Need advice for dog food

[mishoga]

I really need some advice from all of you fellow pug veterans.

I presently feed my dogs Castor & Pollux Ultramix Puppy Chow. Right now it is mixed with the remainder of what the breeder was feeding them (Eukanuba Pure).

My little girl had a problem with parasites and was treated first tiem (I screwed up and only gave her 1 dose a day when it should of been two). She's on round two of Flagyl for 8 days.

First, my boy is 8 months and she is 6 months.

My boy started getting loose stools. trying to figure out what is causing it. I've taken away the Greenies and all treats that might upset their tummy. I've stopped putting the salmon oil in their food. They still chew rawhide sticks (they like to chew a lot. They also get Old Mother Hubbards biscuits as reward treats when going outside.

I'm thinking maybe the food doesn't agree with their tummy. I read up on the food and it was rated a #4, which is pretty good but it is not grain free. I have soooooo much of the food left. I want to switch them eventually to adult Acana.

Should I keep them on this food until almost done or start the transition now? OR do I switch them to a Acana puppy food slowly?

Let me add that my boy eats everything he can in the yard. plus he drinks way to much pool water from prancing on the loop-loc cover. The one good thing is it is a salt water pool so no chemicals but it is standing water.

Have to figure out what's going on because he would sleep through the night without wanting to go out but recently his stomach is so upset he's crying to go out at night and runs to go #2.

My vet doesn't think he has a parasite because the second time they checked my girl she was clear.

Give me your best advice on food for them to bring about solid formed poo. They both are going about 5-6 times a day.

Thank you in advance.

I have to tell you from reading all the posts here I am a little paranoid about every little thing that happens to them. I love them to death and would be devastated if something were to go wrong or happen because I didn't care for them properly. I only have experience with Yorkies and Maltese so this is all new to me.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Rawhides are very hard on the tummy and also a choking hazard. I would switch to raw marrow bones and/or split deer or elk antlers for chewing. Cow hooves (not stuffed or smoked) are also good, but sometimes smell. As are Kongs stuffed with organic unsalted peanut butter, organic yogurt or raw hamburger and frozen.

As for food. if you can afford it, go with a pre-made raw like Nature's Variety Instinct or Primal.

If you can't them look for a high quality kibble, Orijen, Taste of the Wild, and Acana get high marks here.

Look up brands on this site:

Dog Food Reviews | Dog Food Ratings

Take care,
Lisa

[mishoga]

look for a high quality kibble, Orijen, Taste of the Wild, and Acana get high marks here.

Look up brands on this site:

Dog Food Reviews | Dog Food Ratings

Take care,
Lisa

Thank you Lisa. What do you think about this too. Was talking to one of my customers who has worked in a recue facility for over 12 years. I presently feed the pups at 7:00 a.m and 5:00 p.m.. She said I should feed tem their second meal earlier in the daytime. Do you think that's a good idea?

[Tinker's mom]

You can also add 1 tsp of organic plain pumpkin to both meals to see if that helps. Since they are going so often I would think about adding a probiotic to replace some of their normal bacteria.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

Thank you Lisa. What do you think about this too. Was talking to one of my customers who has worked in a recue facility for over 12 years. I presently feed the pups at 7:00 a.m and 5:00 p.m.. She said I should feed tem their second meal earlier in the daytime. Do you think that's a good idea?

I feed at 6 am and 5 pm too. I do feed more in the morning and less in the evening. I don't see any reason to feed earlier than 5.

Take care,
Lisa

[mishoga]

I feed at 6 am and 5 pm too. I do feed more in the morning and less in the evening. I don't see any reason to feed earlier than 5.



Take care,
Lisa

I'm going to try that, more kibble in a.m. and less in p.m. Thank you for suggestion.

[pugaddiction]

Excellent advice above. I just want to add that Eddie had cronic loose stools. Our vet recommend a pre & probiotic for him. So I found a digestive enzyme that has a pre and a probiotic in it. We are on our second container of it now and Eddie has firm poops now. The brand I use is made by a company called WellyTails and it is for digestion and immunity. Best of luck to you.