New puppy not a doodle

[Mary ann & Lincoln]

Hi,I have gotten so much good info here and I trust your knowledge so I wanted to ask a question.

My son is getting a silver lab puppy.  I am not sure what the breeder is feeding her, but I am pretty sure they will have to switch.  I printed out the recommended food list, but do not remember how to make the switch and amounts.  I know they will have to stay on current food for a few weeks to a month.

Appreciate your help! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Okay, so as you mentioned, they shouldn't change the food for at least 2 weeks after the pup comes home, and no new treats either. If the breeder wasn't giving treats, they can use tiny pieces of plain boiled white meat chicken, or Purebites Chicken treats, which are 100% dehydrated chicken, for training treats. 

When they are ready to switch foods, assuming that all is well with the dog's digestive system, it's best to choose a food from our recommended brands list that matches the old food as much as possible in the nutritional profile as well as the main ingredients. In other words, if the breeder food is a chicken based food containing grains, with let's say 23% protein, and the dog is doing well with it, they will want to choose a new food that is chicken based and contains healthy grains such as rice or oatmeal, with a protein content around 23-26%. They should look at fat percentages too. I can help with recommendations if I know the exact formula the breeder is feeding. 

Transitioning shouldn't take more than a week in most cases. The amounts are going to vary, based on the calorie content of the two foods. When there is a significant difference in calories between the two foods, you can't just replace a portion of one with an equal portion of the other; you have to do some calculating to determine the equivalent amounts of one quarter of a day's worth of each food. Then you do one quarter new food/three quarters old food on days 1-2, half of each food on days 3-4, one quarter old food/three quarters new food on days 5-6, and if each step has gone well, 100% of the new food by day 7. 

[Mary ann & Lincoln]

thanks Karen I  will let them know.  As always APPRECIATE  your help!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Happy to help. :)