Loose Stool/Too Thin

Mavis · Jan 1, 2015

Our new frenchie, Bambi, is too thin. The breeder said to feed her literally as much food as I could grab in a clenched fist. I measured this and it translated to less than a half a cup (twice a day). I think Bambi is too thin. I can feel her backbone and see her ribs when she is drinking. I increased her food yesterday to approx. 3/4 c. (twice a day). She now has loose stools and is low energy today. How do I put weight on her without upsetting her tummy? Is the solution to do this more gradually than I have been?

winginit66 · Jan 1, 2015

Hey again Mavis. How much does she weigh? If you are in the process of transitioning foods, this could be the cause of the loose stool. Also, I think I remember that you just brought her home within the last week. That could be an attributing factor. Even if she seems to be settling in well, there is still stress involved. You might try a spoonful of pumpkin. I have seen [MENTION=4]davidh[/MENTION] recommend that before. I also give ours a spoonful of yogurt once a day.

From a feeding perspective, ours are fed twice a day. I have cut their AM feeding back to almost nothing, just so they think they are getting something. At night, they get 1/2 cup of the home cooked and 1/2 cup dry kibble mixed in. My home cooked is either chicken or beef, with peas, carrots, black eyed peas, spinach, broccoli (not all, but a mix of several of them) and either rice or pasta. I know, that contradicts a grain-free diet, but knock on wood, we haven't had a problem.

Keep us posted.
Anne

MaplesMommy · Jan 1, 2015

It sounds like your pup is literally just a puppy(age wise). Puppies should eat at least 3x a day. Once adults they can be fed 2x or 1x a day.

What are you feeding exactly?

EDIT:
Sorry just seen your other post now. When you mentioned she just came from the breeder I thought she was a puppy. Sorry!!! An adult you can certainly feed 2x a day.

bullmama · Jan 1, 2015

If she's too thin it's best to slowly increase the food, and let her gradually gain the weight. Check out the puppy diarrhea article on the home page, these apply to adults too. Over feeding will not give a good weight gain bc they won't digest properly. Hope this helps!

davidh · Jan 1, 2015

I agree, slowly increase her food to 3/4 cup twice a day, and once she gains the weight you want her at, then you can cut back a little to maintain the weight, usually 1/2 cup twice a day. Also have you had her checked for parasites?

Mavis · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks, everyone. She pooped this morning and it was perfect! Never thought I would be so excited to find poop on the floor and to have it be a nice consistency! What a relief. (I know I don't have to explain myself, but we live in Western NY and although she will pee outside, she will not poop because of the snow and cold.) I will have to read the threads on nutrition and health in their entirety as there is a wealth of information. I am learning so much. These little ones are complex and I am learning don't always respond like a regular dog would.

The breeder gave us a good amount of Victor Grain Free. I will transition Bambi to Blue Buffalo Wilderness gradually. Breeder also said to give her a half a chicken leg, raw, (thigh one day and drumstick couple days later) twice a week. That is the other thing I have seen on this site and have to learn - that you all seem to supplement with a raw diet as well as kibble. Fascinating stuff - I look forward to learning more. These little bugs are so stinkin' cute!!! I call Bambi my Scooby Snack, Chicken Leg (when she stretches her hind leg out, Alien Baby, ET, etc. Bambi and our Doberman mix, Ginger, are perfect together.

Mavis · Jan 3, 2015

Hi winginit66, just curious why do you feed once a day? Obviously, that is not too much for their stomachs? What is their poop schedule? Their poops are solid? (duh, must be or else you wouldn't be doing it.):blush2: