Change of Food

[ColColt]

Two weeks from today I'll be going to pick up Bubba and I know he hasn't been eating the best there is to be had so, I'v elected to have him a couple of 5-6 pound bags of two different brands (Innova and Canidae) since there are three places within a five mile radius of me where I can get virtually all the better brands not recalled.

I don't know whether I should just start with one of them immediately or mix a little in with what he's currently eating. I don't really want to buy a bag of something I don't consider all that great and give it to him that much longer but, neither do I want his system messed up. I's probably an individual thing but how would you do it?

[Fluffypants]

I would start by mixing it into the food he is currently on. Maybe the lady who has been caring for him would send you home with a small amount tso you won't have to buy a huge bag of it?

[Lauren]

A agree with Jessica, switch slowly so as not to upset his tummy.
Also, are you planning on mixing Canidea and Innova together or feeding them one at a time? I would suggest starting with Canidae as it is easier for most dogs to handle, IMO of course.

[corgimom]

That is what I would do also David - Ask her if she would be willing to fill up about a Quart or 2 quart Size bag of his current food and then slowly mix in the new food with each meal you feed him and in about a week, he should be able to eat the new food by itself.

Also, when you buy the better brands, such as Innova and Canidae, the store where you buy this at will usually refund your money back(with a receipt) for the entire bag of food if you/Bubba are not happy with it. Check on the store policy; but if they don't refund, the dog food company itself usually will.

[Dillydoodle]

when i got Dillon, the breeder was feeding him something that i didnt care to feed so she packed up a bag of food for me - just enough for me to start adding a bit of the new food and ween him off the other food... i did it over the course of a week... and by the end of the week he was transitioned to the new food. if you can get some food that he is eating to bring home i would, switching too quickly can lead to tummy issues... if not , get the smallest bag of the stuff she is feeding and then use as much as you need to safely switch him to the new food and then donate the rest of the food to a local shelter. I do mix foods by the way, I am currently doing 1/3 timberwolf ocean blue, 1/3 timberwolf wild and natural and 1/3 fromms chicken a la veg dry foods... and then i am adding either wellness, canidae , fromms or merrick canned food into the dry mix... so they get a mix of foods and over time they are very tolerant of switching the foods around... in the begining though with a dog you dont know well, i would go slowly introducing new foods as you dont know how his tummy will be ...

Emilie

[ColColt]

What I had in mind was to slowly transition him to Innova from what he currently has over maybe ten days. Then, do a rotation program maybe three months down the road to Canidae or vice versa. I can get a bag of either of these (nd I do have Innova currently to start)until I see how he handles it-then perhaps the larger 30 or so pound bag.

I still think it's a good idea to rotate but, some say that makes for finicky eaters. We just want them healthy, right? These two brands and perhaps Solid Gold were in the forefront of my mind for him. There are more good ones that are worth trying later on like Timberwolf and California Natural.

[dcole]

The rotation-thing is also what I do, David. From Innova to Calif. Natural to Timberwolf. Would like to try Fromms sometime, but so far, no one in my area seems to carry it. "NO:":

[ColColt]

This place (Petsafe Village) has all brands nearly. Everything from Solid Gold and Eagle pack to Timberwolf. The Innova I get at the Agri Feed place where I bought the Corgi figurine. These are all convenient and the Village has a dark park (on/off leash) that's really nice as well and boarding kennels. It's sort of an all-in-one place and not far away.

Most all the food I like is in one of two places-can't beat that. And, the vet is just a mile away and the animal ER is about three miles. Bubba will be in good shape!

[MVons]

Don't forget a can of pumpkin if the change does cause the runs. And yogurt we are staying with.

Merrie

[ColColt]

I'm picking up some yogurt tomorrow, Merrie. I get the Yoplait Blue Berrie for me and plain for Bubba Lee. That's the canned Libby's pumpkin, I think I read. Today, K went to another new place called Petsafe Village and picked up a bag of Canidae All Life Stages in the event he absolutely can't tolerate Innova. A 5-6 pound bag should be enough to see.

If he's like most southern boys, and Corgi to boot, my bet he'll eat anything but cans!!:WINK:

[taflar]

Today, K went to another new place called Petsafe Village and picked up a bag of Canidae All Life Stages in the event he absolutely can't tolerate Innova. A 5-6 pound bag should be enough to see.

Why do you think he won't be able to tolerate the Innova? It's a good food and my dogs do well on it.

Peggy

[ColColt]

I've heard it was fairly rich and some couldn't take it. In all probability, that's the canned instead of the dry. I plan on using about 1/4th of it to what he's use to and work up to a full 3/4th cup each meal. I'm gong to add about half a teaspoon of The Missing Link each day and see if that helps with his nutrition.

[taflar]

I've heard it was fairly rich and some couldn't take it. In all probability, that's the canned instead of the dry. I plan on using about 1/4th of it to what he's use to and work up to a full 3/4th cup each meal. I'm gong to add about half a teaspoon of The Missing Link each day and see if that helps with his nutrition.

