My Belgian Shepherd cross has never had the most solid of bowel movements. Just over a month ago, we moved her to an entirely dry food diet, in the hope it would help. It made things 10x worse.
I've started adding some puppy meat back into her diet (not expecting any changes yet, as I know changes of diet can upset their tummies), but I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for what to feed her.
I expect some will recommend cooking her some chicken and rice, but I would just say I'm a life-long vegetarian and wouldn't have the foggiest idea how to cook chicken without poisoning someone!
She is part whippet, and I've met a whippet the same age as my pup who also had tummy issues. I've also met a one-year-old German Shepherd who has the same issues. Is it just a breed thing?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Food Recommendations for 6 Month Belgian Shepherd Cross
MyBabyIsAFurBaby · 07/09/2020 10:31
@moosemama That is great, thank you. I will definitely look into it. I will do what needs to be done; I just didn't want to make her more ill with my inability to cook meat 
Surprised to hear that about Paleo Ridge, as I’ve had it recommended to me a few times recently, but then again, I haven’t used it myself
To be fair to them, it was a few years ago so they may be better now but certainly at the time I was disappointed.
Another company I’ll recommend, my dog will sound so spoilt 
is a human food company called the Wild Meat Company.
They do whole animals, like whole squirrels, quail etc and mostly whole skinned versions like hares.
My dog refused to eat anything furred but she used to like small whole birds like pigeons.
She has a great time happily ripping all the feathers out...
They may have shot in them but as I only buy her meat from there very very occasionally as a treat and she’s quite a big dog I’ve never really worried about it too much.
I can't possibly reveal what non-existent helpful advice I might have without a picture which was the only reason I clicked on this
Borders I am just the same. Before we lost my other lad back in June we were spending hundreds every month on top quality human food for him, desperately trying to get him well. He ate better than we did during lockdown. Ironically, we then discovered the only food he could tolerate at all was blooming Chappie Original! Stomach issues resolved overnight once we started him on that. 
As for my remaining old boy, I daren’t even begin to tell you how spoiled he’s been since we lost his brother back in June. He deserves it though, he’s almost 15 and an absolute sweetheart, so it’s definitely his turn to be completely spoiled and have our undivided attention at this stage of his life.
As Veterinari said, if she hasn’t seen a vet about her digestive issues, obviously she needs to have that done before you start messing with her diet. One of our rescue pups had a nasty case of Campylobacter, which the rescue had completely missed, when he came to us. Everything he ate went straight through him and it took 10 weeks to sort it out.
Sort of a side comment: if you're worried about cooking for the 'chicken and rice' thing to help short-term tum issues, the small tins of Applaws or Encore food you can buy marked 'chicken in broth' are literally just that: shredded chicken breast and rice in their own broth.
It ain't cheap but in the short term it's handy (but won't help if your dog is allergic to chicken or rice, obviously).
I'm not vegetarian or vegan, just can't cook
@ChickensMightFly This is my beautiful baby. She hates having her picture taken though, so I hardly have any of her face
@MyBabyIsAFurBaby she’s beautiful. I have a thing for huge upright ears - and sighthounds and their crosses, so I was bound to love her on sight!
When we’ve had to do chicken and rice in the past, I’ve always bought boneless and just whacked it in the oven till the juices run clear and there’s no pinkness left. Probably overcooked it, but the dogs have never seemed to mind and I’d rather be safe than sorry.
These days we go for steamed white fish or salmon fillets, rather than chicken, as some dogs can be sensitive to chicken. Tescos do a decent quality bag of frozen white fish fillets pretty cheaply and we always keep a bag of those in the freezer just in case. When my boy was poorly earlier this year, for a while we just microwave steamed one of those fillets according to the instructions and added a microwave pouch of rice to that. Not the cheapest or most eco option, but quick and easy when you have sick dog that needs nursing 24/7.
@moosemama Thank you! Her ears are ridiculously large, and frequently meet in the middle so she looks like she is wearing a party hat
That is really helpful advice, thank you. Didn't even think about microwaveable alternatives! xx
[quote MyBabyIsAFurBaby]@ChickensMightFly This is my beautiful baby. She hates having her picture taken though, so I hardly have any of her face [/quote]
Deep joy! Thank you. 
That is one gorgeous dog - look at those ears and that nose! Love it. Miss my dog lots, I am getting vicarious enjoyment from others.
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