Changing diet?

[AshleyRhea]

Hi everyone.. I had a question about feeding. I got Oliver a week ago today (Whew! What a week!! ) My question is about changing his diet. Right now he is eating Eukanuba Puppy dry food with half a teaspoon of wet food mixed in along with some Enervite (like Nutrical). I want to change him to a better dry food, no wet food, and I am unsure what to do with the Enervite. He is only 11 weeks old right now so I don't know how long I should continue giving this to him. I was hoping to switch to a more natural dry food and maybe add a teaspoon of Organic low-fat yogurt. What is your opinions on that? He seems to have a sensitive stomach so I don't know how the yogurt will do. He likes carrots but they seems to give him diarrhea. Maybe I should give him only a little bit? Ohh I don't know... I need recommendations.. I want a healthy boy but not a fat boy!

I talked to the vet about it and he told me to be careful with the wet food because "it'll put weight on him" and he didn't seem to be really for or against the Enervite. I know it has vitamins in it but I don't know if he is supposed to use it for the rest of his life. I told the vet I didn't really want to give him the wet food but thats what he was being fed before I got him. He said I could ween him off of it slowly so he didn't diarrhea.. but just dry food with a tiny bit of Enervite seems to tasteless! haha..

Sorry this was so long, but thank you in advance for all of your suggestions!

[CO_yorkie_momma]

I would just start adding a little of the new food into his old food and little by little put less and less of the Eukaneuba in. I just add a tiny but of braunswieger to my dogs dry for extra flavor and they love it. It doesnt take much.

[Suzy]

I agree with CO Yorkie Mom that you need to put a little of the new food in with the existing food, and then gradually add more of the new until it's all new. This should take you about 3 weeks or so.

Yogurt is good-try and use natural/organic if possible. I know it's expensive, so do the best you can. Also, if you're starting your yorkie on dairy, make sure to just do a little at a time-maybe start with 1/2 tsp. for a few days until you know how their tummies react to dairy. Mine also like cottage cheese (1%) in the morning. You can mix it with a little fruit, or put it on top of their kibble.

For food brands, many members like Canidae. I personally use Blue Buffalo brand-you can get it at PetSmart. It's holistic and natural, human quality ingredients. And, I think it's a really good, honest company. If you go to their website bluebuff.com they will send you a free sample! I think Canidae will too. This is great, so you can see how your dog does on the food, and if they like it before you buy a whole bag.

[AshleyRhea]

Originally Posted by Suzy

For food brands, many members like Canidae. I personally use Blue Buffalo brand-you can get it at PetSmart. It's holistic and natural, human quality ingredients. And, I think it's a really good, honest company. If you go to their website bluebuff.com they will send you a free sample! I think Canidae will too. This is great, so you can see how your dog does on the food, and if they like it before you buy a whole bag.

Yep I already requested a free sample from them before I even got him =] I'm just waiting for it now until I start trying to switch him.

Thanks for the suggestions!