Too much poop and too skinny on raw food?

[SomeSuchThing]

We have two nearly two year old cockapoos, a boy and a girl. They've both had good quality raw food (Luna & Me) for every meal since they were puppies and love it (with very few treats, mostly things like carrot etc.).

They eat a large bowl of the raw food in the morning and they are walked around 4 miles every day.

The girl is slim but a healthy weight. The boy is very skinny and poos a lot - probably 7-8 times a day, compared to twice for the girl. We've upped his food but his weight doesn't seem to change, and he always seems hungry. He takes a monthly worming tablet.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do?

Speak to the manufacturer about other options- he’s likely intolerant of one of the ingredients. They should be able to offer an alternative.

If you need to, you an do a kind of elimination diet, for a short period.
give him one protein at a time, see how he gets on.
people usually start with chicken, then introduce beef or pork etc.

You are aiming for 10% bone, so chicken is a good start, adding in minced beef after a couple of weeks. Beat to research that though- I’m going by memory.

He's probably allergic or intolerant to something in his food - raw isn't suitable for all dogs unfortunately.

Have you tried an elimination diet?

What brand are they on? Not all raw food is equal in terms of quality

Thank you everyone. He's on Luna and Me raw food, we get a variety pack so some days chicken, turkey, duck or beef, and I think it has vegetables in it too.

I have spoken to them about the issue and their 'in-house nutritionist' is going to get back to me with some advice. They also do a range of single protein foods and vegetable free foods etc., but will try an elimination diet in the meantime.

Does anyone know how long an elimination diet would take to see results? Days, weeks etc.? And any advice on what to eliminate first/the most likely culprit please?

It’s not a brand I know, but chicken and turkey seem to be the biggest allergens for dogs. Does he have any other symptoms like itching or licking his paws?

No, no other symptoms, he's a healthy bouncy dog otherwise. Thank you for the advice though, will cut out poultry first.

Luna and Me has a high percentage of liver if the dogs eat the food every day. Liver can cause loose stools in a lot/many of dogs.

I would move to another raw food brand with less ingredients in it for a while and just have meat and bones with non of the other added ingredients of Luna and Me.

Add in liver maybe once a week to start with

What does your vet say?

Also, while pet food is regulated in the uk, there is an additional standard which some manufacturers choose to adhere to. This can be seen here https://www.ukpetfood.org/membership/members-of-ukpetfood.html

Luna and me don't appear to be in this list.

Also, is worth nothing that there is little to no scientific evidence that raw food is any more beneficial than any other type of quality dog food, so don't be frightened to try something else as long as you transition gradually to give digestion a chance to adjust.

Pooing 7-8 times a day and being underweight needs a vet check.
Normal for dogs is 1-3 times a day so he far exceeds this.

By sounds to much protein and vegetables in it and not enough bone

I raw feed and dog poos on average once a day and they are smaller than next doors little dog (I have a lab ) and firm

Two chicken wings for breakfast and then use a prepared raw feed from Conmpany in Wales called Rawtogo obviously may not suit your dog .We trued Bella and Duke fit a change recently and did not agree with ny boy

I use a local pre-made raw firm, after having done it DIY for years. Dog likes it.

My dog went from loose and frequent on normal dog food, to fine on raw chicken, in a matter of days. Then we just adjusted the bone content on a day by day basis according to need, and added in the variety and organs keeping an eye on the consequences.

I think I’d wait for the nutritionist though- at least a few days.

Weight loss and constant pooing needs checking with a vet.

Spaniels are working dogs and many need some carbs in their diet to keep their weight heathy.

My dogs stomach issues sorted themselves out when I added in Lifestage biscuits from Jollies pet food chain.