Feeding/Runny Stool

Question

Hi Marcus,

I recently started feeding my two huskies once a day in the evening. They are 9 months old now. I had been giving them a junior dog dry food twice a day and am now giving them the adult dry food from the same manufacturer once a day. I didn't switch them cold turkey but have been mixing both the junior and adult foods with the intention of gradually decreasing the junior mix to giving them the adult only. I weighed them recently, Leah (Bitch) is 27 kilos and Viper (Dog) is 32 kilos.

My question is this, they seem to be having a lot more bowel movements recently, about 4-5 each in a 24 hr period. And while Vipers stool form is solid and normal, Leah seems to have a diarrheal form, bit worried about her. I give them 3 full measuring cups each. Any ideas or suggestions would be grateful.

Also Marcus, do you know of any website or have you any recommendation for 'dog booties' that would protect their paws when running on the tarmac road?

Thanks,

Ciaran.

Answer
Three suggestions on the stools:

1) Try switching back to the twice a day feedings - it may be too much food on their system at one time.  My adult dogs (5 years old) still are fed twice a day.  I found that too much food on their system at once caused small problems.

2) Try switching back to the original puppy food.  I still feed mine puppy food, the calories are good for them, they eat less of it, and the fat/protein balance is better for their needs.

3) Go to the vet.  If the stools are consistently loose, it could be sign of problems and is worth a trip to make sure things are alright.

As for dog booties, I do not have any, but here are some resources worth looking into.  A Google search of "sled dog booties" should yield additional options:

http://AlpineOutfitters.NET/Secure/Scripts/ProdList.asp?idCategory=21

http://www.blackicedogsledding.com/page11.html