Another poop question and recurring theme.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I switched Riley to Orijen Puppy last week and he's had very soft poops since then.  I am reluctant to switch foods so just wondering if it's Ok to keep giving him this and not worry.  He is not over going but it is very soft nontheless.  I have added some pumpkin which helps a little but wonder if I should just add nothing at all and wait.  He does not have any worms/parasite issues.  The only treats he gets is a little carrot and some tiny liver biscuits that I make myself.  (could the liver do this even in such small amounts?)

[Chelsea and Bailey]

Hi Nicky, I know that with switching foods some dogs need a couple weeks to recover and get their "schedule" back to normal. Sometimes it helps to slow things down more and drag out the switching so that their bodies become used to the new food. I think orijen is a tough food to switch to as it is a bit higher in proteiin then other foods. We tried switching B to Orijen from TOTW just for variety (over a couple weeks) and her poops never really firmed and she started to gag after every meal. She has never done that before and she has tried many different kibbles, so maybe ryley just can't handle the orijen? Just some thoughts to throw out there!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Nicky - Rooney came from the breeder on the Orijen and now Stuart eats it too.  It does IMHO cause softer stools.  I started added just a little bit of raw - Primal - Frozen - and it has firmed their poo right up.  They each get a 1 ounce nugget of it at each meal as a topper to the kibble.  For the most part (once in a while a nice person gives them a cookie or something they shouldn't have and it will cause runny poo) it has fixed the issue.  There are several brands out there, they are expensive but remember - for my boys - it didn't take much to solve the issue.  Might be worth looking into.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Jane can you tell me what Primal is as we don't have it here?

[Jess and Pippin]

I've heard several times now that Orijen can cause softer stools due to the higher protein content.  One thing that our breeder told us is that if your pup has really soft stool, to try backing off a bit on the quantity of food being fed.  We found this to be true for Pippin.  As we increased food as he was growing, we usually had a day of softer stool which was resolved by decreasing (just slightly) the quantity.  Pip is a medium doodle, and we've always fed the lowest amount recommended on the bags of food (we feed acana).  He is growing well and not hungry between meals.

[Kim]

Orijen causes Allie to be constipated. I actually have her on it right now (she is normally on Fromm's) because she just went through an episode of soft poops (I think they were giving her treats at daycare).  But Orijen is our run to poop hardener, lol.  Sometimes it does take awhile after you have made a switch to recover.  Allie has a very sensitive stomach and liver causes diarrhea for her.  Obviously all dogs are different, as there are two comments with soft stools on Orijen and Allie with constipation on Orijen... I would give it awhile before you switch again. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If Orijen is causing softer stools in any dog, it's the fat content, not the protein. Orijen has a higher fat content than most foods that contain grains.

Liver is also very high in fat, so that may be contributing to the problem.

Orijen more often causes stools to be too firm, as Kim mentioned. But coming off a food that contains fillers or binders, there can be a transition period until the dog's system adjusts.

As long as the volume and frequency of Riley's stools is fine, I'd maybe cut back on the liver treats (try substituting plain chicken or duck jerky treats) and give it a little more time.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thanks Karen, I appreciate that advice.  I sliced some cooked chicken and slow baked it and am using that as treats now.  I can break it into tiny pieces.  I am sticking with the Orijen as none of the other grain free foods are available here.  Riley is going three times a day, all soft poop but he is fine otherwise.  I am going to continue with this for at least a few weeks and see how we go.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I have to watch the amount of liver treats that Tara gets and fresh liver as well as it will cause her to have soft poops so I think it is pretty rich.

 

I gave Tara Orijen Puppy  as training and grooming treats when she was younger and she did fine with it. However a few months ago I switched her to their 6 fish adult formula. She never did adjust to it regardless of what I tried. Constant soft stools.  So last week I finally got some Taste of the Wild and she is doing great with it already.  Every dog's system is different so Orijen or that particular formula of Orijen may not be right for Riley.

[Gayle Miller]

Hi Nicky!

Just thought I'd pipe in with my two cents, for whatever it's worth.  My breeder had originally told us she was feeding the pups Origen but before getting Jackson, she had switched over to Acana, Wild Prarie all stages.  This is made by the same company as Origen with slightly less protein.  She, too, was finding it difficult for her dogs to digest the high percentage that Orijen packs in and they did much bettter on the Acana.  Jackson was not eating much of his Acana on days one and two of last week.  Again, my breeder suggested "boiled" chicken breast mixed in with some white rice.  Mix this with a bit less than 1/2 cup of the Acana...and Jackson has been eating each and every one of his 3 meals/day - with EXCELLENT, firm poops!!!  I probably will continue on this for some time.  Also wanted to pass on what I purchased last week at my holistic vet's.  It's called Vital Vitamins for Dogs.  It's chock full of all kinds of wonderful good things and you sprinkle a 1/4 tsp on their food and he LOVES it!  It cost around $29 but it's going to last a long time.  Maybe Goggle it as I will do to see if I can purchase it for less. Here is the website:  www.deservingpets.com

I, too, was giving Jackson treats for potty runs outside but I have stopped the treats altogether now and replace with just praise.  So far...it's working...although at 10 weeks, I don't think he lets me know he has to go...I'm still timing it right!  How 'bout Riley?

 

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[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Hi Gayle, the potty training is going really well only the odd accident now and fine all night.  At 13 weeks I notice that he can hold it a lot longer now so it's getting really much easier.  Great to hear about Jackson and thanks for all the advice above.