What are some tips on switching a dog’s food?
Original Question: We have an 11-year-old Golden Retriever. He is in decent health (has had a number of cancerous growths removed over the years) and decided a couple of weeks ago that he no longer likes his food. But he's hungry and eats other food. (1) Is this s normal sort of thing to happen? (2) Best way to transition to a new food?? (he picks out the pieces of the new food he likes.). Thanks - Jason
Mar 1, 2018
Hey Jason,
This is a bit of a difficult situation. I’m always concerned when a dog stops eating its food, particularly a retriever because they have bottomless appetites and it takes a lot for their appetite to subside.
I also don’t like switching a dog’s food. Owners will often do this because they think that if they can get their dog to eat, it will be ok. But it’s very possible that if you try something different, he may stop eating that soon after as well.
You could try transitioning to another food over the course of 7 days, but if it doesn’t improve the appetite, I would recommend thorough blood work and urine analysis to start. When moving to a new food, combine a little bit of the new stuff with the old and slowly increase it over 7 days.
Maybe starting there will help. All the best.
Dr. Clayton Greenway
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