It's higher in protein then some of the grocery store foods, and a corgi can get fat on it if you aren't watching how much you feed. But I've not had a problem with my guys and I've got several on it. (Ages 4 - 12)

IMO, don't assume you're going to have a problem before you do.

Peggy

[ColColt]

The store I bought the Innova from, Peggy has a new Innova in the green bag but, calories are cut and the protein/fat level is lower. That may have been what I should have gotten as I think he may be just a few pounds overweight...not sure but it's a possibility.

http://www.innovapet.com/products/default.asp?id=1411

I especially like the low ash level.

Protein 18.77 %
Fat 8.2 %
Linoleic Acid 1.58 %
Omega 3 0.6 %
Carbohydrates 55.38 %
Fiber 4.91 %
Ash 5.24 %

[sutulu]

Good advice. And Peggy points out that different dogs may have issues with different foods.

Tuck couldn't handle Wellness Chicken, gave him gas.

Debi: Stores around me don't carry Fromms but my pet supply store orders it for me. I looked at ordering it on line but the shipping was very expensive. The pet supply store doesn't charge to have the supplier ship it with their regular order. I just have to be sure to give them a week to get it in.

We made the switch to Fromm Chicken ala Veg, then to From Whitefish. I think we will continue to alternate between the Fromm checken and fish.


Susan

[taflar]

The store I bought the Innova from, Peggy has a new Innova in the green bag but, calories are cut and the protein/fat level is lower. That may have been what I should have gotten as I think he may be just a few pounds overweight...not sure but it's a possibility.

http://www.innovapet.com/products/default.asp?id=1411

I especially like the low ash level.

Protein 18.77 %
Fat 8.2 %
Linoleic Acid 1.58 %
Omega 3 0.6 %
Carbohydrates 55.38 %
Fiber 4.91 %
Ash 5.24 %

I use the Innova Adult formula and that's what I used when I cut the amout of food the fosters got when I put them on a diet. If he's only a few lbs. over weight then just watching his food and exercise should work.

Peggy

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

David: Just wanted to point out that if that yogurt has blueberries in it, the blueberries MAY upset the tummy. My two love yogurt as much as ice-cream, but there are a few that they can't eat, and blueberry is one, and I think it's because of the berries.

[ColColt]

I use the Innova Adult formula and that's what I used when I cut the amout of food the fosters got when I put them on a diet. If he's only a few lbs. over weight then just watching his food and exercise should work.

Peggy

I thought I'd try him with about 3/4 cup twice a day and see how he does. That, combined with a little soccer/tennis ball practice in the back yard should do him some good as I understand he's become a bit of a couch potato!!

MGM-the kind I like has blueberries but the sort I had in mind for Bubba was just the plain yogurt. I haven't seen that but then again, I never looked! I'll check the store out this weekend so I'll have it when he gets home. I'll use about a Tbsp of yogurt with half a tsp of the Missing Ling at least for one meal to combine with the regular food.

[taflar]

MGM-the kind I like has blueberries but the sort I had in mind for Bubba was just the plain yogurt. I haven't seen that but then again, I never looked!

Yes, they make plain yogurt. Also vanilla would work if you can't find plain.

Peggy

[corgimom]

David, you should be able to find Plain low fat or non fat yogurt(such as the Dannon brand) right next to the flavored ones. I buy the "Stonyfield Farm Organic" non fat Yogurt - however, this is kept in a the Healthfood/organic section of the grocery store which has its own refrigerated section of health foods.

[ColColt]

I usually stock up on the blueberry and black berry kind as those are my favorites...Danon or Yoplait. This should be one healthy little Corgi will all I've gotten him lately. After he sees that Babble Ball, he's probably chase it all over the house and loose 2-3 pounds the first week. I guess I'd better get my camera's batteries charged up for the oncoming melee!!

[Dillydoodle]

Dillon and Gus eat the low fat stonyfields organic plain yogurt... the fatfree variety of the same thing gives Dillon the runs, so i stay with the low fat variety... they love it!

Dillon had issues with Innova dry, it was just a little too rich for him, he had the runs on it... i switched him a few times before i found food that seems to agree with his tummy. Gus seems to have less issues with different foods, his only bad side effect with certain foods is gas, really really bad gas. but now we have found a good mix and he is gas free!

Emilie

[ColColt]

I'm going to "sneak up" on giving him Innova straight until he gets accustomed to it, hopefully as I think it's one of the top five best ones...just a little at a time for about 7-10 days.

Sleeping in the same room with me, I sure don't want those problems!!:SHOCKED:

[dcole]

Susan: good idea; I'll ask my pet supply store to order some Fromms next time I go in.

David: Linda's right; the plain yogurt should be in the same vicinity as the flavored. Be aware, though, that often times the plain is only available in the larger-sized containers (at least in our grocery stores.) Also, like Linda and Emilie have said, go for the organic brands - they seem to have more active cultures and less "fillers".

[ColColt]

They have an organic section there, Debi, but; I think it's mostly veggies although I didn't look that closely. I will tomorrow when I go, though. I missed my usual Friday trip to the store and will look for it. Maybe I should wait until next Friday since it would be more fresh since I won't be getting Bubba home until the 13th...going up on the 12th but, I won't be coming back until the next morning.