Origen sounds like the best, want to switch

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

After reading so many posts about Origen being the best in dog foods, I want to switch Yogi over.
He is currently on blue buffalo lamb for puppies.

For clarification I'd like to ask a few questions.

Should I switch him over slowly, increasing the ratio of Origen/BB over a period of time, and how long of a time?

My tendency is to get the largest bag of Origen for value, but should I only get the smallest one in case in doesn't agree with Yogi, or is that even likely?

How long should I feed the puppy formula before moving to the adult?

Thanks as always!

[KLN]

I'm sure Karen will chime in with the "right" response so I proceed with "this is my opinion and what has worked for me" response. ;0). I usually will introduce half and half at first...meaning a mixture of the new and old food for maybe a couple days. After a couple days, I will do primarily the new with a smaller amount of the old. My dogs handle food switches really well so this might not be the best way, but it's always worked for me. I also think (and this might be entirely wrong) that if you are switching from one high end food to another, there should be less of a shock to their systems. I switched from wellness to orijen awhile back and neither one of my dogs had issues.

And yes, I'd buy a small bag at first to make sure yogi likes it and will eat it. When I tried out the six fish and red meat formulas that's what I did, so I wasn't stuck with a $40 bag of dog food that they wouldn't eat. ;0). And thank goodness I did because Finn Wong eat the six fish formula...he went on a three day hunger strike. ;0). The six fish formula (while it's probably the best one) seems to have the most dogs who won't eat it...maybe start with the regular formula. And price check...I buy mine online at chewy.com and it's very reasonable (I think $40 for a big bag) but my pet food store charges $52!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Thank you so much for your great reply. I was thinking I remember 6 months for the switch also, just wanted to be sure. Thanks again!

[KLN]

Oh, and I think there are past posts on when to switch from puppy to adult...I switched Finn at six or seven months.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is such a big difference between the BB formula you're currently feeding and Orijen that I would not do a slow transition. I'd do it over no more than 4 days: a quarter Orijen, than half, than three quarters, than 100% Orijen. 

How old is Yogi? You might even switch him cold turkey. 

KLN is correct about the size to buy. Start with a small bag. You can switch to the largest bag after you see how he likes it and how he does with it. But most pet supply stores will take back an opened bag and exchange it for something else.

You usually switch from puppy to adult formulas when the dog's skeletal growth is complete, or close to it. This varies depending on the size of the dog. In general, the smaller the dog is going to be at maturity, the sooner he's done growing. Standards usually complete their skeletal growth between 9-12 months; with mini's, it can be as early as 6 months. With most doodles (except for the extra large guys who are going to end up over 100 lbs), you can usually switch around 8-9 months old. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Yogi just turned 4 months old, he's a big mini. At 4 months he's 20#.

Am I right in switching him. This is truly based on a lot of what I see you recommending that it's the best food. I want to give him the best shot at a long healthy life, cause we love him to pieces.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I personally think that the Champion products (Orijen and Acana) are the best commercial pet foods on the market, terms of nutritional profiles, quality, and manufacturing, and no company is more ethical.

That said, no food, including homemade fresh foods, raw diets, etc., can guarantee that a dog will live a long healthy life. And no food is right or "best" for every dog. We all have to do what feels right to us. :) 

You can expect some gas for a couple of weeks if you make the switch to Orijen. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I know switching won't guarantee his long life.... I just want to feed him the best I can. I'm very careful with my diet, so it's no different for my puppy.

So if he is gassey, I can just blame anything "unusual" smells on him :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL! He may not have any gas, but several dogs here have had that happen when they were first switched over to Orijen from other foods, so I like to let people know that it might happen, it will go away, and it doesn't mean the food isn't agreeing with the dog. :) 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna had horrible gas but it only lasted about a week, thankfully :p

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I'm here to confirm the gas expelled! Yogi started transitioning on Saturday. On Saturday, I'm asking my DH was that you and he's asking me if that was me?!! And that was only after the 1/4 Origen/ 3/4 BB. You can imagine the horrific smell today at 3/4 Origen/ 1/4 BB?

I didn't remember until today that you had warned me about my impending fate :-). I'm scared for tomorrow at 100% Origen..... Seriously though, outside of that he's done great.

Thanks again.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, I'm sorry about the gas but glad he;s doing well otherwise. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Karen, Origen is on its way :-)
You asked how old yogi is in regards to switching over. He's 4 1/2 months now.
Should we just switch over in a day, or take 4 days, changing by 1/4 each time?

Also he's going to be a big mini, 35-40#'s. Puppy formula until 6 or 7 months?
Once I do switch him to adult, is that done in a day?

Thanks again for all your time you devote here.