Why is my 9-month-old puppy grazing food and having soft stools?

It sounds like Moose may have some gastro-intestinal upset. You didn't mention vomiting-- If there's been no vomiting then that is good. However, decreased appetite and the loose stools are concerning. When the colon (large intestine) is inflamed, sometimes they feel like they need to poop even though there isn't anything more coming out. As for what may be causing the GI upset, it could be gastroenteritis which is inflammation of the stomach and or intestines-- this could be from eating something out of the ordinary such as getting into the garbage or eating mulch, etc, or it may be secondary to anything from kidney disease to cancer. I don't see Moose's age listed; if he is older, the concern that there is a more serious underlying problem is higher. If he is a younger dog, gastroenteritis is more likely. Since he seems lethargic, I strongly recommend that you take him in to the vet at your first convenience. If the lethargy is getting worse, or if he starts vomiting or having blood in the stool or vomit, seek emergency care. If you are unable to take him to the vet, you can offer a bland diet (boiled chicken and white rice) for a couple of days and see if that helps. If it is not improving, please get him in for an exam. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Beuno. Stool problems in young dogs are most commonly caused by parasites or diet. I recommend having his veterinarian perform in depth stool testing to assess for parasites or other causes of gastrointestinal infections. If there is nothing found, then you may need to consider a diet change. I would recommend a prescription gastrointestinal diet that is formulated for use in puppies such as Purina Veterinary Diet EN. This is a highly digestible diet and many times can resolve the symptoms. You need to be careful with grain free diets as some have been associated with heart disease. They also tend to be quite high in carbohydrates which can lead to weight gain over time. I hope this information helps!

This seems to be pretty normal activity for a growing puppy. They tend to fluctuate with stools and also his food requirements are not going to be as much as they were when he was a younger pup (< 6 months of age). He should also only need to eat twice a day now and follow the guidelines on his food bag. Also, since he is eating less he will naturally produce fewer stools. Most pets by the time they are adults will produce 1-2 stools a day normally. I wouldn't change anything that you are currently doing, nor would I be concerned that anything is wrong with Ollie based on this description of events. Now if he develops any signs of illness which include vomiting, diarrhea, and complete disinterest in food, then I would recommend taking him in to your local vet for an exam and treatment. Otherwise, continue to enjoy your pup who is steadily maturing into an adult dog. Take care of that fur baby and remember to get him regular health check-ups twice a year to ensure he is in tip top shape. Best wishes!

Did anyone feed him anything other than his puppy food? If so he may have an upset stomach. He can also have one if he has intestinal parasites or a virus. If the stool gets softer or he continues to not want to eat then I would recommend bringing him to a veterinarian to get evaluated. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

As your puppy gets older he will need to eat less frequently so this type of behavior is normal. As long as Mokibis continuing to grow and put on weight like a puppy should I would not be too concerned.

OH Moose sounds like quite the character. Unfortunately, some dogs are super picky. Other times, they need a little tough love. It sounds like you've already ruled out any possible medical issues so Moose must be picky, and you are super nice pet parents for catering to him. I find for some dogs its a taste or texture they don't like. But it sounds like you've tried them all and Moose keeps turning up his nose. I would recommend putting his dish down for 10 minutes, then picking it up and putting it away until his next meal time. Repeat. Feeding 1-3 solid meals a day like this will teach him to eat when the food is out. A dog will not starve themself, but they may need to get a bit snacky for the next meal to encourage eating. Also cut out ALL treats. Moose needs to learn to eat his food and not fill up elsewhere for the time being at least. My other recommendation for these picky eaters is to buy only small bags of food at a time. Less waste, but also some dogs are particular about freshness of their kibble too. Buy only a big enough bag that will last no more than 3 weeks. Store the food in the original bag, in an airtight container. And feel free to try new brands with each bag purchase, just make sure you transition from one food to the next to avoid tummy upsets. Moose might just be one of those dogs that likes variety. TIP: sticking to foods that have similar protein % will avoid protein overloads and tummy troubles, Some brands also specialize in rotational feedings and are meant to switch from different proteins, your (pet specialty) local store should be able to assist you with those brands available in your area.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! How frustrating! I think that Nova is allergic to the dog food. I would change brands or meat protein. Animals can develop GI or skin allergies to their food at anytime. Be sure that you have had a fecal tested for parasites and he has been dewormed well. Since he is young parasites are high on the list and I still deworm them even if the stool sample is negative. I hope this helps!