We have a puppy arriving in 2 weeks time. The breeder is using a cheap dry food which was very poorly rated on dog food adviser, so we want to switch (still dry but a 5-star rated one); however, we have also read that you should keep with the same brand when the puppy first arrives. Over what timeframe can we switch? Thanks
Hello there, and a very warm welcome to the forum! How exciting that you have a new puppy arriving! The first thing is, do you agree with dogfoodadviser? Do you know why the food is rated badly and do you agree with that? And ditto for the new food - do you agree with the reasons for the rating? Assuming so, then I'd say keep a puppy on the same food for a week or so after arriving with you, there is enough new things happening without a change in food too, then switch over gradually. I'd take at least a week over the switch, slow down if your puppy gets runny poo etc. or speed up if there seems to be no problems. Some dogs can switch food in one shot without any problems, others are a lot more sensitive.
I'm going to assume you are in N. America or you wouldn't be using Dog Food Advisor. I prefer http://www.dogfoodproject.com/ On this site you will have to do more work yourself. It shows you what labels mean (N. American labels) what ingredients really are and what they do. Some ingredients are just fine depending where they fall in the list. Then you make your own decision. Consider as well that you researched your breeder carefully, you like her dogs, she's put some titles on them or works to further the breed and is active in the club; she must be feeding a food that works for her dogs. If this is not the case and the food does seem really bad, still, you should stay with it for a big bag's worth to let puppy settle in before you subject him to yet another upheaval. Welcome. Hope to see puppy pictures soon.
Hello, thanks for your kind words!we are excited, especially our boys (7 & 9). I don't want to name the dog food because I certainly wouldn't want to offend anyone using it, not least the breeder who has many mouths to feed, and who seems to really care (we did research, the breeder is Kennel Club registered, we checked hip scores and others, we saw the parents who live at their home...). the reason for the poor food rating was because there were ingredients such as brewers rice, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, grain distillers dried yeast, generic vegetable oil - but lacks e.g. probiotics. I looked at dog food advisers because this site was recommended by The Labrador Site. The food I'm thinking of switching to is Origen Large Breed Puppy, again based on Labrador Site recommendation at Dog Food Adviser rating. However I'd be the first to confess I'm new to all this, so I do really appreciate all help! Switching slowly seems sensible. Thanks again
Hi, many thanks for your reply and welcome. I'm in the UK, are there other sites I should check out? Letting the puppy settle in sounds sensible, and I guess as and when we switch I'd mix the two foods for a while to ease the transition. Puppy photos I'm sure will be forthcoming!
Hi there. Welcome to the forum. A good rule of thumb is to stick with what the puppy comes with for the first few weeks, then transition over at least 7-10 days if you decide to change. Getting "the best food" is a path rife with controversy and pitfalls! I also used the dog food advisor website to help me decide what to use, but I get Julie's point, in that to really understand why they rate as they do you have to understand what is good or bad and most of us understand that poorly. We maybe get dragged in with the wheat-free or "natural" or human food grade arguments. Julie usually recommends a good book if you are really interested. The long and the short of it, is the best food for your dog is probably a middle of the range one that is within your price range, you have easy access to, your dog likes, and your dog grows well with. I have fed Orijin and really liked it but it IS expensive, and there are also grain-free UK origin alternatives which I think are equally good. Probably Some others have tried it and it gives their dogs the squits I would say don't be in any hurry and make sure you are making the changes for the right reasons, not just because someone says "this is the best" New puppy - exciting - lots of things to get to grips with!! A friend of mine has a miniature dachshund called Neville (after Neville Longbottom ) Hope that doesn't offend you me saying that - love the name! jac
Hi and welcome to the forum. I agree with Jac, trying to work out what is or isn't a good food is very difficult, particularly with how some manufacturers list ingredients or fail to provide percentages. Overall my view tends to lean on the best food you can afford, that your puppy loves and thrives on, and that isn't always the most expensive 5 star rated on one of the sites.
Hi, many thanks for your post...I'm not at all offended by the canine Neville I'm in mixed company...Neville Chamberlain; as you say, Neville Longbottom; and the late father of Gary & Phil Neville, Neville Neville (what were his parents thinking??) I think we'll look around, availability probably is important, but as you say, primarily it should be something that looks like it has the right ingredients and that the dog (who will be called Scooby) likes! [Edited to fix quotes - jac]
I'm currently feeding Orijen to my 2 although not large breed as both Orijen and the vet said not to (but mine 2 are Lab x BC) Labs are on the border of the scale. They love it, are thriving on it and I use it for rewards, however it is expensive and I am surprised at the amount of 'waste' produced and the smell so may research an alternative when we eventually swap to adult.
