Large dog small stool

[fly_girl90210]

Hi everyone,

I have a large breed collie/shepherd cross. In the past few days her stool has gone from normal to very little. Whereas she would normally do the amount and type of stool that is average for an human adult, her stool is now what I would think is normal for a small breed dog. Maybe one of two very small pieces. Light brown / golden almost in colour and not watery, but it is on the soft side.

I am extremely concerned and don't know what this is caused by. I've given her plain rice two days in a row and no change.

The only change I can think of is about two weeks ago my husband brought home the wrong dog food - i feed her adult breed Innova, he brought home the weight reduced formula (both bags are green).

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions.

please and thank you

[SamIam]

Different foods would easily be responsible for a change in size, colour and consistency of the poop. As well, could she be eating less? Where are you in terms of finishing off the wrong food and going back to regular?

[rainbow]

Welcome to the forum fly girl.

Since Natura Pet (Innova) has recently been taken over by Proctor & Gamble I would perhaps suspect that they may have changed (cheapened) their ingredients as they did this when they took over the Iams/Eukanuba brands.

I would start adding some meat protein to the rice you are currently feeding and then slowly switch her to another brand. My personal favourite is Orijen or Acana Provincial (www.championpetfoods.com) or you can check out www.dogfoodanalysis.com for some other top rated brands.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by rainbow

Since Natura Pet (Innova) has recently been taken over by Proctor & Gamble I would perhaps suspect that they may have changed (cheapened) their ingredients as they did this when they took over the Iams/Eukanuba brands.

Ugh. Hate to hear that.

Originally Posted by rainbow

I would start adding some meat protein to the rice you are currently feeding and then slowly switch her to another brand. My personal favourite is Orijen or Acana.

You know, Acana did the same thing a couple years ago, drastic sudden no-warning change from one bag to the next and it caused a lot of problems as dogs suited to the old formula weren't all well-suited to the new.

[rainbow]

Originally Posted by SamIam

Ugh. Hate to hear that.


You know, Acana did the same thing a couple years ago, drastic sudden no-warning change from one bag to the next and it caused a lot of problems as dogs suited to the old formula weren't all well-suited to the new.

I've never heard of this ....can you please provide us with some details about this drastic change?

[SamIam]

Certainly Rainbow, but not on this thread.

[rainbow]

Originally Posted by SamIam

Certainly Rainbow, but not on this thread.

I'm super tired and was just about to log off but will go see if I can find what you have to say.

[fly_girl90210]

Hi guys,

thanks for the replies. I actually only thought about it last night that it "might" be the food .. so, i've stopped that food as of a couple days ago ... the food actually isn't even here ... it's if I drop her off at my mom's ... he bought the dog food for my mom's house and I only just happened to see it ...

the rice I gave her was to try and see if it would make a difference in her stool ... not what i normally feed her ... but it didn't make a difference ...

I didn't know that about Innova ... i'm switching foods right away ... thanks for the heads up on that post about the top dog food brands ... i just happened to read that in my search for an answer and i do think i will switch.

Any other suggestions please let me know.

thanks again.

[mummummum]

If she hasn't had more than a meal or three of this same-brand-but-diet food while at your Mom's and she's been eating her reg. food for a number of meals in between feedings of this "new" food... I'm not convinced it's the food.

She could be constipated. The small, soft stools she's producing making an end run (pardon the pun ) around harder, possibly impacted feces. I might try her with some psyllium (metamucil stuff) and encourage her to drink more by adding broth to her water. No worries ~ it won't cause her to have diarrhea but if she is constipated it will help move things along.

If the colour of the poop doesn't return to normal or if it's interrupted by inexplicable bouts of diarrhea you might want to talk to your Vet about Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Anything else you've noticed behaviourally? Pacing in the house? Can't shift around and get comfortable? Straining? Wanting to go out more often?

[fly_girl90210]

Hi,

I'm not being clear. Sorry ...

I left her at my mom's for about a two weeks and during that entire time she was on the new food

i've had her back since Friday and she's back on her regular food at my place, but the stool is the same.

I don't think she's constipated ... it's just a complete change in terms of how much stool she excretes. There is no problem going to the bathroom or anything like that.

[mummummum]

Constipated or not, the psyllium will help firm up the stool. You might also consider adding some prebiotics and probiotics to her diet to help calm and even out gut flora as well as cider vinegar, a natural antibiotic. Just don't use both supplements at the same meal.