When you cross a dog and a wolf, you end up with, fittingly enough, a "wolfdog," according to the Animal Welfare Information Center, an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wolfdogs are generally bigger and their coats change with the seasons, but the differences between wolfdogs and their full-dog counterparts are more than meets the eye, as these dogs are known to suffer gastrointestinal problems for a number of reasons, according to Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue, a Nevada-based nonprofit.
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Psychological Issues
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In the wild, wolves are free to roam as they wish in packs. So when a wolfdog is left to his own devices in an enclosed space, he may return to his natural wolf instincts and become stressed, according to Dr. Margaret A. Cleek of the Alaskan Malamute Breed & Working Club of South Africa. Stress is manifested through stomach upset and resulting diarrhea. Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue reports that these type of problems are classic cases of separation anxiety, which can be attributed to the dog&'s need to be with a person or "pack," rather than left alone.
Dietary
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If your wolfdog is experiencing diarrhea, you may only need to look at his food bowl. According to Full Moon Farm Wolfdog Rescue & Sanctuary in North Carolina, a wolf hybrid can&'t eat what your dog eats. In another nod to the "wolf" in him, your wolfdog needs to eat high-protein foods and fresh meats. Much of the kibble, Full Moon Farms reports, doesn&'t have the level of protein your wolf hybrid needs, resulting in digestive problems like diarrhea.
Lifestyle Solutions
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Because wolfdogs, by their nature, like to be around others, ideally you should have a job that enables you to be home with your pet as much as possible. If that&'s not possible, you should at least be able to let your dog out for walks every three or four hours, according to Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue. This way the dog is not only around you, but is not confined to an area which causes the stress that results in digestive upset. The rescue organization strongly discourages chaining your dog outside while you are gone, as that can bring out other behavioral problems--including territorial and aggressive behaviors.
Dietary Solutions
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The problem with most dog food on the market, according to Dr. Cleek, is the popularity of byproducts and non-meat "fillers" like soy and corn. Other culprits that don&'t settle well with the wolfdog&'s stomach are: preservatives, added colors and chemicals, according to Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue. Some choose to make their own wolfdog food, but it&'s not necessary as quality kibble can be fed to your pet if the first few ingredients listed on the food packaging are meats that you recognize--not byproducts, according to the rescue group.
Raw Food
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It may not sound appetizing to you, but the wolfdog&'s diet should be supplemented with raw meats, according to Full Moon Farm. Consider "organ meats," for two reasons: These meats, like kidneys and hearts, are rich sources of protein for your dog. In addition, Full Moon Farm notes, such meats are more affordable than alternative high protein foods, including canned options.
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