Switching a Chow Chow puppy off grain-free food

Switching away from grain-free is actually a really smart move, especially given what's emerged in recent research linking some grain-free diets to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs — and Chow Chows, with their tendency toward certain heart sensitivities, are exactly the kind of breed where you don't want to take unnecessary risks. Puppy nutrition is one of the most important investments you'll make; the right food in the first year sets the foundation for long-term health, and the differences between puppy foods are more significant than most people realise. To point you toward the best option: how old is your Chow Chow exactly, roughly how much do they weigh right now, and what grain-free food are they currently on?

Good context, thank you. At 6 months and 14kg, she's hitting that mid-puppy growth phase where bone density and muscle development are really ramping up — so getting the nutrient profile right now genuinely matters. Before I recommend something specific: is she in good digestive shape on the Forthglade? Any loose stools, itchy skin, or anything else you've noticed? And do you feed wet, dry, or a mix?

Perfect — that makes this straightforward. Because she's doing well digestively, you have the luxury of choosing on nutrition rather than necessity, which means you can go straight for the best-formulated option rather than something hypoallergenic or sensitive. For a 6-month-old Chow Chow on dry kibble, I'd recommend Royal Canin Medium Puppy. Here's why it's the right call: Chow Chows are a medium-to-large breed with a dense double coat and a metabolism that can be surprisingly slow for their size — Royal Canin Medium Puppy is calibrated for dogs in that 11–25kg adult range, with a precise calcium-to-phosphorus ratio that supports steady bone development without pushing growth too fast. It uses grains like wheat and rice as digestible energy sources, which is exactly what you want after grain-free, and the kibble shape is designed to encourage chewing rather than gulping, which suits Chows well. You'll want to transition over 7–10 days — start at about 25% new food mixed with her Forthglade and gradually increase. She shouldn't have any trouble switching given she's had no digestive issues.

Honestly, Royal Canin Medium Puppy covers the bases better than most breed-specific lines do at this age — and there isn't a Chow Chow-specific puppy formula anyway. The breed-specific Royal Canin adult ranges are more about things like coat support and slower metabolism management, which become relevant once she's fully grown, typically around 18 months for a Chow. Right now, at 6 months, the priority is controlled growth and joint support, and Medium Puppy delivers that. The one thing worth adding separately is an omega-3 supplement — Chow Chows are prone to skin and coat issues, and while Royal Canin's formula has some built-in, a small daily fish oil capsule squeezed over her kibble will genuinely make a visible difference to that coat over time. Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet is a good option if you want something straightforward. But the Royal Canin alone is a solid, complete diet — the omega-3 is a nice addition rather than a necessity.

Great — you're making a genuinely good call switching her now rather than waiting. At 6 months there's still plenty of the key development window left, so the timing is ideal. Royal Canin Medium Puppy is widely available on Amazon UK if you want to set up a subscription to save a bit. When she reaches around 18 months and her growth plates have closed, come back and we can talk through transitioning her onto an adult formula suited to Chows — they do better on something that manages weight carefully as adults. Good luck with her!