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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Sorry kind of a gross post but I'm concerned about my little man, after alot of reading and great advice on here Champ started his raw diet 2 days ago.
 

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Did you go cold turkey with the switch??

When a dog is switched to raw they can go thru a period called "detox".    This process will take some time for the dog to adjust to the new food.  


As taken from the top 50 question of BARF for Beginners

http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm

Is my dog experiencing detox?

When switching a dog over from commercial dog food to BARF, the dog's body may begin the process of ridding itself of toxins and impurities as it adjusts to the intake of proper nutrients.  This process is called detox.   Depending on the overall health of your dog, detox may last one week, one month or even several weeks...or not even at all.  The most common symptoms of detox include vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath and itchy skin.  It is normal for any of these detox symptoms to get worse before they get better...just don't give up and hang in there.  Keep your dog as comfortable as possible during this process.  Go slow on introducing new foods, to make sure there are no allergies.  Pure pumpkin in the can (not pumpkin pie filling) works magic to firm stools quickly.  Provide plenty of fresh water, but limit excessive water intake immediately after meals, as your dog may regurgitate.  Give plenty of Vitamin E and C (the C to bowel tolerance) to help boost his/her immune system.
 

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A lot of raw feeders witness a "detox" period that can last a few days to a few weeks, and loose bright yellow stools are part of that.  Basically it takes a while to adjust to this type of diet, and I think especially for a puppy their stomachs are even more sensitive.  As time goes on, loose stools on a raw diet generally means they aren't getting enough bone.  When I had that problem I'd feed legs and wings because they are more bone than meat, you can also add egg shell powder which has calcium like in bones. But since you're just starting out it's probably because he's just not used to it.   If he has the runs I would definitely cut back on the amount of food you're giving him and just ease into it.  Keep giving the yogurt and maybe some pumpkin although don't overdo it.  My dog definitely went through a detox period for a few weeks, I was concerned but it "exploding" wasn't a word I would use so I would take caution but most likely this is normal.
 

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Thanks for the quick replies it's definately helped easy my concerns, I am aware of the detox stage but the yellowish runs made me worrieded, thanks Sully and Hannabananna for letting me know that this is normal.  I will keep update as to Champs detox stage in the next couple of days.
 

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we also feed raw, with my female I switched her cold turkey @ 6 months and had zero issues. But we did have a lot of gas at first...but no runny poo ever
I agree sounds like detoxing from kibble to me. Stick with it for a bit, some dogs have a harder transition.

great tips from BR about the fast and pumpkin. You can also try adding a little rice at first to to help bind them up a bit.

good luck!
 

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I had the opposite with Brodi, he had the runs while on kibble but soon as I switched him over to raw we had normal poops. Now Chloe I am switching over and we are getting the loose stool but gave her some canned pumpkin this morning and that seemed to fix it.
 

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
So as promised here's an update, over the weekend I thought his poops were getting better but last night and this morning they were back to being runny.  I managed to find some enzymes at a local pet store so he's been getting those as well as a teaspoon of pumpkin.  Is a teaspoon per day enough pumpkin?  I really hope that he gets over the detox phase cause he's been waking up twice a night to go #2 since he started his raw diet.  If I was going to add rice should it be cooked or raw??  Also if I was to grind the necks and backs up would that help??  Please help I don't wanna see Champ squatting around in circles anymore.
 

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I don't think grinding will make much difference.  Take ALL the skin off, it is very fatty and won't be helping him get over the diarrhea.
IF you added rice, cook it first so it doesn't expand in his stomach.  I might be more apt to try boiling and deboning some chicken and try that first.
Sorry I can't be of more help, luckily my two didn't have any real problems :/
Good luck!
 

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
So I recently thought that the detox phase was done, cause Champ stools were looking good for a day and a half, now he's gone back to the runs.  Is this normal??  He is getting a little bit of pumpkin daily as well as enzymes.  I haven't given him any vegetables yet because it's only been roughly a week since he's started raw, any info??
 

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How much are you feeding him? What exactly are you feeding? Any offal or just chicken necks and backs?  1 spoonful of pumpkin a day, or a little less with each meal should be helping a little. Too much pumpkin and it works to loosen stools.
Unless you are making veggies part of the diet, there is no need to introduce them now.  Personally I don't feel veggies are necessary.
Have you tried boiling some chicken and taking it off the bone? That might give his tummy a rest and then you can start raw again.
Good luck!
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
So he's been only getting chicken necks and backs, that's it.  I was only giving him a spoonful of pumpkin a day, should I increase that to a spoonful with each meal??  As for boiling I haven't because I thought he was doing well after seeing some hard ones for a little while.  I was also under the impression that bones were necessary to balance the meals?  Not sure if I will feed veggies, haven't really decided yet, how many of you raw feeders do?
 

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sully\";p=\"121579 said:
Honestly, raw feeding is a major in the pain in the butt.   :lol:

:rofl:
You are TOO much.  Poor Champ, hang in there buddy :)

Edit: sully you made me forget what I was going to say!

Anyway, they do need bones, but a day or two without it would be fine.  What quantity (weight) are you feeding him each day in chicken necks and backs?
 

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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
I weighed him a couple of days ago and he was 27.4lbs at 15 weeks old, he is getting approx. 2lbs per day.  Hannabanna, when you say rotate the protein are you suggesting I give him protein other than chicken??  Beef, pork or fish is this correct.

Sorry I know that most have you have seen posts like this for a long time, but I just want this phase of the raw diet to be over.
 

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Yeah try beef, or lamb something different than chix.   I use a turkey mix by omas is great.  If I feed Kash the chix mix then he pees out his poop - so not cool.  So i know I cannot give him the chix mixture, however he does ok with chix necks.     I would just mix it up a bit see if its his sentitive stomach or indeed the protein.
 
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