I'm really trying not to be an uneducated mom! I have a small concern about my shih tzu Loki and I'm wondering if it should be a concern or if I'm over reacting!
Loki is very particular about the WEATHER! When it's rainy, snowy or just nasty outside, he does not want to go outside. It's not like he gets a choice or wins this battle, but it's not fun cuz we both stand outside or walk around getting wet and freezing. So, when we are victims of bad weather, I've noticed he alters his eating habits and eats less when the weather is bad.
I feed him Pedigree Puppy Chow and it's all he's ever had. He gets just over 1 cup per day (guide on dog food recommends 1 2/3 cup for his age/size, but he never eats it all) and I did reward him with small snacks during the potty training days, but I have began weening him off snack rewards because at 8 months he's already 14 lbs! He LUVS snacks.
Anyway, lately I'm concerned that he is slightly constipated. The weather has been rainy and cold and he normally poops twice a day and lately it's been only once and not a large amount. It is solid and not dry, but solid. I've not seen any indication of anything to be worried about in his stool, like blood or mucus.
This morning it was nicer outside and we went for our morning walk and he did such a little amount I'm worried. I came home and peeled/sliced an apple and fed him small chunks of one good sized slice, thinking maybe this would help him.
He has no problems with the pee thing...and in fact he's a slow learner and just finally hiked his leg for the first time on Friday..and he's going back and forth on that at the moment. He wants EVERYBODY to know he's been there and so he gets 3-5 small pees in on every walk, which I know I need to work on with training!
I'm just a little worried about his poop situation and I'm wondering if there is anything I can do...or is this something I should be concerned about..or am I just worrying for no reason?
Thanks for any help!
Lisa and Loki
Loki is very particular about the WEATHER! When it's rainy, snowy or just nasty outside, he does not want to go outside. It's not like he gets a choice or wins this battle, but it's not fun cuz we both stand outside or walk around getting wet and freezing. So, when we are victims of bad weather, I've noticed he alters his eating habits and eats less when the weather is bad.
I feed him Pedigree Puppy Chow and it's all he's ever had. He gets just over 1 cup per day (guide on dog food recommends 1 2/3 cup for his age/size, but he never eats it all) and I did reward him with small snacks during the potty training days, but I have began weening him off snack rewards because at 8 months he's already 14 lbs! He LUVS snacks.
Anyway, lately I'm concerned that he is slightly constipated. The weather has been rainy and cold and he normally poops twice a day and lately it's been only once and not a large amount. It is solid and not dry, but solid. I've not seen any indication of anything to be worried about in his stool, like blood or mucus.
This morning it was nicer outside and we went for our morning walk and he did such a little amount I'm worried. I came home and peeled/sliced an apple and fed him small chunks of one good sized slice, thinking maybe this would help him.
He has no problems with the pee thing...and in fact he's a slow learner and just finally hiked his leg for the first time on Friday..and he's going back and forth on that at the moment. He wants EVERYBODY to know he's been there and so he gets 3-5 small pees in on every walk, which I know I need to work on with training!
I'm just a little worried about his poop situation and I'm wondering if there is anything I can do...or is this something I should be concerned about..or am I just worrying for no reason?
Thanks for any help!
Lisa and Loki
