At what age can my mini schnauzer puppy start eating dry dog food? Is it ok if I switch dogfood brands?

Question

My mini schnauzer puppy is now 2 1/2 months old and I still feed him dog food moistened with water.

Answer 1

Oh yea she is plenty old enough to eat dry food. Puppys can eat dry food as soon and they are good and weaned from the mom. Dry food is better for dogs because it helps reduce tarter build up on the teeth and is easier on their stomachs. It shouldn't be a problem to change the brand if you want but slowly mix it in with the old for a while to get him used to it. However keep him on puppy food until he is around a year old then switch to adult food. It is better on there systems and good for them while they are developing and growing up.

Answer 2

Okay, for starters 6 weeks is about 2 weeks, at least, too young to be away from her siblings. Even if she was weaned by 6 weeks (barely!!) the weeks between this age, and the normal 8 - 10 weeks are vital in terms of learning to interact with other dogs (siblings) and for her to be established in her diet!! Have you switched her food from what she was used to having. Did her breeder give you a diet sheet, and a small supply of the food she was having? Normally I'd say soak the kibble in warm (not hot) water, or goats milk to bring up the flavour, and you can add a little tinned puppy food which has a stronger and marginally more appetising smell, to tempt her to eat. However, often when first coming home, puppies won't eat much because they miss the competition at the food bowl. Do NOT be tempted to give her human food if she's refusing her proper puppy food. You'll only make things worse because being full of sugar and salt, human food is always far more interesting to a dog, than what they should be eating. So keep at it. Don't stress unduly if she's refusing to eat all her food - but keep her on what she was having (even if you have bought something different!). If you feel she's not doing well, after some weeks, on her original food, then is the time to switch her, gradually, mixing the new in with the old. You should have her checked by your vet, within 48/72 hours of coming home, so he can advise you about her general health, and her vaccination programme and worming. And don't forget, much as this breeder is wrong in sending a puppy home at this age, good breeders should always be there for their new owners, to help through the early days especially.

Answer 3

For switching to dry , try giving him a few pieces and see how he handles it. If you see he is having a hard time then wait a bit longer.
When introducing a new food , do it very gradually. just add a small amount to the food he is on now and about once a week use more of the new food and less of the regular. Increase the amount of the new food ratio until the puppy is only on the new.

Puppys are like human babies, too quick a change in food and they can end up with colic.

Answer 4

I don't know about the age thing, but whe you do decide to switch brands make sure you do it slowly. Add a little of the new food to his normal food, and slowly increase the amount of new food used. If you change too quickly without giving him a chance to adjust then you will end up with a pup who has a nasty upset stomach. No one likes cleaning up runny poop and vomit.

Answer 5

I don't think you should switch dog food brands because I read somewhere that it might give your puppy/dog a stomach ache.

Answer 6

wait till the dog is about 6mo. and is done with teething then if you switch brands you have to mix the new dog food with the old dog food gradually so the dog wont have an upset stomach and get diarrhea.

Answer 7

now is a pretty good time. yes its fine if u switch brands