switching foods

Jamilupine · 09-17-2005, 12:45 PM

I am switching lucy off of Iams puppy and onto Canidae all stages. I know that I need to be gradual in the change - how gradual? Right now she gets 2 cups of Iams and she is reccommended to get 1 1/2 - 2 cups of canidae. I tend to feed her on the smaller end of the scale becuase she is on the lower end of the weight scale. Also, because of how much training we do and how many treats I like to give her, I usally decrease her food by about 1/4 of a cup a day. So, is there any formula to how much new food I should substitute, or how many days/weeks it should take to switch her to the new food? Any general suggestions on changing foods?

gaddylovesdogs · 09-17-2005, 12:59 PM

Try doing 90% old food 10% new food the first day, 80% old food 20% new food the second day, and so on. But if she seems to be doing well on the new food, isn't having any trouble, you can do it more quickly.

Kade · 09-17-2005, 01:00 PM

Gaddy's suggestion seems about right -- but when we started Winston's "gradual" change, he immediately ate all the new kibble and left the old. Wouldn't touch it! So we just made the switch right away, LOL.

Jamilupine · 09-17-2005, 01:57 PM

That's what Lucy did this morning!

Last night she ate all her food, this morning she only ate the new stuff and left the old. So it sounds like I can switch her fairly quickly. Thanks.

Fran27 · 09-18-2005, 04:30 PM

You can switch fast, just check that she is not getting diarrhea, if she is you can just add some canned pumpkin to her food

calgal · 09-18-2005, 08:12 PM

The pumpkin works to stop diarrhea and it also stops constipation. Be sure to use the raw canned pumpkin and not the ones that have sugar and spices in them.

fireworksinjuly · 09-19-2005, 07:34 AM

I usually take a week to switch food. No real science on percentages of each food, just a little more each day. I usually pre-bag it up when Im ready to do it and number them so I dont forget how much of which food I had last.

Jamilupine · 09-19-2005, 11:47 AM

Any things I should look for (other than diahrreah or vomiting) in terms of possible alergic reactions to the new foods? So far she seems normal, but pooping a little less (which I've read is a result of better food). Just wondering.

Kade · 09-19-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamilupine

Any things I should look for (other than diahrreah or vomiting) in terms of possible alergic reactions to the new foods? So far she seems normal, but pooping a little less (which I've read is a result of better food). Just wondering.

Certain breeds express food allergies in skin problems or gas (among other things, I'm sure). If you notice any excess scratching, that could be a problem. But I've heard it takes 4-6 weeks for a new food to really take hold in a dog's system.

09-17-2005, 12:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jamilupine We Graduated! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 547 Rep Power: 73	switching foods I am switching lucy off of Iams puppy and onto Canidae all stages. I know that I need to be gradual in the change - how gradual? Right now she gets 2 cups of Iams and she is reccommended to get 1 1/2 - 2 cups of canidae. I tend to feed her on the smaller end of the scale becuase she is on the lower end of the weight scale. Also, because of how much training we do and how many treats I like to give her, I usally decrease her food by about 1/4 of a cup a day. So, is there any formula to how much new food I should substitute, or how many days/weeks it should take to switch her to the new food? Any general suggestions on changing foods?
	__________________ ~Jami

09-17-2005, 12:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
gaddylovesdogs don't have a cow! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 153	Try doing 90% old food 10% new food the first day, 80% old food 20% new food the second day, and so on. But if she seems to be doing well on the new food, isn't having any trouble, you can do it more quickly.
	__________________ Looking for a new pet? Search www.petfinder.com for your next love. If you have a heart, please help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. www.redcross.org

09-17-2005, 01:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kade 9 months old?! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 903 Rep Power: 89	Gaddy's suggestion seems about right -- but when we started Winston's "gradual" change, he immediately ate all the new kibble and left the old. Wouldn't touch it! So we just made the switch right away, LOL.
	__________________ "You come home, the dog throws itself at you. 'Where have you been? You've been so long. I missed you, missed you, missed you. I love you, love you, love you. What's in the bag? Something for me? Oh, let me lick your ear. Oh, let me chew your gloves. You're home!''' -- Pam Brown All About Winston

09-17-2005, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jamilupine We Graduated! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 547 Rep Power: 73	That's what Lucy did this morning! Last night she ate all her food, this morning she only ate the new stuff and left the old. So it sounds like I can switch her fairly quickly. Thanks.
	__________________ ~Jami

09-18-2005, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fran27 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 48 Rep Power: 0	You can switch fast, just check that she is not getting diarrhea, if she is you can just add some canned pumpkin to her food
Fran27 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 48 Rep Power: 0

09-18-2005, 08:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,807 Rep Power: 232	The pumpkin works to stop diarrhea and it also stops constipation. Be sure to use the raw canned pumpkin and not the ones that have sugar and spices in them.

09-19-2005, 07:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
fireworksinjuly Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,585 Rep Power: 143	I usually take a week to switch food. No real science on percentages of each food, just a little more each day. I usually pre-bag it up when Im ready to do it and number them so I dont forget how much of which food I had last.
	__________________ To See Our Story and Help See That All Babies Be Born Healthy- http://www.Walkamerica.org/SophiaFairchild

09-19-2005, 11:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jamilupine We Graduated! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 547 Rep Power: 73	Any things I should look for (other than diahrreah or vomiting) in terms of possible alergic reactions to the new foods? So far she seems normal, but pooping a little less (which I've read is a result of better food). Just wondering.
	__________________ ~Jami

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