[JAG123]

I have a boston terrier puppy who is now five months old. Almost immediately after bringing him home he contracted giardia, the vet thinks that he got it from the dirty NYC streets because a lot of people around here don't pick up after their dogs! Anyway, because of this infection he had an incredibly sensitive tummy so we were feeding him Wellness Duck and brown rice formula, basically it only really consists of those two ingredients, we didn't want anything else that might make him more upset.
He has now been treated with two different tracks of medication for the giardia and his stools have come much less often and aren't showing the "common" signs of the illness, however they still seem to be quite loose and we and the vet are thinking it could be the food.
He doesn't seem to get sick from any treats that we've given him which contain multitudes of other ingredients (Wellness soft treats) so we're thinking of switching his main diet.
Does anyone have advice on what food to give a small dog who may still have a sensitive tummy but will also provide him with the nutrition that he really needs...we want him to be eating something that has other nutritional value with added vegetables and the such, because the one carb, one protein diet that he's on now doesn't seem to be doing the job.

[Captbob]

Natural Balance makes some great foods "allergy foods" for animals with sensitive stomachs. They also come in canned, which would be easier for the dog to digest anyway...

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/home.html

[briteday]

There is probably going to be a lot of suggestions on this. However, I would be inclined to feed the dog boiled chicken and rice to see if the stools firm up. Rice is usually a constipating ingredient. After a few days if there's no change, you could try a spoonful of canned pumpkin with his food. Sometimes the extra fiber helps them buld up the stools. If this doesn't work then I'd have the vet do a more complete work up on the animal. Also, you might contact the breeder. Often things like this tend to run in family lines. They may have had dogs with similar issues. Can't hurt to ask.
Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with single protein/ carb diets. If you weren't having the loose stool problems I might suggest rotating single source flavors every few months. But for right now, you need to eliminate as many things as you can.
I don't think the loose stools are from the food. On the other hand, one of mine seems to be allergic to all grains so she gets Natural Balance Fish and sweet potato.

[Ginny01OT]

Timberwolf Organics ---perhaps the ocean blue, chicken, lamb or bison formula, if you go to their website you can read a description of each of their foods and I am sure one will be for your dog.

www.timberwolforganics.com

[luvntzus]

Originally Posted by ilovemypets

I suggest ameri-pet food, it is all natural and has many benefits, you can read all the benefits and order it here at this website link below
http://ilovemypets.ameri-petonline.com
my dog loves it and chose it over the food he has eaten for his entire life, and he is almost 6 years old... besides, if you knew what the commercial pet food was made from, you'd want to switch anyways... read the truth on the site if you really want to know... but honestly
this food is great, and the benefits alone are worth checking into!
hope this helps!

How do you figure that Ameri Pet isn't a commercial food? They have a pyramid scheme for recruiting people to sell their products!! Just check out their "business opportunity" page below.

http://www.ilovemypets.ameri-petonli...essopp&theme=1

And honestly there are other foods that are just as good and some that are better quality. Ameri Pet contains menadione bisulfite (artificial vitamin K) which the highest quality foods do NOT include because it's been shown to cause health problems. Check out the link below:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=menadione

Don't get me wrong, it looks like Ameri Pet is better than A LOT of foods out there, including all the grocery store brands. But it isn't the ONLY good food out there and others are even better.

There's nothing wrong with the ingredients in Wellness Simple Solutions, but apparently it doesn't agree with his system for whatever reason. I suggest trying Timberwolf Organics. Even though there are a lot of ingredients in the food, I've seen it work wonders for dogs with sensitive stomachs. My other suggestions are Natural Balance allergy formulas and Eagle Pack Holistic.

[memyself]

I'll advise you to really study your dog's intake and you can only do that by knowing the right kind of food to feed him.Now i've added a good source of such information in my signature for you.I found this very useful and i hope you will too.
Let me know how it goes.

[bearlasmom]

Originally Posted by JAG123

I have a boston terrier puppy who is now five months old. Almost immediately after bringing him home he contracted giardia, the vet thinks that he got it from the dirty NYC streets because a lot of people around here don't pick up after their dogs! Anyway, because of this infection he had an incredibly sensitive tummy so we were feeding him Wellness Duck and brown rice formula, basically it only really consists of those two ingredients, we didn't want anything else that might make him more upset.
He has now been treated with two different tracks of medication for the giardia and his stools have come much less often and aren't showing the "common" signs of the illness, however they still seem to be quite loose and we and the vet are thinking it could be the food.
.

