We've had our 9mo boy Huxley for almost a month now and one of the first things we did was switch him from the food his previous owners were feeding him to Orijen LBP. It took almost 2 weeks to switch completely, and now he has finished his first bag of Orijen. It's hard to find around here, and I'm not sure it's agreeing with him. He seems to LOVE it, but his stools are still soft and plentiful, not to mention very strong smelling. He stinks up the whole back yard when he goes! I'm thinking of trying something new, but not sure what. I read and read this forum, but I'm a bit overwhelmed. It seems folks really like California Natural, and I can get it easily here, so I was considering that. One thing about the Orijen is it has several different protein sources. Would switching to something with just one source possibly help? I'm not sure which way to go. Another I was considering before we tried Orijen was Solid Gold. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Are you sure you are not feeding too much of the Orijen? Over feeding can cause loose stools. Did you compare the calories per cup of the Orijen to the old food when switching?

Cal Nat. is a great food but IMO 21% protein in the adult formula is not enough for a growing Lab (or a senior).

If you think you may be over feeding the Orijen and cutting back helps - why not order it on line if its hard to get in your area?

I think we're feeding the correct amount. We compared calories with the old stuff when we switched. We're feeding 2 cups a day, plus around another 1/4-1/2 cup or so throughout the day I use for training and playing. So about 2 1/4-2 1/2 cups of kibble a day. I'd hate to cut him back any more than what he's at now. His weight has been fine. He's gained about 3 or 4 pounds since we got him, but he's getting MUCh more exercise and looks healthier. 21% protein might be a bit too low I suppose. Any other thoughts or recommendations? Thanks!

Maybe a grain free with a little less protein and fat would benefit your dog's stools.

What about Acana - made by same company that makes Orijen. I know the protein is lower but not sure on the fat.

It could be that Orijen just does not agree with your dog.

www.championpetfoods.com

I just switched my boys to Taste of the Wild Salmon. It's grain free. Not sure how available it would be for you, but it's a good food and not SUPER expensive. The boys' poop is nice and firm, and doesn't really have an odor at all.

After doing a little more reading on the board, I think I'll rotate the main ingredient TOTW (so next time, I'll try the Bison I think) as I heard that feeding salmon/fish too often can cause increased mercury levels.

Good luck! The hunt for a good, affordable food is a tough one, and can cause intense debate :)

Or, since the CN is readily available, consider the Puppy Formulas - either chicken or lamb - higher in protein, and an All Life Stages food and can be fed to a dog of any age.

I'd have to agree that the California Natural PUPPY formulas that have the protein and fat a growing dog needs is an option. Also the Acana grain-free (I've had good success with the Acana Prairie Harvest) with 34% protein and 17% fat is a good option to try if you're trying to keep the carb levels on the lower side, but not quite as low as Orijen. Also, the 3.5% fiber in the Acana might be helpful.

How was he doing before the Orijen LBP? Some dogs don't do well on grain free foods.

Wow, thanks for all the input! On his old food his stool was, um...plentiful. It didn't have the horrific odor though. I like the CN puppy as an option, or possibly the Acana. I had looked at the TOTW stuff before and was interested. I'm going to head to the pet food store later today, so I'll double check and see what all they carry. I'm pretty sure they carry all of them as they have a good selection.

Thanks again for the help. We decided to try the Acana praire harvest. I like the grain free, and it's still high protein but not so much as Orijen. Plus there are other flavors of Acana we can rotate him on if this works out. Hope he does well on it!

zen went from orijen puppy to orijen regular and was doing great, but he slowly started to get more and more gassy, and lost interest in eating from time to time

we suspected it may have been building up an intolerance to chicken

Orijen red has not been made available locally yet, and when it is I was told it was going to be over $90 for the 30lb bag, which is insance

we switched over the last month or so to evo red, and he loves it, and is doing great
his poops are small and even firmer then when on the orijen

for now we have a winner!

zen went from orijen puppy to orijen regular and was doing great, but he slowly started to get more and more gassy, and lost interest in eating from time to time

we suspected it may have been building up an intolerance to chicken

Orijen red has not been made available locally yet, and when it is I was told it was going to be over $90 for the 30lb bag, which is insance

we switched over the last month or so to evo red, and he loves it, and is doing great
his poops are small and even firmer then when on the orijen

for now we have a winner!


OOPS, just noticed you are already feeding EVO RED

$3.00 a lb. for dog food IS insane.

Have you checked the price of EVO Red?

Others on here who feed it say it is a great food.

Here is the link to EVO RED:

http://www.evopet.com/products/default.asp?id=1490

42% protein

22% fat

The fat content is a little high, but still reasonable.

