Are they known for sensitivities? I do know they can have allergies to foods. We brought our pup home with Iams. I know it is a low grade food, and started to introduce Canidae, I started slow, with 75/25 mix. He got such loose bowels I went back to full Iams, but it just got worse. I read everything I could on this forum, and went and bought the Lamb Iams, and a bag of California Natural Lamb and have started the 75/25 mix again. I have also added a little cooked white rice, a tablespoon of pumpkin and a tablespoon of plain yogurt. It seems to have firmed things up a bit, atleast it is not the runs, and he is having less freq. BM today. I started this at first feeding Mon. morn. so it has not been that long, but I do see an improvement. He was checked by the vet for worms and parasites, but was clear. Why is it so difficult to get boxers on good foods? I have read everything I could find here, and see that a lot of owners have the same problems I am having, some even worse. Is there anything else I could be trying? I don't want to make any drastic changes, jumping from food to food, but just want what will be best for him. I felt it could have been caused by the chicken in the Iams and Canidae, thats why I went with Cal. Nat. Lamb, it was the only food I could find that was not chicken based other than Merrick beef or venison. I have read that Innova is also a good food, anyone have exp. with it, or know if there is one not chicken based? I would be gratefull for any suggestions. Thanks.
Why is it hard to get boxers onto better food?
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courtney323
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This suggests to me that it may not have been the food at all. There are many many reasons a dog or puppy could have loose stools, one of which is food.
That being said, if the problem were food, there is a higher likelihood that the culprit is not a protein source such as lamb or chicken, but rather grains and other (high allergen) sources. At this point, I wouldn't rule out chicken or any other protein source.
Mine incidentally have no problem switching between various premium quality kibbles, or even raw. Not every food suits every dog, and it may take some time to find the right one for you. But I don't think one can make the assumption that it is hard to transition Boxers onto premium foods.
Good luck
Actually, I don't think it is that difficult for the majority. In fact, I think the majority of dogs do just fine with cold turkey switches. What you've got to figure about a forum like this one is that people post when they have problems, not when they don't 
That doesn't mean that some dogs don't have sensitive tummies. They do - and it's common enough that that's why the general recomendation for food switches is to do it gradually.
Anyway. On the foods you mention. Innova is a great quality food - but it is chicken/turkey based. There aren't different flavours.
How about one of the Fromms Four Star range of foods? They're excellent quality, and don't contain any ingredients that are commonly problems for sensitive tummys or allergies. In fact, it's something of an allergy formula - except one that isn't low on ingredients (just low on allergens). And there are three other flavours besides chicken Here's their website: http://www.frommfamily.com/products_fourstardry.asp
That doesn't mean that some dogs don't have sensitive tummies. They do - and it's common enough that that's why the general recomendation for food switches is to do it gradually.
Anyway. On the foods you mention. Innova is a great quality food - but it is chicken/turkey based. There aren't different flavours.
How about one of the Fromms Four Star range of foods? They're excellent quality, and don't contain any ingredients that are commonly problems for sensitive tummys or allergies. In fact, it's something of an allergy formula - except one that isn't low on ingredients (just low on allergens). And there are three other flavours besides chicken
Here's their website: http://www.frommfamily.com/products_fourstardry.aspThanks for the suggestion
gmacleod, I will look for Fromms Four Star if I can not get the California Natural to work out for him.
courtney323, I am glad you have no problems switching between food for your dogs, but a lot of other posters here do. I don't think I am making an "assumption that it is hard to transition Boxers onto premium foods." I am only finding a pattern when reading what others are looking for help on here also. On this page alone, I read about sweetboxer and "Here we go again...", LuvMy Lennox "Can this really be too fast of a switch" and Moxy Roxy "New food trial and tribulations" And in other forum areas, puppy feeding and the health forum as well, there are similar posts. I am just looking here for advice as to how to help get this guy on the right track. You stated "There are many many reasons a dog or puppy could have loose stools, one of which is food." Could you share what some other reasons could be? His stool has been checked, I do agree it could be a grain issue in the foods, that is why I want to switch to a premium food with better ingred.
gmacleod, I will look for Fromms Four Star if I can not get the California Natural to work out for him.
courtney323, I am glad you have no problems switching between food for your dogs, but a lot of other posters here do. I don't think I am making an "assumption that it is hard to transition Boxers onto premium foods." I am only finding a pattern when reading what others are looking for help on here also. On this page alone, I read about sweetboxer and "Here we go again...", LuvMy Lennox "Can this really be too fast of a switch" and Moxy Roxy "New food trial and tribulations" And in other forum areas, puppy feeding and the health forum as well, there are similar posts. I am just looking here for advice as to how to help get this guy on the right track. You stated "There are many many reasons a dog or puppy could have loose stools, one of which is food." Could you share what some other reasons could be? His stool has been checked, I do agree it could be a grain issue in the foods, that is why I want to switch to a premium food with better ingred.
courtney323
Energetic Moderator<br><img src="/forums/images/mo
And, as Gwyneth mentioned above,
As for other reasons a dog may have loose stools, there are many (it could actually be anything): stress, illness of some sort (a virus), parasites, anxiety (my dog gets loose stools when playing at the dog park due to over-excitement). My point is that it is not always the food, and sometimes it resolves on its own. I do think it's a good idea for you to get him off of the IAMS, though.
Good luck
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