Switch to raw...weight dropping too fast. Stools are huge. - Page 1

Hello.  I have just switched to raw 2 weeks ago (premade...expensive....just to see what changes to expect) and I am having problems.  Stool volume is large but not soft.  ie larger than on kibble or any human grade cooked food.  The dog has lost much too much weight and all ribs are starting to show.  If I feed more...stool volume increases and softens.   The dog has done well on kibbles like Origen or Timberwolf and has also done well on a COOKED premix called Urban Wolf. I feed 2x a day.

I have started to add digestive enzymes for the transition but don't know if that will help.

The dogs has also blown its coat and is itchy.  I do not know if that is so called "detox" or that was just a coincidence (I think she was blowing before the switch) but she looks positively naked and skinny now.

Any ideas or tips?

This is a commercially made RAW diet?  Which one? 

i'm curious too about the brand. i use nature's variety and have had no problems at all. stools are small and very firm. i went gradually.

I dont want to burst anyones bubble, but you should be buying your own meat , liver, brain, chicken, gizzards, and wings, backs, and feeding the dog from your kitchen. Follow Dean Calderons diet or someone who uses the real things. I would never buy a raw meat diet food from anyone.

Part of the raw meat feeding is knowing how and where and when the meat is cut , frozen and fed , by you , no one else.

Eggs, oils, ester c and vit e oils , etc , with salmon are things added to your meat. Find a plan and go for it. Never heard of huge stools. You must have somekind of enhancer or preservative involved here., unbesnongst to you.

I agree, something is not right. Some dogs do detox but the huge stool and rapid weight loss are weird. Dogs generally will look to do a shape - shift has they loose the carb fat and put on lean muscle, but they don't get skinny or pass huge stool.

if the stools are huge, you may be feeding her too much to begin with. 

what digestive enzymes are you using?

how much are you feeding?

which premade raw brand is it?

there is a period of detox, it can last from a week or two to a couple months.  it's different with every dog.  some dogs might get funky goop in their eyes, some might shed, some might start passing gas.

not sure about the weight loss.  how much did she weigh before raw, and how much does she weigh now? 

Here is the guaranteed analysis:

http://www.auntjeni.com/guarante.htm

she is on the chicken formula right now.

This is the sister company in Cnada with some more info:

http://www.pets4life.com/index.php?p=about/different

kmact

            If I was you I would go back to Urban Wolf.   www.urbanwolf.cc   it is basically a BARF diet where you just add your own raw meat and fish oil.   This is an excellant diet it really is pretty hard to get better than  this but it is really expensive.  So if your dog does well on this you probably should stay with it as you put fresh raw meat in it not some pre packaged stuff.

In my opinion if you are using fresh raw meat with your Urban Wolf what you are now feeding your dog now is a downgrade.     Do your dog a favor and go back to the Urban Wolf.  They are smarter than we give them credit for and know what they like and what is better for them.

It is perfectly fine to feed a commercially prepared raw diet... if I had to do all the prep required to feed my 6 plus litters.... they would be hungry a lot!!

I am a distributor for Oma's Pride and have visted the plant... They use antibiotic and hormone free meat sources and all their products are human grade as a re most companies that market prepared raw foods.. I have a large base of customers who feel the same way.....

Digestive enzymes should help but you also need to be sure you are feeding enough and in the proper  proportions.. for instance all my dogs get raw meaty bones in the am.. duck or turkey necks, chicken backs, etc......

This is what balances out the stool and its consistency

An adult dog should eat 2 - 5% of their "ideal" weight for the day... it is normal to see some weight loss and change in haircoat when changing any food..plus blowing coiat.. doesn't always have us looking our best either.. this could get very long.. do you want to post me off list at kiahaus@aol.com?

Before that, I would ask what method you are feeding?? Where did you research?

Feel free to email me.. I would be glad to help

kmaot,

how much do you feed?  what kind of excersize does your dog get?  what was her weight and what is it now?