[ozcot]

I just rescued a schnoodle and the food they had her on the kibbles were too large. A friend suggested Purina One Lamb and rice the kibbles are small and she has no problems chewing them. They were mixing wet food with the dry so I kept her on that regement. Giving her purina one lamb and rice dry mixed with lamb and rice canned. just enough canned to get her to eat the dry. Hoping to go to only dry soon. Saw how she would jump all over when ever I cooked chicken so I got some of the chicken and rice canned when I bought the canned again. She seemd to like that alot figure I would alternate meat sources of the canned and also the dry at times. Four days after starting her on the canned chicken and rice at the very last of the can. She had one accident which was normal stool in the house but when she went out again couple hours later she had diahea she usually only stools once a day. I had been giving her some "mother Hubbard" peanut butter small baked dog bones for a couple of days maybe 3-4 a day and for the last couple of feedings I was giving her a little more dry food had to cut back some when I first got her since she was leaving alot not eaten. The next days stool was fine. Have not given her anymore bones and went back to the lamb and rice canned with lamb and rice dry that day. Figure the dog bones were the cause since that was the newest new food source.. Was wondering going from lamb and rice either canned or dry to another meat source as long as you keep the same brand should not cause digestion problems should it? Thought as long as you kept the same brand just changing meat souces should be fine.. Any ideas what could have caused this? Should I toss the bones or just give her fewer a day she liked them and they would be good for her teeth. Speaking of teeth I just had her teeth cleaned and idea of what would be good to keep them clean beyond brushing she would not seat still for that. Vet reccomended CET Dental chews which he sells of coarse, and Science Diet diet t/d treats. Thanks for any advice sorry for the long post..

[Kathyy]

Bet the extra bone was just one too many. Snacks count as part of the diet! The Purina One is 451 calories per cup. Those bones are probably less rich than the kibble, maybe count the bones in a bag, divide that by the ounces in the bag and figure one bone is equal to that same weight of kibble just so you don't overdo it again. Or measure the kibble and treats out daily, kibble works fine as a treat for many dogs. Leftover kibble is dinner. Works fine for many.

Mixing proteins is fine. Do it slowly to try to avoid upset. Canned food goes bad, you might want to put serving sized spoonfuls on a cookie sheet and freeze for longer storage. If you use 1 tablespoon of canned per meal then start with 1/2 teaspoon of the new food and increase a bit every meal. Once the dog likes both proteins then you can simply alternate flavors.

Dogs don't come liking teeth brushed. It needs to be trained. Put the toothpaste on the brush and let her lick it off, put your fingers on her gums and rub gently - first just outside then inside. Open her mouth and admire the pretty sharp white chompers. Do the same with every part of her body. Your vet and groomer will thank you!

I like raw beef ribs as teeth cleaners. On an old towel! I take it away once the meat and tough tissues are gone as the bone itself may be too hard to be safe to chew. If that is too much a bully stick. They can be stinky, maybe an antler. The CET rawhides have an enzyme on them, you can get that same stuff in a toothpaste that is safer for dogs. It just needs to be rubbed on the teeth to work. Rawhide can be dangerous!

[ozcot]

I keep the can in the fridge and one can last maybe 4 days. It should stay good that long should it not? SO I can switch between purina one lamb and rice to purina one chicken and rice with little to no ill effects on the dog??

[Kathyy]

Once the dog is fine then go for it. We feed dogs monotonous diets but it isn't necessary. I mix it up even with my 16 year old dog. One day beef/rice, next day chicken/rice and pork/rice as well when I get around to making it.

Four days is fine with fresh cooked food, but right at my comfort limit for canned. Best to take it out of the can before storing it as well, the lining reacts with air or something nasty like that.

[ozcot]

She had another couple of bouts of Diarhea today Opened the can of Lamb and Rice Thursday AM could it be that it is going bad that fast? I have been keeping the cans 3-4 days since getting her 8-1-08 and these bouts are the first she has had. Would have thought if it were the food going bad at the end of each can she would have had some diarhea? She also had her teeth cleaned Friday could it be from the anthesia? Vet said she may have some but I fugure that would be saturday. She is still playful, nose nice and cold and the Vet did a fecal that was negative Friday? Should I be concerned? Thanks for any advice I maybe being paranoid but my last dog was a very sick dog she had pancreatitis twice. Thanks for any info..

[Donna5503]

Hi....

I've heard that keeping food in cans after they're opened is not a good thing -- you should spoon it out and put it in a tightly sealed tupperware. That might be what's giving your dog the runs. Also, canned food is mostly water so maybe you should cut down on canned and feed him more kibble.

My dog has a sensitive stomach -- so I only give him kibble and cook chicken & veggies for him. Sweet Potatoes are good too.

Purina One isn't that good of a food - it has alot of grain & glutens -- if you can, maybe consider changing to a grain-free food. I switched to Blue Buffalo. A very good food. www.bluebuff.com

[waterkeeper03]

Your dog is also very new to your home.. Diarrhea is not only related to food. the stress of changing environment amongst other things can bring it on too.

switching between proteins can cause upset at first, but get them used to it and it has many benefits. I rotated venison duck and fish formula's from Natural Balance for a year with my dog, and his known sensitive stomach went away.