I have a beautiful 12 week old cream sable pom and the breeder has her on Chappie. I'd much rather get her onto a dry/wet mix (James wellbeloved and natures diet), what is the best way to wean her onto this, especially as she hasnt had dry kibble before? Should I do one first?

Congratulations!

When introducing the kibble soak it in a little hot water and let it cool so that it will be a soft texture then gradually add some unsoaked kibble to the soaked kibble so that she gets used to small amounts of crunchy kibble.

When changing any diet do it little by little over the period of a week to ten days.

I hope it is the wet Chappie she has been on, as the dry would be far too low in nutrients for a puppy.

There are many good dry foods.  Try to find one with a high meat/fish (dry matter) within the price range, and also with specific named ingredients, so that it ahs a consistent recipe.

There are high priced foods with relatively poor ingredients (animal protein levels)

how  fantastic love poms and have a pom x longhaired chi myself. Do you need to use both foods why not just nature diet ?  but if you do want to do both definitely take brainless advise. Sorry cant advise on dry as I only feed raw

What advice did the breeder give you?  I'd expect that your dog may need soaked kibble for a while longer...

IF your pups current diet is inadequate then you can transition quite soon and quite quickly to the new food but don't rush into feeding the kibble dry til you've had some breed specific advice, particularly about age.

I know that this might be a bit off topic but if you don't approve of the food your breeder has her dogs on, or trust her advice, then why did you buy a pup from her?  I really think that buyers should be looking for a long term supportive relationship from their breeders and you should shop around for the best breeder long before you choose a puppy.  Food is such an important part of the development of a growing puppy and the nutritional start your puppy has had should be a key factor in your decision making I should imagine.  I was talking to someone recently who told me of a litter of puppies being fed scrambled eggs and weetabix - not a breeder I would have gone to :(

Hmmm I don't think the OP said she didn't approve of the breeders choice of food, merely that she had a preferred food regime.

Those of us that already have older dogs on a certain diet would surely not be expected to change all their diets for a new puppy?

With so many feed regimes on the market I think it is reasonable to assume that there are "many roads that lead to Rome".

> Those of us that already have older dogs on a certain diet would surely not be expected to change all their diets for a new puppy?

...and a good breeder would explain their choice of weaning food in detail, give a diet sheet, and help their new puppy owners understand when to transition to an alternative food and how best to do it :)

Perhaps some new owners don't always remember to ask?

I'm sorry, but what exactly has that got to do with my question?

You have no idea what advice I did or didn't get or ask from the breeder and it's not relevant. Or my experience, I'm not new to owning a dog.

I got the puppy home and decided I wanted to change her food a week and a half later. So basically you're chastising me for coming on here instead of contacting the breeder? Is your advice not good enough?

Why make such a simple question so difficult

Thank you for all the sensible advice :)

10% per day in the changeover period. My dog is fed raw so cannot comment on processed food

> You have no idea what advice I did or didn't get or ask from the breeder and it's not relevant.

This is where we might disagree - I think that advice from a good breeder IS relevant.  Asking general advice on a forum is a great idea but as a good breeder will have spent a lot of time and effort to develop a feeding regime that works for their breed, and this litter in particular, I think that their advice is of more use to you.  It will be more specific to your needs, and those of your new puppy.

I'm sure most good breeders would always prefer you ask them first.  I wonder too whether it is such a 'simple question' - I know of several instances where a breeder might give slightly different advice to the 'norm'  - they really do know their puppies best. 

That said I do appreciate that not all breeders are created equal! :)