Help! New dog, same food, soft stools

1147 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by thr61, Oct 11, 2009

thr61

Discussion Starter · Oct 11, 2009

I am the proud new owner of an 11 month old Golden female who "washed out" as a show prospect. She is a great new member of our family.

The breeder had been feeding her Purina One Select and so I bought a bag to keep her on the same (it seemed to be working for her). Upon arrival, her stools became quite soft and loose. I attributed this to the water source change and have given her a week. It is now 10 days and she is still very soft and challenging to clean up after.

I wonder if I got a different formula or a bad bag. Does it make sense to switch her to Pro or to another brand entirely? There is a lot of strong opinion here on brands, but I would like to hear some ideas. I don't mind paying up $50 a bag or so, but do not want to get into the $90 plus range.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

jwemt81

· #2 · Oct 11, 2009

If it's the same brand of food, but an entirely different formula than what the breeder was feeding, that more than likely is the cause for the loose stools. If I remember correctly, Purina One comes in a few different formulas, such as chicken and lamb. You can switch to Pro Plan, but it would need to be done slowly just like with any food change, otherwise the situation could get worse. I would first contact the breeder and find out exactly which formula of One she was feeding. That may help solve the problem.

thr61

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 11, 2009

I bought exactly the same formula as the breeder. No change at all. My concern was that maybe purina changed the formula a bit, causing the problem.

Florabora22

· #4 · Oct 11, 2009

It could very well be nerves. She's been living with a family for 11 months and just recently made a complete transition to an entirely new family. Maybe she just needs more time to adjust.

Good luck with everything, and congrats on your new addition.

thr61

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 11, 2009

I have certainly considered this as a factor. However, it is going on 10 days now and she seems very settled. Lots of play, following me, exploring, tail chasing etc. From past experience, she seems to have made the transition. Thus, I am looking at the food issue.

Her breeder reports that she never had soft stools and so I continue to think bad batch. However, if there is a better option in terms of food quality etc., I am happy to explore it.

Thanks again for the help.

mylissyk

· #6 · Oct 11, 2009

I would try witholding food for one day, then give her some cooked rice and chicken for a couple of days to let her system settle. If that helps, then slowly transition back to her regular food. If the loose stools return you would be right to try a different food.

Doodle

· #7 · Oct 11, 2009

I agree with mylissyk above. I have read that when a dog's intestines have been upset, it can take several weeks for them to heal and go back to normal, so 10 days may not be enough adjustment time. The chicken and rice will help them to settle. It could also be the change of drinking water. My neighbor's yellow lab is very sensitive to different waters so much so that they have to bring their own water where ever they go. A probiotic wouldn't hurt either.

thr61

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 11, 2009

I am happy to give the rice and chicken a try. Do I use a similar amount of food (3 cups) as with the Purina One Sensitive Systems? And what is the balance of rice to chicken and what kind of chicken? Just parboil some breasts and shred it for her?

We did suspect the water, but I would think after 10 or 11 days that might resolve. I have read a fair amount about the Sensitive Systems causing soft stools -- just thought it could be a combo of this food and our water causing it. But, I don't want her to end up with bad skin or itchy either...

2Retrievers222

· #9 · Oct 11, 2009

I take him off that brand all together, as in previous post on this the person said dogs can eat corn or wheat if it is grounded up

if it doesn't say ground wheat or corn its not grounded and alot of fillers in Purina

I would try costco kirkland brand $30 canadian same ingredients as $60 bags bags at pet store and no corn or wheat or by-products

below shows costco ingredients after Purina

Purina One Ingredients :

Pros:
Its Cheap
Its widely available
Cons:
Uses poor quality ingredients
Uses a lot of fillers

Chicken (natural source of glucosamine), brewers rice, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), whole grain wheat, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), non-fat yogurt, animal digest, dicalcium phosphate, salt, malted barley flour, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.

