Amount of Pumpkin for a Puppy

[James And Sophie]

How much pumpkin should we give to our 11 week old puppy with soft stools?

On Friday, we received our Sophie (see attached photo) from her breeder who has been feeding her TOTW Puppy. Sophie is about 8 pounds and eating about 1/2 cup 3 times a day (we offer 3/4). We plan to continue for 2 weeks and then move her to Arcana or Orijen. The only added food has been Zukes Ckicken training treats - maybe 10 each day.

This evening, her stools went from firm to soft and I wanted some advice about giving her pumpkin. I understand that it needs to just be pumpkin and not the filling but I have no idea of volume to try - a tsp or tbs and how often and when to stop. And if I am being an over-reactive DH (as my wife just called me) and intervening too soon.

Thank you ahead of time,
James

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You're not being reactive. Chances are excellent that your puppy has giardia, in which case no amount of pumpkin will help. Giardia is an intestinal parasite and it's very common in young doodle puppies. You need to bring a stool sample in to the vet. You need to do this sooner rather than later, as giardia is extremely contagious and anything the poop touches is contaminated, which will cause the puppy to keep reinfecting herself. Giardia has a 10-14 day incubation period and doesn't show up in every sample, so if possible, bring more than one.

If it's positive, ask for Panacur, NOT metronidazole. This is important. 

In the meantime, a tablespoon or two of canned pure pumpkin or better yet, plain mashed sweet potatoes 2-3 times a day can't hurt. But it probably won't help either.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I should have read your response before putting in mine. I was thinking about giardia too. One of mine had it when he came home from the breeder. She paid for his treatment.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, and stop the treats for now. Use pieces of plain boiled white meat chicken for training treats.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Sophie is just as cute as a pup could be! First I would stop giving her treats unless her breeder was giving her the same treats you have. You can give her a kernel of her kibble for a treat. It is so easy to forget that the treats could be the "new" food.

I think anything around a teaspoon or so of pumpkin would be fine with each meal. I give my guys a "dollop" (between a tablespoon and two tablespoons) but they are adult standard F1s. I give it to them every day. They like it, and it is good for their digestive systems. I buy two cases this time of year and it lasts me all year.

[Fitz & Henry]

Where did your pup come from? Which state? I'm with Karen on this one... But stopping treats is excellent advice. I know that's tough with a puppy... But as you will soon learn these puppies have wonky bellies.

[Chris & Abby]

Mine pup also had a loose stool reaction to treats when I first got her. The cooked chicken was fine and corrected it for Abby. I switched from the breeders food to TOTW Puppy and have had great results. I will keep her on it as long as that continues.

[James And Sophie]

Karen, Bonnie, Fitz, Chris (or is it more proper to respond to Jackdoodle, Kona, Henrey and Abby :) ),

 

Thank you all for the quick replies!  You are all so wonderful.  This wonderful GD came from from a well known breeder to Doodle Kisses community, so I don't think that is the issue.  Since Sophie has been with for less than 72 hours and Giardia has a 10-14 day incubation period (good to know), I'll assume that it is the treats and not anything else.  

Tomorrow, we switch to boiled chicken (yum?) and I'll add a bit of mashed sweet potatoes to her diet.

 

Thank you all again,

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Even puppies from very good breeders can have giardia. If it doesn't improve, I'd have a fecal done. Keep us posted. 

[James And Sophie]

I am happy to report that Sophie had a firm poop last night late and again today! Again, many thanks for your concern and the information. Nonetheless, we'll cut back on treats!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thanks so much for the update! Thrilled to hear Sophie is doing well now.