Is it safe to switch my 3 month old puppy to a different dog food brand?

Question

Is it possible to have any side effects if i do so?

Answer 1

It is fine to switch your puppies food. The general rule of thumb is to do a 10% change over 10 days. For example: day1>10% new 90%old day2>20%new 80%old day3>30%new 70%old ...ect. When looking at dogs foods you want to select the best food that you can afford. A higher quality dog food produces a healthier dog overall. They also need less food because they are getting all the nutrients they need in a more condensed food. Stay away from foods where they first ingredients contain soy or gluten. These are vegetable proteins and your dogs digestive system is not able to break them down like a meat protein. (by the way Beneful is one of the foods where the main source of protein is a vegetable source) Some of the highest quality dogs foods are: Canidae, Wysong, Innova, Wellness, and Blue Buffalo...high quality:Eukanuba, Royal Canin, and Bil -Jac. Next category down (mid-grade) would include: Iams, Nutro (max, natural choice and ultra) pro plan and purina one...low grade foods include: beneful, purina puppy chow, pedigree, ect. and last the foods that I would use as duck food: alpo, come and get it, rob roy and anything that can be bought at the dollar store. Protein levels are important but more importantly is the source....veggie vs. meat based.



Also dont forget to sign your puppy up for a reward based training class. It will not only help you with basic manners and socialization...it will also strengthen your bond with your new puppy!

Answer 2

You can always change brands if done properly. Since he/she is still a puppy, use a good brand puppy food.

Start by replacing 1/4th the original food with the new. Mix well. Do this for several days and then replace another 1/4 so you have i/2 new and 1/2 original. Do that for several days and then another 1/4 for several days and then again until at last all the food is the new brand.

Never introduce new food at once as it tends to make the animal sick. Done right, there are no side effects, but some foods do not agree with some animals, so if there is a problem when the animal is eating the new food suspect a possible food allergy. Animals need good quality food so make sure you check the new brand carefully. Some foods seem good, but use cheap ingredients that are not very digestible.

Good luck

Answer 3

Do so slowly, like over the course of a week. Start with small amounts of the new food added in and increase each day. Any age dog can have tummy problems from switching to fast. Watch for vomiting and diarhea.

Answer 4

it is safe, only if there a transition time between the change. You should start mixing samll quantities of the new food with large of the old, and then alternatively change the proportion for 4-5 days. This is a way to solowly replace the food, and you can avoid gastrointestinal problems( ussually vomitng and diarrea) with your dog. This way you permit the intestinal microscopic flora to get uesd to the new food.

Answer 5

If you do it, do it slowly. All dogs, not just puppies, can get an upset tummy if their food is changed too quickly. So slowly add increasing amounts of the new food into your puppy's dish, maybe increasing the proportion of new to old every three days. Soon your puppy will be eating a whole dish of the new food every mealtime :-)

Answer 6

Well,when you first change it up,more than likely the puppy will experience tummy problems,but eventually it will go away. It should only last a day or two. Do it slowly, and the results will be a smoother transition. It's ok to change it up, but don't do it too frequently.Good luck!

Answer 7

So feed Orijen, and feed his dogs LESS. You don't have to feed his dog 5-6 cups a day like you do. Orijen is a good idea.

Answer 8

Yes it is safe just do it gradually, sudden changes in any dogs diet can cause stomach problems.

Answer 9

If you do it slowly, and watching for any adverse effects (like vomiting, the runs, or changes in fur). You don't want to do him any damage while he's developing.
Good Luck

Answer 10

bena ful it is the best dog food