My cocker spaniel puppy seems to be constipated

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I've been on your site, and you give some great advice. We got our cocker spaniel puppy four weeks ago, when he was 9 weeks old.  (We are in Scotland, UK).  We have been feeding him on James Wellbeloved complete food, recommended by our Vet, and he has been enjoying it.  For two days now, he has seemed to be a bit constipated - eg, he is not pooping as frequently as he usually does, and when he does go, it starts out hard at first, then very soft, then when nothing more is coming out, he is still straining as if there is more that he feels should be coming out.  He hasn't been eating so great either.  His tummy looks a bit swollen as well.  I have been looking on the internet, and have given him some cod liver oil, yesterday and today.  Also, have been adding water to his dry food, to hopefully get some more fluid into him.  Can you give any advice please?  Many thanks, Donna.

ANSWER: WellBeloved is an excellent food BUT as far as I know they don't make a canned version and a total diet of dry food can do this.

I'm calculating he's now 13 weeks old and it does sound like he's a bit constipated.  Go get some 100% canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling)..look in the canned fruit section in your supermarket.
This is amazing for both loose stool and constipation.  One tbsp. in each meal.  Read the label - ONE ingredient only - pumpkin.

Please, please do NOT give him cod liver oil.  It won't help and it's an overdose of Vit A.

Here's what I'd do:  Cook up some scrambled egg (use no oil or milk..just egg).  Plain white rice - extra water and overcook it.

3 eggs scrambled
1/2 cup cooked white rice
Mix well together

Feed him multiple meals a bit at a time and add the pumpkin.  Normally I'd say to fast a dog for 8 hours but not at this age but this egg &rice mix is extremely digestible and will allow his tummy to settle.  Make sure he has water always available.

Is he drinking well?  Dogs on kibble drink a LOT because there's no moisture in the food.

A puppy who's "not eating well" needs to be watched carefully and if this doesn't improve quickly - get him to the vet.

If you want him to drink more - make some homemade chicken broth.  Use any bit of chicken - bring it to boil in lots of water and simmer for 15 minutes - strain into a container through 2 layers of cloth.
They'll drink like crazy if you serve it warmish.  A puppy needs to be well hydrated if they're even a bit off their food.

I hope this helps, Donna.  It's awful feeling this tiny thing has a problem and you don't know what to do.
Delores





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

QUESTION: Hi Delores, thanks so much for your advice (and so fast!).  He's eating ok - not as great as he usually does - he's usually an eating machine!  We're still feeding him 4 times per day, and he's probably managing about two thirds of what we have been giving him usually.  He does drink, but I'm not sure it's enough - like you say, he's on dry food, and I had thought he would drink more, hence why we've been adding it to his food today. We always make sure he has fresh water there, and change it frequently, but I don't know if he drinks enough of it.  I will certainly try the scrambled egg and pumpkin, but I think my other half is going to phone the vet in the morning, just to see if they want us to bring him in. Hopefully he'll get better soon, tomorrow is the big day - first time we're able to take him for a walk!  Can't wait.  One good thing is that Floyd hasn't lost his spirit - he's still in fine fettle, which is somewhat reassuring I suppose.  Thanks so much once again, Donna :-)

ANSWER: I'd up the number of meals.  Puppies have tiny tummies.  At this point, the more, the better :)

Do switch to the egg & rice before you panic and add a bit of pumpkin.

Lucky Floyd to have such caring owners.  Great he can finally go for "the walk" - a tired dog is a good dog and they're so loaded with energy at this age.

and yes, "listen" to your dog.  It is reassuring.  Quite honestly, he may have a bit of gas and that may tell you he also needs some moisture in his food.  I don't like "all kibble" diets especially for cockers who don't do well on a big carb load.

Delores

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

QUESTION: Thanks Delores, off to the Supermarket first thing in the morning for me!  Could you answer a further wee question for me?  How big do you think a thirteen week old spaniel should be?  When we had him at the vet for his second injection he weighed 6.5 kg.  The vet thought he was a big boy - I'm thinking he's quite big for a cocker - I had a cocker bitch for almost fourteen years - we lost her last year unfortunately :-( but I don't think she was nearly as big as that when we got her. :-)

Answer
There's no accurate answer...he may be a very big boy.  I have one that weighs 24 lbs. - another one that's near 30 lbs - both males in great, proper shape.  I have a friend who's male cocker is 35 lbs.  Females are generally smaller so you can't go by your old girl.  And I'm so sorry to hear that you lost her at 14.  It's always a tribute to a loved dog that you get another one.
They all have a piece of your heart.  Floyd is a lucky little boy!

Do let me know how he is - but I have a gut feeling this is a bit of gas.  That may mean you need to serve wet and dry food.
Experience tells me cockers don't do well on a big carb load and kibble (even the good stuff) is just that.  See if you can find something with no grains.
Delores