California Natural Puppy C&R is giving Zeke HORRIBLE gas. 15 minutes ago he was farting NON STOP and the smell could clear a room. My gf told me he accidentally ate ground beef today that dropped on the floor before she could catch it he ate it up. But I don't think it's just the beef because he's had bad gas for the last couple of weeks since he's fully trainsoted from Iams to CN. Is this normal?

Zeke has only been on CN for about 2 weeks maybe I should give it another month before I decide to switch.

I'm disappointed because I heard such great things about CN and he gobbles it right up! Any other food suggestions?

Please don't give up on CN...you really need to give a new food at least 8 weeks or so for your pup to fully adjust and to know that the food is working.

Two weeks time is not enough.

Oh, I smell your pain. We changed to CN Lamb and Rice 2+ weeks ago. I made the same post, Melody (my sweetie) would blow you out of the room. It was unbelieveable and she sleeps on the floor at the head of my side of the bed. Was waiting for the smoke alarms to go off!
Hang in there, it gets better. We are in the third week now and there is a big improvement although she still can let them fly. Try using some probiotics mixed with the kibble. We use plain, no sugar, low fat yogurt, a spoonful at each meal. Not sure on how much for a smaller pup.
Hang in there, its a good kibble. Until then, may I suggest :painkiller:

We had the same issue. Started adding some plain yogurt to the food at each meal and now the house smells much better.

I would suggest also, make sure you aren't feeding too much. How is his stool?

The gut is just adjusting...blowing out the residue from the prior food...the gut lining needs good bacteria during food switches so it can grow the right flora...

and as others have mentioned plain no or low fat organic yogurt like Stoneyfield helps...just add a spoonful at each meal.

In a couple of weeks you'll have a new dog....you will love the results.

I'm not having this problem yet. I'm still switching Mugen over to Cal Nat from pro plan. It's been about a week and I give him 1/4 c cal nat to 3/4 pro plan for dinner and breakfast and for lunch he gets 1/2 c cal nat and 1/2 cup pro plan. I'm just sort of taking my time and slowly adding more cal nat... but um... Mugen has now started leaving the pro plan behind.

Dunno what I'm gonna do with the left over pro plan if he starts refusing it. It's not bagged so I don't think the shelter would take it.

Thanks for the helpful advice. Zeke wasn't having the bad gas when we were trainstiong him for 13 days.It was only until he was fully transitioned to cal nat that he started having bad gas.Zeke has firm and small stools. I will try adding some yogurt and wearing a gas mask like PopTop suggested :D . But I'm not giving up on Cal Nat just yet!

And if you find the chicken doesn't work (some dogs don't do well on chicken) after giving it enough time you could always try the CN lamb and rice. Charlie looks wonderful on it and he did not have any gas when transitioning.

Nancy

Agree with everyone...don't give up on the food. Kodie went though the gas stage, he's on CN Lamb+Rice. I took the advice of people on this great forum, added the yougurt and he's doing great. Also watch how much you're feeding & if you give him treats, watch how much he gets of those.
Good luck.

Just realize that by adding yogurt, your increasing the calcium level in an already high calcium puppy food...not something I'd personally do.

A spoonful of yogurt has very little Calcium..certainly not enough to worry about....and Cal Nat has the perfect ratio of 2 to 1 Cal to PH...as any "natural "dog food should have...

You can always buy a health food stores probiotic in the refrigerated section...but I find dogs love Yogurt and it is very healthy...and works just as good..JMO based on experience doing both..

Satch hasn't turned out too bad being fed Cal Nat Lamb for first yr.....and a 20 % ratio of EVO RF into the CN for near nine months and I get his blood tested and urine tested every six months to check......after 6 months of age the pup starts eliminating any excess Calcium he can't use...

We had the same issue when we switched to Acana. Absolutly terrible smelling gas. The worst part was that they were all "SBD" We never had the chance to move away before before we were treated to the smell. This went on for about 2 weeks. Now she only clears the room once every couple of weeks.

I can't comment on California Natural as I have never looked into it at all. Quality and price point is great on her current food, but it seems to come highly recomended on this site. I would stick it out another week before making any changes.

I don't know what to believe concerning the calcium issue. Does anyone know how too much calcium can negatively impact my pup?

I don't know what to believe concerning the calcium issue. Does anyone know how too much calcium can negatively impact my pup?


Most studies I have read, and my vet agrees, anything between 1-2% is allowable for puppies. I personally like to keep it under 1.5% but would move up to 1.8 if I had to.

My understanding is that too much calcium can lead to developmental bone disease (ostiochondrosis) I assume it is due to the fact that calcium builds bone. If a rapidly growing pup has too much calcium in their diet they cannot excreet it like a more mature dog can. Instead of only using what they need they use it all and are therefor at risk for abnormal growth.

I'm sure there is a much better explanation but this is my interpretation.

Calcium in the cal natural chicken/rice puppy is great and perfectly fine.

The lamb/rice puppy version is a tad higher and is one you can switch to after the puppy is 6mnths old.

Evo is a food only suitable for dogs AFTER they're full grown, i.e. 24mnths and up.

Innova adult is another good food suitable for all life stages as well.

I don't know what to believe concerning the calcium issue. Does anyone know how too much calcium can negatively impact my pup?

Cal Nat Lamb will not hurt your growing pup...My breeder has many years of feeding it with excellent results...... don't let the Calcium fanatics worry you....

Hip and joints are hereditary....injuries and overfeeding calories...Cal Nat is based on a lot of research and testing...just feed to the point where you can feel the dogs ribs, but not see them....

Calcium is not just used for bone growth..Every cell needs calcium to function...My breeder also suggests the use of Mega C Plus, a product from the creator of Cal Nat..Dr Belfield... Vit C helps build the glue..collagen, that keeps joints held tightly together in the sockets.Preventing slipping of the joint and arthritis. Some don't believe that...if you have a pup you are worried about developing Hip issues....Be safe and feed Innova Lg. Breed puppy.It is a more complex diet and not digested well by some pups...but if your dog can tolerate it feed that...It also has plenty of Vit C and would not need extra.

I appreciate the helpful information. I don't think the yogurt would be too much calcium for his diet so I'm going to use it.

Ask any vet who knows about nutrition and feeding dogs, it takes up to 3 months for a dog to get transitioned over sometimes to another type of food, especially going from a low quality food like Iams to Cal Nat...It's like going from eating Big Macs everyday to Filet Mignon...your system has to get used to the good stuff...

It's an adjustment period. CC does real well with CN C&R but, when I change her food and go back to it we go thru the gas period. It will stop. LOL>