How to Change From Canned to Dry Dog Food

At some point in your dog's life, you will probably want to stop feeding him or her canned food. Larger dogs (those that weigh 30 pounds or more) don't need to eat as much food to satisfy their calorie requirements, so they do better with dry food, which is higher in calorie density. Dry food is also cheaper, lasts longer before spoiling, costs less, and doesn't cause as much of a mess as canned food.

Things You'll Need

  • Canned dog food
  • Dry dog food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Establish a feeding routine. Check with your veterinarian on how much food your dog should be eating, and set one or two daily feeding times rather than letting the dog graze on a big bowl of food all day.

    • 2

      When introducing your dog to dry food, mix it with a little wet food so he experiences familiar smells and tastes when eating. Gradually increase the amount of dry food while decreasing the amount of canned food.

    • 3

      Your dog may not seem to like the new food at first, but he should get used to it over time. Once the dog realizes this is the only food he will be getting during the day, he will start to eat it more enthusiastically. To ensure this happens, keep table scraps and other treats to a minimum when introducing new food.

    • 4

      If your dog still won't eat the dry food, call your vet. The dog may be allergic to an ingredient in the food, or he may have dental problems that are preventing him from chewing. Your vet may recommend a different brand of dry food that will better suit your dog's nutritional needs.