Switching to Pedigree Dog Food

I don’t know if I ever introduced you to my dog Zoe before.  She is a beautiful Golden Retriever with WAY too much energy (though she is sort of calming down a bit finally).  However, her energy level fits right in with the level of energy in our house!

Anyway, I was chosen to take part in the Pedigree Dog Food Ambassador Program.  I was given a 6 week supply of dog food for Zoe that I am to gradually switch her over to.  By gradually, I am doing the following:

Days 1 & 2:  25% new food
Days 3 & 4:  50% new food
Days 5 & 6:  75% new food

                         Day 7+:  100% Pedigree food

The very first day I introduced the new food to Zoe, she looked at her dish, looked up at me and tried to eat around the food (which is SOOOOO not like her…she’s like a vacuum when it comes to food).  But as soon as she picked out her old food pieces, she began chowing down on her new food.  It was almost like she was saving the best for last!  One thing I noticed about the Pedigree Large Breed food vs her normal food is the fact that the pieces are huge!  Zoe did have a tiny bit of trouble chewing her food, but only the first couple bites.  Now she’s back to inhaling her food!

Generally speaking, Zoe is an extremely healthy dog.  Her coat is always shiny and soft…she did have a bout with flaky, dandruff type skin, but I believe that was the type of shampoo the groomer used.  Once I asked for the oatmeal shampoo, we haven’t had a problem since. Orally speaking, Zoe has very good teeth.  I try to brush them weekly for her.  The vet is always commenting on how white and nice her teeth are!

The one thing about having such a large dog, she leaves large piles all over the yard.  Growing up my dogs would go number 2 once a day.  Not Zoe.  She goes right after eating every single day…and she eats twice a day.  I was a little concerned that switching her food, even though I switched it slowly, would cause her to have loose stools all over the yard.  But it didn’t!