Switching Dog Food

Question
Hi there,
I have two 5 month old Black Labs and I am trying to switch their dog food. What is the best way to do that? I did a half/half (old/new) and they are getting really loose stool, Do you have any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Megan,

You didn't say which food you're currently using, or what you're switching to.  Puppies need higher levels of nutrients that are not available in regular dog food. Because of their special nutritional needs, your 5 month old puppies should only receive puppy food for their first year.

When changing a dog's food, you need to do it gradually, over a period of about a week.  Start with a mixture of 25% new and 75% old and feed that for two or three days, then step it up to 50-50, and finally end up with a combo of 75% new, 25% old.  If you don't detect any changes in their digestion over the week's time, you can start feeding the new food exclusively.

I'd keep the puppies on the old food, until their stools return to normal before trying to change their food again.

If you need to firm up your puppies stools, try a "bland diet" for a few days.  Mix cooked white rice OR cottage cheese with skinless cooked chicken OR lean boiled hamburger (at a ratio of 2/3 rice to 1/3 meat). Keep feeding this bland diet for at least a couple days after the diarrhea clears up.

If the diarrhea returns, you need to have a vet examine your dogs.

I hope that helps.
Best of luck,

Patti