527 k/cals per cup

Crude Protein (min) 42 % Crude Fat (min) 22 % Crude Fiber (max) 2.5 % Moisture (max) 10 % Linoleic Acid (Omega-6 Fatty Acid) (min) 1.2 % Carbohydrates NFE (max) 15 % Vitamin E (min) 300 IU/kg Vitamin C (min) 500 mg/kg Omega-3 Fatty Acids (min) 0.4 % Docosahexaenoic Acid (min) 0.1 % Total Microorganisms (min) 90,000,000
CFU/lb

EVO has come out with a Herring and Salmon formula.....only 18% fat and protein still at 42%.

I hate to hijack this thread, but I think our issue is the same.

We are feeding Orijen LBP and the poos are massive. They started firm, then get soft and then runny each time he poos. That was when we were feeding 1cup morning and 1cup evening. We have had our now 13wk puppy on the OLBP for over 2wks and for the last week cut him back to 1/2cup 3x per day and this poos are still soft. We are thinking about switching him to something else. Someone recommended Petcurean "Now!" Grain free, but it seems to be more veggies than meat, but it is 28% protein. We are thinking about either Innova or Blue Buffalo....We just want solid poos!.... Help!!! Thanks!

Acana is a great food. I have had huge success with it. My pups poos were loose too and cutting back by as little as 1/4 a cup can make a huge difference.

Hijack away, it's relevant! I'll let you know if Acana works for Huxley. I think OLBP was just too rich for him. Good Luck!

What do the food specialist here think about this:

http://www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=179

http://www.petcurean.com/files/Image/Now%20Pup%201%20lb(1).jpg

Calorie Content: ME (Calculated) = 4000 kcals/kg or 440 kcals / 250 ml (8 oz) cup

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

Crude Protein (min) 28%
Crude Fat (min) 18%
Crude Fiber (max) 3%
Moisture (max) 10%
Calcium (min) 1.2%
Phosphorus (min) .8%
*Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min) 2.8%
*Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min) .56%

INGREDIENTS

De-boned turkey, potato flour, pea, potato, whole dried egg, pea fibre, tomato, apple,
flaxseed, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), natural
flavor, coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of vitamin E), salmon, de-boned duck, sun-dried alfalfa, carrots, pumpkin, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, papaya, pineapple, grapefruit, lentil beans, broccoli, spinach, cottage cheese, alfalfa sprouts, dried kelp, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, lecithin, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, dried seaweed meal, Vitamins: (vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin, inositol, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, beta-carotene, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), Minerals: (zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), taurine, DL methionine, L-Lysine, chicory root extract, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, yeast extract, yucca schidigera extract, marigold extract, garlic powder,L-carnitine, dried rosemary

I wanted to give an update on Walter. We have been feeding 1/2cup 3x/day of the OLBP and have added in 1/4cup of Pearled Barley for the last few days. This has firmed up his poos like a dream. I just wonder if the extra effort is worth it to make the Barley once a week in bulk and keep in the fridge or just switch to another food. Unfortunately, the first bag of OLBP we bought was the 30lb and we are almost half way through it, so we probably have another ~3+wks to go before it runs out.

I wanted to give an update on Walter. We have been feeding 1/2cup 3x/day of the OLBP and have added in 1/4cup of Pearled Barley for the last few days. This has firmed up his poos like a dream. I just wonder if the extra effort is worth it to make the Barley once a week in bulk and keep in the fridge or just switch to another food. Unfortunately, the first bag of OLBP we bought was the 30lb and we are almost half way through it, so we probably have another ~3+wks to go before it runs out.

I'd be curious if you would see the same improvement by adding a good-sized spoonful of plain canned pumpkin to each feeding.

I'd be curious if you would see the same improvement by adding a good-sized spoonful of plain canned pumpkin to each feeding.

We have read, heard, and been told that pumpkin can also act as a laxative and cause even more loose stools.

We have read, heard, and been told that pumpkin can also act as a laxative and cause even more loose stools.

It is all dependent on the amount given. I think many of us on the board have given roughly a heaping tablespoon with a meal which has helped firm up a stool. Giving something like half a cup could easily lead to diarrhea.

It is all dependent on the amount given. I think many of us on the board have given roughly a heaping tablespoon with a meal which has helped firm up a stool. Giving something like half a cup could easily lead to diarrhea.

ahhh. okay... either way, I'd prefer to find the best kibble possible without having to add anything other than warm water to moisten it. I guess I am lazy, heh. :cool:

No you are not lazy. IMO if you have to add something to the food daily to maintain firm stools than this food is not right for your pup/dog. Provided parasites/worms have been ruled out.

ahhh. okay... either way, I'd prefer to find the best kibble possible without having to add anything other than warm water to moisten it. I guess I am lazy, heh. :cool:

I agree that you want to feed something long term that doesn't need tweaking to make things OK. I mainly suggested the pumpkin because you said you had just opened a large bag that you were hoping to use up.

yeah, right now the barley is working, we'd hate to try something else. we'll probably stick with it for a few more weeks until the bag is finished. thanks again!!! :)

Has the dog had a fecal done recently? Maxwell was having a problem summer before last... plentiful, soft poops that stunk up the whole yard... I was quick to blame his food, but it turned out he had Giardia.

yes, he had a fecal done at 9.5weeks(3wks ago) and it was normal. his stools were soft then. For the last week, adding a little barley has made "dream poops".

yes, he had a fecal done at 9.5weeks(3wks ago) and it was normal. his stools were soft then. For the last week, adding a little barley has made "dream poops".

