Any suggestions on switching my puppy's food - YorkieTalk.com Forums

MsFamousHepburn · 01-15-2008, 11:06 PM

I was wondering if it'd be okay if I went ahead and changed my puppy's food as soon as he gets here. Evidently his breeder fed him "Purina" and so thats what my Mother-in-law is feeding him. I was thinking of starting him on Royal Canin maybe? Any other suggestions?
I'm pretty sure Purina is NOT the best puppy food out there

.He also eats very small amounts of it, and they have been adding to his water to stabilize his blood sugar. I think he may just not like it, and who could blame him? Also, does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of treats are best for young puppies?

Thanks

MsFamousHepburn · 01-15-2008, 11:57 PM

I've also been looking into Eukanuba and that seems like really great food!

bmathews · 01-16-2008, 03:56 AM

Hey I am new here but the sticky thread listed has some of the top fods from dogfoodanalysis.com and after I finish my bag of science diet I will be moving both my 11 week old yorkie and my 7 month old toy fox terrier/cavalier king charles spaniel to ultra premium food.

bjh · 01-16-2008, 04:13 AM

You are right to switch him.....Purina is a poor quality food. I am not to crazy about Royal Canin. I recommend Solid Gold, Canidae or Chicken Soup For The Puppy Lover's Soul. You can go to the websites of the manufacturers to find locations where these are sold. There are a few other brands that are good also. Go to http://dogfoodanalysis.com and look at the 5 star dog foods. Once you select a new puppy food then you need to switch him slowly over a several day period. You might experience some soft stool at first in going from a poor quality food to a premium quality. I have found that dog foods with corn in them cause larger amounts of stool and more smelly stool. Best of luck.

bmathews · 01-16-2008, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjh

You are right to switch him.....Purina is a poor quality food. I am not to crazy about Royal Canin. I recommend Solid Gold, Canidae or Chicken Soup For The Puppy Lover's Soul. You can go to the websites of the manufacturers to find locations where these are sold. There are a few other brands that are good also. Go to http://dogfoodanalysis.com and look at the 5 star dog foods. Once you select a new puppy food then you need to switch him slowly over a several day period. You might experience some soft stool at first in going from a poor quality food to a premium quality. I have found that dog foods with corn in them cause larger amounts of stool and more smelly stool. Best of luck.

That would explain why my 6 month old has the SMELLIEST stools on earth. I mean when he goes outside you need a clear a 20 yard radius because it might make some small animals and children pass out.

Ellie May · 01-16-2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjh

You are right to switch him.....Purina is a poor quality food. I am not to crazy about Royal Canin. I recommend Solid Gold, Canidae or Chicken Soup For The Puppy Lover's Soul. You can go to the websites of the manufacturers to find locations where these are sold. There are a few other brands that are good also. Go to http://dogfoodanalysis.com and look at the 5 star dog foods. Once you select a new puppy food then you need to switch him slowly over a several day period. You might experience some soft stool at first in going from a poor quality food to a premium quality. I have found that dog foods with corn in them cause larger amounts of stool and more smelly stool. Best of luck.

I do not recommend Royal Canin. It may be just fine for some dogs but there have been too many that get very itchy from it (including mine) and then you have to deal with allergies.

Eukanuba isn't the greatest. It does have by-products in it but the major reason I don't support them is they are part of Iams. Iams has been busted for cruel animal testing and your money would be going there...

nurseangel00 · 01-16-2008, 08:32 AM

I have my Frenchie so messed up I don't know what to do! I got him from the breeder on science diet and found his stools to be to hard beside I read that it was not one of the better ones for him.So I tried natures choice and I noticed he was itching for no apparent reason so then I tried royal canine. He started itching even worse. Now I don't know if I should just go back to science diet are will he become allergic to that as well b/c his skin is already irritated? Will it take a while for his skin to return to norm. Now I just read someone said royal canine is known for itchy skin. Should I take him to the vet to help the allergy before trying something new?? Is there a dog food that is especially good for dogs with skin allergies?Help!!

Ellie May · 01-16-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nurseangel00

I have my Frenchie so messed up I don't know what to do! I got him from the breeder on science diet and found his stools to be to hard beside I read that it was not one of the better ones for him.So I tried natures choice and I noticed he was itching for no apparent reason so then I tried royal canine. He started itching even worse. Now I don't know if I should just go back to science diet are will he become allergic to that as well b/c his skin is already irritated? Will it take a while for his skin to return to norm. Now I just read someone said royal canine is known for itchy skin. Should I take him to the vet to help the allergy before trying something new?? Is there a dog food that is especially good for dogs with skin allergies?Help!!

While I would recommend you getting an allergy shot from the vet if you think it's necessary, be careful about discussing food with them. They will automatically say Science Diet.

It will take up to 60 days after switching foods to see the difference in itchiness (while the old food is leaving the system).

I would go to maybe Innova, Canidae, Wellness... if you want to feed kibble. I also like the idea of rotating every few months (between quality foods) because they don't acquire allergies so easily that way. If you are worried about your dogs being allergic to protein sources I would stick to the common ones for now and save the exotics (duck, rabbit) for if they ever do get an allergy to the common ones.

