CONSTIPATION IN PUPPIES

Question
QUESTION: I HAVE A 12 WEEK OLD MINI DACHSHUND AND WHEN SHE WENT POOP TODAY IT WAS 3 LITTLE HARD BALLS. WHAT CAN I DO FOR THAT? PLEASE LET ME KNOW THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANSWER: As with us Millie, what goes in must come out. Your puppy isn't getting very much fluid into her if she is having a problem with constipation.
Now just because her stool was like that doesn't constitute her not being able to go, which is what constipation is and having a hard time going.

Was she straining just to get the stool out?

What are you feeding her? Diet will be the main thing we would need to address so can you tell me what you are feeding her?
That would be helpful.

In the meantime, you can add some flaxseed or some bran to her food to increase her fiber. Make sure she has water at all times.

Let me know about the diet and then I can offer more suggestions.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i am feeding her EUKANUBA small breed food. she didnt seem to be straining when she was going. tonight when she went it seemed better, it was a normal one. she only eats a little bit at a time and always has fresh water down to drink. the breeder we bought her from was also feeding her the eukanuba thats why we kept her on it. the breeder said she was doing fine on it and loved it and she seems to like it.  the directions for the food said for her weight which is 3 lbs. she should be getting 3/4 of a cup of food per day. thats what we give her. please let me know if im doing whats best for her. thank you

Answer
I am not a fan of Eukanuba anymore since they abandoned their fixed formulas and are now making their food with what ever is cheapest on the docks that day.

I recommend and feed Science Diet and have been having clients switch to it for over 27 years. Many breeders recommend all kinds of foods I wouldn't feed to a dog in the street even. Ask the veterinarians, more of them feed Hill's Science Diet than any other food combined world wide.

One of the reasons is the research they put into their food and have for over 50 yrs. Another is the fact that they stay with one fixed formula of food and they trial feed it so they know exactly how a dog will do on it.

The small bites Puppy growth formula is made with extra antioxidants and with enhanced DHA which promotes brain and vision development.
This food is so nutritionally dense that your dog would only eat 1/3 a cup daily, but you should feed that amount in two feedings.
You would save money with Science Diet since it is so digestible that there is very little stool, and she will nibble it the same way she does the Eukanuba. You will see a big difference in her coat and in her overall health and well being.

Science Diet dogs live well into old age, much older than the average dog. That alone is a good reason to switch!

If you decide to try it, make sure you follow a strict transition period so as not to cause her any stomach upset.

Do it slowly and mix it this way:
Day 1- 3/4 Euk. and one quarter food-not a quarter cup just the
proportion.
Day 2- Same thing
Day 3- Half Euk. and half Puppy Growth
Day 4- 3/4 new food, 1/4 Euk.
Day 5- same thing.
Day 6- all new food.

SD has a 100% money back guarantee also so if after one month you are not happy with it, take it back to the store you bought it from and get your money back. You can take the empty bag back.
Give it a try and not only will her stools be better but she will thank you in a million ways.
Make sure she is currently vaccinated also and on heartworm prevention and getting wormed every 10 days or so also.

Let me know how she does in a few weeks.