Food Transition

alphatyson · 11-12-2011, 07:23 PM

I was just wondering if it's absolutely necessary to slowly transition a puppy from it's old food to a new type of food. What happens if you don't go through this process and start the puppy on a new type of food as soon as the old bag is finished (without mixing the two)?

The reason I ask is because I didn't realize Alpha's food ran out so quickly and I didn't have time to make a smooth transition. His stool has been runny about half the time and solid the other half. Is this a really bad thing? Should I purchase some of the old food he was eating to try and make the transition? Hes been on the new food for about 3 days now.

Also, sometimes he doesn't eat his food (this hasn't happened that many times, maybe 3-4 times and occurred both on his new and old food), but when I feed him with my hands he will eat everything. I know you should take the puppy's food away if he doesn't eat it, but since the time between meals is so long I don't want him to starve. Does anyone know why he'll eat the food out of my hand but not his bowl? Should I stop doing this?

Thanks for any input. I'm pretty new to GSDs and dogs in general.

BlackGSD · 11-12-2011, 08:15 PM

He isn't going to "starve" if he misses a meal. Personally I wouldn't hand feed him. That is a good way to start a bad habit.

As far as his poop issues, is it runny like water, or more like pudding?

alphatyson · 11-12-2011, 11:46 PM

It's like pudding.

BlackGSD · 11-12-2011, 11:59 PM

Most of the time pudding poops (especially when it is also often normal.) are a sign of over feeding.

alphatyson · 11-13-2011, 07:11 PM

Okay, thanks, I'll try to feed him less and see what happens!

s14roller · 11-14-2011, 09:04 AM

Last transition I did was around 14 days. It went over pretty well. I'm currently in the process of changing her food to something else and imagine I will take about 2 weeks to do the transition again.

If the dog is doing OK, you can continue, but I would have gotten a 5 lb bag to transition (probably only lasts about a week or something).

11-12-2011, 07:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
alphatyson New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 23	Food Transition I was just wondering if it's absolutely necessary to slowly transition a puppy from it's old food to a new type of food. What happens if you don't go through this process and start the puppy on a new type of food as soon as the old bag is finished (without mixing the two)? The reason I ask is because I didn't realize Alpha's food ran out so quickly and I didn't have time to make a smooth transition. His stool has been runny about half the time and solid the other half. Is this a really bad thing? Should I purchase some of the old food he was eating to try and make the transition? Hes been on the new food for about 3 days now. Also, sometimes he doesn't eat his food (this hasn't happened that many times, maybe 3-4 times and occurred both on his new and old food), but when I feed him with my hands he will eat everything. I know you should take the puppy's food away if he doesn't eat it, but since the time between meals is so long I don't want him to starve. Does anyone know why he'll eat the food out of my hand but not his bowl? Should I stop doing this? Thanks for any input. I'm pretty new to GSDs and dogs in general.

11-12-2011, 08:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,795	He isn't going to "starve" if he misses a meal. Personally I wouldn't hand feed him. That is a good way to start a bad habit. As far as his poop issues, is it runny like water, or more like pudding? __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11.

11-12-2011, 11:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,795	Most of the time pudding poops (especially when it is also often normal.) are a sign of over feeding. __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11.

11-12-2011, 11:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
alphatyson New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 23	It's like pudding.

11-13-2011, 07:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
alphatyson New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 23	Okay, thanks, I'll try to feed him less and see what happens!

11-14-2011, 09:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
s14roller Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 262	Last transition I did was around 14 days. It went over pretty well. I'm currently in the process of changing her food to something else and imagine I will take about 2 weeks to do the transition again. If the dog is doing OK, you can continue, but I would have gotten a 5 lb bag to transition (probably only lasts about a week or something).

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