I think you want to feed a grain free food but it sounds like your dog does better with some grains in his diet. The food that you asked about has a couple of ingredients, the potato and duck, that can cause undesirable stools in some dogs. Have you considered Innova? It has barley in it, a moderate protein and a little less fat which could help in your situation. What brand of barley are you using?

Puppies are like new born babies...Starting them on a food like Orijen is not going to work for a lot of dogs...and most manufacturers do not recommend feeding grain free to puppies of larger breeds until 1 yr. old...Orijen is the only company pushing this idea ...

What many don't understand is that these diets will promote rapid growth ...unless you are very able to cut back on amount fed....These diets have no fillers....while Orijen LBP has acceptable Calcium levels....it is a risky feed to be using unless your pup comes from well known lines free of hip and elbow issues.

My dog was raised on Cal Nat and turned out nice I think...His uncle..The little black pup is eating Fromm Family Puppy Gold ( REG) and I've never seen such a nice coat and small stools...

I think you want to feed a grain free food but it sounds like your dog does better with some grains in his diet. The food that you asked about has a couple of ingredients, the potato and duck, that can cause undesirable stools in some dogs. Have you considered Innova? It has barley in it, a moderate protein and a little less fat which could help in your situation. What brand of barley are you using?

The rep at the pet store gave us two 1lb free bags of the now! puppy. We have been using it as training treats during the day to decrease his protein intake. We plan to switch from OLBP to Innova Puppy as soon as the current bag runs out. We are using Publix barley. Publix is a grocery store in Florida and it is their generic barley that we eat ourselves. We picked up some of the Innova small healthbar treats yesterday, they seem so much better than the other treats out there.

Puppies are like new born babies...Starting them on a food like Orijen is not going to work for a lot of dogs...and most manufacturers do not recommend feeding grain free to puppies of larger breeds until 1 yr. old...Orijen is the only company pushing this idea ...

What many don't understand is that these diets will promote rapid growth ...unless you are very able to cut back on amount fed....These diets have no fillers....while Orijen LBP has acceptable Calcium levels....it is a risky feed to be using unless your pup comes from well known lines free of hip and elbow issues.

My dog was raised on Cal Nat and turned out nice I think...His uncle..The little black pup is eating Fromm Family Puppy Gold ( REG) and I've never seen such a nice coat and small stools...

Our pup comes from a multi-generation line of OFA registered dogs that I have searched. Even cutting back to 1/2cup 3x/day, his stools were soft and we didn't think he was getting enough nutrients. He is doing so much better with the added barley.

My Bailey has the same problem with Orijen LBP... his coat looks good but he is too thin and problems with soft poo and diarrhea. When I first got him at 10 weeks the breeder had him on Eukanuba LBP. I switched him to Innova LBP and he did OK. Poops were really stinky but nice and firm. The problem with the Innova was GAS, lots of it. So I switched him to Orijen LBP at 16 weeks and he has never had good poop with it. I have to feed him much less than the recommended amount and add yogurt, pumpkin and rice just to maintain soft poo and he is a bit too thin.

I just picked up a bag of Acana Wild Prairie. I'm hoping that the lower protein and higher fiber will be the middle ground between the Orijen and Innova.

we picked up a small bag of Innova regular puppy (not LB) today and will start mixing it in to his training treats to get him used to it. If all goes well, we will transition his meals probably next week or so. we will respond back with updates as we have them. thanks all!!!

I wanted to post an update on Bailey. After just a couple of weeks of 50/50 mix of Orijen LBP and Acana Wild Prairie, Bailey final has normal stool for the first time in 2 months. Yahoo!! As soon as he finishes the Orijen this week, he will only get the Acana. Hopefully, he will gain some weight since he has become somewhat on the thinner side over the last month.

I wanted to post an update on Walter. We finally finished up the 500lb bag of OLBP over the week after thanksgiving. We are on day three/four of pure Innova Reg Puppy and his stool now looks better than it has ever looked in the last two months that we have had him. They look like my old dog's stool when he ate Iams a few years ago. They are small and solid like tootsie rolls!!! We are feeding 3/4cup 3x a day and also using a few handfulls for training throughout the day and a few Healthbars with cheese in a kong for busy time.