Barking at the Moon and Bad Poops?

[AmyDonnelly]

I've been feeding my boys BATM for about 2 months. They seem to like the taste, but their poops are so bad and have been since the switch. They are almost black, and very muddy. I cannot pick most of the piles up and instead find myself hosing down their poop. I know this cannot be normal, so I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the same problem while feeding BATM. I plan to switch them to either TimberWolf or Prairie soon, and would also like to hear peoples positive and negative experiences with these foods as well. I'm just looking for a food that is good for them and will make their poops firm so I can easily pick them up from the yard.

Thanks!

 

[gmacleod]

Is there any chance you're overfeeding? That's probably the most common cause of loose stools - so it might be worth cutting them back a little and see if that helps.

If it doesn't though, then you probably have to conclude that the food suits neither dog. There's no food inexistence that suits every individual, irrespective of the quality. Rather unlucky to have two individuals that it doesn't agree with (a major reason for suggesting it's worth seeing if feeding less helps first), but if it's the case then you should probably try an alternative.

 

[boxerrussell]

Sorry to hijack, but I have to ask:

Is there any chance you're overfeeding? That's probably the most common cause of loose stools - so it might be worth cutting them back a little and see if that helps.

Really? I've never heard that! :o

Does this apply to puppies as well? I ask because our pup has loose stool also, and it does seem like he's eating an awful lot. I was feeding him the recommended portions (based on weight and how many calories they need a day and how much is in 1 cup of food), but our vet said if the little bugger is still hungry, let him eat more. So, he weighs about 40ish pounds (almost 5 months old) and he gets 2 or more cups twice a day. Doesn't that seem like alot? We're feeding the Solid Gold Hundchen.

 

[AmyDonnelly]

I actually don't overfeed them. If anything, they get a bit less than what they should because they have packed on some pounds lately. Charlie weighs 82 pounds and Joe is only 60, so I feed 1 large cup in the morning and 1 large cup in the evening. If anything I may be underfeeding them but they don't seem to have any hunger issues throughout the day. I think its just the food itself not agreeing with them, so I will get them over to something different to see how things change. I'm leaning towards Timberwolf so I'll repost when I do the switch and have some results. : )

 

[gmacleod]

Doesn't that seem like alot?

Well, it seems on the high side - but not grossly so. That must be about 1600 kcal per day?

But loose stools aside, overfeeding can be a health hazzard for puppies - if it makes them grow too quickly, it can cause skeletal deformities and exacerbate genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia.

How does he actually look? Do you see the last couple of ribs? If not, cutting his food intake back a little is probably a good idea. And unless he's actually underweight, it may well also worth trying a little less food and seeing if that doesn't settle his digestive system down a bit.

 

[gmacleod]

If anything, they get a bit less than what they should because they have packed on some pounds lately.

If they've put on weight, it's unlikely they're being underfed Guidelines are only ever that - a guide for Mr Average that needs to be adjusted for the individual (and are for ideal, not actual, weight).

Nonetheless, you're not feeding a massive amount of food. So perhaps you do have the case where both individuals are intolerant to the same particular food. The best solution in that instance is to try them on an alternative.

 

[boxerrussell]

That must be about 1600 kcal per day?

Yep. Based on his weight (40 lbs - I just weighed him) he should be eating about 615 kcals per day.

But loose stools aside, overfeeding can be a health hazzard for puppies - if it makes them grow too quickly, it can cause skeletal deformities and exacerbate genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia.

Luckily, he doesn't seem (to me or the vet) to be growing any quicker than normal.

How does he actually look? Do you see the last couple of ribs? If not, cutting his food intake back a little is probably a good idea. And unless he's actually underweight, it may well also worth trying a little less food and seeing if that doesn't settle his digestive system down a bit.

Actually, he looks really good. I can see his last two-three ribs, and I can definately feel them all. I am going to cut his portions back. Also, based on some suggestions foogs, I ordered some TO yesterday, and I'll try that if cutting his portions back doesn't help.

Thanks!