Adding Fiber

Question
QUESTION: I have an almost year old BT. Every kibble we have tried has made him have super soft stools.  Cooking for him seems the best, but to be honest, I find it hard to do and we just can't afford it. An ideal weight for him would be 15 lbs. He seems to always need a kibble amount for a 20 lb. to keep his weight there. I am currently feeding him Evo, the regular one, not the red meat. His stools have gone smaller, but can still be soft. I am not against adding grains..as long as I am in control of which ones they are. I would like to add Oatmeal, Barley, and Triticale, in flake form, but I am worried about adding too much. How much would be a balanced amount for him? I was told he needs more fiber, but I am worried about giving him too much fiber and have it cause other issues. I could just start experimenting with an amount, but thought if I could have a starting point, it would be so much better.  He is currently getting 3/4 cup Evo, but I am working up to one cup, as I think he needs to bulk up a bit. Thank you


grain - free SoJo   ANSWER: Hi Lisa -  Here are some ideas to help your Boston Terrier boy..
How about giving him 1/2 of a metamucil wafer / cookie each day - get the apple flavored ones, they come in 2 packes in a box of 10 or 12 I believe.  This will add bulk to his stools and it is all Natural and safe for him..... Just 1/2 of 1 cookie per day for long term.

I would not add any oats because them we will have Allergy issues.
If you want to do something special - feed him 1 SoJo's meal per day - Do the Innova in the am and some SoJO in the PM...
SoJo is home cooking with a little help - I would get the green bag as it is grain free.
We love SoJo's at my home - So good for them!
SoJo is sold all over the world in may pet stores or Free shipping here to any USA address:

http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse
YOU are the Chef and you add your own Lightly Cooked meats to the SoJo natural dog food mix.  REMEMBER the green bag is the only grain free SoJO...

So, a Metamucil cookie and some SoJo cooking.
A Metamucil cookie will sure make it easy for you and Believe me - it will add bulk to the stool...


BEST wishes - Keep me posted
and visit my personal site here:
http://www.apluspetcare.com
My Doggie Hotel

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

QUESTION: Ok, the Metamucil cookie sounds like a good choice. Would giving him 1/4 of a cookie, twice a day be ok too? Same amount as you said, just split between his two feedings? I have tried doing a varried diet with him and his system just doesn't handle that, so I don't think doing one meal SoJo's and one Evo would work for him. Also, I tried for several months  The Honest Kitchen Preference, where you add your own meat and he just wouldn't gain weight. So my thought was that a "no grain" diet isn't totally for him. Will the Metamucil add some bulk to his diet to help him gain weight and keep it on? Thank you so much for your reply. I joined the Boston board on CafeMom yesterday. He is my first Bosty and I knew about their personalities and activity level before we brought him home, but I hadn't read about the digestive issues they can have, other than gas, which he doesn't seem to have a problem with very often. I feed him with a raised dish, so that is probably what helps. Thanks again.

Answer

a nu vet kid !   Well, the metamucil cookie can be given 2 x per day at 1/4 the amount. Sure, not a problem.
As far as gas, you should get him onto the NuVET supplement - There are loads of Bostons doing great with NuVET - Helps them digest and utilize the food properly.  As far as SoJO is is Grain free just like the Innova EVO - SoJO does give you a money back guarantee..
It won't cost much to try one bag of the GREEN Bag of SoJo's grain free... It will help him to gain weight.

Another option is Solid Gold's Barking at the Moon - grain free and a wonderful food to gain weight with...
Solid gold is sold at many pet stores.

Here are the links for NuVET and SoJO again:

http://www.nuvet.com/81098  
(just 1/2 a nuvet wafer in the am and 1/2 in the pm for this boy....)
Glad you joined Cafe MOM's boston site!

oh, and here is the sojos's site...
Remember to try the Green bag because that is the grain free one...
http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse

NuVET gives a 60 day Money back Guarantee..
SoJo give a Money back guarantee, too...
( you will have to check the site to see if it limits the time for the guarantee)

Good luck kids!!

Marie Peppers LPN MA
ask the Pet Nurse
I love Bostons...!  So cute