My puppy, whom I've had for only 4 days is suddenly acting very oddly. He is just whining constantly and acting like something is biting him all over or something. He wiggles around and scratches his tummy, scratches his neck, suddenly jumps up and runs to another room for no apparent reason. He just seems kind of freaked out in general. Any ideas?
Help, very strange puppy behavior
- Thread starter Ursula
- Start date
No fleas.
He's eating Purina Puppy Chow. He is eating.
I wouldn't say he's constantly acting like he's watching darting stars. But occasionally, that is a good description. He did have the hiccups a few moments ago. He keeps hiding, like he's trying to get away from something.
We live in the desert and he's already gotten into cactus a couple of times. When he does, he makes a very big deal of it and we know what's happened so we can pull the cactus right out. I did wonder though if he might have some of the hair like cactus needles that are too small to see stuck in him that are bugging him.
He's eating Purina Puppy Chow. He is eating.
I wouldn't say he's constantly acting like he's watching darting stars. But occasionally, that is a good description. He did have the hiccups a few moments ago. He keeps hiding, like he's trying to get away from something.
We live in the desert and he's already gotten into cactus a couple of times. When he does, he makes a very big deal of it and we know what's happened so we can pull the cactus right out. I did wonder though if he might have some of the hair like cactus needles that are too small to see stuck in him that are bugging him.
I know that it's low quality food, but he is a dog, not a gourmet. I've had dogs my whole life on 'low quality food' and they've all been as healthy as can be. I have 15 year old dog now, that's been on 'low quality food' for all of his 15 years and he's always been a very healthy, happy, shiny coated dog. Now, at 15, he's a bit stiff, but not unusually so. I have to say that I have a problem with spending tons of money on pets. They are pets. In the wild, they get what they get, in my home, then get considerably better than that. I refuse to spend more on my dogs food than I do on my own.
He's been eating the food for four days with no problem. This issue cropped up very suddenly after he'd been outside for a few minutes. I am wondering if he got bitten by something, or ate a disagreeable bug. He does eat everything he can get his mouth on.
He's been eating the food for four days with no problem. This issue cropped up very suddenly after he'd been outside for a few minutes. I am wondering if he got bitten by something, or ate a disagreeable bug. He does eat everything he can get his mouth on.
My grandmother drank like a fish and smoked like a chimny. She lived a long and healthy life, does that mean she couldn't have been healthier if she had looked after herself? Or that being drunk by 3PM every day is a good idea?
Really if you are ok feeding your pet all sorts of chemicals, uethed cats and dogs (yep those are in puppy chow, under by-products. It might say chicken, but all that means is that chicken is the most sig ingredient) more grains than I feed my horses (and floor sweepings at that) then go for it.
I know people who let their children eat McDonalds every other day and junk the rest of the days... doesn't mean I will agree with it, but it is their right. (poor kids)
Really if you are ok feeding your pet all sorts of chemicals, uethed cats and dogs (yep those are in puppy chow, under by-products. It might say chicken, but all that means is that chicken is the most sig ingredient) more grains than I feed my horses (and floor sweepings at that) then go for it.
I know people who let their children eat McDonalds every other day and junk the rest of the days... doesn't mean I will agree with it, but it is their right. (poor kids)
I came on this forum for help with an odd problem, not a sermon on why I should feed my pets Science Diet! If I had asked what I should feed my pet, then your answers might be helpful. As it is, they are just insulting. As for my pet eating animal products (ie dead cats/dogs, whatever, I actually DON'T have a problem with this. In the wild, animals eat other animals. It is part of the circle of life. Get over yourself and catch a ride in the real world where people and animals have to survive. Not everyone can afford gourmet puppy chow, nor is there any rational reason why they even should. People in third world countries survive on rice, and often are healthier than people here eating the best foods. Please!
And yes, I'm having a really bad day so I don't need your crap about how to feed my dog when I'm having a problem that has nothing to do with his normal puppy chow.
And yes, I'm having a really bad day so I don't need your crap about how to feed my dog when I'm having a problem that has nothing to do with his normal puppy chow.
B
Well, how do you know it isn't the puppy chow? My dog had a reaction sort of like the one you're describing (the itchiness, scratching against things, squirmy, etc) and it turned out to be that he was allergic to his food.
I'm not going to say you need to get him on expensive food, because I've already seen how that goes down, but you might try switching to a different one.
I'm not going to say you need to get him on expensive food, because I've already seen how that goes down, but you might try switching to a different one.
The puppy came home with diahrhea. I put him on PUppy chow and he improved. He had been behaving perfectly normally and then very suddenly began acting oddly. that is why I don't believe it has to do with the food. I suspect he got bitten or ate a poisonous bug or something and I had hoped someone might have had such an experience before. He'd been eating the puppy chow for four day with no negative symptoms. I find it hard to believe that he'd have this type of sudden reaction to food that's been in and out of his system for four days.
But thanks anyway.
But thanks anyway.
LOL I would NEVER EVER EVER suggest ppl feed science diet.. thats as bad as dog chow.
You say you wanted help. Food triggers lots of things. Dogs on poor diets react to more things as their immune system and general health is compromised. For example many dogs who have allergies to grass get a lot better when moved to a diet free of wheat and corn. Even though they still play in grass.
You are totally free to ignore our help, but you did ask for it-so should not be upset if you get it.
You say you wanted help. Food triggers lots of things. Dogs on poor diets react to more things as their immune system and general health is compromised. For example many dogs who have allergies to grass get a lot better when moved to a diet free of wheat and corn. Even though they still play in grass.
You are totally free to ignore our help, but you did ask for it-so should not be upset if you get it.
Well, this puppy doesn't sound healthy atm. Just wanted to point that out.
Meanwhile, assuming it is not an allergic reaction to food.. do you KNOW he doesn't have fleas? Go over him with a flea comb. Could he have a bite or sting from something? Eaten something poisonous? I don't know a whole lot about the desert, I'm afraid, so I couldn't really guess on WHAT it is - saying it is an environmental problem.
Meanwhile, assuming it is not an allergic reaction to food.. do you KNOW he doesn't have fleas? Go over him with a flea comb. Could he have a bite or sting from something? Eaten something poisonous? I don't know a whole lot about the desert, I'm afraid, so I couldn't really guess on WHAT it is - saying it is an environmental problem.
rather than haranguing you about food...what BREED is this puppy? Some breeds like Cavlier King Charles Spaniels are prone to seizure like episodes that can start very early...or "fly snatching" behaviors...
Does the puppy walk in straight lines...have no troubles tracking movements or following you etc?
Does the puppy walk in straight lines...have no troubles tracking movements or following you etc?
Okay- the purina puppy chow is high in grain- specifically corn. Corn can make pancreatic pain. Its like a darting pain and fits the discription you are discribing.
I would suggest switching to another food at least without any corn. Maybe solid gold, or candidea, merrick just to name a few.
I recognized this behavior because one of my fosters ( a JRT) had this as well and the behaviors were the same. In his case I had to only use lamb and rice foods.
I would suggest switching to another food at least without any corn. Maybe solid gold, or candidea, merrick just to name a few.
I recognized this behavior because one of my fosters ( a JRT) had this as well and the behaviors were the same. In his case I had to only use lamb and rice foods.
