How to Change a Puppy's Dry Food Safely

Puppies are adorable, but it takes a lot of work to keep them healthy and happy. Part of this work is meeting your puppy's dietary needs. Maybe it's time to switch from dry puppy food to a dry dog food, or maybe you'd like to switch your puppy to a brand of food that's better for her. Whatever your reason for changing your puppy's dry food, you should make the switch carefully because sudden changes in diet can upset your puppy's stomach.

Things You'll Need

  • Premium dry dog or puppy food
  • Regular brand of dry dog or puppy food
  • Dog food bowl
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pick out a new, premium dry dog food for your puppy. Feed puppies foods that are high in animal proteins, omega fatty acids, calcium and phosphorus for optimal health. When you're examining the label on a bag of dry dog food, the FDA suggests you look for products that claim "to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO (the American Association of Feed Control Officials) Food Nutrient Profiles." These foods contain all of the nutrients necessary to provide a complete and balanced diet for your puppy--no supplements necessary. Feeding a puppy food that is formulated for her stage of life is important, too. Pick food made especially for puppies unless you're switching to adult dry dog food.

    • 2

      Feed puppies their regular brand of dry dog food. Measure out 3/4 the amount of food you usually feed your puppy and pour it into her bowl. Next, mix in the new brand of dry dog food. Measure out 1/4 the amount of food you typically feed your puppy and pour it into her bowl. Shake or stir the bowl to ensure that the new and old food mix together completely. Serve your puppy her food.

    • 3

      Slowly increase the amount of new dry dog food you feed your puppy each day. Feed puppies a mixture of 3/4 old food and 1/4 new food at each meal for two or three days. If your puppy does well on that amount, change to a mixture of 1/2 old food and 1/2 new. Watch your puppy for signs of intestinal distress. If she shows any, reduce the amount of new food in the mixture. If she shows no problems digesting the half-and-half mixture, increase the amount of new food to 3/4 while decreasing the old food to 1/4. If your puppy does well, continue reducing the amount of old food and increasing the amount of new food until your puppy is no longer eating the old brand of dry dog food. The whole process should take a week or two.