New 10 week old cocker puppy

Question
QUESTION: Hi Delores, I have recieved some great advise from you in the past for our 10 month old buff cocker Maddie (a dog owners dream). We recently added a new male bl/white cocker this weekend we named "Murphy" (10 wks).  He is a doll.  They just love being together.  My concern is:  Murphy was fed a lamb & rice brand of kibble from Walmart.  I feed Innova puppy to Maddie and am in the process of switching Murphy over to it as well.  His stool is a little on the loose side.  Is this normal.  He's a good little eater & drinks lots.  After he 'goes" he scoots a little to clean off. I feel bad for him.  I read somewhere to give him canned pumpkin to help with his stool, what do you think?  Also, we noticed he is really starting to itch.  Do you have any suggestions.  By the way, house training is going GREAT! no accidents!

ANSWER: Hi Jill,
So you got a little friend for Maddie.  Great!

I don't like cockers on any kibble (or very little)..way too many carbs.  But yes..a little loose stool isn't unexpected when switching foods.  You can add a tsp. of 100% pumpkin (not pie filling)to each meal (and he should be eating 5 times a day)...
or if you're feeding canned you can add 1/2 tsp. of plain, unflavored Metamucil to his food (daily supply - not one meal).  I mix it with a bit of water, then mix in.  Start with 1/4 tsp.

However, if he's scooting it could be a couple of things - worms or impacted anal glands.  I'd take him in to the vet along with a stool sample just to rule that out.  Worms in a 10 week old is pretty common.

Itching.  Hmmm..kibble doesn't help that at all.  I'd do a couple of things and first would be getting him on a premium canned food.
Have you given him a bath in a gentle oatmeal or aloe vera or neem oil shampoo?  Does he maybe have some fleas?  He's too young for any flea control so I'd bath him - rinsing totally well in tepid water
and see if that helps and for how long.  Rinse way more than you think you need to.

If that doesn't help, write me directly - we want to nip any skin problems in the bud. (DeeBeck7765@aol.com)  The Walmart food is disastrous so I'm happy you're ditching that.  I have a feeling this little boy is just getting too many carbs when he needs a meat-based diet. He's in an intense growth spurt and the higher protein/higher fat in canned food is preferable.  No, kibble does NOT help clean their teeth.
Delores

But try a bath - let me know and we'll go from there.
Delores


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

QUESTION: Thanks Delores, I will try a little canned pumpkin tonight.  The scooting only occurs immediately after he poohs, I thought he wanted to be sure  he was all clean before harassing Maddie again! I will get him checked out on our "meet your vet" visit. I was also using Zeke's salmon bites (cut in half) to help with house training. Maybe these are too rich for him or causing him itchies. (I still think he enjoys my happy dance more than a treat anyway!)  Also, we bathed him as soon as we got him home due to him smelling like he played in pee. I used a professional grooming brand from Petsmart (they use for grooming & highly recommended).  Maybe that did it too?  It is so hard to tell.

Thanks once again,
Jill

Answer
You're welcome, Jill.  And do make sure it's 100% pumpkin and not pie filling (which has sugar in it).

If it's Zuke's you're using as treats - that's great.  Just not too many.

I'd get a gentle oatmeal shampoo for a pup this age.  No, the bath 'nor the Zukes would not cause the itching.  Bath him again and see if it helps the itching - no hot water, warm for shampooing and coolish for the last rinsing.  Hot water makes itching worse.

Get the vet to check for any other skin parasites aside from fleas.

If he's clear and the bath doesn't do it - let me know.  And dry him well.  Towelling and some cool blow drying should do it.
Delores