Change food? Again? Very Loose stools

[IchLiebeDeutscheSchaferhunde]

Would like your thoughts please.

Rescue GSD, owned for 4 months.
Arrived on a low protein chicken kibble, had good first poo, and then loose rest of time.

Vet recommended no chicken as common GSD intolerance - so slowly moved over to a 26% protein duck and salmon 'sensitive' kibble.

No real difference to begin with but now 2 months into full new food it is definitely worse. No nicely formed poo, but not diarrhea as such because no urgency, just goes on walks a normal amount - just very loose.

Vet prescribed probiotics, still no better, so now considering another food change.

Dog has been wormed, if anything probably worse since the worming - normally the poo doesn't smell offensive (been a little since the probiotic) and no blood not watery, last test sample showed no reason for it. (no history, but not likely to be an import dog)

I am his only source of food.

I don't wish to do raw (until we have tried other options)

Would love your thoughts.

How have I proved your point?

what a shame that some attitudes have ruined an interesting thread. eergh

@VanGoSunflowers
Sorry for delayed response. I had a day offline yesterday to mentally recharge.

As others have already said, puppies do eat more than adults. With a large or giant breed, they need a considerable amount more as pups but then it tails off during adolescence and slowly decreases to a maintenance level. My 16 month old is now self regulating her intake but not all pups do this.

The WILD kibble protein level is extremely high - I'm not an expert on gundogs but my giant breed girl is currently on around 26% protein - her large breed puppy food was 29%. If you feel you do need higher, there are other options if you shop around. Chicken can cause digestive issues in some dogs, again look around at other protein sources before making your choice. Duck appears to be more digestible than chicken or turkey, some people swear by salmon for their pups, ours do better on lamb.

Even if you don't go with Millies Wolfheart, there is a lot of good info on their website as to different protein sources and levels so it is worth a read.
Essentials is another good brand to look at. @tizwozliz started me on that one and Brie loves it. Again, high quality at around 30% protein.
@SpanielsGalore feeds Country Kibble which is the same as Austonley/HPR/Jollyes Lifestage as far as ingredients go. We fed our previous two dogs on this and have just started Brie on it also.
We generally feed lamb to our PMD.

There is a lot of trial and error before you get the right formula for your dog. Suffice to say, we have very well fed corvidae in our locale as we fed them unwanted kibble for weeks 😉

@businessflop25

You are correct to say that meat has to be frozen or cooked for dogs, in order to eliminate parasite risk, but fresh feeding can be used alongside a good kibble.

Our dogs have always had fresh meat, fruit, veg, pasta, bread, cheese, porridge, goats milk, alongside a kibble. I believe that a good quality kibble has its part to play, particularly in regard to dental health and bowel function.

I've come back to this thread and this post has really fucked me of @businessflop25

It is just so rude and judgemental - These threads make me really sad. If you’re not prepared to give your dogs a decent nutritional diet not processed crap then why have them?

We all do our best and if you think you can add to a topic, talk not try and shame.

But in brighter news, it appears that the lamb or the lower protein is better- all much more formed.

I've gone for the lifestage - I think I will continue on this and see if it continues to improve before adding anything else.

Fresh alpaca bones 😂😂😂

I think that is peak mumsnet

Hit a nerve have I?

No I just don't understand people that get a kick of short judgemental responses, like why are you here?

I love passion, there are many things I am passionate about but you don't win anyone over by the aggression you show. I feel sad for you if this is how you communicate.

You were the one who immediately judged me! Not the other way around thanks! And yes you did put my back up at that point!
You also made it very clear from your first post that you were not interested in what was actually best for your dog and how to support them nutritionally but wanted ideas of another highly processed food that might miraculously solve your dogs issues. I tried in vain to help and you instantly dismissed me!