JackShacksMA
Boxer Pal
Thank you elusive moderator --- I'm looking for food recommendations. My vet does not have a strong opinion about it. He recommended Eukanuba for large breed dogs. I took the suggestion of a clerk to try Nutro, Natural Selections because Eukanuba's top 5 ingredients were substandard. Then I read about not using a large breed formula for the boxer. I asked my vet again about the top five ingredients---again, he said he doesn't see a difference in the occurence of cancer, etc. with dogs that eat the low end v. high end stuff. I took 3 weeks to slowly transition Jackson from Eukanuba to Nutro. He did very well at first but I noticed that he tries to eat grass a lot. When his belly seems upset, I give him whole grain rice for a meal and that seems to settle him a bit. I haven't switched him yet because I want to be as informed as possible before playing around with it.
Another issue is that the last three times he's had a run in the park or a long walk, he deficated clear mucus after having had a normal bowel movement prior. I had his stools tested for parasites and it was negative. He was nutered last week and had five days of rest. After his first normal walk and three normal bowl movements, he deficated mucus. I always check for blood, nothing. In addition, he had a dry "hack" a few times. He has continued to deficate normally during the day and this morning so I'm certain there isn't a blockage.
Could this behavior be a result of general diet (upset belly) or is it more linked to his activity level---we walk for 1 mile walk/trot/run/walk? I give him bits of milk bone for reward throughout the day. He chews on a nylabon.
Thank you for any input.
Another issue is that the last three times he's had a run in the park or a long walk, he deficated clear mucus after having had a normal bowel movement prior. I had his stools tested for parasites and it was negative. He was nutered last week and had five days of rest. After his first normal walk and three normal bowl movements, he deficated mucus. I always check for blood, nothing. In addition, he had a dry "hack" a few times. He has continued to deficate normally during the day and this morning so I'm certain there isn't a blockage.
Could this behavior be a result of general diet (upset belly) or is it more linked to his activity level---we walk for 1 mile walk/trot/run/walk? I give him bits of milk bone for reward throughout the day. He chews on a nylabon.
Thank you for any input.
