Solid Gold BATM and stool problems???

[blackbean]

I just switched tyson from merricks to SG BATM. I wanted to give it a try and see how it would work out for tyson. I started the switch two days ago and when i came home today there was soft stool and some diarrhea everywhere in the house!!! I was wondering if anyone had this problem? How much should i gradually mix in with his old food? Should i decrease the amount now or leave it alone? Also, how long should i give the BATM until realizing it isn't good for tyson? HELPP!!!!

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Solid Gold's BATM is EXTREMELY high in protein and fat, almost double what normal foods are. If you can home to uncontrolled diarrhea I would abandon your efforts at this point and go back to what worked or pick a food MUCH lower in fat and protein. That food is made for serious working dogs, IMO, Boxers should not be fed anything higher than 27% protein and 14% fat in their food otherwise it can cause serious gastro problems (as you witnessed) plus it just isn't healthy to have a food that high in protein and fat. When I switched my puppy to California Natural I had a similar experience and I found out the fiber is VERY low in that food. I discontinued use of it contacted the company and they refunded my money in full for 2 bags (the adult gave my 6 year old horrible gas). I would return the Solid Gold and either abandon the efforts or try their Hund-N-Flocken or Wolf King Adult instead, protein and fat levels in both are much more acceptable.

Good luck!

 

[DiverDiva]

I don't feed Solid Gold BATM, but I don't think it is too high in protein and fat for all but serious working dogs. It just doesn't work for my dogs, as no kibble is the right one for all dogs. I feed my two Innova EVO, both original and RM, Orijen Adult, and Wellness Core, all higher than 27% protein and 14% fat, with no gastro problems. Is it possible that your boy is sick from something else and needs to visit the vet? Assuming he is not sick, I would back off the new food, get Tyson back on his current food, let him get back to normal, then try again with the BATM, no more than about 1/4 of his ration for starters.

 

[perrymcg]

Yeah I also fed my dog Orijen mostly, and it is awesome. No problems with stools or anything, and he absolutely loves it.

 

[kayboxer]

I fed Solid Gold BATM and my dogs loved it and I never had any problems. Sometimes when you switch food that can happen. I would give it a week or two and if it continues, find something else. The only reason I switched is because I had to order it or drive two hours to get it and our pet store here started carrying Wellness Core, otherwise, I'd probably still be using it. Also, did you switch gradually or just put them on it all at once? They should be switched very gradually over a week or two to prevent runny stools or upset tummy.

 

[ehayes21]

I don't think BATM is too high. It's a wonderful food for any type of dog (over a certain age, of course) - it just might not agree with yours.

BxrMommieNAZ - I would like to know where you get your information that the high amount of protein in BATM is unhealthy?

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

I don't think BATM is too high. It's a wonderful food for any type of dog (over a certain age, of course) - it just might not agree with yours.

BxrMommieNAZ - I would like to know where you get your information that the high amount of protein in BATM is unhealthy?

From having and seeing many dogs with kidney problems due to too high protein diets. I have seen many ill effects in many different breeds from being fed high protein kibbles. It isn't any report I've seen, it's first hand "seeing is believing" situation and personally I won't risk feeding anything over 35% and even then I'd like to keep it at 27-30% or below.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Also, many of the high protein low carb foods are extremely high in fat which can be dangerous depending on how the dog is exercised, etc. There is one I know of that isn't too bad on the protein count and fat ratio that is grain free which is the Wellness Core, but Solid Gold's high protein low carb is EXTREMELY high in fat.

 

[ehayes21]

From having and seeing many dogs with kidney problems due to too high protein diets. I have seen many ill effects in many different breeds from being fed high protein kibbles. It isn't any report I've seen, it's first hand "seeing is believing" situation and personally I won't risk feeding anything over 35% and even then I'd like to keep it at 27-30% or below.

You need to do a little more research. Here is a good thread to start out with: http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127032&highlight=nitrogen

And I quote:

That is absolute nonsense. It's a myth - a very old one at that - that seems to have sprung up because people with kidney disease used to be put on low protein diets. So some non-medical einstein had the thought that higher amounts of protein must cause the kidneys to fail. Brilliant, huh? But completely inaccurate.

Protein has nothing to do with kidney failure. What IS true is that kidneys that are damaged, diseased or otherwise not functioning properly have trouble processing nitrogen. And nitrogen is a by-product of the digestion of poor quality proteins, such as those from plants. Ergo, kidney patients should avoid consumption of such low quality protein and consume only high quality proteins that do not produce high amounts of nitrogen in digestion instead. This applies to both humans and dogs, of course. And what you'd note in all that is that this applies to those WITH kidney problems. Nitrogen does not cause kidney disease, but diseased kidneys cannot cope with nitrogen. Make some sense?

Some veterinary links for you that should put this myth firmly in the trash where it belongs:
http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/protein.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&articleid=1104
http://www.dogaware.com/kidney.html#protein
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/kidney-diet/

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

You need to do a little more research. Here is a good thread to start out with: http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127032&highlight=nitrogen

And I quote:

I understand that, I've seen the research, I've also seen things with my own eyes. It's a personal decision to me and people in the community that consult with me on foods I usually advise against it however I do not say absolutely don't do it, I simply give them the stats as well as my personal experience and let them make their own decision. I also typically advise that if they are going to do it their dog will need a lot of exercise and they will need to monitor their weight closely so they do not become overweight due to the high fat ratio as well. For me personally, I wouldn't put my own dogs on it, a foster, or a client's dog on it just because I am not comfortable with it due to what I have seen. I am big on research, but I am big on personal experiences too and do not discount either. In this case they conflict each other, and I simply choose to take the road I feel is safer. If I'm wrong, nothing happens one way or the other, if I'm right, it may help soemone out in the long run. Again, it is my personal experiences, my personal opinion, and my personal choice. I give people both roads and let them choose which one to go down.