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What should I do if my dog has frequent diarrhea?
My dog has had watery, loose stools for two weeks now. His appetite is still good, and he hasn't lost much weight, but I'm concerned. What should I do?
Welcome to the DogDietLab community forum! 🐕
We're thrilled to have you here! This is a space for dog owners to share experiences, ask questions, and get evidence-based advice about canine nutrition. A few things to know: • Our forum is moderated by a canine nutrition dietitian • Before posting, try the search — your question may already have an answer • For health concerns, always consult your vet — this forum is for general guidance only • Be kind, share real experiences, and cite your sources We're excited to build the world's most trusted dog nutrition community together. 🐾
🤖 AI summary
Welcome and community guidelines from the DogDietLab team. Expert-moderated, evidence-based, vet-first.
BARF diet: good idea?
I've heard about the BARF diet (raw food for dogs). Many people recommend it, but my breeder is cautious about it. What do you guys think?
How much water should my dog drink daily?
My dog doesn't seem to be drinking much water. What is the normal daily water intake for a dog?
What human foods are forbidden for dogs?
I often give my dog little bites of my own food. Which foods should I absolutely not give them?
What supplements should I give my senior dog?
My dog is 9 years old and I want to prevent joint problems. What supplements should I consider giving him?
What should I keep in mind when feeding a senior dog?
My dog is 10 years old, and the vet said I should switch to senior food. What is the difference and why is it important?
What food should I feed my large breed puppy?
I have a 3-month-old German Shepherd. I've heard that for large breed dogs, you have to be extra careful about calcium. What food should I choose?
When should I switch from junior dog food?
My dog is a 10-month-old Beagle. He is still eating puppy food, but I assume I need to switch soon. When should I start feeding him junior food, and when should I switch to adult food?
How many times a day should a puppy eat?
I have a two-month-old Labrador puppy. How much and how often should I feed him daily? The breeder said three times a day, but I've read elsewhere that it should be four.
What vegetables can I feed my dog while they're losing weight?
My dog is on a diet, but they are constantly hungry. I've heard that you can give them vegetables. Which are the best, and how much?
How do I calculate daily feeding portions?
I always check the feeding chart on the kibble bag, but it seems pretty inaccurate. Is there a better way to calculate daily portions?
What mistakes are slowing down weight loss?
I've been feeding my dog a weight-loss diet for two months now, but they've barely lost any weight. What could be the reason?
What should I do if my dog is overweight?
My vet told me my dog is about 6.5 pounds over his ideal weight. I should switch to a weight-management food, but I am not sure how to do it without him being hungry all the time.
My dog is allergic to chicken – what should I do?
It turns out my dog has a chicken allergy. Almost every dog food has chicken in it. What should I feed him?
How do I start an elimination diet?
My vet recommended an elimination diet for my dog, but I’m not sure exactly how to do it correctly.
What diet do you recommend for an itchy dog?
My Labrador is constantly scratching, especially at his paws and ears. I'm already feeding him hypoallergenic food, but I don't see any improvement. What should I do?
How can I tell if my dog has a food allergy?
My dog is scratching, licking his paws a lot, and has a red belly from time to time. The vet said it could be an allergy. How can I figure out what's causing it?
Dog vomiting: when should I be concerned?
My dog vomits sometimes, usually when they eat too quickly. But when should I actually start to worry? What frequency is considered normal?
Is it worth giving my dog probiotics?
I've heard that probiotic supplements are good for dogs' digestion. Is this true? What kind of products would you recommend?
What diet can help with sensitive digestion?
My dog has always had a sensitive stomach, but it's been getting worse lately. He was on a prescription diet for a while, but I'd like to find a long-term solution.
Grain-free or grain-inclusive kibble: which is better?
I've read in many places that grain-free food is healthier. But I've also heard that it might cause heart problems in some dogs. Does anyone know more about this?
What should I watch out for when switching dog food?
I would like to switch to a higher-quality dog food. How should I do this so it doesn't cause digestive issues? Is there a proven method?
Dry kibble vs. wet food: which one is better and when?
