Loose Stool And Itchy Skin

c.baeklim · 02-08-2012, 10:46 PM

I have a 6 month old GSD who has been to the vet and got everything checked out and he is perfectly fine. Problem is that he poops about 2-3 times a day. He has a hard stool in the morning and after that he poops 1 or 2 more times more which are soft stools (I think it's diarrhea). Also, he itches quite a lot. He keeps scratching his ears, side of his front legs, and nibbles on his arms and legs.

My guess is he could be allergic to the whole grains in the food (Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy) so could switching to a GRAIN FREE food (Blue Buffalo Wilderness) help?

OriginalWacky · 02-09-2012, 05:56 AM

When you say loose stools, do you mean runny and watery or more like, say, soft serve ice cream? The itching could be allergies, so switching food might help. I'm sure some other folks with more knowledge will be able to give you more help.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 02-09-2012, 09:36 AM

He may not be allergic to the grain in the food, could be the meat. The reason they invented all these different foods (lamb/rice, fish/potato, etc) is because different allergies to different things.

May want to try giving an occasional baths in the mild pet oatmeal shampoos.

And it may just be the dry house winter heating situation. So checking the humidity in the home (and upping it). And/or adding oil to the pups diet (capsule of fish oil?) may help.

My dogs also usually have one really solid poo and others softer during the day. When we go on a hike by the end the poo can be very sloppy. But that's normal for them. So if every morning your dog's stool is harder I wouldn't worry.

c.baeklim · 02-09-2012, 12:55 PM

Well I have tried the oatmeal shampoo, have him on flea medication, ect...
Last thing to try is switching foods but there are so many options. I don't know what to choose! He is on chicken and rice right now but this old lady at the store said that the duck recipe would help with the loose stools. Anyone have a second opinion?

"My dogs also usually have one really solid poo and others softer during the day."
-So it's normal for dogs to poop more than once a day? I thought they should only poop once a day.

1337f0x · 02-27-2012, 12:35 PM

I used to use Johnson's Baby shampoo on my Bichon when he had itchy skin. It's gentle on their fur and relieves the itching. It's also tear free shampoo, alternately the baby body wash for dry and itchy skin I found was nice.

Gretchen · 02-27-2012, 01:00 PM

My dog does not seem to tolerate rice or barley formulas well. Maybe switch to a lamb/potato (but not sweet potato, that makes the poop stink!). Our dog had the same problem as a pup and now has colitis. I've been supplementing out dog's dry food with more of a homemade diet with organic meats and veggies and that seems to help.

As far as itching, try regular grooming/brushing. If it is pretty bad, ask the vet for a shampoo. We used a shampoo with chlorhexidine, its an antimicrobial. It really gets their skin clean, but not good to use too often as probably strips all the good oils out.

02-08-2012, 10:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
c.baeklim Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 39	Loose Stool And Itchy Skin I have a 6 month old GSD who has been to the vet and got everything checked out and he is perfectly fine. Problem is that he poops about 2-3 times a day. He has a hard stool in the morning and after that he poops 1 or 2 more times more which are soft stools (I think it's diarrhea). Also, he itches quite a lot. He keeps scratching his ears, side of his front legs, and nibbles on his arms and legs. My guess is he could be allergic to the whole grains in the food (Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy) so could switching to a GRAIN FREE food (Blue Buffalo Wilderness) help?

02-09-2012, 09:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 22,215	He may not be allergic to the grain in the food, could be the meat. The reason they invented all these different foods (lamb/rice, fish/potato, etc) is because different allergies to different things. May want to try giving an occasional baths in the mild pet oatmeal shampoos. And it may just be the dry house winter heating situation. So checking the humidity in the home (and upping it). And/or adding oil to the pups diet (capsule of fish oil?) may help. My dogs also usually have one really solid poo and others softer during the day. When we go on a hike by the end the poo can be very sloppy. But that's normal for them. So if every morning your dog's stool is harder I wouldn't worry. __________________ MACH2 Bretta Lee Wildhaus CGC TC TQX Glory B Wildhaus NA, NJ, NF + LOL (still) "*Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde*

02-09-2012, 12:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
c.baeklim Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 39	Well I have tried the oatmeal shampoo, have him on flea medication, ect... Last thing to try is switching foods but there are so many options. I don't know what to choose! He is on chicken and rice right now but this old lady at the store said that the duck recipe would help with the loose stools. Anyone have a second opinion? "My dogs also usually have one really solid poo and others softer during the day." -So it's normal for dogs to poop more than once a day? I thought they should only poop once a day. Last edited by c.baeklim; 02-09-2012 at 12:59 PM.

02-27-2012, 12:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
1337f0x Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 442	I used to use Johnson's Baby shampoo on my Bichon when he had itchy skin. It's gentle on their fur and relieves the itching. It's also tear free shampoo, alternately the baby body wash for dry and itchy skin I found was nice. __________________ ~ Alana Puppy Loves: Simba - December 16th, 2011 Bingo - March 16th, 2004

02-09-2012, 05:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
OriginalWacky Master Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Northwestern PA Posts: 756	When you say loose stools, do you mean runny and watery or more like, say, soft serve ice cream? The itching could be allergies, so switching food might help. I'm sure some other folks with more knowledge will be able to give you more help.

02-27-2012, 01:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gretchen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: California's Central Coast Posts: 468	My dog does not seem to tolerate rice or barley formulas well. Maybe switch to a lamb/potato (but not sweet potato, that makes the poop stink!). Our dog had the same problem as a pup and now has colitis. I've been supplementing out dog's dry food with more of a homemade diet with organic meats and veggies and that seems to help. As far as itching, try regular grooming/brushing. If it is pretty bad, ask the vet for a shampoo. We used a shampoo with chlorhexidine, its an antimicrobial. It really gets their skin clean, but not good to use too often as probably strips all the good oils out.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement