I have a 9 week old Flattie pup who has come to me on Arden Grange Graduate.  She is hardly enjoying it and only eats a bit and walks away, unless I mix with hot water and put in a teaspoon ful of Naturediet from other dogs food.

Her stools are large, squidgy and very stinky, whereas the other dog who is on Naturediet has small beatifully formed stools.  The pup also tries to eat her own stools.

Is it too early to change her on to Naturediet Puppy and over what period should I do it if I do change.  Can't bear to see her not enjoy her food.  She is also very itchy, although no redness.  Her skin looks a bit dandruffy.  The vet noticed it.  We have treated for fleas, although I don't think that is the problem.

Thanks

Try adding a teaspoon of live natural yogurt to her meal and mix it in well.  It really does help.  My golden puppy was on Royal Canin Maxi Babydog from 8 weeks old and at 5 months has now gone on to Maxi Junior.  I have never had trouble with her weight or stools and more importantly she loves it.  There's not a lot you can do about your pup eating her poo except clean up immediately after she goes.  She will probably grow out of it. 

I had a similar problem with Arden Grange but I found that my GSD was that way with all dried food.  I used to add gravy and this helped greatly.  I am still feeding AG and now find that if my dog has competition for her food, ie my mother-in-laws greedy Lab, there is no stopping her and she often tries to eat his!  My dog doesn't mooch at the table and in training class is motivate by a toy and not food so maybe she is just not that interested in food.

Hi Jeanlyon,

Puppies you need to go very slowly as they are more likely to get tummy upsets over a switch of food.  I would make the change over a 10-14 day period, no faster. 

If she does not like the food and her skin condition is poor I do not see any reason to wait.   I would also give the breeder a call and ask her about the itchness and flakey skin.  And the poo. 

Stacey

I wonder if you are perhaps overfeeding?  This would cause looseness and smelly stools due to the food not being digested, ahving gone in and straight out.  This would account for the pup not being enthusiastic about eating too.

I have found this brand of food to be aboutr the best I have used, though I have always used the Prestige on Pups and in whelp bitches, and then the adult.

I have found that they well oveestimate the amount required for my breed where I feed the higher amount for dogs half my breeds size!

My dogs are 20kg as adults, and at no time would a pup get more than 250g a day, and adults get around 200g.

I assume pup is on 4 meals a day so that it's stomach is not overloaded?

Hi and thanks to all for their replies.  The pup is on 3 meals a day of about 80-90 grams each meal, so that is only 270 grams whereas AG recommend about 350 for her size.  She usually leaves some in the dish.  I put hot water on it as she will not eat it dry.  The stools are still very large, soft and extremely smelly.  She is well and healthy otherwise.  As I have ordered 7.5 kg of food which will last about 25 days, I will see how it goes and after another 10 days will move her slowly over to ND.  My other dog is so well on ND.  Will bathe the pup tomorrow - had already decided to do that anyway.  There were lots of animals at the farm where she was born, 3 dogs, parrot, ducks - so she's probably slightly dirty anyway.  LOL  Super big Flattie Mum though - gorgeous. 

There is no reason you cannot change your puppy over to ND.  Just do it over a week, gradually increasing the quantity of ND and reducing the quantity of AG.  Not all dogs get on with all foods.

Hi ,
Congratulations on your new flattie pup.
If the food is not proving successful I would change to ND. But just would add that I use AG having tried several and find it great for my two flatties.
If I thought the coat was a problem I would give pup a good wash/bath with a pup shampoo and then re-assess the coat to see if the dandruff re-appears. Pups do get dirty and dusty in the litter, I always bathe the pups when they go to their new homes.
On the subject of eating pooh....I am afraid flatties seem to love it...but do not despair it can be discouraged and the bad-habit broken. Try to clean up immediately after pup, and give a tasty treat, instead of him treating himself....
HTH

Michelle

Brainless, what is the difference between Prestige and Graduate ?  im going to move my pup onto Arden Grange (8 month old Irish Setter) and was going to put him on Graduate, do you think Prestige would be better ?

I put my boy straight onto Prestige and skipped graduate - as recommended by his breeder.  he has been on it ever since (he's 2.5 now)

What breed do you have ?

It seems that people use prestige for pups, pregnant & lactating bitches, juniors and also adults. It has 30 percent protein and I quite a high fat percentage. I don't think you would do any harm skipping graduate and feeding prestige....but.... Maybe you should ask AG what they think.
I hope you find it as good as I have.

I have done and they actually say that is fine, and that a lot of breeders prefer to so it this way, but a lot of pet owners like having a specified named product for their pups.

He has been on Barf and is now actually on an adult food so I dont mind what the foods called as long as it is good for him :)

I will give the petshop a call tomorrow and see if they will get me a sack of prestige.

Thanks for your help, and sorry for hijacking the thread :p

Right I have discovered why my pup is doing pooh that would do justice to a Great Dane!  There is sugar beet pulp in Arden Grange, used as a filler to bulk up.  Saw it on another thread.  Definitely changing her to Naturediet.