Diet for GI problems

RyleesDad · 12-19-2012, 07:36 PM

Rylee is 5 months now and has gastrointestinal health issues so his poop is always loose and runny. I've tried two different foods and he hasnt transitioned well to either. The latter being Simply Nourish, I had heard good things about it and thought it would work but his stomach got the last laugh. He was prescribed Hills Prescribtion Diet I/D canned wet food for 5 days by the vet and that was the only time his stool was solid. Soon as I transitioned him off of it, stool went back loose. But I heard that Hills Diet wasn't a good food for long term. What foods do any of you know of that may help be a permanent fix?

marksteven · 12-19-2012, 08:09 PM

I think a very bland, limited ingrediant food like Natural balance
Sweet Potato and Salmon may work. If you read the ingred. list there are literally no additives. It worked wonders for Ramsey who tested pos. for EPI bur really suffered from food allergies and a not so great digestive system when he was young. The NB food is as bland as they get.

vickip9 · 12-19-2012, 08:15 PM

I would try a limited ingredient kibble. There are lots of brands out there that carry limited ingredient foods, but a couple of higher quality ones are Pure Vita, Nutrisca, Back to Basics, Nature's Variety, California Naturals.

If you don't want something quite that holistic, there are other "middle of the road" brands that also carry limited ingredient kibbles. Those would be Blue Buffalo Basics, Natural Balance LID, Wellness Simple.

If your pup is having diarrhea on the higher quality kibble, it might be because it's too rich for him. Each dog is different... So if he does well on Hills, then it's OK to stick with that kind. A lot of people feed Hills. It's nothing to be ashamed of. So if he's doing well on it, I say stick with it until he gets older. Then you can try transitioning him over to a higher quality kibble.

Del's Mom · 12-19-2012, 08:20 PM

I had the same problem with my 11 month old GSD. He did okay on Royal Canin GSD food. But I now have switched him to a RAW diet and he is doing great. However, he does not do good if I add vegetables to his diet. Hope this helps!

Doc · 12-19-2012, 08:21 PM

Purina E/N is another good food to get their system back to normal.

cci058 · 12-20-2012, 09:31 AM

I also recommend the limited ingredient diet. Same thing went on for our Maverick. We ultimately learned, no sweet potatoes as they can have a laxative effect and we feed very limited veggies as they are too high in fiber for her. We went raw 11 months ago and its the best decision we ever made. all GI issues...gone. Haven't been to the vet in 11 months for any issues and she is thriving beautifully. We still add the probiotic and digestive enzymes (Animal Essentials) even though in theory you shouldn't need to with the raw. Its what works for her, so we will continue.

12-19-2012, 07:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
RyleesDad Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 27	Diet for GI problems Rylee is 5 months now and has gastrointestinal health issues so his poop is always loose and runny. I've tried two different foods and he hasnt transitioned well to either. The latter being Simply Nourish, I had heard good things about it and thought it would work but his stomach got the last laugh. He was prescribed Hills Prescribtion Diet I/D canned wet food for 5 days by the vet and that was the only time his stool was solid. Soon as I transitioned him off of it, stool went back loose. But I heard that Hills Diet wasn't a good food for long term. What foods do any of you know of that may help be a permanent fix?

12-19-2012, 08:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
marksteven Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ne. Wisconsin Posts: 1,356	I think a very bland, limited ingrediant food like Natural balance Sweet Potato and Salmon may work. If you read the ingred. list there are literally no additives. It worked wonders for Ramsey who tested pos. for EPI bur really suffered from food allergies and a not so great digestive system when he was young. The NB food is as bland as they get. __________________ RAMSEY 10/07 Mark.o

12-19-2012, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
vickip9 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 160	I would try a limited ingredient kibble. There are lots of brands out there that carry limited ingredient foods, but a couple of higher quality ones are Pure Vita, Nutrisca, Back to Basics, Nature's Variety, California Naturals. If you don't want something quite that holistic, there are other "middle of the road" brands that also carry limited ingredient kibbles. Those would be Blue Buffalo Basics, Natural Balance LID, Wellness Simple. If your pup is having diarrhea on the higher quality kibble, it might be because it's too rich for him. Each dog is different... So if he does well on Hills, then it's OK to stick with that kind. A lot of people feed Hills. It's nothing to be ashamed of. So if he's doing well on it, I say stick with it until he gets older. Then you can try transitioning him over to a higher quality kibble.

12-19-2012, 08:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Del's Mom Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Central Tennessee Posts: 62	I had the same problem with my 11 month old GSD. He did okay on Royal Canin GSD food. But I now have switched him to a RAW diet and he is doing great. However, he does not do good if I add vegetables to his diet. Hope this helps!

12-19-2012, 08:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Doc Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,776	Purina E/N is another good food to get their system back to normal.

12-20-2012, 09:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
cci058 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Muskego WI Posts: 87	I also recommend the limited ingredient diet. Same thing went on for our Maverick. We ultimately learned, no sweet potatoes as they can have a laxative effect and we feed very limited veggies as they are too high in fiber for her. We went raw 11 months ago and its the best decision we ever made. all GI issues...gone. Haven't been to the vet in 11 months for any issues and she is thriving beautifully. We still add the probiotic and digestive enzymes (Animal Essentials) even though in theory you shouldn't need to with the raw. Its what works for her, so we will continue.

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