Hi jag and welcome to the forum
do your baby a favor and either make his food or put him on science diet persciption ID. Especially if he has belly issues. Bearla, our GSD use to suffer something horrible with her belly for much the same reason as yours. She is now on science diet ID but we are weaning her over to natural foods (homemade) as a result of the recalls and poisoning. OUr pit bull is dying as a result of store brand food (Ol Roy) Bearla use to eat it before her belly began acting up. im not willing to play roulette with her life though anymore given that her furry bro is going to die.

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by bearlasmom

Hi jag and welcome to the forum
do your baby a favor and either make his food or put him on science diet persciption ID. Especially if he has belly issues. Bearla, our GSD use to suffer something horrible with her belly for much the same reason as yours. She is now on science diet ID but we are weaning her over to natural foods (homemade) as a result of the recalls and poisoning. OUr pit bull is dying as a result of store brand food (Ol Roy) Bearla use to eat it before her belly began acting up. im not willing to play roulette with her life though anymore given that her furry bro is going to die.

Science diet is a pretty poor to average food. Not as bad as old Roy, but way below some of the premium brands that have already been mentioned.

[JAG123]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the input. Now that I've read through the replies and then gone back to see what I originally wrote it makes absolutely no sense that I said his treats aren't bothering him...obviously if he stills has an upset belly I can't rule anything out!

For the moment we are feeding him and homemade bland diet, chicken and rice, and hoping that this will help. After that I think we are going to look into Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato formula. After doing a little bit of homework this seems like a good product. I don't know though, watching and reading all of the news on the recall is making me nervous. However, there is no wheat in this formula so do you think it'll be alright? I also think that this will clear up Reuben's dry skin, what with the omega-3s and all!

Let me know if you have anymore advice for me. I'm going to go post in the first time owners section so if you have advice go over there and read my clicker training post, thanks!

[Wimble Woof]

I am actually inclined to suggest Natural Balance as well. However there are some great reccomendations here as well ( not "Ol'Roy and Science Diet though) Sure the prescription formula will be easy on the tummy but there are great foods out there which are far better and also good for belly troubles.

[bearlasmom]

Originally Posted by Captbob

Science diet is a pretty poor to average food. Not as bad as old Roy, but way below some of the premium brands that have already been mentioned.

science diet perscription is actually a good food. capt

most vets supply and prescribe it for pets with health problems
when i say science diet, i do not mean low line junk off a walmart shelf
im talking $100 for a 50lb bag

[babytess]

You might try Life's Abundance. It's formulated by a holistic veterinarian and you can actually talk to her every week on a live conference call and ask her questions directly. You can check it out at www.TheHealthFoodForPets.com
My lab used to spit up at least once a week and he hasn't done it once since I put him on this food. His coat also got much nicer and he sheds less.

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by bearlasmom

science diet perscription is actually a good food. capt

most vets supply and prescribe it for pets with health problems
when i say science diet, i do not mean low line junk off a walmart shelf
im talking $100 for a 50lb bag

Just because it is $2 a pound doesn't mean it is any good... Here is one of the Science Diet foods for sensitive stomachs...

Science Diet - Sensitive Stomach Adult

Ingredients:
Brewers rice, corn meal, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, dried egg product, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), chicken liver flavor, flaxseed, vegetable oil, oat fiber, dried beet pulp, L-lysine, L-tryptophan, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid, minerals (potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, salt, calcium carbonate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), rosemary extract, beta-carotene, vitamins (choline chloride, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), niacin, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement) [/i][/color]

It's all grain!!!!!!!!! Dogs can't digest that. Chickens can......... The only meat in the first 4 ingredients is a by-product. Terrible food to feed your pet..... As I stated before, vets have a vested interest in prescribing this stull because they sell it...... Give your dog a decent food like Natural Balance, for less money.......

