Is it the food or how fast my puppy is eating that is causing diarrhea?

Question

My puppy 3.5 month old Golden puppy eats extremely fast. I'm amazed that he doesn't vomit afterward. I always feed to ideal body condition, not the directions on the bag. He was starting to get a little then as he was growing, so I decided it was time to increase his food. But when I do, he gets diarrhea. We've treated him for all types of worms, coccidia, and giardia, to no avail. Whenever one of my dogs get occasional diarrhea, I fast them for 24 hours, then at the first feeding after the fast, they get 1/2 the amount of food they normally get. I then gradually increase the food to the amount they were previously eating. Works like a charm every time, except with this puppy. I fast him and then start him on 1/2 his amount. Everything is solid and normal. Once I start increasing his food again, he gets the diarrhea back. He would be fine if he could just a little bit of food, but he's getting too thin now. 

My husband seems to think that him eating too fast is the problem. That when he has a small amount of food, it doesn't bother his stomach even if he is eating fast.

I think maybe it's the food itself. He can tolerate a little of it, but the more I give the more it irritates him. 

I don't want to go into bloodwork at the vet's until I absolutely have to, so who's right? Other ideas? 

P.S. This morning I started adding water to his food, which slowed him down a little bit. I think I'll do this for a few days to see if he improves (to see if eating too fast is the problem)...if not, then I'll consider switching food.

rhpeach3 · Accepted Answer

It could be the food you are feeding him. Dogs cannot digest wheat, corn or soy. Check the ingredients. by-products are also a bad thing for them. By-prodcuts can be anything that the dog food industy chooses not to throw away. Ingredients such as beaks, organs of all kind etc. this is really not a good thing for them. I have 2 rotties and I give them Aveeno which does not contain the grain that is not digestible.
Also try getting him a food bowl that is up off of the ground. This will also help with bloat which can be caused from feeding to quickly. You can also hold his bowl higher up while he is feeding and this will slow him down.

Anonymous · Answer

If your puppy has diarrhea it isn't because of how fast he eats. It could be caused by a number of things including what you feed him. Puppy food can have a high fat content and that can cause diarrhea or he could have a mild allergy to some ingredient in the food. But puppies are also prone to worms and you may just need to get him wormed.

countrycowgirllookin · Answer

You might want to change puppy food . I personally have excellent luck with Royal Canin. Puppy chow or Science diet will cause what you are talking about almost every time.Your puppy should be allowed to eat as much as he wants for 15-20 mins at a time atleast 3 times a day. Puppies will not over eat to cause obesity like a grown dog
  Get chicken wire and put over the bowl so he has to get his tounge through the hole to get the kibble, that will teach him to slow down once you are able to take it off.

Glorianne L · Answer

You should be feeding the pup twice a day. Ask your vet how much he should be eating per day, don't follow the directions on the bag - remember they are trying to sell food.
If it is the food and you have to switch the brand do it slowly, add a little of the new food each day.
Also it may be treats that he is eating. I know my dogs don't tolerate some of them.

KissMyConverse · Answer

I have no problems with Iams puppy dry food, I feed it to my pup and adult dog (with digestive problems) .

Lucia. · Answer

Perhaps give him smaller bowls of food but more often if you are able to?

Anonymous · Answer

does your dog eat other stuffs? maybe that is the cause of its diarrhea. :) it is normal for a dog to eat fast. :D my dog eats fast, too. but he haven't experienced having a diarrhea yet. I hope I helped you :) so, yea. watch your dog. :D

Anonymous · Answer

NO=to both!!!
It may have a PARASITE!!
 It may have an allergy.
It may simply be OVER-FED & being fed TOO RICH a feed.

ALL dog gulp feed! They aren't cattle or human.

The Liberal Mutt · Answer

http://www.smartpakequine.com/images/product/14655.jpg

You need one of those.

Trending News

Is it the food or how fast my puppy is eating that is causing diarrhea?

9 Answers