I've always fed my dog dry kibble, but I've heard that wet food is better for the kidneys. Is that actually true? When is it worth switching?
What food should I choose for a dog with a sensitive stomach?
My dog regularly suffers from nausea and loose stools. I have already tried several types of food, but his condition has not improved. What should I look for in the ingredient list?
My Golden Retriever has recurrent soft stools — could it be the food?
My 3-year-old Golden Retriever, Max, has had off-and-on soft stools for about 6 weeks now. He's currently on a mid-range chicken-based kibble. The vet ruled out parasites and infections. Could this be a food intolerance? Has anyone switched to a different protein and seen improvement?
🤖 AI summary
Owner reports recurrent soft stools in a Golden Retriever on chicken kibble; vet ruled out medical causes. Considering food intolerance.
Treats: How many should I give my dog?
I often give my dog treats during training. What is a healthy amount?
When should I see a vet for dietary issues?
How do I know when a digestive or dietary issue requires medical attention, and it's not enough to handle it at home?
Is feeding home-cooked food a good idea?
I would like to feed my dog home-cooked meals because I don't trust commercial kibble. Is this possible, and what do I need to keep in mind?
Why is my dog becoming such a picky eater?
My dog is 3 years old, and he's become increasingly picky. Sometimes he just won't eat his kibble, even though he used to like it before. What could be the reason?
What changes are normal in senior dogs?
My dog is 12 years old and has changed a lot lately: he moves slower, eats less, and sleeps more. Is this normal aging, or should I be worried?
Is it normal for a dog to eat grass from time to time?
My dog sometimes actively looks for and eats grass during our walks. Afterwards, he usually belches or throws up. Is this normal, or is something wrong with him?
How much does high-quality dog food cost per month?
How much food does a 33-pound dog need per month, and how much should I budget for it? Is higher-priced food actually better?
How much should a 15kg Border Collie eat daily?
My Border Collie is 15kg, fairly active (1-2 hours of exercise per day). The kibble bag says 280g/day but that seems like a lot. What's a good starting point? I want to maintain her weight, not gain or lose.
🤖 AI summary
Owner asks about daily portion size for an active 15kg Border Collie. Bag recommendation seems high.
Best food for a senior dog with joint issues?
My 11-year-old Labrador is starting to show signs of stiffness, especially in the mornings. Are there specific foods or supplements that help with joint health? I've heard about omega-3s and glucosamine — what's the evidence?
🤖 AI summary
Owner asks about nutrition for a senior Lab with joint stiffness. Interested in omega-3 and glucosamine.
Puppy won't eat dry food — help!
My 4-month-old Beagle puppy suddenly stopped eating her dry food. She was fine for the first 3 weeks. I've tried adding warm water, but she just licks it off. Should I switch brands, or is this a behavioral thing? She's otherwise active and healthy.
🤖 AI summary
4-month-old Beagle refusing dry food after 3 weeks of normal eating. Owner unsure if it's the food or behavioral.
Chicken allergy confirmed — what protein to try next?
After an elimination diet, we've confirmed my Westie is allergic to chicken. The vet suggested trying a novel protein. What are people's experiences with venison, duck, or insect-based foods? I want something sustainable long-term.
🤖 AI summary
Westie confirmed chicken allergy via elimination diet. Owner exploring novel proteins: venison, duck, insect-based.
Switching from kibble to raw (BARF) — how to transition safely?
I'm considering switching my 2-year-old Australian Shepherd from kibble to a raw (BARF) diet. I've read conflicting advice about cold turkey vs gradual transition. What worked for you? And how do you ensure the diet is nutritionally balanced?
🤖 AI summary
Owner considering kibble-to-raw transition for an adult Aussie. Asking about transition method and nutritional balance.
My dog drinks very little water — should I be concerned?
My 5-year-old Shih Tzu seems to drink very little water — maybe 200-300ml per day. She eats wet food mixed with dry. Should I be worried? What are the signs of dehydration I should watch for?
🤖 AI summary
Owner reports low water intake in a small dog on mixed wet/dry food. Asking about dehydration signs.
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