Poop issues

[Amy]

We are having poop issues with our 7 month old mini GD. This may be a little long but want to get you all of the potentially relevant facts.

1. We did a food change from Iams puppy to Wellness Complete Puppy about 2 months ago. On Iams she pooped 4 times a day. Smaller amounts each time. Well formed. After change, she poops 1-2 a day but lots at once.

2. Poop is inconsistent. Sometimes the first bit will be formed and the rest mushy. Sometimes mushy, occasionally "pudding pile". I know--- eww. Most often mushy. Looks formed but when you pick it up it is mushy.

3. Eating and drinking normally. Has energy.

4. Sometimes walks around after she has pooped like she is trying to go more but doesn't. Tummy ache?

5. Have tried a fast and rice/boiled hamburger. Helped while on that diet but returned when we went back to Kibble.

Should we try a different food? I am planning to take her in to get a stool sample run because this has gone on so long. But it seems like it is food related to me since it got better when off the kibble?

Help food experts!!!

[Amy]

Oh and thinking I should start a probiotic? I know Proviable DC has been recommended on here....?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wouldn't even bother with the stool sample, it really does sound like it's entirely food related. It would be quite a coincidence if she happened to pick up a parasite at the very same time as the food change.

This is puzzling, because the nutritional analysis for both foods is very similar; in fact, for the macronutrient percentages, it's identical. But for some reason, even though the ingredients are much better quality, the Wellness food is just not agreeing with her. It may contain too much grain for her, hence the bulky poop. 

I hate to suggest another food change, but I would try switching her to a grain-free formula. I think you will get much better results. I would go with the Wellness Core Puppy formula. 

Probiotics would help, too, and yes, Proviable DC is an excellent probiotic.

[Amy]

Would you advise that I keep with the Wellness Core vs. Orijen or another brand? I have access to both locally.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, I'm always going to go with Orijen over anything else when possible, lol. I just mentioned the Core because you were feeding Wellness. 

[Amy]

Karen, it see from other discussions that many mini GDs can switch to adult food when they stop growing? So would there be merit in moving slowly to an adult food versus the puppy? Thinking that it may be better than switching her food again in 5 months? She is almost full grown judging by the size of her parents. (She is 18 lbs... Expected to be about 20 lbs)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, you can switch to the Orijen Adult instead of the Orijen Puppy. 

[Shari Becker]

Hi Amy, our GD is almost 9 months old, and we have very similar issues with her. Certain foods just don't sit well with her, and there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason for it. (Our vet tells us this is part of a common doodle allergy profile. Our dog also has itchy issues from dust mites and pollen.)

We tried adjusting to one new food (Ziwipeak) for this past month, and I just gave up and gave the bag to a neighbor. She just couldn't digest it, and it's considered one of the ultimate super high-end, low processed kibble-type foods.

One suggestion would be to try a beef-based food, since you know she was fine on the beef and rice. (Lexi does great on beef and lamb, but not as well on chicken or venison, which was this last main protein in the food we tried).  

You can also add thoroughly cooked sweet potatoes or pumpkin to her meals to help keep stool's firm. Rich treats, like bully sticks can contribute to the upset bellies, too. After Lexi had a really bad week of soft poop, she seemed to be straining, too. We had her anal glands "done," and the problem resolved itself.  Good luck! Am happy to share any tips and tricks, but we've found that Stella and Chewy's with sweet potatoes and a little yogurt is the best mix for Lexi. We have a bag of Acana single grain that we use for stuffing her kong. She doesn't do great on it in large amounts, but in small amounts we don't have any issues. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Shari, Acana just changed the formula on the Acana Singles to grain-free. :) 

[Shari Becker]

ooooh ..... I will have to try that when I finish my this bag. 

[Amy]

Thank you Shari!

[April S.]

My doodle went through the same issue on wellness complete puppy last year. We went to a blue buffalo grain free turkey and all was well. She is now on Orijen Six Fish and she loves it.

[Amy]

Thank you!!!