Question on Mixing dog foods

[Karie]

About 2 months ago, I changed my dogs food. They were eating Canidae dog food, but I changed to Kirkland Chicken and Vegetables. The reason for the change is because Canidae changed their formula and I read some bad stories about other dogs getting runny stools and vomiting. Some dogs were doing ok, with the change. It scared me, to even try the new formula of Canidae.. Well, I just received a coupon for a free 35# bag and a 5# bag of Canidae dog food. I hate to not use it. I was thinking of mixing it in, with my 40 # bag of Kirkland dog food. What are you thoughts on this? Should I give it a try or is it just a bad idea?

Thanks,
Karie

[Lynn D.]

Just an idea, if you don't use it for your dogs and so the coupn doesn't go to waste, is to donate the food.
There are a TON of animal shelters and rescues that would be happy for it.
Also, Meals on Wheels rarely gets pet food donations but in actuality sees the greatest need.

[Karie]

I will do that, If I decide not to use them. I have 3 dogs in the house and dog food is expensive for me. I for one, could use some dog food that is free. Canidae is expensive, if you have to buy it. I think it's running about $38.00 for a 35# bag. So, I was thinking of giving it a try, but wanted opinions on it first.

[Brenda Hetzel]

if there's coupons they might be trying to entice you after bad stories about their product. I'd look elsewhere.

[Karie]

NO, they just didn't give them to me. Canidae has this program where you buy 12 bags and your 13th is free. My husband sent them in to get our free bag. The UPC codes were sitting in a file of mine. I had no idea, he sent them in. Now I have them and I am thinking of using them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Karie, you may want to ask this question in the Food Group, too. There is quite a bit of info there already on these topics.
Canidae remains a good choice of kibble, in my opinion. Any time a dog's food is changed, there can be digestive issues. I know Adina uses Canidae, and her dogs were fine with the change. To transition from any food to another, you need to add a little of the new food into the old food, and then increase the amount of the new while decreasing the old over about a week's time. But if you are just doing it temporarily to take advantage of the coupon offer, it's not the best idea, unless you continue to use it on some basis. Many of us switch between different brands periodically; it helps provide variety for the doodles' diets and also gives you some options if one food becomes unavailable, has a recall, or changes formulas.
I like Canidae because they are one of only two premium brands that I know of that do not sell their products in stores which also sell pets. In other words, they are taking a stand against puppy mills.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I wouldn't change dog foods, but you might mix some of each and see what the response is from the dogs. My dogs used Kirkland Lamb and rice formula for several years, but when they added vegetables to the lamb and rice, my dogs turned up their noses and would not eat the food they had eaten for years. It took a while to find the correct food for them, but you need to mix what they are eating with the new food you want to introduce. Then watch carefully. Good luck.