Expert: English Bulldogs ( Marie ) e-mail me at mpmaltese@gmail.com - 11/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a question about my female english bulldog.  But first a little background information about her leading her to us.  She was with an older woman the first year of her life, had a litter of pups very early on, then was given to a young man who had her almost 3 years.  He could no longer take care of her so she was given to another woman who also had a bulldog, however, they could not get along.  So the she was finally given up for adoption.  She was in the shelter about a week before we snatched her up and brought her home to us.  And she is the most adorable thing.  My wife and I love her very much.  She's been with us now for about 8 months.  She's at times playful and active, but for the most part she just likes to snuggle up next to one of us.  She is crated during the day when either of us is at work, however our schedules have worked out, for the most part, that shes crated only 2, maybe 3 days out of the week.  To get to my question, more often than not, she will pee and sometimes poop in the house.  Usually its at night when both of us are sleeping.  If we don't happen to hear her get up, we'll find the mess in the morning.  Any idea why she does this.  She never barks to go outside, she just goes to the door and waits.  I think she just waits there until she can't hold it anymore.  One other thing is she sleeps at the bottom of our bed with us.  We have thought about crating her at night while we're sleeping, but I would rather not have to crate her while we are home.  Any ideas would be greatley helpful.  Thank You!!!


Chris from NY

ANSWER: Hi Chris and family!  Your english bulldog girl is very lucky to have her forever family....
I can think of a few things we can try to help this situation.
I bet after a few weeks you will notice some Positive Changes.

1.  Please put her on a grain-free dog food:
I am not sure what you are feeding but I bet it is Not grain-free.
It would be very odd for a dog on grain-free to poop in the middle of the night.
Look for the following :  Innova EVO; Wellness Core; Merrick BEFORE grain ;
Canidae grain-free; TOTW - taste of the Wild - most are grain free...
If you can't find one that I have listed, please let me know.
Do a 50:50 mix for 3 weeks of your Food brand and the NEW food brand.
After the 3 weeks go to 100% of the New food.

2.  Feed this baby the larger feeding in the am - and a much smaller feeding in the pm.
The pm feeding can be no later than 6 pm, if possible.
As for snacks - only grain-free treats: EVO and CORE make a grain-free treat.
No rawhides ..
If she needs a chew do a KONG and put a little peanut butter in it.
No chicken chews, rawhides, or beef sticks - will make her poop too much plus they are not safe.

3.  Please start this bullie onto the NuVET vitamins - great to aide in digestion- Plus will help to prevent any problems with her Urine and urine or ear infections.
Bullies are very prone to EAR troubles...
NuVET also helps to Keep her Anal Sac free from infection and backup.
see here:
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html
Just 1 NuVET wafer per day ( not sold in stores...)

4.  Please give her 1 teaspoon per day of PURE salmon oil - We like the Grizzley brand-
Must be the pure salmon oil.... No fish oil... OK?
Mix into the food daily.

Ok, that is a good start:
Believe me- you will see changes in a few weeks.

Also, you may want to pick-up her water dish by 8pm- AS long has it is not too hot in the house/ she doesn't need water all night long.

Here is my private e-mail
mtnmom@gci.net
Marie Peppers of ask the Pet Nurse


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We are currently feeding her IAMS weight control

Answer
Hi - Well, Iams is a food that can give a dog many stools.  Iams has a buch of junk fillers / ingredients.  
*** I would look into the Innova EvO Reduced Fat ( it is a grain free food).
Also, I believe the Wellness Core folks also make a reduced fat or lower fat Core food.
Let me know if you need more help.
Believe me, I know what I am talking about....

Happy Bulldogging...

Marie Peppers  -Ask the Pet nurse
I love bullies
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html