I have been the proud owner of a male Westie for 3 weeks. He (Buddy) is 5 mths old. I was given Nutro puppy food in his puppy pack from the Breeder. From day one he would not eat it. I have tried other well known brands of dried puppy food (Pellets form) and also tinned puppy food. I've introduced these foods in small amounts and gradually so as to avoid gastro-intestinal problems. However he's had the occasional vomit but is having regular loose stools. It's the loose stools which concern me. For a couple of days his motions were pale brown/yellowy coloured with mucus and there was spots of watery looking blood. He continues to bear down quite alot as though he still feels the urge to pass something. For the last 2 days i've just fed him plain cooked chicken or turkey with a couple of doggy biscuits for crunch value. His motions have been slightly better formed and darker in colour today. In every other way he appears healthy and playful. I do want to get him onto eating ready made dog food but without causing to much upset for him, I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

Many Thanks,
Maggie

I'm afraid, Maggie you have thrown an awful lot at his little system in the last 3 weeks :). It is not unusual for pups to go off their food in the first few days in their hew home. He will have been eating the Nutro at his breeders for sure but as soon as you start offering different things he was bound to get picky. I would offer him small quantities of the Nutro, leave the bowl for 10 minutes if he does not touch it remove it totally until next meal time. Make sure he has plenty water and he will not come to any harm, he will eat it when he is hungry. I have never fed Nutro but it is well thought of but if you feel you really want to change him to something else you should leave it for at least a month. If the blood in his motions does not clear up after about 24hours back on Nutro or if he appears unwell you should take him to your vets.

Yes I have to agree with Isabel 3 weeks is only 21 days and you have tried quite a few different things. You are amybe trying to feed him too much. They don't eat alot really.

2.5-3% of their weight.

If you don't mind continuing the chicken , turkey then that is a good diet for a Westie.

Whatever you decide and even if it is a cmmercial watch the brewers yeast content as it is not that good for westies it is know to trigger skin problems.

Let us know how puppy is getting on.

Pam (and her 2 westies)

To get his motions back to something normal, give him chicken or turkey with mashed potato...nothing else at all. give this for a couple of days and his motions will soon be back to normal. I was told of this recently and it really does work. Then after a couple of days put in less chicken and more nutro, then less potato until you have got him back to complete nutro gradually. Then stick with it, no more changes and as the other posters have said, if he does not eat it after 10 mins, pick it up, resist giving him something a little different to fill him up and put it down for the next meal. If he is hungry he will eat it. Hope you sort it out soon.

Good advice Jayne ;) :D

Ha Ha Jacquie. You can probably tell it worked then. They can't get enough of it. 5lb of spuds at a time!!! Even Lime.

When was the last time your puppy was wormed, that might be the problem. I have westies and mine are on Butchers range of foods, I did have them on minced pork with rice, as one had what was thought a skin problem, which turned out he was scratching himself on bushes and with a thick coat I did not notice until the sores became infected, if you need any kind of advice with your westie, just e mail me and I will try and help you. Irene-Westyholm Westies.