Hi guys,

Recently posted about my new puppy's sleeping at night in his crate. Thanks to all who responded, he's now sleeping a treat........and snoring I may add. Lol.

I've noticed since we had him that his stools are over a very sloppy consistency, I've continued with the diet that the breeder was giving him but I'm worried that its not suiting him. He's on Eukanuba at present and I ideally want to change him to arden grange.

Can anybody offer help to me?

Cheers.

Ps - Happy New Year to all!!

Now you have had him a little while and sounds like he is settling well I would start the change over. 5o it slowly over at least a week or maybe two. I have changed all my pups over to raw in my case within the first month of having them and it has only taken a week to get them sorted and happy.. It will be interesting to see what others say

Even different water will cause this and I always brought water from the breeder so I could change it over slowly - it will sort itself out but may take up to 2 weeks just bear with it.

Is your puppy Copraphragic? this often results in looser poos.

I had to smile at our 2 completely different answers :). I maybe wrongly assumed that the op had her pup for a at least a month .  Never assume !!

furriefriends reply is good, I think to change to raw rather than another complete food would be ideal and you will get beautiful firm poos, if you are unable to change completely try feeding some chicken wings, carcuses or chicken mince with bone in with your complete rations. And yes you can use them togeather many people do.

Thankyou wee man. I was meaning that the op could change to arden grange now if she wished. Yes I would recommend raw but am aware its not for everyone

If you are over feeding it can cause soft stools, most pups will eat everything whether full or not.

I too send pups home with local water in bottles.

Sometimes they can be a bit loose if getting too much to eat, so try cutting down by about 20% for a day or two and see if ti makes a difference to stool consistency. 

Then obviously increase as he grows, but carefully not to over feed, as too much food will just whizz through his system to fast.

I too prefer AG over Euk, but it's personal preference, and what suits the dog.

Is your puppy Copraphragic? this often results in looser poos.

Thanks for the responses!

TADOG - No, he's very good in that sense, he doesn't eat his own stools.

The stools are not always the same consistency, sometimes seem to be glazed over and gel like (if that makes sense) however, not had 1 firm stool since him coming home. Furriefriends, we've had him for 2 weeks now.

a RAW diet is not something ill be putting him on, I prefer dry food, but a good quality which is why I've chosen AG.

we've had him for 2 weeks now

Well I would leave everything alone for another 2 weeks, perhaps check you are not feeding too much then if you want to change do it very slowly. But if he is still loose after 2 more weeks then a trip to the vet may be in order.

I'd change him now, to be honest - I always change pups within 2 days of getting them home and have never had problems.  Sometimes there's a day or two of adjustment, but that's to be expected as their bodies have usually not experienced anything other than what the breeder feeds.  I'm a big advocate of feeding a wide variety/range of different *good quality* foods in puppyhood, so you produce a digestive system which is strong and accustomed to getting anything.  I don't see it as natural or normal to eat the same food, day in and day out, forever, and you can provide variety with kibble easily.

I'd change him now, to be honest

Would your really change the food of a pup that already has problems? I would not except to perhaps use a food suggested by a vet in conjunction with medication. With luck this is just the change of environment and water but we don't know so why chance aggravating the condition.

Given what I know is in Eukanuba, I wouldn't be surprised if it were responsible for the problems - so yes, I'd definitely change it. 

I'd suspect a possible food intolerance and perhaps try something with no grain and definitely with no maize - and see if that helped.  I've never seen a healthy dog have permanent damage caused by changing food and I think there is a slightly ridiculous and hysterical response on the part of many dog owners/breeders when it comes to food.  Do we feed our toddlers the same food day in, day out...? Bringing up young dogs to tolerate only one brand is crazy.  Just as part of bringing up a toddler is gradually introducing a range of different food types, there's a similar task for a young puppy owner.  It doesn't need to be changed daily, but if there are problems or once you've finished a bag...  Raw feeders know this and vary raw diets, and it's accepted this is a healthy and balanced way to feed - and there's no reason why dogs fed kibble shouldn't also have variety.

If it continued, I'd suspect either giardia or coccidia - but would want to give a change of food a go before stool samples and ABs. 

I'd never feed a food prescribed by a vet because they contain largely rubbish, vets receive commission for selling them, and they are massively over-priced for what they are.  The only exception would be if my dog had a health condition which needed a specific food which I couldn't otherwise source or make easily - fortunately that has never been the case.

I'd be doing as a couple of others have suggested, reduce food amounts a bit. I'd not want to be rushing changing a food. So many changes to pup's new life and these can all contribute to upset tummies. How many times have there been posts on CD where new owners are saying pup has been home a week and has runny poos. Sorry, can't tell me all those breeders got the feeding so horribly wrong that whilst pups thrived with them the instant the pup went to the new home it became unable to take the ingredients :-O :-O

I don't, and wouldn't, feed Eukenuba, but I know plenty who do feel it's ok to do so (ask 100 CDers their opinion on the best food to feed and I doubt you'd get many saying the same) but I wouldn't want to be fiddling with the diet quite so soon, give pup a chance to really settle in. So many factors can unsettle a pup, and if like mine, the digestive system is the first indicator that maybe the dog isn't quite as chilled as I may have thought. Water, as said, is a factor, routines, lots of visitors (it's been a very busy time of year to be introducing a pup to a new home - unless you have had a festive season like I have, ie, just a bog standard, normal set of days!), temperature (my house is cool, I raise cool pups - they take some adjusting to 'warm' homes), weather ... in my neck of the woods there's been lashing rain and howling gales, so many factors for the pup to deal with.

I'd also give the breeder a call, ask their advice. It may be it's the first time the food has been used with a litter and maybe it isn't the right one for your pup ... I know I'd rather one of my pup owners call me and ask me rather than taking advice from a bunch of random strangers (yes, I do include myself in that!). If a good breeder they'll be willing to help and advise. It sometimes worries me the first port of call for many new pup owners is an internet forum - firstly the breeder, then the forums :-D

Just keep an eye on him and if you are worried about his health, pop him along to the vet. I do hope it clears up quickly. Hot tip: If you do need to go to the vet over holiday period, just think ahead ... Monday will be cheaper than Tuesday ;-)

BTW AG is a good feed ;-)

>How many times have there been posts on CD where new owners are saying pup has been home a week and has runny poos. Sorry, can't tell me all those breeders got the feeding so horribly wrong that whilst pups thrived with them the instant the pup went to the new home it became unable to take the ingredients

One of the main causes of runny poos in any mammal (including humans) is stress and anxiety, and I can't think of anything more stressful than leaving everything which is familiar behind and being in a completely new environment.  Most of the time the runny poos have nothing to do with new owners changing food, and everything to do with stress and anxiety.  (And possibly new water supply.)

One of the main causes of runny poos in any mammal (including humans) is stress and anxiety,

Then why add to the stress by changing the food, let the pup settle and don't rush at anything. A few more weeks on the food he is used to will not cause any harm and the owner may wish to continue on that food anyway, it does not matter what others think you feed what you think right and can afford,