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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Is Fromm not agreeing with puppy?

    So we switched our 15 week old puppy from Iams LB Puppy over to Fromm LB Puppy Gold. We did the switch over 3 weeks and slowly. Looking back, I would've waited until he was older, but I can't go back now. For the first few days of the switch, he had very watery stool. Since then, we've added in pumpkin with each meal and his stools seem mostly normal - slightly soft. He still goes 4-5 times a day. However, he has terrible gas. He was never gassy on Iams. We have not gotten off of the pumpkin yet, so I do not know if his stools will stay formed once we stop giving it. But, I do plan to stop in the next few days, so hopefully they will remain okay. He does get a daily probiotic. Aside from the gas, fairly frequent poops, he seems fine (possibly slightly itchy/dandruffy). Is Fromm not agreeing with him? Do I give it more time? If so, how long? I do not want to get on the food rollercoaster and I don't want to switch things up for him again, but the gas is just terrible. He is being fed the recommended amount for his age/weight, if not slightly less. Any thoughts?

  2. #2
    House Broken sarah's Avatar
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    We finally had to take our pup off Fromm due to the same issue. We had over four weeks of either super soft stool or straight up diarrhea. We also tried probiotics, adding rice, a tablespoon of pumpking now and then, nothing worked to firm it up. We even got meds from the vet that didn't help. We went on vacation for a week and during that time, gave him plain chicken and rice for several days and his stool improved considerably so we decided it was the Fromm. We are currently changing him over to Orijen and it's too early to tell if that is going to be better (but his farts right now will burn your nosehairs OMG). We too debated long and hard over switching him again but after talking to a lot of dog people and seeing his stool improve on the chicken immediately, we decided we needed to change. If the Orijen does the same thing, I don't know what we'll switch him to. Maybe kibbles n bits since it seems the really expensive food doesn't work (kidding of course).

    I've heard at least a few people say that the Fromm was too rich for their dog but you'll have to decide if that's your issue as well.

    Good luck, we know how you feel!

  3. #3
    Senior Dog ZoeysMommy's Avatar
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    Fromm doesnt work at all for any of my adult dogs either.

  4. #4
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    Thanks everyone. I really don't want to get into the changing food game, but these farts are crazy. I really wanted to have Fromm work, because I really like the company, but I'm not enjoying these digestive issues....

  5. #5
    House Broken LuckyLuna's Avatar
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    First of all, I would not worry about the number of stools per day: 4-5 is in the normal range for a young puppy. Also, he is at the stage where some puppy dandruff is not uncommon.

    Puppies often get parasites; so I'm assuming you've checked that out and it is not a problem.

    Now you're left with the slightly soft stool and some gas. Before switching foods again, I'd consider the following:

    How much plain canned pumpkin are you adding to the meals? While a little can help firm up a stool, a bit too much can have the opposite effect. I'd try cutting back on the pumpkin.

    How much are you actually feeding in a day? Again, a bit too much can cause soft stools.

    It's your decision of course, but I'd give it another week. Continue giving the probiotic, cut back on pumpkin and recheck the amount you are feeding. All that said, the Fromm's formulas are very busy with many ingredients. Your dog may have an intolerance to the oatmeal or barley. Ultimately, you may need to find a more simple formula.

    Something to check out in the future if needed is NutriSource Large Breed Puppy. It is made in the Midewest by a very reputable company and the inclusion of rice may help your dog.

    Large Breed Puppy Chicken and Rice Formula Dog Food
    Last edited by LuckyLuna; 07-03-2014 at 05:45 PM. Reason: more info

  6. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to LuckyLuna For This Useful Post:

    sarah (07-03-2014), sdb421 (07-03-2014)

  7. #6
    Puppy
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    Thanks LuckyLuna. He had a rough start with parasites in his first few weeks home but since then, he's had 3 clear stool samples and will go for another next week. He's also on a monthy Sentinel at this point, so I'm hoping he's still clear. We are giving about 1.5 tsp of pumpkin per feeding, but I do want to cut back on that and get off of using it soon. And he's eating about 3.5 cups a day based on his last weight from 3 weeks ago, so I'm assuming we are actually on the low side of what we should be feeding. I plan to stick with Fromm until we at least finish this bag and see how it works out. Thank you for the recommendation for NutriSource. If it turns out that the Fromm just doesn't work, then we will give it a try! But man, this gas is really strong! My kitchen (where his crate and pen are) constantly smell like there is a pile of dog poop hidden somewhere!!! Yikes!

  8. #7
    House Broken KLR625's Avatar
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    I had the same problem with Murphy early on, so gassy, not a great appetite and loose stools. He ended up having worms and that was after 3 dewormings by his breeder during the 8 weeks she had him. Once we dewormed him the gas went away, stools became formed and firm and he loves his Fromm's Puppy Gold. He's been on it for 2-1/2 months since then with no problem. You might want to check for parasites, just a thought. Oh, and his coat is absolutely beautiful, nice thick and shiny, no flakes! Also how much are you feeding him? Too much will also cause loose stools from what I understand. Good luck.

  9. #8
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Remember, just because you want a dog to do well on a particular food doesn't make that the right food for your puppy. I don't believe in changing a puppy until after teething unless the dog is on utter crap food, which Iams is not. And I don't believe in having to add pumpkin at this early in the game if the dog food is working for the puppy. If it were MY dog, it would be back on Iams. Actually probably Pro Plan until after teething. Then when you have an adult, you can play with the food.

  10. #9
    Senior Dog classiq's Avatar
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    Same here. Fromm just isn't the food for Mac. Have switched to pro plan.
    Kathy--mom to:
    Mac--chocolate lab
    Scotty--Arabian gelding


    No philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses.
    (Herman Melville Redburn)

  11. #10
    Senior Dog
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    Can't speak regarding dog food, will be going with the recommendation of the breeder and will look to her direction when changing to adult, but know after raising rabbits, how critical a healthy gut flora is and keeping it even keel through the change, started by the breeder, to adulthood. Not only bones and teeth, but digestive system still learning and maturing.

    Don't care what food, but definitely stick with the puppy food until at least after pup gets adult teeth. You mess up a rabbit's digestive system, and you can pay for it, with illness and sensitivity the rest of this animal's life.

    Hoping all settles down soon for your pup. Had a rough start.

    KAZ

 



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