Need a new game plan

Cami · #1 15th August 2011, 07:38 AM

When we brought Raine home we transitioned her to TOTW (Pacific Stream) (kibble) and would add a bit of canned TOTW (various flavors). At a year of age-July 1st, I transitioned her over to TOTW (Wetlands) for the higher protein.
She has been with us for nearly a year now and her stool has never been normal... as in much form to it. It has shape but picking it up while on walks for example is pointless (even though I always do!!).
After this mornings walk and poo fiasco.....I decided it is time for a change. She must need more fiber. TOTW Seems to have 3% fiber maximum. What little investigating while at the pet store last week anything that was grain free seems to be right around that same 3%.
I have added canned pumpkin with no change. I could add in a fiber addition like psyllium but would prefer not to. I know there has to be a food out there that can correct this issue.
She has managed to avoid any anal gland issues up to this point, thankfully but I don't rule any out in her future if this is allowed to continue.
I am not feeding her too much during the day or too much at any one meal. The treats are rotated meaning she never gets the same thing twice and if we are out of something she might go without it for a week or so. Certainly long enough to know if something I was feeding (other than dog food) were the culprit.
The transition went fine. Actually better than anticipated. There was never a change in stool consistency during the switch or after.
If I could find something that were higher fiber and it could be helpful I wouldn't mind even having her eat 1/2 that and 1/2 TOTW.
We just need something to get her stool a little more firm!
Any thoughts or ideas of FOOD verses adding various things to her meals?
She also eats yogurt daily as well.

Cami · #2 15th August 2011, 07:44 AM

Forgot to mention that I fed Cami Solid Gold Barking at the Moon (grain/gluten free) because it was so high protein (for her cancer). It is 4% fiber so that is a move in the right direction but I don't know if I want to bump Raine up to a 42% protein food at just 13 months of age. Maybe 1/2 and 1/2 of this would work making her protien a bit lower from the SG but higher still than TOTW and the fiber a bit higher. Hum.

chrystel · #3 15th August 2011, 08:30 AM

the TOTW lamb is 4% fiber

i have exactly the same issue with snatch (not formed poo) .. so annoying.. LOL but weirdly, i now changed them to the pacific stream and his poo is harder! so weird!!

johann · #4 15th August 2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cami

Forgot to mention that I fed Cami Solid Gold Barking at the Moon (grain/gluten free) because it was so high protein (for her cancer). It is 4% fiber so that is a move in the right direction but I don't know if I want to bump Raine up to a 42% protein food at just 13 months of age. Maybe 1/2 and 1/2 of this would work making her protien a bit lower from the SG but higher still than TOTW and the fiber a bit higher. Hum.

We bumped Johann up to Orijen at around the same age, pretty similar protein content (maybe a bit higher). He had no growth issues or problems from it.

Actually, Orijen and Acana have fiber content of 3-4% depending on what flavor you chose. Might be worth considering, though it is a bit more money per pound.

Cami · #5 15th August 2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

the TOTW lamb is 4% fiber

This is weird. Not that the lamb has 4% fiber just that none of the local stores that carry TOTW have ever had the lamb version. I didn't know it was available.
What is even more weird is my most recent bag of Wetlands says 3% fiber yet their website says 4% fiber. Have to talk to them about that! That would mean a typo on the bag (unlikely) or a change in ingredients???

high octane · #6 15th August 2011, 11:38 AM

My friends pitbull had the same problem with high protien foods. She switched to a grain free product with a lower protein levels, 26%.
Also I know that if the pumpkin has added salt or sugar you won't get the proper results.

chrystel · #7 15th August 2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cami

This is weird. Not that the lamb has 4% fiber just that none of the local stores that carry TOTW have ever had the lamb version. I didn't know it was available.
What is even more weird is my most recent bag of Wetlands says 3% fiber yet their website says 4% fiber. Have to talk to them about that! That would mean a typo on the bag (unlikely) or a change in ingredients???

that's weird!! all the stores i go to have the lamb version.. i guess it depends of the requests maybe?

I wanted to feed my boys the Earthborn Holistic, but i can't get the "Great plain" version in a sotre near me. All versions have 4% fiber but they are up there with the protein (32% minimum)

Snatch refuses to touch his food if i put psyllium in it. (**sigh**)

I am glad his poop is firm with the TOTW fish.

Have you try Acana? seems to be a good choice

(3.5% fiber) (i can't find it near me)
Canidae grain free is also 4% fiber
Wellness core ocean is noted with 7% fiber (34% protein)

Good luck!!

cooper22 · #8 15th August 2011, 01:51 PM

I am trying out Wellness Core Ocean Formula. It is around 7% fiber. I do also add psyllium to my dog's food due to loose stool, but this was the highest fiber grain free food I could find. I am hoping over time I can wean him off the psyllium and just stick with the dog food. I know this is a common problem in boxers - I just wonder why. . . ?

Cami · #9 15th August 2011, 02:29 PM

Wellness Core.....why didn't I think of that. I feed my cat Wellness and guess what.....BECAUSE she has irritable bowel disease and the Wellness was the only thing that helped her (canned and dry as treats).
Is there a "hit yourself on the head" little dude?
This one will work!

darwinsmom · #10 15th August 2011, 02:48 PM

Darwin has been on Wellness Core Ocean formula since his knee surgery 2 years ago. The surgeon suggested either Hill's or Purina's "prescription" joint diets. No thanks! The Wellness Core seemed to be the most similar (ratio of Omega 3: Omega 6, etc...) but of better overall quality. And it was a fantastic change for us. His stools are perfectly formed the vast majority of the time. Prior to this his stool was consistently inconsistent. Well, our local store just started carrying Acana, it is a bit less expensive and looks to be of equal or higher quality, so I tried to make the switch. Olive was fine on Acana Pacific but Darwin ended up with diarrhea. So he is back on the Wellness since it works for him. Did not realize it had a higher fiber content.

-Karlyn

cooper22 · #11 15th August 2011, 03:34 PM

Just make sure it is Wellness Core Ocean. I think the regular Wellness Core is much lower in fiber than the ocean formula. Hope it works.

cooper22 · #12 15th August 2011, 04:13 PM

I mentioned Wellness above, but my other boxer fought with chronic loose stool for about 3 years until I found Blue Wilderness Salmon formula. This has been a miracle for him. I have had him on that food for about 2 years and it has been great. I tried to rotate him with Nature's Variety Rabbit and we had a vet trip with x-rays for bloody diarrhea and vomitting! Back to the Blue Wilderness Salmon and all was good!!