[Cheetah]

Originally Posted by bearlasmom

science diet perscription is actually a good food. capt

most vets supply and prescribe it for pets with health problems
when i say science diet, i do not mean low line junk off a walmart shelf
im talking $100 for a 50lb bag

I just looked up the Science Diet prescription for allergies and adverse reactions to foods, and I don't like them.

d/d® Potato & Duck Formula Canine
Potato, Potato Starch, Duck, Potato Protein, Pork Fat - Supposed to be a single protein diet!!! (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Soybean Oil (soy is one of the more common allergens in dogs, although not as common as corn and beef), Natural Flavor (from where/what?!), Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Powdered Cellulose, Fish Oil, Iodized Salt (dog food should not need salt), Calcium Carbonate, Duck By-Product Meal, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Glycerol Monostearate, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Tryptophan, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Citric Acid and Ethoxyquin - Pesticide and rubber stabilizer!!!, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.

z/d® Low Allergen Canine
Dried Potato Product, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Potato Starch, Soybean Oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), Hydrolyzed Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Sulfate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Calcium Carbonate, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), DL-Methionine, Taurine, Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Beta-Carotene

z/d® ULTRA Allergen-Free Canine
Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Soybean Oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), Hydrolyzed Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Beta-Carotene

I think the food would be good if they took out/replaced those awful ingredients... >X.x;< You're better off feeding the Royal Canin prescription stuff instead, even if it's slightly crappy as well. I might feed either food... if my dog was dying and I had no other choice... >@_@<

[Captbob]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

I just looked up the Science Diet prescription for allergies and adverse reactions to foods, and I don't like them.

d/d® Potato & Duck Formula Canine
Potato, Potato Starch, Duck, Potato Protein, Pork Fat - Supposed to be a single protein diet!!! (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Soybean Oil (soy is one of the more common allergens in dogs, although not as common as corn and beef), Natural Flavor (from where/what?!), Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Powdered Cellulose, Fish Oil, Iodized Salt (dog food should not need salt), Calcium Carbonate, Duck By-Product Meal, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Glycerol Monostearate, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Tryptophan, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Citric Acid and Ethoxyquin - Pesticide and rubber stabilizer!!!, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.

z/d® Low Allergen Canine
Dried Potato Product, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Potato Starch, Soybean Oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), Hydrolyzed Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Sulfate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Calcium Carbonate, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), DL-Methionine, Taurine, Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Beta-Carotene

z/d® ULTRA Allergen-Free Canine
Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Soybean Oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), Hydrolyzed Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Beta-Carotene

I think the food would be good if they took out/replaced those awful ingredients... >X.x;< You're better off feeding the Royal Canin prescription stuff instead, even if it's slightly crappy as well. I might feed either food... if my dog was dying and I had no other choice... >@_@<

Wow, all those flavors are terrible..... It is amazing what they sell in the vets office.... Its like a list of " Ingredients to Avoid"........

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index....badingredients

[JAG123]

I totally agree with the above posts. For myself I try to eat things that only contain ingredients which I can pronounce, why would I want or do anything less for my amazing puppy?

He seems to be taking to the chicken and rice at the moment. We are going to look into keeping with that diet for a little while and slowly adding other ingredients..I love to cook for myself, I'm sure I will love to cook for my dog.

Natural balance is still on the top of our list though for formulas to try once we want to get back to dry food for Reuben.

[Wimble Woof]

any particular reason you want to go back to dry food?
I think Natural balance would be a good food as well, however im curious as to reasons you would go to kibble?

[JAG123]

I guess I haven't thought about that question too much. I just thought that it might be easier in the long run but if cooking for him goes well maybe we will just stick with that. What do you think?

[Wimble Woof]

it depends on your comfort level with it. how long have you been cooking for him? I really dont have any experience with "cooked" meats, but have been VERY successful with raw.
Going to kibble is "easier" especially if your time is limited in a day.

[BabySophieCorgiEyes]

Originally Posted by Captbob

Natural Balance makes some great foods "allergy foods" for animals with sensitive stomachs. They also come in canned, which would be easier for the dog to digest anyway...

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/home.html

I thought it was on the recall list. You could look dog food up in the google search engine. That is how I found what I am using. It is call Chicken Soup for the Pet lovers Soul.