Rotating Fromm Four Star Question

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Hi guys,

Ludo is just about 9 months old and I'm starting to think about transitioning him from puppy to adult food.  Right now he's on Fromm Puppy Gold and I just assumed I'd move on to Adult Gold (which I may still do) but I like the idea of being able to rotate within the Four Star collection.  I read that I should transition to Chicken à la veg first.  I wondered if, after a while on the Chicken, when it comes to switching within the collection, if you can just cold-turkey switch to another flavor or if it requires a slow transition?

Thanks :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

With an adult dog who has no digestive issues, you should be able to rotate from one formula to another within the Four Star line cold turkey. With a younger dog who hasn't been exposed to a lot of different types of ingredients and formulas, it depends on which formulas you're rotating, as there is a wide variation within the Four Star line. Some are grain-free, some aren't, and the nutritional profiles vary quite a bit. To go from Chicken a la Veg to Salmon a la Veg, for example, shouldn't require any transitioning. To go from Chicken a la Veg to say, Hasen Duckenpfeffer (don't you love the names?) might require some transitioning at first. Once a dog has eaten any given formula with no problems, you wouldn't need a transition to that one again. 

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Ok, good to know.  I think my plan would be to stick with the chicken for a while and make sure he does ok on it before rotating to something else. I think I remember reading something you wrote a while back about dogs not thinking about food the same way humans do and they don't get bored the way we would, eating the same things. I also figured that I'd stick with the varieties that have grains since he does well with them on the puppy gold rather than flipping to grains one month and no grains the next-- just for a little consistency.

And yes, lol, what a goofy name!

Thanks again :)

[Cynthia Shoe]

I wanted to check in on this one. Lambeau is 10 months old and has not gained any weight in the past month. Is it time to switch him over to adult food? I have had him on Fromm's Puppy Gold. I received a small bag of the grain free puppy gold as well. Is there any harm in mixing that with his current food, or with adult food? I don't want to do two transitions, but would hate wasting it! And in continuing with the Fromm's line - should I start with Chicken a La Veg. as this post suggests? How long should I have him on that before rotating? Thanks! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd give the grain free puppy food to a friend at this point so that it doesn't go to waste. Or donate it to a local animal shelter, most pet supply stores have a donation bin. It's definitely time to switch Lambeau over to adult food, and introducing a new puppy food at this point would be counterproductive. 

Fromm has several lines. There is an adult version of the Gold food that you're feeding now, there's a grain free adult Gold, and then there's the Four Star line. If you want to switch to the Four Star line, then yes, the advice above applies. Start with Chicken a la Veg and give him some time, I'd say a month,  before rotating to another formula. 

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Karen, I just wanted to follow up and tell you that Ludo transitioned beautifully to the Chicken A La Veg with no issues whatsoever!  It was definitely a relief! Thanks as always for your advice!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad, Kaitlin! Thanks for letting us know!