Hi,
I changed my 2-year old mini dog over from JWB pouches to Butcher's Tripe Mix nearly 2 months ago (she also has Royal Canin mini dry).  She absolutely loves the stuff, and has tolerated it perfectly well, with good firm poos.  Suddenly this week, she has had 2 instances of very loose stool (not on consecutive days).  The only time she normally has this is when she has had cooked chicken, which she definitely has not had. 

I understand from Butcher's that there IS some chicken in their Tripe Mix.  Could she be showing an intolerance now, after nearly 2 months?  I'd be very disappointed if I have to change her food again, as she is a fussy little thing, and really loves her tripe mix!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi,
My spaniel cannot tolerate cooked chicken, but will happily eat raw chicken wings/carcases without any ill affects.

I feed a lamb based complete, but add raw extras. If you think that it is the chicken content in the Butchers mix that is causing her the problem, then i would suggest switching from this, to a raw tripe mince. I use the free flow variety and it's easily avalible from Pets at home or online (i have used berriewoods in the past)
Your girl would still be getting the food she enjoys, but without the chicken content.
It is a bit more hassle, remembering to defrost it. But IMO it is a better product than Butchers.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I had thought of the tripe mince, but DH can only just tolerate the smell of the Butchers, and I think the real stuff will send him running out the door!  I have found a Natures Menu Beef and Tripe pouch that looks like it has a similar tripe content to the Butchers, and is a more premium brand.  BeBe already loves their little soft beef treats, so I've ordered one pouch.  Anyone have experience with this variety of Natures Menu?

I'll continue to monitor the poop situation and would welcome any more advice. It just seems strange that she would be fine with it for this long and then show an intolerance now - is this common?  I guess I'm hoping it's just a temporary bug.

I use natures menu for my two poodles but the tins rather than the pouches as one of mine is very fussy and prefers the consistency of the tins which is a pain as it is not available in tins at pets at home so I bulk buy it from Berriewoods. I note from your post that the tins probably would'nt be any use to you as all the tins of nm have chicken in them. I also give my two a bit of Arden Grange as well inside Kongs, this food is lamb based and Arden grange have just launched a mini lamb and rice kibble especially for small dogs which I have just bought for my two. They previously had Royal canin mini sensible as this was the only kibble they would eat, again this is poultry based but having read lots of good reviews on champ dogs about Arden Grange decided to give it a try when the mini adult food was available and they seem to like that as well. I got samples of the food sent by Arden grange for them to try first. Hope this helps in my opinion Natures menu is an excellent food so I hope your dog likes it.

I too feed Royal Canin mini to my small breeds.  And add Butcher's in both the tins and the trays.

While it didn't happen often, they would sometimes be a little loose.  After seeing on CD that someone recommended Dorwest Tree Barks Powder, I decided to give it a try.

They don't even get large quantities of it, as they are so small.  I just mix a sprinkling of it into the wet food.  I have to say that they have certainly improved.  Been on it for over 8 months now, and I am very pleased with the results.  Just restocked at Cruft's today!  :-)