Hi everyone - my first post here. About to pick up an 8 week Golden retriever puppy next week and wondering what to feed him. He's on a dry food at the minute - Burns Canine Extra which is described as "a complete, high energy food for the large-breed growing dog, pregnant / nursing bitches and underweight adult dog". I believe it's what mum was on and the pups are having the same as it says for growing, large breed puppies.
Although the breeder orders it in large quantities online, I can't find it around here in shops and so would like to change him onto something a little more specifically for puppies and also easier to get hold of.
Not sure how to go about switching foods - obviously don't want him to get an upset stomach straight away after the stress of moving to a new home..so how is the best way to introduce a new food to a pup? I know dogs are designed for variety in their diet, being natural scavengers, however I don't know if this is true for a new pup and if not, over how many days/weeks should the food be changed?
Thanks, Rach

I wouldn't change him straight away - there will be so much upheaval going on in his life that he needs as many consistents as possible. I would wait maybe 3 weeks, and then start making a gradual change. You want to mix a little bit of the new food in increasing quantities over about a week or so until you're feeding just the new food.

Have you thought about what food you will change to? Burns is actually quite a good food so you want to make sure whatever you change to is equally good or better - something with a high percentage of meat and minimal or no cereals.

And most importantly, make sure we get piccies of the new arrival!!!

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you should be able to pick up burns in most independent pet shops. though the Canine Extra is one of the lesser popular in the range, but if they keep burns they should be able to order it for you. Burns High Energy Lamb is also fine for larger breeder puppies and again they should be able to get that for you.

If you do want to change though, have a look at Arden Grange, Fish4Dogs, James Wellbeloved to name a few.

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6th Jan 2008 - 22nd July 2009

The breeder I got my labrador from also ordered his dry food in large supplies but did offer to get a bag for me so my pup was kept on the same dry food. When that bag was nearly finished I then started introducing a different dry food to her gradually. Had no problems doing that. Would think seriously about changing it when the pup leaves the breeder. There will be enough settling in without the poor thing having an upset stomach as well.

Hi all, thanks for the input - I'll order a bag and keep him on it as you say until he's settled then change over gradually. I just wasn't sure it was a purpose built puppy food as such?
So it's 4 meals a day until he's 12 weeks, then down to 3 etc. And the guidelines say if pup weighs 1kg - 5kg feed 25g - 100g a day. If he's 5kg - 10kg feed 100g - 200g a day. Doesn't say if this is for an 8 week old pup or a small nursing bitch though? It's all very vague.
Also is he okay on just dry food for every meal? Should I add water to make it a bit more moist? When he's an adult I want him to be on dry food but just thinking for a puppy it's not the easiest thing to eat.
Thanks, Rachel

Hi Rachael, your breeder will give you a diet sheet, explaining what and when he was fed. good luck , bet you excited. x

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