Worried about new dog

todohert · 10-29-2009, 10:24 AM

We just recently adopted a new dog. Actually, she was given to us last Sunday because her owner couldn't give her the love she needs. She is a sweetheart, but I'm a little worried. She was eating a different brand of food then what we feed our lab. We feed him Iams Proactive and she was eating Blue Mountain. Anyways, I didn't know about gradually introducing her to the new food. She has been eating it and seemed to be fine, but I noticed last night she didn't eat all of it and this morning even less. Could it be that her stomach is bothering her? We have only had her for 4 days. I'm guessing she is probably still stressed. Any advice would be apprecaited.

Also, is Iams a bad brand compared to Blue MOuntain? I might consider switching if it is.

bully · 10-29-2009, 10:42 AM

My first response would be to try to feed your lab something a little better then Iams. I've never heard of "Blue Mountain" ??

sassykzt · 10-29-2009, 10:49 AM

Congrats on your new dog! Yes, an abrupt change in food along w/ change in environment can cause her stomach to be upset. This is temporary until she adapts to you and her new food. Make sure she's drinking water-dehydration is common in these situations. Gradual change and mixing the two foods is easier for most dogs but don't worry this will pass.
About the Iams-- you will get many opinions about food brands on the site-- look at dogfoodanalysis.com and some of the other posts( they do get a tad heated & off topic) and then form your own opinion. Remember dogs are carnivores and thrive on protein. Many companies use cheap grains as fillers and as sustitut proteins.

DobManiac · 10-29-2009, 10:50 AM

It sounds like stress from all the change in environment. Is she still drinking water well? And have you noticed any constipation or diarrhea?

But I would still recommend you take her in to the vet. Just as a safety measure since you just got her. It's always a good idea to take any new dog to the vet for a checkup and a fecal exam during the first couple of days. It sounds like she is a puppy, so a deworming and possibly shots is also in order.

Ayanla · 10-29-2009, 10:55 AM

If she was eating Blue Buffalo/Wilderness (I've also never heard of Blue Mountain?), you might want to consider switching her back, but do some research and do what you're comfortable with.

I would second the notion of taking her into the vet for a general checkup. It can't hurt, and it's always good to do with a new pup.

Labsnothers · 10-29-2009, 12:19 PM

Most dogs will thrive on most chows. Yes, sudden changes and the stress of rehoming can cause problems. So does over feeding.

Get with the vet and get any worm or other parasites under control.

No one food is the best for every dog. The allegations against Iams and the other common brands are disproven by their widely successful use including service dog programs. How has your Lab been doing on it?

I would give her a day or 2 to adjust, start eating again, and see how she does on the Iams. If she seems to have problems, make a slow switch over a week for both dogs to Blue Mountain. I have never heard of it, but likely as good as anything else.

bully · 10-29-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labsnothers

Most dogs will thrive on most chows. Yes, sudden changes and the stress of rehoming can cause problems. So does over feeding.

Get with the vet and get any worm or other parasites under control.

No one food is the best for every dog. The allegations against Iams and the other common brands are disproven by their widely successful use including service dog programs. How has your Lab been doing on it?

I would give her a day or 2 to adjust, start eating again, and see how she does on the Iams. If she seems to have problems, make a slow switch over a week for both dogs to Blue Mountain. I have never heard of it, but likely as good as anything else.

Here we go...

I agree with that first statement - then it goes downhill once again..

You say that because you honestly have no clue about food in general relating to canine health, it's just what a service dog company is telling you, (which we've proven why) and then you regurgitate it on this forum.

GroovyGroomer777 · 10-29-2009, 12:38 PM

Are you suggesting that all dog kibble is created equal?

bully · 10-29-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovyGroomer777

Are you suggesting that all dog kibble is created equal?

No. He's suggesting that better kibble has no better value for dogs then the cheapest of kibble. Yet, he will agree(i think) that a Balanced Raw Diet is better than kibble. No middle ground.

Most however just need to read an ingredient list and can see the difference in value between a good kibble and a crappy one.

Labsnothers · 10-29-2009, 03:30 PM

Dogs should thrive on any diet carefully formulated to include enough of each nutrient in an available form without an excess of certain ones. I would never risk my dog on a diet I tried to formulate. I am just as happy to let Nestle's and P&G's dogs be the lab animals.

