we just adopted a 5 yr old boxer from the
local boxer rescue. We would like to switch
brands of dry dog food but were told to switch
immediately would cause pancreaitis.

If this is true then how do you ween off the
old food to the new?

 

convert slowly by mixing the current feed with the new over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. i like to dilute in 1/6 increments every 3 days. observe stools and outdoor behavior for problems. if your new food calls for smaller total amounts work that down slowly as well. hold off on treats during this period and no table scraps. you want to take any variables out of the mix untill you know the new food is accepted, working, and not causing any symptoms. if you have not yet, have a stool sample checked for a clean starting point.

 

Flopshot is right on about how to switch food. I just want to add that the kind of food you feed is very important also. My wife and I are breeders and the rule of thumb we and other breeders use is that if you can buy the food in a grocery store, chances are it's not a real good food. For a good list of food, Google the Whole Dog Journal. They have a list of foods they have analized and recommend (about 100). You can't go wrong with any food on their list. We happen to feed and recommend Royal Canin, they are just one of many excellent foods.

BTW, the Whole Dog Journal is an excellent newsletter. They do not accept advertising, so they are completely unbiased. All their revenue comes from subscriptions. They cover the whole range of dog-related issues and every breeder I know gets it. Can't say enough good about them. (Sure hope this doesn't constitute advertising on the forum)