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90 Posts
As a starting point I need to share this: We had 3 dogs, 4 cats, and parakeets at one point. 1 cat had to be PTS at 10.5 years due to a stroke that left her paralyzed. The rest of them we had to find good homes for due to us being moved from the house we own in Georgia to an apartment in Alabama. We couldn't bring them with us for a couple reasons: 1) We couldn't have more than 2, 2) There wasn't a place in the apartment for a litter box where it could be out from underfoot and 3) Our dogs were medium sized dogs (25-35lbs) that we didn't think would be happy in an apartment situation (no yard to play in ... they were used to being outside whenever they wanted to be out there). So, we had to make the hardest decision ever... find homes for them. We never, ever got any of our pets with the intentions of getting rid of them. They were like our children. Our Cavalier King Charles was 10 and he was blessed with a wonderful, wonderful couple until he passed away a year after we saw him last. Our Eskimo Spitz went to a family in Savannah and our cats all went to great homes as well (we made certain of that!!!!). When we were talking about getting a small dog (specifically a Chihuahua that wouldn't be over 3.5/4 pounds) we discussed how much we regretting not bringing the Cavalier and our Persian with us but we also discussed how blessed we (and they) were to get great homes and that we couldn't go backwards only forward. So - that is how we ended up with Minnie Mae. I live with the guilt everyday of finding homes for our pets and I feel like I have betrayed them in getting sweet Minnie Mae, but that can't be helped. (we got all of our pets as puppies/kittens so they only lived with us before we moved)
I said all that because I thought it was important to know that I do have experience with dogs and cats (and various other animals). This food issue is frustrating me because I haven't had this problem before in the entire 10.5-11 years we had our previous pets.
She was on Royal Canin but when the vet told us to take her off and give her the Science Diet Rx canned for a week her runs stopped. We then decided to since that was the ONLY thing we hadn't changed in the month we had her that it must have been the food. Especially since she didn't have any other health issues. (even the vet is thinking diet at this point) So we decided to switch her to something healthier and bought the Nature's Balance Small Bites Ultra. I have been mixing it with the Rx canned as the vet said to do when I got near the bottom (he doesn't want to give her Rx food forever!) and now she is having loose poos again.
I have a couple questions at this point:
1) Could her loose stools at the moment be her body adjusting to the new kibble?
2) She is only getting 1/8 cup kibble and between 1/8-1/4 can wet food split between 3 meals a day...is she 'eating too much'?
3) Some places (including the breeder) say to leave dry kibble out at all times yet other places (including the vet) say to only feed her twice a day. Which is best? My vet said to feed her 3 times a day (splitting the whole amount into 3 servings)... she was doing fine (and seemed less hungry) when I was only feeding her twice a day and had kibble out all day.
This is really frustrating me because I haven't had problems like this before and because it is obviously her kibble - I need to find one that works. Does anyone know where I can obtain samples of foods to try instead of buying full bags only to use 2 cups max? (not that I won't spend the money to get her the right food - it just doesn't seem a wise use of money to spend $20+ per bag only for her to be allergic to it).
Thanks for listening to me!!! Hope this isn't confusing....
I said all that because I thought it was important to know that I do have experience with dogs and cats (and various other animals). This food issue is frustrating me because I haven't had this problem before in the entire 10.5-11 years we had our previous pets.
She was on Royal Canin but when the vet told us to take her off and give her the Science Diet Rx canned for a week her runs stopped. We then decided to since that was the ONLY thing we hadn't changed in the month we had her that it must have been the food. Especially since she didn't have any other health issues. (even the vet is thinking diet at this point) So we decided to switch her to something healthier and bought the Nature's Balance Small Bites Ultra. I have been mixing it with the Rx canned as the vet said to do when I got near the bottom (he doesn't want to give her Rx food forever!) and now she is having loose poos again.
I have a couple questions at this point:
1) Could her loose stools at the moment be her body adjusting to the new kibble?
2) She is only getting 1/8 cup kibble and between 1/8-1/4 can wet food split between 3 meals a day...is she 'eating too much'?
3) Some places (including the breeder) say to leave dry kibble out at all times yet other places (including the vet) say to only feed her twice a day. Which is best? My vet said to feed her 3 times a day (splitting the whole amount into 3 servings)... she was doing fine (and seemed less hungry) when I was only feeding her twice a day and had kibble out all day.
This is really frustrating me because I haven't had problems like this before and because it is obviously her kibble - I need to find one that works. Does anyone know where I can obtain samples of foods to try instead of buying full bags only to use 2 cups max? (not that I won't spend the money to get her the right food - it just doesn't seem a wise use of money to spend $20+ per bag only for her to be allergic to it).
Thanks for listening to me!!! Hope this isn't confusing....