Hi, I have a six week old Border Collie whom I've had for just under a week. (Molly the Border Collie). She has a bad case of the runs since about day two. Any suggestions on what I should be feeding her - currently she has dry food morning and lunch and some prepackaged roll from a petshop.???

First of all the puppy should be on 4-5 meals a day of the same food not different food as that will upset the puppys stomach for a start, also at that age and may i ask where you got the puppy from, as getting a puppy at 5 weeks old is not really the best idea. The pup should have still been with it's mother at that age.
Have you taken the puppy to the vet to get her checked out and asked his advice on feeding.
What did the breeder advise?
Sorry if this sounds like i am pounding you with questions but it is for the puppies sake , if i were you i would get the puppy to the vet to get it checked from top to bottom specially if it is still suffering with a bad stomach, and also contact the breeder to find out what she was feeding them on.

Sam

I agree with the above, check what she's been used to. A little fresh minced steak might be better, at least you know whats in it. But you should check with your vet. The dry food probably need to be moistened as well.

Dear Sam,

Firstly, I'm from Australia and from what I can gather, after talking to other dog owners etc. the going age for sale is around six weeks old, I probably confused everyone as I purchased Molly at six weeks, and we have had her for a week. I have been feeding her what the breeder recommended. She came with a Vet Certificate and has had her first vaccination and worming. She is due for another vaccination shortly, and as she is active and happy, I thought it must be her food. I have read a lot about feeding puppies and I'm wondering what peoples thoughts are on dry to semi-moist food only, as this is what vets and other professionals seem to be recommending - in Australia at least.

Cheers!!

Dear Charlie,
I am in the UK and puppies over here generally are 8 weeks that is why we all sound so shocked sorry!!
Semi moist food i must admit that i don't know of any types over here myself but maybe other posters do.
I myself have a puppy coming in two weeks and she will be 8 weeks old maybe thats just the way over here.
Sorry if i offended you good luck and let us know how you get on.

Sam

US Standard for puppies leaving the 'nest' is also 8-12 weeks depending on breed, so the 6th weeks also surprised me So much neccessary development, especially in socialization occurs during that time.
toodles

Hi Guest
Deary & Dudley are right.
I think the minimum age for a pup to go to it's new home is 8 weeks!
You must get your pup to a Vet asap and get it on a v.bland puppy diet with at least 4 meals per day and plenty of fresh water.
Let us know how you get on. :)
Nicky

I beleive that it is ilegal to sell a pup under 6 weeks of age, and if the breeder is required to have a license then they cannot sell a puppy until it is at least 8 weks old.

Most breeders in my breed will allow puppies to start leaving for their new homes between 7 and 8 weeks of age. the larger breeds are often older.

I would not feed the stuff in those prepackaged rolls, as it has little nutritional value being mostly gelatine.

A puppy as young as this needs a high quality food at least four, and in this case with it's early seperation from mum, possibly 5 or 6 meals a day. some of the tummy trouble may be due to the pup needing to overeat in the thre meals just ot eat enough! This will be compounded with a poor quality diet.

Feed any of the premium complete foods for now. Try Eukanuba,Arden Grange Pedigree Advance, Hills, Iams etc.

If you are interested in natural feeding then buy a book on it so that you can ensure giving a balnced diet.

Take a poop sample to the vet for a fecal test. It could be worms or coccidia which requires antibotics to clear up. It can be somewhat common when a pup enters a new home etc. (is there some bloody mucous in the stool?-- if so it probably is coccidia).
Personally I think the best time for a puppy to go to a new home is 71/2 weeks or 9 weeks of age.
8 weeks has been known to be a stressful time for pups to have their situation changed. It's believed that any trauma during the 8th week can cause tempermental problems throughout a dogs life. Anybody else believe this to be true?

Carissa

Hi Carissa,

The research shows that there is a 'fear period' at 8 weeks, but thousands upon thousands of pups go to their new homes at 8 weeks with no apparent problems. For what its worth, I do avoid 8 weeks for the odd pup that I let go early (usually keep them to 12) but think that there is a big breed difference in the rate of mental maturing, and probably an even bigger individual one :-). Don't think that a bit of extra time with mum & siblings does any harm (but then I have a slow maturing giant breed) as long as the breeder does a lot of socialisation, but if the pups aren't getting enough socialisation I'd want mine asap - 6 weeks or even a little earlier. But then I have adults, some of them maternal over any pup, to put the polish on the pups canine socialisation.

Thanks to all for your advice, I'm trying Eukanuba - seems to be going well. She doesn't seem to be missing mum as we have lots of interaction (chasing balls and hide & seek etc). We're off to puppy pre-school next week.

Cheers!!

Try Bio yogot will help all ages even us with upset tums.Bran works opp in dogs but not too much just the bran flakes both work well

I am from Australia too and I don't know anyone who would let their pup go before eight weeks. It is not what people do here.

Welcome to the forum Kirstie :-)