[Qsk50]

My 1 1/2 year old lab is not doing good on better quality food.
He was eating Pedigree before I was educated on better quality food.
I feel terrible now that I know the stuff that goes into that food =(

I first did the transition from Pedigree to Natual Balance and he was on that for a month. He had the runs most of the time.
I changed him to Blue Buffalo and he has been on that for 2-3 weeks and the same results. 1 out of 3 poops is terrible.
He had his annual vet visit and he was given a clean bill of health.

When he was on Pedigree he had hard solid poops.
This is very frustrating. What can I do?

Should I keep him longer on the Blue Buffalo? I feel terrible that he has the runs and I am concerned that he may develop intestinal problems.
Anyone have any suggestions??
Thanks

 

[keljai]

did you gradual switch it for him or did you just plop it down for him?? from what l hear from other dog owner is pedigree has ingredients inside that actually make the poop harder and stiff.

ps blue buffalo is not a high quality food, its just better

 

[Qsk50]

did you gradual switch it for him or did you just plop it down for him?? from what l hear from other dog owner is pedigree has ingredients inside that actually make the poop harder and stiff.

ps blue buffalo is not a high quality food, its just better

I switched him over during the course of 2 weeks.
25, 50, 75 and then 100% all Buffalo.

Well like you said, maybe not high quality but I had read it was
better food than what I was feeding.

 

[CorgiKarma]

Blue buffalo is an above average food. All natural, no soy,wheat,gluten,by-products,corn. Pretty good ingredients and guaranteed analysis.

 

[skelaki]

Perhaps there's something in Blue Buffalo he's allergic to or it could be that he just takes longer to adapt to a dietary change.

You can try adding a couple tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin to his food and see if that helps his stools. If he's still having problems in another week or if the stools don't improve at all with the pumpkin, I'd put him on a food with one protein (i.e. duck) and one carbohydrate source (non-grain) such as sweet potatoes and see if he does better on that diet.

 

[joeyjoe9]

I'm in the same boat, but with Natural Balance.

Beagle's been on it for nearly a month and the only time his stool are good is when I give him a probiotic and it has time to do its magic (about 1/3 of the time). I read a dog food with at least 4-percent fiber should do the trick.

Time to switch again?

 

[Qsk50]

I had him on Natural Balance first and that didnt work for him.
My female catahoula eats Natural Balance and with her its hit or miss.
Last night she had the runs bad.

The lab has been on Blue Buffalo since February 2nd and he still has a bad poop. I feel bad for him but I was told to give him some time to get used to this better food. Im gonna try the pumpkin and see if that helps.

I think it has been long enough. I dont know, its so frustrating.
I really wanted them eating something a little better than Purina but how long are they to suffer?

I wish all foods were good for all dogs.

 

[Westhighlander]

Just go back to Pedigree. Your dog seemed to have done well on that.

 

[txcollies]

Just go back to Pedigree. Your dog seemed to have done well on that.

I second to go back to whatever he was doing well on.

 

[StellaLucyDesi]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I have since relaxed with the food thing.....

So...I say go back to Pedigree if it works for your dog! I have a good friend, who is also one of my dog trainers, that has 12 beautiful dogs of all kinds (Rottie, GSD, Chihuahua, Jack Russells, Boxer) and she uses Pedigree and Purina Dog Chow. She has the prettiest dogs around! When I was a "food snob", I asked her what she fed thinking it had to be something natural, right?
Well, I was floored when she said what she was feeding! In fact, her dogs looked better than mine at the time and they were on Orijen! So, who are we to tell you what to feed. You need to decide that for yourself. I have. I am now feeding Eagle Pack Holistic Select. I chose this food because it does work well for all 3 of my dogs. They like it, and it works FOR THEM. So, go back if you feel you need to. Good Luck!

 

[Qsk50]

I second to go back to whatever he was doing well on.

Thanks to all who responded. I have taken both the dogs off the Blue Buffalo and Natural Balance.
They are all on Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blends.
They all have firm stools and their coats are shiny.
No more runny/soft poops and my catahoula no longer leaves food
in her bowl.
They love their food.

 

[Aussie_Lover]

did you gradual switch it for him or did you just plop it down for him?? from what l hear from other dog owner is pedigree has ingredients inside that actually make the poop harder and stiff.

ps blue buffalo is not a high quality food, its just better

I'm curious as to why you think Blue Buffalo is not a high quality food product? Any product that contains real meat or fish, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals AND doesn't contain artificial preservatives, by-products, fillers, corn, wheat, soy or gluten is a high quality food in my book. So I'm wondering what additional features constitutes high quality in your opinion? If something is missing I'd like to know so I can make an informed decision about my dog's well being. Thanks!

 

[Donna5503]

I agree....my guy loves Blue Buffalo & is doing well on it.....it has awesome ingredients --- can find some that are similar but not really better ....I've wanted to try Blue Wilderness but I can't find it in any stores close to me.

 

[Aussie_Lover]

I agree....my guy loves Blue Buffalo & is doing well on it.....it has awesome ingredients --- can find some that are similar but not really better ....I've wanted to try Blue Wilderness but I can't find it in any stores close to me.

Petsmart carries Blue's Wilderness. Are there any Petsmart stores near you?

 

[Donna5503]

Hi Aussie....(your pup is adorable).....Yes, that is where I buy Blue Buffalo, but I asked them for Blue Wilderness & they said they don't have it....I asked them to try & get it in - I also called the number on their website & asked if they could supply it in a store near us somewhere. Nothing yet.

Petsmart does have it on their website -- but the delivery fee is as much as the Food!

 

[Aussie_Lover]

I live in South Jersey and the Petsmarts around me all carry it so I figured they all did. Are you near Union or Wayne? I would think they would carry it. Have you checked them out?

From what I know, it's a good product-high protein, low carb-intended for high energy, working dogs. It's gotten good reviews on a number of sites.

 

[Donna5503]

I live close to Secaucus - I shop at that PetSmart --- the other ones are too far. I'll keep trying and see if someone stocks it. In the meantime....he's doing good on the regular Blue Buffalo.

What's your guy eat?

 

[Aussie_Lover]

I live close to Secaucus - I shop at that PetSmart --- the other ones are too far. I'll keep trying and see if someone stocks it. In the meantime....he's doing good on the regular Blue Buffalo.

What's your guy eat?

He's on Blue's Lamb & Rice. He's been on it for over 4 years and does well on it.