Changing Foods and Amounts

[johnbasl]

Hey all,

We currently feed our 9 month old newf Purina Pro Plan Sport 20/30 (with a bit of yogurt and a bit of canned meat as well as vitamins). We use this food because it is what the breeder used and we chose that breeder partly because of the health of the dogs.

Our pup is growing well, her coat is in great shape, etc. But, the food gets pretty bad reviews online at dog food analysis sites and I wonder if I should switch her. We are costco members, and the Kirkland brand gets much higher reviews than the Purina and is as affordable. And, there are obviously even better kibbles.

Should we consider switching? If so, I know how to slowly introduce a new food, but how do you determine how much of a new food corresponds with the old. The breeder gave us amounts for the kibble she used, but I'm not sure that would be the same for a new brand.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[ajcooksey]

I know that when you switch from a food with grains to grain free that you should decrease the amount of food given because grain free is more nutrient dense than foods with grains. I think that the kirkland brand is grain free that's why I mentioned it, although I myself have never used it with our two so I could be wrong. Also if you decide to switch her food be sure to do it gradually to help avoid any stomach upset that could happen by doing it cold turkey.

 

[johnbasl]

Thanks. I'm tempted not to switch. My only complaint is that her stool is sometimes soft still and I'm pretty sure it isn't from overfeeding (we keep her slim). So, I'm wondering if it is the food.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Try omitting the yogurt for several days and see if the stools firm up.

 

[johnbasl]

Okay, I'll take it out for a few days and see if that helps.

 

[Sun Valley]

I have fed Pro Plan for YEARS with great results and no issues with my dogs. It's also one of the few foods that hasn't had any recalls, like some of the very high end grain free foods.

I would check with your breeder before changing the food. I am curious as to why you are adding yogurt and canned food?

Lou Ann

 

[blackbat]

We are feeding Pro Plan Sport too but wonder if puppies generally eat small amounts through the day or finish most of it at mealtime. Anya, at 10 weeks, started out great but quickly lost interest in the food and now has to be coaxed to eat.

 

[new_2_newf]

if she's doing well on it, that's far more important than any label or review.

 

[johnbasl]

Okay, sounds like we should stick with it. She definitely doesn't have to be coaxed to eat it! We feed her twice daily.

The yogurt and meat were part of the feeding instructions from the breeder. The meat, I assume, was for extra protein. The dairy (we were told yogurt with anti-biotics and we could use yogurt or cottage cheese otherwise) is, again I'm guessing, probably for balance and digestion? She gets just a small scoop of both on top of her kibble.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

I was adding yogurt to my Sophie's food for awhile for the probiotic properties. Turns out she is lactose intolerant (really) and I was just making her stomach issues worse.
That's why I asked. Not all dogs can tolerate dairy products.

 

[johnbasl]

I'll see if cutting back helps. Her stool isn't liquid, just soft, but yeah, maybe it is the dairy. I'll see what happens over the next couple days.

 

[new_2_newf]

it could be she's just old enough now she requires a little less food, hopefully that's the ticket!