Food and Poop

ladyfreckles · 01-13-2012, 06:23 AM

When we got Viking he was eating a mix of Nature's Variety and Tastes of The Wild from the breeder with some green tripe mixed in. He's now just eating Nature's Variety Instinct (Large Breed Dog) with green tripe and some salmon oil (half a pump). When he goes potty his poops are soft, but not runny. I asked the breeder about this, and she said it could be that he's eating a little too much. I feed him half a cup twice a day and 1/3 a cup around lunch time.

I know food can be a common reason for these softer stools. Is this normal? Should I wait it out for him to get more used to the food? Or should I try switching to something else?

Like I said i's not runny, it's just not as firm as I'd like it to be. He does very well on it though.

**jocoyn** · 01-13-2012, 06:49 AM

Did you read the sticky on feeding puppies?

Went to site and could not find a "large breed" - which variety are you feeding?
Some have very scary levels of calcium (like the chicken grain free) other seem more in line (like the rabbit) - Too much food can cause soft stools in a puppy and those are very high calorie foods.

I don't know. I just stuck with the Fromm Puppy Gold that my breeder was using and had no issues.

ladyfreckles · 01-13-2012, 07:48 AM

Nature's Variety Prairie: Natural, Holistic Kibble for Dogs: Large Breed Puppy Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Medley | Nature's Variety

Yes I read the sticky.

He was already on it but not on the LBP formula. I swapped because I read about that calcium thing and I believe the LBP formula has less calcium. Nothing has changed since I got him, he's had the same soft stool since the day I brought him home. I was recommended Fromm at the store though so maybe if it doesn't improve in a week or so I could try that.

Edit: I just checked and yes the LBP formula has less calcium and less calories. Also, WHOOPS! I meant prairie, not instinct. Instinct is what I want to feed him when he's older.

**jocoyn** · 01-13-2012, 08:41 AM

Ah, well that food looks more appropriate for a puppy. Beause young puppy poos were a bit softer than they are now, but I switched him over to a liquid glucosamine supplement and I think that helped (I am giving 1500mg glucosamine which can cause looser stools)

A lot of folks here do feed the Fromm it seems and really like it. It is also pretty affordable.

01-13-2012, 06:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
ladyfreckles Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,826	Food and Poop When we got Viking he was eating a mix of Nature's Variety and Tastes of The Wild from the breeder with some green tripe mixed in. He's now just eating Nature's Variety Instinct (Large Breed Dog) with green tripe and some salmon oil (half a pump). When he goes potty his poops are soft, but not runny. I asked the breeder about this, and she said it could be that he's eating a little too much. I feed him half a cup twice a day and 1/3 a cup around lunch time. I know food can be a common reason for these softer stools. Is this normal? Should I wait it out for him to get more used to the food? Or should I try switching to something else? Like I said i's not runny, it's just not as firm as I'd like it to be. He does very well on it though. __________________ Viking vom Zeder-Kamme (11/19/2011)

01-13-2012, 06:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
jocoyn Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 8,045	Did you read the sticky on feeding puppies? Went to site and could not find a "large breed" - which variety are you feeding? Some have very scary levels of calcium (like the chicken grain free) other seem more in line (like the rabbit) - Too much food can cause soft stools in a puppy and those are very high calorie foods. I don't know. I just stuck with the Fromm Puppy Gold that my breeder was using and had no issues. __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Grim (Grimmy Bear) & Beau (Bo-dee man) Waiting at the Bridge: Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles

01-13-2012, 07:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
ladyfreckles Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,826	Nature's Variety Prairie: Natural, Holistic Kibble for Dogs: Large Breed Puppy Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Medley \| Nature's Variety Yes I read the sticky. He was already on it but not on the LBP formula. I swapped because I read about that calcium thing and I believe the LBP formula has less calcium. Nothing has changed since I got him, he's had the same soft stool since the day I brought him home. I was recommended Fromm at the store though so maybe if it doesn't improve in a week or so I could try that. Edit: I just checked and yes the LBP formula has less calcium and less calories. Also, WHOOPS! I meant prairie, not instinct. Instinct is what I want to feed him when he's older. __________________ Viking vom Zeder-Kamme (11/19/2011) Last edited by ladyfreckles; 01-13-2012 at 07:51 AM.

01-13-2012, 08:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
jocoyn Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 8,045	Ah, well that food looks more appropriate for a puppy. Beause young puppy poos were a bit softer than they are now, but I switched him over to a liquid glucosamine supplement and I think that helped (I am giving 1500mg glucosamine which can cause looser stools) A lot of folks here do feed the Fromm it seems and really like it. It is also pretty affordable. __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Grim (Grimmy Bear) & Beau (Bo-dee man) Waiting at the Bridge: Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles

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