concerned about food switch...

[Jenn]

I had a couple of other threads some of you may have read concerning my need to switch Tink over from Mazuri to Oxbow. This is because my local store switched brands they were selling. The transition, although quick, was smooth without incident but I had noticed Tink's poop size was smaller. I was told I should give her acidopholus to help. I'm wondering why the Oxbow food has resulted in smaller poops. Is it from the transition itself, or does she not thrive as well on the Oxbow? I know I can order Mazuri online, so I'm wondering if I should transition back to Mazuri or stick with the Oxbow longer. I know they are both good brands, but her poop is half its normal size now, and if it turns out she does thrive better with the Mazuri, it will be more inconvenient to purchase, but I will do so to keep her at her healthiest state. What do you think??? Thanks!

 

[Chinniechantel]

How long has she been on the Oxbow? I would give it a few months, and see if it gets any better. I know that different foods give different size/texture/consistency poos than others. I have noticed that most of my rescues that come in on cruddy pet store food have tiny poos, and then when they get on PANR here, they get more normal. I had one chin come in with giant poos, he was on some random rabbit food, and they too got more "normal" sized after getting onto our feed.

What size are her poos now, compared to before?

I don't think that the size of the poos can be the sole indicator of whether or not she is thriving on the Oxbow. Does she eat the same amount? More or less hay? That could factor in as well.

 

[Jenn]

I think I have had her on straight oxbow for a couple of weeks or so now. I don't think she is eating quite as much hay as normal. I use Timothy hay and recently mixed in some botanical hay ( started a month or two ago) and she doesn't seem to like the botanical. But she does have it around the clock as well as the hay cubes. I was actually going to take a picture of her poo, then and now, but as I checked a few minutes ago, it does appear that on average, her poo is getting back to normal size for her. I'm going to continue to monitor (less anxiously) just to make sure this trend continues. So, is it the transition from the one brand to another that disrupted her cycle enough to affect poo size? And if her poos do continue to be of normal size, is it still beneficial to add acidopholus to her diet, or is that better saved if she has any soft poos? Thanks

 

[Sandi]

I transitioned both of my chins to Oxbow from Mazuri. Their poos were different for a little while but then got back to normal, I think it was about the second week into the transition and it lasted for a week or so. I also sprinkled the Oxbow with Lifeline, I don't know if this helps but they are devouring the Oxbow! During the transition I also had an unlimited supply of all Oxbow types of hay. I got my hay from Alli713, and I swear to you it's like the hay was their favorite treat!