Food switching question...need some advice

[Imamom]

Hi I need some advice and I know this is the best place to come to! We adopted Ellie about 3 weeks ago. She was eating Royal Canine Boxer food before she came to us. Bodie, who has forever had stomache issues, has been eating Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul for about 3 months now and has been doing well on it. We were thinking we would switch Ellie to his food since it was cheaper, and have very gradually been giving her some. Well she has the worst gas! Like every 10 minutes! And her poop is getting pretty runny, it's not formed at all the past few days. And she hasn't been acting like she feels the greatest - she's not acting sick really but just seems quieter than normal. Maybe her belly hurts?

Should we give it a couple more weeks to see if she adjusts, or should we put her back on the Royal Canine food right away? I don't know too much about that food, but should we start switching Bodie to it? I worry about that because he's so sensitive to many foods. I know this shouldn't be a huge dilemma but I really don't know what would be best. I can feed them separate but it would just be easier if they were both eating the same food. Any thoughts would be so appreciated, it makes me feel terrible that she seems to be having an upset tummy!

[Cami]

I personally would not switch Bodie since you have found something that works for him.
How much of the new food have you been adding to her meals? It might be just too quick of an adjustment.
I always do switches very slow....it can take me two months total to make the full transition.
Raine eats 3 cups of food per day split between 2 meals.
During a transition I would feed only a 1/4 cup of the new to the old (1/4 cup new and 1 & 1/4 cup old).
I stay with that for about a week and 1/2. If all goes well I up that by another 1/4 cup and just continue with that routine until the switch is made.
I know others do it faster with great results but I deal with chronic loose stools with Raine and even small changes for her can be catastrophic!
On the flip side Bodie's food may just never work for her for whatever reason.

[Keldal]

Definitely put her back on her old food! When you find something that works, stick with it! The signs she is giving you are great indicators that it's just not the right food for her. We have been dealing with diet issues for over a year so I'm more inclined to tell people to stick with what works. I'm not sure your pups age, but maybe once she's older you can switch. But for now, do what works!