Changing food...

[HAnn521]

If you switch a dog's food, is it fairly expected that they may have an upset stomach? I had to buy a different dog food for my dog and then when I could get the kind she likes, I switched back to it after a week or so...the first or two she has been eating it she's thrown up a few times.

I think the switching of the food is causing it...and she seems perfectly fine otherwise!

[burnhal]

Never had a problem with that- our dog had a problem with blocked anal glands when we got him. Of course you can get them to the vet periodically to get them sorted but the vet gave us a tip- she fed the dog exactly what she ate- so for the last 8 years we make one extra plateful of whatever we have and the dog wolfs it down. No more probs with glands. And never a prob with throwing up.

[maggie01]

I remember when we had a dog when I was a kid my mum used to feed it with whatever we had. My two are fed on dry and foil pack food but they sometimes have meat and veg with gravy and that goes down quicker than anything

[drgnrdr]

HAnn: if you switch your dogs food yes it can cause upset, I recommend a 75% (old) to 25%(new) for 2 days then 50% to 50% for 2 days and then 25% (old) to 75% (new) for 2 days by the 7th day all on new food.

Have you checked with a vet yet? I am assuming you have.

Since I don't know how old she is, what kind of food you were feeding compared to feeding her the new stuff? Allot of times the kind of food can cause upset if she was on a cheaper food (Purina) before and you had to buy a small bag of higher priced food, say, Innova, Nutro or something that has higher quality ingredients, going back to the Purina may have caused it. It's like going from junk food to restaurant quality back to junk food.

Dogs won't show they're sick very often, eating is one big indicator something is up, that's why I advocate NO free feeding for dogs or cats. Check with a vet , I am sorry I can't give you more info, but it is kind of difficult since you get different foods there than we do, I just have to answer kind of "in general".

I do know most vets I have talked to say "No human food" dogs don't digest it as well, and the nutritional balance for humans are different than dogs. Of course there are a few exceptions to the rule, some dogs can eat anything.

[HAnn521]

Thank you

In fact, drnrdr, I switched from her favorite puppy chow, Eukanuba, to the cheap stuff for about 2 weeks because I couldn't get to the specialty pet store to buy her Euknauba right away. She ended up getting picky about the new cheap food because she's so spoiled....but still ate it anyway instead of being hungry.

On Saturday I started feeding her Eukanuba puppy food again (she's 11 mths old) and she loves the stuff! and stupid me, I didn't mix it to gradually change over...the next day she threw up about 3 times from morning till night, but didn't seem to be out of energy or acting different at all...

Today, she is fine so far, so sickness and she's eating her favorite food just fine.

I think this was my fault because I didn't use your method of changing over the food gradually. Thanks for the advise and info!

Also, I agree...people food is not for doggies! All the vets I have ever known say that is very unhealthy for them and it's a bad habit!

[orange-gnome]

Hi, I just wanted to add that in the last vet practice I worked in we recieved reports linking Eukanuba food to bladder and kidney stones. I have a feeling that this would have been addressed by Iams, just thought it was worth knowing that just because it is expensive does not mean it is great dog food!

[drgnrdr]

Your welcome HAnn, just for the record I do not like Eukanuba or Science Diet. when people ask me for recommendations I say look at ingredients, if it has corn and or wheat it is filler same as "by-products". I use Nutro Ultra for my dog, it has all kinds of good things for your dog. If your not too busy you can check out their website http://www.nutroproducts.com/

I switched mine from puppy to adult when she turned a year old.

I also tell people of the brand Blue Buffalo food for dogs.They are at http://www.bluebuff.com/ I only give this so you can see and compare what your feeding your dog, for others on here also that may read this thread.

My professional reputation stands on my recommendations, so I try to check things out before I recommend something. Glad all is getting back to normal for you...