Need your kibble suggestions

[blackshep]

Can you guys help me a bit - what are some of the biggest red flag ingredients that tend to cause problems?

I'm assuming, wheat, corn...you're saying sweet potato is not good?

Which meat ingredient tends to be good?

[Branko]

My boy has a sensitive tummy. I have tried nature logic didn't work for him. i THINK its protein level that i have to watch. If its high, like nature logic it effects his tummy. Right now he is on precise holistic complete.

[jocoyn]

I think what you will find is that what works for one dog may not work for another.

[blackshep]

Originally Posted by Branko

My boy has a sensitive tummy. I have tried nature logic didn't work for him. i THINK its protein level that i have to watch. If its high, like nature logic it effects his tummy. Right now he is on precise holistic complete.

Can high protein upset their tummies? Acana and Orijen tend to be high in protein, so maybe that's where I'm running into trouble?

I thought high protein was better for dogs?

[GatorBytes]

Protein is natural to dogs, carbohydrates are not. Try enzymes they will help to break down the food so it is utilized instead of the body rejecting it as though it is foreign - hence soft stool, water is drawn to the intestine as a mechanism to remove and eliminate unnatural substances ASAP.

[jocoyn]

I really believe in soaking kibble with enzymes before I feed for about 30 minutes. I figure they don't chew and they don't have salivary amylase because they are not designed to digest straight carbs.

Not sure what they do to the Origen and Acana though because it is pretty unchanged after a loooong soak. I had issues [like I said though others do great with it-just did not like it for my dogs!--The Natures Logic guy recommends adding water to his food as well]

[Branko]

Yes, too high proteins can effect some dogs tummys. Each dog is different, you just have to try and see.

I just put my boy on coconut oil, working my way up too 2 table spoon. 2 tablespoon and he got gas and loose stool. So thats something else he cant handle too much of.

Always leaning with his sensitive tummy!!!

[Karo4410]

Sounds like my pup. We tried so many foods and it seems the diarrhea/soft-serve poop never ends. Good thing there is no allergic reaction. He is on Acana Wild Prairie and Pacifica right now and poop has been good. Not bouncy solid but solid enough that I don't have to dig into the dirt to get it all (he also likes to watch himself poop, so he spins around...well, you get the picture >.<). He was on Orijen Red and 6 Fish before this and I could not get a solid poop out of him -- no idea why, the food just doesn't agree with him. So I took GatorBytes' advice. I fasted my pup for 24 hours (no food, just water) and then started with bland diet (chicken/hamberger with fat trimmed off and double cooked brown rice) until poop is solid (about 3-5 days for me), then started transitioning to kibble. I took this opportunity to change his food to Acana and transitioned from bland diet to kibble over 10-15 days. During this time, I gave him 2 capsules of slippery elm 30 minutes before meals, probiotics 10 minutes before meals and digestive enzymes with meals. I also add 1 Tbsp Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar to his water. After he's fully on kibble and poop looks good, I weaned him off the slippery elm. He's still on probiotics and enzymes. This plan works for my puppy. He's 9 months old and poop has been solid for the past 4 weeks. His life time records! I just ordered Carmen's product -- cannot wait to try it!
Food search and the quest for solid poop is an adventure. Patience is the key. There are so many knowledgeable people on the forum, lots of good advice, stick around and you'll find what you're looking for. Good luck with your puppy.

[blackshep]

Naturvet Digestive Enzyme Powder (60 Day)

Is this stuff good?

I'll try soaking the food. I agree, I tired soaking the Orijen/Acana before and it hardly absorbed anything! LOL

[jocoyn]

Not sure. I was looking for a thread specific to digestive enzymes. I tried one I got through Chewy because doggiefood quit carrying the prozyme but I really liked the prozyme.