4:53:58 AM

Jaye,
They might try slippery elm bark capsules. You can give them whole or sprinkle them over the food. I have used this with wildlife and had great success with it.

Here's a link that explains the benefits.

[linkhttp://www.florahealth.com/Flora/Home/canada/healthinformation/encyclopedias/slipperyelmbark.asp]http://www.florahealth.com/Flora/Home/canada/healthinformation/encyclopedias/slipperyelmbark.asp[/link]

Hope this helps.