Changing flavors of food every bag

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

We are feeding Yeti wellness simple. We started out with the salmon and potato however I think he was getting pretty burnt out on it. We switched it up to the lamb and oatmeal and he is gobbling it down in minutes. I know he just likes it right now because it's new. He will probably go back to his old ways in a week or two and that's okay (we're used to having to sit with him for 10 minutes encouraging him to eat). My question is, is it okay to switch flavors with every bag we buy? We usually order the big bag (26 pounds?) off chewy and it takes him around a month and a half - two months to finish it (depending on if he eats his whole cup at each meal or not). I was hoping that switching flavors might help keep him interested in his food longer.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's perfectly fine to switch formulas with each new bag, as long as you stay within the same line in the same brand. All of the formulas within the same line are nutritionally similar: same macronutrient percentages, similar nutritional profiles, the only real difference is usually the main protein and the main carb. No transition is needed. So any of the formulas in the Wellness Simple Solutions line would be fine, but you don't want to throw a bag from the Core line or the Complete Health line into the rotation. 

I'd also suggest possibly buying smaller bags, if that's economically feasible. That way, he's getting something "different" more often, and the food is fresher, which also seems to be more appealing. 

[Karen C]

Hi Karen, I want to jump in on this conversation please. I too have a 17 month doodle that has to be coaxed to eat these days. He is eating the Wellness Simple line as well. So are you saying that if I switch flavors within the Wellness Simple group I don't need to transition by mixing the new in gradually with the old flavor? I had no idea. This just might make feeding time easier if I could switch up some and maybe spark his interest. I do think he gets bored with the same old flavor. Thank you. I always enjoy reading your tips and advice in all areas on DK.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, that's exactly right, you don;t need to transition when rotating formulas within the same line. So as long as you stick with the Simple Solutions formulas, you can feed any one of them at any time with no transition.

 

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

Agree with Karen.  Like giving different flavors or types of treat -- not a problem.

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

Thank you both so much! We ordered a fresh bag of food and a vittles vault as well! Im wondering if the 5 gallon bucket/lid were part of the problem as well. The lid started to show noticeable wear and tear from opening it twice a day. I wonder if his food started to get stale tasting.

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

I have a Toy Doodle and I always make sure that the zip-locks are shut tight.

I bought some super-expensive air-dried Wellness food.  I use it as an "additive" to his regular stuff or as a trea.  To make sure I don't go into that bag every day, I have it 100% locked up and put a small portion in a regular ZipLock bag.   I use the ZipLock for daily use and every few weeks I re-open the Wellness bag to re-stock.  That way, if I am rushed or sloppy and leave the ZipLock open for a few hours -- or days -- between usages, I don't ruin the entire bag which is close to $15 an ounce.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I buy the 10 lb bags of Wellness Simple for Jack, and he's quite a bit bigger than Yeti, and goes through the food faster, even though the kibble isn't his only food (he also gets homemade food). The 26 lb bags were lasting about 5 weeks. Even though I emptied the entire bag into huge 2.5 gallon ziplock bags and then put those into an air-tight storage container, I still noticed that after the first three weeks, he wasn't as interested in eating. I really think that once a bag of food is opened, it starts to deteriorate, even if you do your best to keep it fresh. You really never want to have more than a month's worth of opened food unless you can freeze some of it. 

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

Wow, a 6 pound bag for Teddy lasts about 6-7 weeks.  Of course, he's only 12 pounds.

Karen, did you try those Wellness Air-Drieds to mix in ?  They're very moist and soft.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, Jack is on a very restricted diet because he has Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 

But I haevn't seen any type of mix-ins made by Wellness. Can you give us a link to the product?

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

Sure, happy to help, Karen.  Here's one:

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/wellness-core-air-d...

I spoke to the Wellness rep a few times, very helpful and knowledgeable and NOT pushing her products exclusively.  She said the regular Wellness products are fine and that the premium stuff is only if you have special dietary needs or "finicky" eaters.

Like I said, I bought it to mix in with the regular Small Breed Puppy mix I feed Teddy.  If that fails, then I add in his treats, usually Purebites or any other soft-treat cut up and mixed in with his dinner bowl.

I mispoke, Teddy's Wellness bag is 4 pounds which is lasting 5-6 weeks.  The Air Dried is only 2 pounds so using it for any bigger dog will add up to serious $$$$.  LOL

It's not a mix-in, but that's how I use it and how the Wellness rep suggested I use it.  I was willing to spend the extra $$$ for Teddy on the premium product but she said it wasn't necessary.  So the 1 bag of 2 lbs. air-dried will probably last me 4-6 months.  A good investment !

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That link is for cat food! 

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

Sorry, fixed it.  Distracted by Teddy and watching hockey game on TV.  LOL  :-)