Pat-
I appreciate your opinion. I can't believe that I have been overfeeding Lillie! Maybe that's why she never begs for food when we are eating! Tomorrow I will start cutting her wet food. I'll still buy the pumpkin and add that. Do you think I should continue with the Merrick food or switch to Wellness as someone posted before that Merrick's food is rich? I'm so confused. I just want to do the right thing.
Thanks,
Jodie
No, Merrick is a good food… and I can understand the "being confused".... not to worry... If you could post a recent pic of Lillie.. that would help to look as far as her weight at this time.... remember that depending on build, some will always seem lean even when in good weight... My OJ is like that even at almost 16 yrs old... And again IMO... a full can at 13.2 oz is way too much.... My male (again almost 16) is a big boy, over the standard size at about 18" and in good weight, 28lbs... and he only gets (and has for about his entire life) a total of 1 cup of dry, mixed with a "big" tablespoon of wet canned or veggies.... and that is per day... and not many treats other then a cookie here or there....
I agree with Pat, you are probably overfeeding. I have a girl who does need a high caloric intake to maintain weight but it is a balancing act to get the right amount of calories without giving her too much for her system to process. She does eat a substantial amount but in small meals throughout the day to keep her from getting loose stools. All my others get two meals a day.
A picture would be great since wieghts can vary greatly depending on the build of the dog.
Here is a recent pic of Lillie. Does she look overweight to you? I have been feeding her smaller amounts and see a slight difference in her bowel movements. I'll keep you posted. Hope it works!
Thanks again for all your help.
Jodie:)
Hard to tell from this view but I think she looks about 1 pound or so overweight. Look down on her from above - you should see a clear waist and be able to see that there are ribs - if you run your hand down her side you should feel the ribs - without too much fat on it. If you have to work to feel the ribs she is overweight.
Here is a recent pic of Lillie. Does she look overweight to you? I have been feeding her smaller amounts and see a slight difference in her bowel movements. I'll keep you posted. Hope it works!
Thanks again for all your help.
Jodie:)
She is not "under weight" that is for sure… I would not say that she is fat, but I would say she is a pound or two over what she should be. (In my opinion)... I really think that she is having problems with her bowels because she might be getting too much food and she is not "getting" any use out of it...
are you saying 1/2 cup a day of the high protein/low carb food like EVO? or is it 1/2 cup twice a day? thanks
If our dogs get too much canned food, loose stool is always the result. Too much dry, then its constipation. Mixing the dry with a spoonful of canned works well for us. Also, you may wanna try dry food and some canned pumpkin. Good luck
Whatever is going on, I think is new as I haven't noticed any odd behavior {lethargy, lack of appetite, etc}, but today I went out to pick up the yard and there were some piles of pale, very soft poop. Now, it has been POURING rain since last night, so I attributed the softness to the rain. But tonight Keoki picked at his dinner and didn't finish it – usually he is leaping, jumping , having fits until the bowl is put down and then he devours it -- and immediately wanted out side. He RAN off the porch out into the pouring rain {very unusual}, so I watched and from the porch I could see that he had VERY loose stools. I went out and checked, they were very pale but not bloody.
I gave him maybe 1/3 cup of pumpkin about 1/2 hour ago, which he ate up -- but he also just threw it {and his dinner} up.
So... now what?
If he refuses two meals, I would get him to the vet. Or if his behavior changes dramatically. Often if a dog just has a little stomach bug, they will refuse a meal, or throw up a meal. But if my dogs skip two meals, I take it seriously.
My immediate concern with vomitting and food refusal is intestinal blockage….could he have consumed anything wierd lately?
The pale feces is kinda wierd. I would definitely keep a CLOSE eye on him...particularly with all the wierd food scares lately. You saw the warning about all chicken jerky treats, right?
If he refuses two meals, I would get him to the vet. Or if his behavior changes dramatically. Often if a dog just has a little stomach bug, they will refuse a meal, or throw up a meal. But if my dogs skip two meals, I take it seriously.
My immediate concern with vomitting and food refusal is intestinal blockage….could he have consumed anything wierd lately?
The pale feces is kinda wierd. I would definitely keep a CLOSE eye on him...particularly with all the wierd food scares lately. You saw the warning about all chicken jerky treats, right?
Ugh, what a night. I was sure I was going to be heading to the vet this morning. Keoki was up whining all night. Had to go potty several times. Threw up {large quantities} at least three times – once all OVER carpet and even the wall -- it was a long night for both of us. There was something in the vomit; I couldn't quite identify it; chunks of white stuff that was softer and brown harder chunks, plus something that may have been fabric or cardboard.
I have NO clue what he got into; nothing is missing that I am aware of.
Anyway, this morning his mood was good so we gave him about 1/3 his usual breakfast and he ate it with enthusiam. It's been about an hour and he's kept it down. He has not had a bowel movement yet, but it is pouring rain and so he may be holding for a while. At least he's not rushing out in a panic. I am hopeful that whatever the problem was, has taken care of itself.
Anything I may be missing? Or do you think we're good to go as long as I watch him closely for other signs of trouble?
I *think you should be okay if you really watch closely. If he did eat a quantity of cardboard, it can definitely make a blockage. If he is pooping, eating, and acting normally, chances are he will be fine…but if any of those things are off, I would get him in. Whatever goes in needs to come out in approximately the same quantity, or he might have a partial blockage.
I hope things get better very soon! 
I *think you should be okay if you really watch closely. If he did eat a quantity of cardboard, it can definitely make a blockage. If he is pooping, eating, and acting normally, chances are he will be fine…but if any of those things are off, I would get him in. Whatever goes in needs to come out in approximately the same quantity, or he might have a partial blockage.
I hope things get better very soon!
And also important that he is drinking normal amounts of water