CRUDE PROTEIN (MIN) 26.0%
CRUDE FAT (MIN) 16.0%
CRUDE FIBER (MAX) 3.0%
MOISTURE (MAX) 12.0%
LINOLEIC ACID (MIN) 1.4%
CALCIUM (Ca) (MIN) 1.0%
PHOSPHORUS (P) (MIN) 0.8%
SELENIUM (Se) (MIN) 0.30 mg/kg
VITAMIN A (MIN) 13,000 IU/kg
VITAMIN E (MIN) 100 IU/kg
GLUCOSAMINE* (MIN) 400 ppm

Overall I give Purina One dog food: 4 out of 10
Not Recommended

Kirkland(costco) chicken

Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearl barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and vitamin E), egg product, beet pulp, potatoes, fish meal, flaxseed, natural flavor, brewers dried yeast, millet, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, carrots, peas, kelp, apples, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, dried chicory root, glucosamine hydrochloride, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, chondroitin sulfate, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid

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thr61

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 11, 2009

I am actually feeding Purina One Sensitive Systems, not straight Purina One. I believe the principle ingredient is salmon.

2Retrievers222

· #11 · Oct 11, 2009

Salmon (natural source of glucosamine), brewers rice, pearled barley, oat meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), fish meal (natural source of glucosamine), salmon meal (source of salmon oil), animal digest, calcium phosphate, salt, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite

still has corn, brewers rice, and on read reports that chemical used to keep fish good causes cancer

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cubbysan

· #12 · Oct 11, 2009

Anybody sneaking her table food, or is she getting a new kind of treat?

I can always tell when Brady has gotten into the cat food, he has the runs the next day.

thr61

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 11, 2009

cubbysan said:
Anybody sneaking her table food, or is she getting a new kind of treat?

I can always tell when Brady has gotten into the cat food, he has the runs the next day.

Nope. One of the rules when she came home with us was NO table food at all. No treats either -- just sterilized bones and kong with peanut butter from time to time.

thr61

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 11, 2009

2Retrievers222 said:
Salmon (natural source of glucosamine), brewers rice, pearled barley, oat meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), fish meal (natural source of glucosamine), salmon meal (source of salmon oil), animal digest, calcium phosphate, salt, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite

still has corn, brewers rice, and on read reports that chemical used to keep fish good causes cancer

Sounds like you do not like Purina at all. What do you suggest?

2Retrievers222

· #15 · Oct 11, 2009 (Edited)

any dog food that does not have corn,wheat,by-products,fillers

I used to buy $60 bags for two dogs than found Costco (Kirkland brand)
half price with same ingredients

my two dogs brother was brought up on food that had wheat,corn,fillers, coat was not as nice his size smaller, wants people food, nervous,restless

they have lamb and rice
chicken
puppy

how much for big bag of purina

BeauShel

· #16 · Oct 11, 2009

It doesnt sound like it is the food. Do the chicken and rice for 24 hours and then go back with a combo of rice and dog food. Stop the peanut butter kong for a time to see if it is that. I would think after 11 days the water is not the culprit either. If that doesnt work then you might take her to the vet to make sure it is not guardia or coccidia. Stress from the move to your home can bring it out.
Everyone has different feelings on food so if you feel comfortable with that brand and she was doing well on it, I would stay with that food. Dont switch when she is having problems.

thr61

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 11, 2009

BeauShel said:
It doesnt sound like it is the food. Do the chicken and rice for 24 hours and then go back with a combo of rice and dog food. Stop the peanut butter kong for a time to see if it is that. I would think after 11 days the water is not the culprit either. If that doesnt work then you might take her to the vet to make sure it is not guardia or coccidia. Stress from the move to your home can bring it out.
Everyone has different feelings on food so if you feel comfortable with that brand and she was doing well on it, I would stay with that food. Dont switch when she is having problems.

I will try the chicken and rice. Can you provide a few more details on how much etc.? I assume match it cup for cup to the amount of food. But do I use boiled chicken breast meat with brown rice in a 50/50 mix or otherwise?

Thanks for all the help.

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