New diet... sloppy poo?

[Horsefeathers!]

I've recently taken Devin (17 lb Lhasa Apso) completely off of commercial food (Canidae) and put him on a solely homecooked diet in an effort to help alleviate some allergy symptoms. He was doing fine on Canidae; I just thought I could do better. His stools were always nice and firm and not particularly rancid smelling. Since the diet change, he is having loose stools and kind of smelly. Is it possibly just a transition period?

I've been varying his meals some, but it's initially been pretty similar just until I get comfortable with this (I've long supplemented a bit of cooked... haven't done it solely before). For breakfast, he's been getting an egg, acidophilus, a bit of rice, a good spoonful of yogurt or cottage cheese and a bit of veggie mash (I have no fruit yet). For dinner, he's been getting a bit of lightly boiled chicken, bone meal, about a tablespoon more veggie mash (usually carrot/celery) and that's when he gets his 1500 mg of glucosamine and 500 mg of ester c. He's also had a few lightly boiled turkey necks (pretty much dropped in boiling water and removed). That's basically it. Am I missing something, overdoing something, or is it just a transitional thing? He's just shy of having diarrhea. :oops:

[TDG]

if he isn't used to all these things you are feeding him now, it might just be a mild case of tummy adjustment problems.

another possiblity is the vitamin C, if you have fed lower doses in the past. there is a reaction called "bowel tolerance" which indicates by loose stools that the body has reached its capacity for vitamin C intake. any excess past that point has a laxative effect.

another thing that could cause soft stools is the veggie mash. you can add a bit of plain, canned pumpkin (not the ready to use pie filling type!) which will normalize things pretty quickly.

overall you are right on the money about the transition period. his body has to adjust to getting a much higher quality of food. :)

[Horsefeathers!]

Thanks. :)

I'll just keep plugging away then. I might back off the ester c to every other day for a while to see if it helps and maybe give him the veggie mash just once a day instead of both meals (I really don't know why I didn't buy any fruit :-? ).

Actually, I went on a mission this evening for some canned pumpkin. Would you believe I can not find a store that has it?? It doesn't SEEM like a weird request, but I can't find it anywhere. I'll check with the local health food store tomorrow and if that doesn't work out, I reckon I'll have to find an alternative :-?. Any suggestions just in case...?

I am truly hoping it is just a transitional thing. Thanks again!

[Malamum]

HF, we don't get canned pumkin here so when I have needed to use it for loose stools I buy chunk of raw pumpkin from the fruit and veggie shop, steam it then mash it.

[Horsefeathers!]

newfiemom napisał(a):

HF, did you check the Baking Aisle in the grocery store? That's usually where it is. I know Libby's carries canned pumpkin. Just make sure that you read the label and that it is pure pumpkin.

I did see some pumpkin pie filling around the baking goods, but I couldn't find pure pumpkin. I thought maybe I was looking in the wrong place. Maybe here in the South, no one eats pumpkin dishes :-? ? I don't know, but I'll keep checking. It's entirely possible that I overlooked it. :oops:

Come to think of it, SOMEONE here has to have it. I recently suggested it to a client for her Cocker with the trots and she said it worked like a charm (I read it here first, folks :lol: ). If I have to, I'll call her and ask her where she got it.

Malamum, I don't reckon I've ever seen whole or cut pumpkins here for sale other than in the Fall. If I don't come across the canned, I'll certainly look.

One of the joys of living in a small town... limited selection of goods.

Thanks, guys. :)

[Horsefeathers!]

Now, that might be the ticket! When I saw pumpkin pie filling, I didn't look at the label any closer. :oops:

[Horsefeathers!]

Found it! I found some Libby's canned pumpkin in a little out of the way mom and pop country store. It's a good thing, too. Without being TOO graphic, Devin's got it baaaaaaaaad. :-?