Dog food and allergies
Discussion
Hi, I wonder if anyone has any experience or useful suggestions please?
We've had Percy, a 12 month old Working Cocker Spaniel since 12 weeks old. When we got him he was eating Eden dry food which appears to be a high quality, grain free, high protein, nutritionally balanced product. He enjoyed this food, his stool was firm and regular and all was good. He is a highly food orientated dog.
At around 8 months old he started having diarrhoea and was straining to go several times on a walk. We took him to the vets and they prescribed a 10 day course of anti-biotics. This seemed to improve things marginally for a few days but he soon went back to having some diarrhoea and straining. As a result, we decided to change his food and gradually moved him on to Lilly's Kitchen. The problem persisted so we tried him just on boiled rice and chicken for a week and then he seemed to go to the toilet very little, no matter how much we gave him. Unsure what to do next, we took him back to the vets who has recommended hypoallergenic food (Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet). I understand that this is a form of elimination diet and the vet suggested gradually adding other foods in, after 4-6 weeks, to try and identify if he is allergic to something in particular.
The hypoallergenic food seems to have stopped the straining but he still has some diarrhoea. We have noticed that the diarrhoea is generally on a walk when he is very excited and stimulated so now we're wondering whether it is more due to excitement and high metabolic rate
He doesn't like the hypoallergenic dog food - he is leaving it in his bowl which is very unlike him - he would usually eat everything he is given. He has also become quite grumpy and sometimes aggressive and we are wondering if this is something to do with being dissatisfied with his food. He is loosing weight, or certainly remaining quite skinny.
We just want to find a food that he enjoys and that doesn't upset him stomach - but we're not really sure where to go with this. The elimination diet method could go on for weeks / months trying various individual food stuffs alongside the Purina, which he doesn't like. Any thoughts?
We've had Percy, a 12 month old Working Cocker Spaniel since 12 weeks old. When we got him he was eating Eden dry food which appears to be a high quality, grain free, high protein, nutritionally balanced product. He enjoyed this food, his stool was firm and regular and all was good. He is a highly food orientated dog.
At around 8 months old he started having diarrhoea and was straining to go several times on a walk. We took him to the vets and they prescribed a 10 day course of anti-biotics. This seemed to improve things marginally for a few days but he soon went back to having some diarrhoea and straining. As a result, we decided to change his food and gradually moved him on to Lilly's Kitchen. The problem persisted so we tried him just on boiled rice and chicken for a week and then he seemed to go to the toilet very little, no matter how much we gave him. Unsure what to do next, we took him back to the vets who has recommended hypoallergenic food (Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet). I understand that this is a form of elimination diet and the vet suggested gradually adding other foods in, after 4-6 weeks, to try and identify if he is allergic to something in particular.
The hypoallergenic food seems to have stopped the straining but he still has some diarrhoea. We have noticed that the diarrhoea is generally on a walk when he is very excited and stimulated so now we're wondering whether it is more due to excitement and high metabolic rate
He doesn't like the hypoallergenic dog food - he is leaving it in his bowl which is very unlike him - he would usually eat everything he is given. He has also become quite grumpy and sometimes aggressive and we are wondering if this is something to do with being dissatisfied with his food. He is loosing weight, or certainly remaining quite skinny.
We just want to find a food that he enjoys and that doesn't upset him stomach - but we're not really sure where to go with this. The elimination diet method could go on for weeks / months trying various individual food stuffs alongside the Purina, which he doesn't like. Any thoughts?
Edited by Lozw86 on Thursday 7th April 11:35
Try him on raw. Purina, Science plan etc is rubbish IMHO.
Orijen is about the best kibble you can find.
Being grumpy is unlikely to be related just to hunger - has he been tested for worms, had a scan of any sort?
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/
Orijen is about the best kibble you can find.
Being grumpy is unlikely to be related just to hunger - has he been tested for worms, had a scan of any sort?
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/
Edited by Sub8 on Thursday 7th April 14:11
Sub8 said:
Try him on raw. Purina, Science plan etc is rubbish IMHO.
Orijen is about the best kibble you can find.
Being grumpy is unlikely to be related just to hunger - has he been tested for worms, had a scan of any sort?
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/
Agreed re grumpiness - it may be a sign of pain. I would be making a vet appointment.Orijen is about the best kibble you can find.
Being grumpy is unlikely to be related just to hunger - has he been tested for worms, had a scan of any sort?
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/
Edited by Sub8 on Thursday 7th April 14:11
Hope you can get things sorted.
We got ours dogs off kibble after similar problems now feed prepared raw, all good now.
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-reviews...
https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-reviews...
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