What I don't understand is how people can ignore all the fine dogs eating common brands, and insist the premium ones are better.

nico8 · 10-29-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovyGroomer777

Are you suggesting that all dog kibble is created equal?

That is exactly what he's been preaching since day one.

Dog_Shrink · 10-29-2009, 04:22 PM

Personally I don't like Iams because they are one of the largest perpetrators of animal cruelty. Second I think the stress and anxiety of a new home, a new food, a new doggie room mate and new people are what is the root of your dog's issues aggravated moreso by the improper food change. You can use plain yogert to help soothe the stomach as well as regular cinnamon. (2 tablespoons yogert and about a tsp of cinnamon). These are probiotics that will help restore your dgo's natural gut flora and relieve any diareah and gastric upset the food change has caused.

Lastly just give it time and a regular schedule. Did you find out from the previous owner exactly how much and when they were feeding the dog? Those are all things taht should be kept as close to regular as possible to help your dog settle in the next 2 weeks. After the next 2 weeks you should see more of the dog's true colors. A vet visit could be warranted as well esp. if the previous owners didn't give you any medical records for the dog. Worming you can do on your own with fenbendiazol you can get right at walmart (no need for a vet to diagnose worms to treat it) prophilactic worming can be done at any time with out harmful side effects if done 20-30 days apart. fenbendiazol is generic panacure and a broad spectrum dewormer that will take care of any of the major 3 tpyes of worm your pup could have come home with.

FilleBelle · 10-29-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dog_Shrink

Personally I don't like Iams because they are one of the largest perpetrators of animal cruelty.

Absolutely true! Proctor and Gamble (makers of Iams and Eukanuba dog foods) does continue to test on animals, including dogs and cats. The darn P&G people have their finger in everything, though...it's hard to NOT buy from them!

Sorry, OT.

Labsnothers · 10-29-2009, 10:52 PM

I prefer food to be tested on somebody else's dogs

nico8 · 10-29-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labsnothers

I prefer food to be tested on somebody else's dogs

Seeing as how you don't actually own a dog... isn't every dog somebody else's dog?

bully · 10-30-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labsnothers

I prefer food to be tested on somebody else's dogs

Your passion for these animals is shining through..

Cracker · 10-30-2009, 08:35 AM

whoa..Labsnothers doesn't have a dog? Strange.

The reason service dog associations etc have their dogs on "big brands" is because much of the food is donated and money goes to the organizations etc..just like Hill's products and vet hospitals. It is, for many of these orgs. a necessary evil in order to fund the programs they have.

Many dogs do fine on bigbrand foods but many do not. I prefer to have my dogs do better than "fine" the same way I choose MY food, the best I can for the best I can afford.

Now, back to the OP.

It's not unusual for a dog new to a home to take some time to settle in and you can often see appetite changes, stress related behaviours or depression etc. Any food changes you do make (and yes I would be switching over to a better food for BOTH of your dogs, but that is what I would do...) must take place over at least ten days to give your dog's GI tract a chance to adjust. I would also take the new dog to the vet for a complete physical including fecal test to ensure it is healthy and to introduce him to your vet.

Newly rehomed dogs can take up to 6 weeks to adjust to a new environment so be sure to supervise interactions between the dogs and with new people etc so he has time to settle and YOU have time to learn what makes the new dog tick.

Labsnothers · 10-30-2009, 11:08 AM

For those that have missed it, no, I don't own a dog and haven't for much of my life. Right now, we don't even have a dog in the house. We are getting a 7 week old female Lab 8 November. She won't be ours. Next fall we will give her back to a large dog guide school to start her training. This will make 20 puppies we have raised for service dog schools since 1991 plus 3 more our daughter raised since she was married. They and many other dogs in the dog guide program spend many visits here. We have been mentored by those that know dogs the best for a long time.

It think those that already know we don't keep pets should be ashamed of themselves for for their deceptive attempt to discredit me. Shows you can't trust anything they say.

Ayanla · 10-30-2009, 11:32 AM

I don't think anyone has to work to discredit you. You have been doing a perfectly fine job all on your own.