Confused

Question
QUESTION: Hi Catherine,
Your credentials are really why I have decided to drop you a line.
I have two Boxers 1 female 8yrs old, approx. 55lbs. and 1 male 2.5 years old and approx. 90lbs.
The male boxer has had loose and soft stools since he was 10 wks.  I have tried a number of dog foods i.e. Science Diet, Perforatin, Cosco brand and currently (for the last year) I am using Canidae (lamb and rice)
There has been no change in his stools. We arranged for a stool sample to be taken in last week and it was found to be Okay, no parasites were found.  I find the vets to be very non committal and suggested that boxers are prone to cholitis and maybe that's what he has.  However the female's stools are fine (sometimes soft) but tends to be loosing an abnormal amount of hair for this time of year.  Could this be something lacking in the food?  By the way the male appears to be shedding as well but not as much.
Another issue that I feel I should mention is that most of the year both dogs graze on grass and in the winter eat twigs,sticks etc., which would lead me to believe that there something lacking in their system.
In conclusion the following issues are in question:
1#  loose and soft stools
2)  shedding hair
3)  eating grass
4)  Canidea {lamb and rice)
I am approx. 1 1/2 hrs. outside of Toronto and I am restricted as to where I can purchase dog food.   (i.e. PetValu)  My hours are also restricted as to time available to home cook for the dogs.
Can you recommend or suggest a commercial brand of dog food that I can or should try?
Thanks for your help,
Gary

ANSWER: Hi Gary,

I looked over your questions here today, and what I'd like to see you try is the Fromm Duck and Sweet Potato food, from their excellent Four Star Line. There are other great foods so if this one doesn't work out we can try again, but Fromm has quality ingredients, moderate nutrient percentages and is readily available.  your male may just have a mild intolerance to something in the commercial food, or maybe mild IBD - a grainfree food can help, but the sensitivity can also be to a commonly used protein such as lamb, turkey, beef. I'd try the Duck and see how he does. AA home made diet is optimal, but I realize it's a big time and financial commitment - and you have far from exhausted your food options. Another thing to consider is supplementation; sometimes a good acidophilus (probiotic) helps firm the stool and sometimes, you can just add a Tbsp of canned plain pumpkin or a little very well cooked brown rice, for fiber.


Here's the Fromm food, have a look:
http://www.frommfamily.com/products-fs-d-d-duck.php

Some canned green ripe might be a helpful addition too, but I'd start with the new food, transition slowly and then try new things like acidophilus, tripe, and fish oil.

Is this food accessible for you? what do you think?
Very hard for me to do a full analysis just based on AllExperts, but I have lots of experience both with these symptoms and with your breed, so I can make an educated guess about what may help, and also suggest you consider joining my yahoogroup, you can ask questions, check in anytime and also avail yourself of my nutrition articles and links. Just a thought:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePossibleCanine-Nutrition/

All the best, Catherine






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

QUESTION: Thanks Catherine,
I am currently feeding a all natural commercial food (Canidae) which is grain free.  However, the stools tend to be very soft.  I have also tried Science Diet (Potatoe %26 Duck) and there was no change.  Actually the only thing that has worked in the past is metronidazole.  However, for obvious reasons, I don't like to have to depend on medication.
I am not familiar with canned green ripe? or a good acidophilus? Please elaborate.
Are you suggesting fish oil and will this help firm up the stools?
Thanks again,
Gary

ANSWER: Hi Gary,

Sorry to be confusing. I mean to say that increased fiber may be helpful, and that a grainfree food is not the best idea for loose stool.  I used Canidae for years with my own dogs, but when they changed the formula my senistive boy had immediate bowel reaction. I'm wary of them since the ingredient change. I think the Fromm has a formula that might be helpful, and if not we can look into others.
Once you've tried the food, assuming it is helpful - canned tripe, probiotics and salmon oil can help bolster health. But I'd start with the food, after all nutrition is the foundation of everything. I'm here if you need input after transitioning. Just go slowly and see how they do. I'm suspecting a higher fiber/lower protein may be just the ticket here.
I have very little to go on here,and would prefer to see these dogs on a home made diet, but if you prefer to stick with a dry food, I really think the Fromm is a good place to start.

All the best,
Catherine

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

QUESTION: Catherine, thanks again for your input.  I am actually in the process of weaning both dogs off Canidae and working in another dry food called Wellness. The protein content is a bit lower than Fromm and in saying that, I have also added a tablespoon of pumpkin for the first time.  There was actually a sign of improvement on tonights walk.  I don't want to get overly excited here but the new food with a combination of pumpkin may have helped?  I feed the dogs 2x per day am and pm do you suggest a tablespoon of pumpkin at each feeding or just once per day?
As I am still in the experimental stage I'll keep you posted.  Nevertheless, please Google "Wellness" and let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Gary

Answer
Hi Gary,

Great news! I'm pleased to hear there's been improvement already. I'd be fine with you adding a Tbsp per meal,and then if you want to wean that down to, say, 2 tsps a meal you can try that down the road as well. There is always some trial-and-error involved with adjusting fiber etc for the sensitive dog, so start with the Tbsp twice a day and then see how it goes.

I'm very familiar with the Wellness line, I did feed it myself years ago to two of my own dogs. When you say lower protein than the Fromm, Fromm is pretty moderate so I'm suspecting you are using the Sensitive Line? What I'm asking here is which formula you're feeding as Wellness has many - the regular foods, the CORE line, the Simple Solutions.
But great news so far! Just let me know which food you're using, and perhaps I can comment some on it for you.
All the best, Catherine