Make sense?

nurseangel00 · 01-16-2008, 08:59 AM

Thanks and it's true about the vet and science diet. I tried discussing changing Frenchie's food with my vet before switching and he discouraged it. He does sell it in his office. So that's why I just winged it on what else to try. There is just so much out there and so many different ways that the food is graded. Thanks about the 60 days b/c I did not have a clue about that. I will try you suggestions.

Stella's mom · 01-16-2008, 09:18 AM

some of the itching may be coming from temperature changes also.....everytime our heat has to run a few days Stella starts scratching more even though we have a humidifier in our heating system....

nurseangel00 · 01-16-2008, 09:56 AM

I just spoke to my vet who informed me that I can give Frenchie Benadryl 1 mg per lb. So I'll try this before we have to get an allergy shot. thanks for everyone input.

Ashley V · 01-16-2008, 10:00 AM

I feed Chip and Smokey Nature's Recipe and they love it!

MsFamousHepburn · 01-16-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Eukanuba isn't the greatest. It does have by-products in it but the major reason I don't support them is they are part of Iams. Iams has been busted for cruel animal testing and your money would be going there...

I will most definitely NOT be using Eukanuba then!

Thank you all for your help!
I will check out the dog food analysis page and also the sticky.
Have a great day

01-15-2008, 11:06 PM	#1
MsFamousHepburn YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WA Posts: 369	Any suggestions on switching my puppy's food I was wondering if it'd be okay if I went ahead and changed my puppy's food as soon as he gets here. Evidently his breeder fed him "Purina" and so thats what my Mother-in-law is feeding him. I was thinking of starting him on Royal Canin maybe? Any other suggestions? I'm pretty sure Purina is NOT the best puppy food out there .He also eats very small amounts of it, and they have been adding to his water to stabilize his blood sugar. I think he may just not like it, and who could blame him? Also, does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of treats are best for young puppies? Thanks __________________ "Mirrors, the masters, behind these old lies. Smile, hiding, the torment inside..."

01-15-2008, 11:57 PM	#2
MsFamousHepburn YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WA Posts: 369	I've also been looking into Eukanuba and that seems like really great food! __________________ "Mirrors, the masters, behind these old lies. Smile, hiding, the torment inside..."

01-16-2008, 08:32 AM	#7
nurseangel00 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	I'm so confused! I have my Frenchie so messed up I don't know what to do! I got him from the breeder on science diet and found his stools to be to hard beside I read that it was not one of the better ones for him.So I tried natures choice and I noticed he was itching for no apparent reason so then I tried royal canine. He started itching even worse. Now I don't know if I should just go back to science diet are will he become allergic to that as well b/c his skin is already irritated? Will it take a while for his skin to return to norm. Now I just read someone said royal canine is known for itchy skin. Should I take him to the vet to help the allergy before trying something new?? Is there a dog food that is especially good for dogs with skin allergies?Help!!

01-16-2008, 08:59 AM	#9
nurseangel00 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	itchy skin Thanks and it's true about the vet and science diet. I tried discussing changing Frenchie's food with my vet before switching and he discouraged it. He does sell it in his office. So that's why I just winged it on what else to try. There is just so much out there and so many different ways that the food is graded. Thanks about the 60 days b/c I did not have a clue about that. I will try you suggestions.

01-16-2008, 09:56 AM	#11
nurseangel00 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 21	itchy I just spoke to my vet who informed me that I can give Frenchie Benadryl 1 mg per lb. So I'll try this before we have to get an allergy shot. thanks for everyone input.

01-16-2008, 03:56 AM	#3
bmathews Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 13	Hey I am new here but the sticky thread listed has some of the top fods from dogfoodanalysis.com and after I finish my bag of science diet I will be moving both my 11 week old yorkie and my 7 month old toy fox terrier/cavalier king charles spaniel to ultra premium food.

01-16-2008, 04:13 AM	#4
bjh Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Warren, Texas Posts: 2,606	You are right to switch him.....Purina is a poor quality food. I am not to crazy about Royal Canin. I recommend Solid Gold, Canidae or Chicken Soup For The Puppy Lover's Soul. You can go to the websites of the manufacturers to find locations where these are sold. There are a few other brands that are good also. Go to http://dogfoodanalysis.com and look at the 5 star dog foods. Once you select a new puppy food then you need to switch him slowly over a several day period. You might experience some soft stool at first in going from a poor quality food to a premium quality. I have found that dog foods with corn in them cause larger amounts of stool and more smelly stool. Best of luck.

01-16-2008, 09:18 AM	#10
Stella's mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 984	some of the itching may be coming from temperature changes also.....everytime our heat has to run a few days Stella starts scratching more even though we have a humidifier in our heating system....

01-16-2008, 10:00 AM	#12
Ashley V YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leesburg Posts: 995	I feed Chip and Smokey Nature's Recipe and they love it! __________________ AshleyChipSmokey