Ben-Awful Part III

Question
QUESTION: Hi Patti,
I couldnt do a follow up question because I had hit my limit for that post. Anyway, I just want to say thank you. You have been a tremendous help for me. My chihuahua is currently on Nature's REcipe and successfully off Beneful. No more soft stool :D

However...she is going more often. She is probgably going once at 7am, once around 3 or 4pm , and then once more right before bed. Is that normal for a chihuahua? SHe used to go only twice a day. Also, shes urinating so often and in big puddles. Im constantly filling her bowl with water like you said. I used to limit how much food and water to give her but now I give her more since reading your advice. I give her two handfuls of Nature's REcipe (the box said more). And I make sure her bowl is always full. Should I continue with this?

Hanna

ANSWER:
Hi Hanna,

Good to hear that your dog is doing well on her new diet.

Her "increased output" may be due to the fact the Nature's Recipe is more nutritionally dense than her old food. Are you sure you are feeding her the correct amount? Being a nutritionally dense diet, usually means the dog requires less food, than when a dog is fed a less dense diet. You should check the feeding guidelines on the package to confirm that you haven't been over-feeding your dog. Depending on which Nature's Recipe diet you're using and your dog's weight, the amount of food recommended to feed might be as little as 1/4 cup a day.

The increased frequency of urination, and the fact she's drinking excessively means you should have her examined by your vet. It could just be a coincidence that this problem seems to have started when you changed diets, but it shouldn't be ignored.

I hope that helps!

Regards,
Patti

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

QUESTION: Okay...I'm probably not following directions on the bag correctly. I have the tendency to not read or listen to directions. I just thought the pebbles are so small, she probably want MORE. I'll read over the instructions again.

Her puddles are huge. I have no explanation for that. But it is probably the new diet. I am taking her to the vet this Saturday for blood work, phenal blood work for her epilepsy. I'll be sure to ask the vet when I am there.

I'll continue to keep you posted unti you tell me to stop of course :D

Thanks again Patti !
Happy Thursday!

ANSWER:
Hi Hanna,

I have to disagree, solid food wouldn't cause excessive urination, like you're seeing.

The only way to know what's going on is to have your dog examined by your vet. Not treating a condition like Kidney disease can be dangerous. Hopefully, that isn't the problem, but you can't know until your dog is tested.

I didn't know your dog has a seizure disorder. Is she on Phenobarbital, and is she new to this medication, or has recently had a dose adjustment? That can cause excessive thirst, which leads to excessive urination.


I'm glad you're seeing the vet soon!

Let me know how it goes!
Patti

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

QUESTION: Hi Patti,

I looked at the serving. 3/4 cup. Thats 2 of my handfuls. I am feeding her the right amount. I am hoping that she will have less output after she gets used to the food. 3 times a day is too much isnt it?

Shes on Phenobarbital and has been on it for the last 7 years. SHe was diagnosed when she was 1 or so. Shes had alot of issues. Im glad I rescued her from a bad place. It was fleas , then parvo, then rat poisoning, then epilepsy...just endless. But its been worth the journey. She's a happy energetic dog. I will ask the vet this Saturday about why shes being urinating big puddles so often. Maybe shes not used to having a full bowl of water all the time and abusing it....


Hanna

Answer

Hi Hanna,

The number of bowel movements a dog has a day depends on the individual dog, and the diet it receives. One of my dogs has three (sometimes four!) movements a day, another has two on average, and my other has one a day.

As long as your dog isn't having loose stools or diarrhea, and is able to "hold it" until she's walked,  she's in good shape. The change in frequency may be due to the change of diet. It may "level off", I really can't say. She probably doesn't need any added fiber, in the form of fruits or veggies, though.

As far as water goes, your dog should always have clean water available, even after her current excessive drinking problem has been resolved. Dogs do not abuse drinking water, there is a reason for her excessive water consumption, it may require blood tests to find out that reason.

Good luck at the vet,
Patti