my 10 month old is on Acana large puppy and has had soft to runny stool off and on for about 1 month. the vet said put her on boiled lean ground beef, with rice for a few days and see if that firms her up, and if it does she need a bland food and she wants to put her on Hills ID = $120 for 30 lbs:eek: so I would like to find a good bland food @ a reasonable $. the vet said to move her to an adult food....and yes her stool has firmed up.

Can you get California Natural? One protein source, one carb source. Very simple :)

concur....CN Lamb is a bland diet in a bag...

I guess I'll give the 3rd vote for trying a California Natural formula as a fairly simple and bland food. For a 10 month old puppy, I'd try one of the CN puppy formulas that have a little more protein (26%) and fat (16%). To me it seems a puppy still needs good amounts of both for development.

I agree with the puppy formula. As a matter of fact, I'd probably continue it.

so you think I should keep her on puppy... and try the lamb CN, even though the vet said adult.... she is about 54lbs....thanks

so you think I should keep her on puppy... and try the lamb NC, even though the vet said adult.... she is about 54lbs....thanks
After four months old....my breeder said no to the puppy.. Why ? she believes they don't need that much energy....I did that with Satch..he's fine...

Here is the deal about protein... How is it absorbed by the gut ? You can have a non-meat protein of 30% that will not be as well utilized as 22 % protein...so how much should a puppy need ? If Labs didn't have joint issues and weight management issues breeders would not tell the owners to switch to Adult at four months .. 22 % protein in the Adult is almost totally from Lamb... will feeding the puppy formula hurt ? no.. you just increase your odds that by feeding a less potent diet the dog will not grow as fast or have growth spurts...

In another thread the RAW feeders mentioned that most Raw diets are I believe around 20 - 25 % protein...water making up to 80 % of the diet, along with 5-15 fat, you'll find that the super high protein kibble diets in the 42 % range make you really scratch your head....and understand bottled or filtered water is a great investment in the overall health of your dog...because using a dry kibble diet will mean more water will be consumed to meet their biological functions.

Wellness Simple Food Solutions, 1 Protein, 1 Carbohydrate. They offer it in Duck, Lamb, or Salmon. Should be priced somewhere between $50 and $60 for 30 lbs. I'm a big believer in their Super5Mix, it really made a difference in Stoli's digestive problems.

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_wellness_simple_food_solutions_index.html

I am not a big fan of Wellness's Simple Food Solutions because there's hardly any meat in them. I can't justify spending 60 bucks for a bag of rice.

ok so I went on to the CN website and they have a Lamb meal & rice large bites Adult and a lamb MEAL and rice puppy what do you think I should put her on??? I called 1 pet store ( the others are closed till tomorrow) and for a 30lbs $70 does that sound like alot??

ok so I went on to the CN website and they have a Lamb meal & rice large bites Adult and a lamb MEAL and rice puppy what do you think I should put her on??? I called 1 pet store ( the others are closed till tomorrow) and for a 30lbs $70 does that sound like alot??

I would go with the puppy formula as the fat and protein levels are a bit higher. Although it's labeled as "puppy", it's an ALS food.

so I switched her yesterday at dinner and last night no poo, and this morning too...... I guess I will wait it out, I dont think there is anything else that I can do. Iam sure she will be fine.

California Natural is a good bland food, you can also try Natural Balance (grain free).

You might be able to find it easier.

one other quick question, she is sheding like crazy too, could the old food be causing it? and do you think it will get better with the CN food???

one other quick question, she is sheding like crazy too, could the old food be causing it? and do you think it will get better with the CN food???


Cal Nat gives great coats... give it time...

The Acana Lamb & Rice, though I wouldn't classify as "bland", is known as a gentler food on the stomach. Just another potential option -- although like I said, not sure it would qualify entirely as bland...it's only one protein source so apparently it can be easier to take for those with tummy troubles.

just a quick update, its been a week since I made the switch to CN Lamb and rice, and she has responded great to it, she now has 2 poos a day and they are small and hard!!!:smile as for her sheading I hope to see a change soon.. is this food good to keep her on for the long term?? or do I change her to something else in a few months??
thanks

just a quick update, its been a week since I made the switch to CN Lamb and rice, and she has responded great to it, she now has 2 poos a day and they are small and hard!!!:smile as for her sheading I hope to see a change soon.. is this food good to keep her on for the long term?? or do I change her to something else in a few months??
thanks

CN lamb and rice is a very good choice...many dogs do excellent on it.

You can certainly keep her on this food long term...it is an all life stages food (where the Hill's Diets are not). I would not switch foods if you are seeing good results...and as uplander mentioned...you will see how beautiful her coat will get. It is also a good idea to brush her at least twice a week...this will help with the shedding.

Good luck to you!