Dogbone question

RayH · Feb 21, 2005

While the "dog people" are here. I have a question. I remember at some point in my life that someone told me not to change dog food brands, keep my dog on the same food (similar to the "never use a different oil" rule). My dog is 11 years old and doing fine. I change his food just about every bag (monthly). I either change brands or just products within a brand. He seems to get tired or bored with his food after a while, when we get a new kind of food for him, he is always more enthusiastic about it. The only thing wrong with him is he has dry skin and hotspots but different foods dont seem to effect that. I may try Canidae next. I havent seem that around here though.

gsxr1100 · Feb 21, 2005

You can use any food. My pits can be switched instantly, my rotties (wimps) need to have it done slowly since there stomachs are sensitive. The dog will tell you if the stomach digestive can handle it.

As a general rule-of-thumb. Keep in mind "general" here, I would do it slowly.

PS. The rule for did not switch is as good as man will never fly to the moon. Even better are the general rules for feeding on the bags. Now that is a joke.

We use Canidae and Flint River. I feel after doing the homework and asking a vet in the family, these are the best you can get. I would not tell anyother to use the others I have noted in posts above. My boys do not have flakes any more, no rashes, no ear infections, no licking the feet due to poor fatty acids etc...Plus, less "#2" to pick up!

Freds · Feb 21, 2005

By switching foods that often I think you are creating a finicky eater, or at 11 years old, you may already have, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it at that age. Find a good food and stick with it and realize that appetites change, especially with age.

I feel any dog without known stomach sensitivity issues can be switched to a quality food cold turkey without any problems. I've done it to my own three when my Presa developed a hot spot on her back that I didn't notice until I was brushing her and I've done it to my boarders when their owners forget to bring food. If you were going to get a loose stool problem it would happen in a boarding dog that may already be feeling a little stressed. Hasn't happened yet and I feed Canidae if you already haven't figured that out /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. I feed half rations for one day then up to to a normal amount, which is going to be less than an inferior food.

BTW, when my Presa had her hot spot, along with switching to Canidae, I mixed a conncoction of: 1 crushed aspirin, 1/2c of rubbing alcohol and 1c very strong tea (I used 4 bags and let it steep for a while). I dabbed this on the hot spot twice/day and she had hair growing back within a month.
Worked for me, but use at your own risk...

edit: forgot to add... apply cold and refridgerate.

Junkman · Feb 21, 2005

When people ask this question, I always suggest moving to the new food gradually. Mix the new and old at a 50/50 rate when the old food is about 75% used up. That makes the transition easier on there system. Some dogs change foods better than others. My dogs get a variety of broken bags and Canadea if there are no broken bags. With all this talk of which food is better, I have never seen a malnutrition dog that had enough food to eat no matter what brand it was. The only time my dogs ever refused to eat something was when I told the ex that her Swedish meatballs didn't taste quite right. She got angry and said that if I wouldn't eat them she would give them to the dogs. Each dog put one in its mouth and quickly dropped it and walked away. Even they knew when not to eat something that bad. We parted shortly there after and split the dogs between us. Everyone was sad after that, me, she, and the dogs. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

RayH · Feb 21, 2005

( By switching foods that often I think you are creating a finicky eater, or at 11 years old, you may already have, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it at that age. Find a good food and stick with it and realize that appetites change, especially with age.

I feel any dog without known stomach sensitivity issues can be switched to a quality food cold turkey without any problems. I've done it to my own three when my Presa developed a hot spot on her back that I didn't notice until I was brushing her and I've done it to my boarders when their owners forget to bring food. If you were going to get a loose stool problem it would happen in a boarding dog that may already be feeling a little stressed. Hasn't happened yet and I feed Canidae if you already haven't figured that out /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. I feed half rations for one day then up to to a normal amount, which is going to be less than an inferior food.

BTW, when my Presa had her hot spot, along with switching to Canidae, I mixed a conncoction of: 1 crushed aspirin, 1/2c of rubbing alcohol and 1c very strong tea (I used 4 bags and let it steep for a while). I dabbed this on the hot spot twice/day and she had hair growing back within a month.
Worked for me, but use at your own risk...

edit: forgot to add... apply cold and refridgerate. )

I may have to try your concoction.
Hes not really a "finicky" eater, my wife says hes a "thin eater". We leave food in his bowl and he will come to it throughout the day and snack on it. Ive always been able to leave a constant supply of food for him, he's never been overweight, right at 45-50lbs since he was a year old and he switches food real good, no digestive issues at all. He actually seems to prefer change.

Freds · Feb 21, 2005

( We parted shortly there after and split the dogs between us. Everyone was sad after that, me, she, and the dogs )

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I imagine especially the dog that had to go with her, unless she stopped making swedish meatballs... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Junkman · Feb 21, 2005

He died shortly there after when her new boyfriend took her and the dog camping and the dog ate poisoned mushrooms. I never forgave her for that stupidity, because if she had kept the dog fed at his usual time, he wouldn't put anything in his mouth except for dog food and water buffalo sandals (his favorite thing to chew) for those that are old enough to remember them.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif