7 month old Bull Mastiff - Chronic Soft Stool

[Danielle]

I have a 7 month old bull mastiff who has been having soft stool for a pretty long time. He had giardia when we first got him (but he has had clean samples since June). He is currently on Acana Large Breed Puppy (2 cups twice a day) and has been on it for about 5 months. His stools have been soft for the most part with the occasional formed stool. I am wondering if others have had the same issue with Acana?
I am not sure if it is a food allergy or if it would be a good idea since he has gone through the med regime for giardia to have him go on a pro-biotic to see if that helps restart his system.
Of course the vets believe it is a food allergy and frequently suggest he goes on their Hill's prescription diet which i am completely against and will not switch him to. Are there any foods that may be better for him?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Danielle

 

[Smart_Family]

The Acana lbp has both chicken and grains something many mastiffs have issues with. I personally would transition over to Acana Pacifica which has neither chicken nor grains plus the appropriate levels of calcium and ratio of calcium to phosphorus if you'd like to stick with Acana.

 

[voidecho]

The Acana Large Breed Puppy has a lot of chicken in it. I've heard from people on here that many Mastiffs have issues with chicken based kibble. Not sure if that applies to Bull Mastiffs too.

 

[voidecho]

Ninja'd by SM

 

[Danielle]

is the regular Acana dry food ok for puppies to eat? Just curious as i thought they had to be on puppy food for 24 months.. (this is my first giant breed pup)

 

[Smart_Family]

Nope you don't want any puppy food. The Pacifica and Wild Prairie are the only ones okay in the grain free line but the Prairie has chicken.

 

[angelbears]

Giant breeds should never be on puppy. You can do a search on the forum there is a lot of info about it.

 

[Danielle]

no large breed puppy food at all. I wish i new that before could have saved my boy some bathroom problems! Thank you for the help everyone. I will check out the other posts here as well under nutrition. I am glad I joined this forum.

 

[Robtouw]

If his stool is soft, then his body is telling you that his feed is not right for him. I would transition to something else and see how he does. I usually take my giants off of puppy food at age 3 months. You can also try adding a little canned pumpkin to his food, it may help settle his stomach.

 

[Danielle]

switch him to something completely different from Acana? Are there any other no chicken (possibly no grain) higher quality foods out there? I was looking at Merrick, Eagle Pack, any others if I am to stray from the Acana.

 

[Todd68]

My bullmastiff (7 months) had soft stools with Acana Wild Prairie. Nothing too problematic, but on the softer side. I switched to Pacifica and let me tell you, what a change. Even the transition was easy. Her stools are solid as a rock now. In fact, I was going to post about the outcome of the food change. I am settled on Acana Pacifica now. I sure makes clean up a lot easier!

 

[Smart_Family]

Earthborn Holistic has three formulas that are chicken free and mastiff appropriate: great plains feast, meadow feast and coastal catch and Orijen 6 fish is good as well. Those are the ones off the top of my head but I can suggest others if need be.

 

[Danielle]

any thoughts on the "Now" brand of food?

---------- Post added at 07:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------

I am looking at either Now or the Pacifica that you had recommened to me earlier.

 

[Danielle]

I am looking at either Now or the Pacifica that you had recommened to me earlier.

 

[Smart_Family]

The Now adult is too high in the calcium to phosphorus ratio but the go! sensitivity and shine salmon is good