is it ok to switch dog food
If they can't, find out what they were feeding your dog before you adopted him and pick up a small bag before bringing him home. Animals can lose almost all their fat and half their protein and still survive, but if they lose 15% of their water, it will mean death. So, too, does it go on the subject of switching pet foods. Super Premium dog foods have specific portion sizes for particular sizes and bodyweights of dogs. You might be in a situation where your new dog's previous food is unknown to you, and his old food simply isn't something you can get your hands on. These differ between wet and dry diets. If he stops drinking, however, or seems to be drinking an excessive amount, this might be a sign of a more complicated digestion issue with the new food. How gradually should you switch? Depending on other factors, your dog may need to switch a few months earlier or a few months later than its first birthday. The most common reason you might need to switch your puppy to dog food early is if he has gained too much weight or has been neutered. What do animals eat in the wild? This could explain why some grain-free food companies have recommended rotating foods. By periodically switching dog foods, the unhealthy consequences of serving the same imperfect products can be minimized. I read once that you can't switch your dogs food.. is that true? Grain-free foods don’t contain phytates to bind the minerals so the foods can contain an over-abundance of some minerals that your dog can absorb. Most healthy dogs can have their food switched over a gradual seven day transition. Sometimes these problems may not show up in your dog for several years. The potential stomach ache (and mess) should be enough of a reason to go slow when transitioning dog food, but above all, consider the numerous changes your new dog is already dealing with as he settles into his new life. I read lots of people’s comments on message boards and other places saying that their dogs have an upset stomach or they aren’t doing well on this or that food good brand of dog food. Ideally, they should provide you with enough for your dog's first week. Other people rotate more often but the more often you rotate the more likely you are to upset your dog’s stomach, especially if you have a breed or dog with a sensitive stomach. On day three, mix 60 percent of the new food with 40 percent of the old. HOWEVER, constantly switching the dog's food is harmful as that can cause more serious gastric upset. A stressed or weakened immune system is more likely to show a reaction if your dog is prone to allergies. It is better to switch within a food type – from wet to wet, from dry to dry and from a mixture to another mixture. They don’t have upset stomachs. Extra tips for switching I recommend you feed dry or canned food separately from dehydrated or raw meals because they digest at different rates. The chain is then bundled into to a three-dimensional structure, like a tangled ball of yarn. Here are some thoughts about this practice. Your dog may not seem to tolerate the new food, no matter how slowly you go, and that's OK too. Many dogs will not hesitate to readily devour canned food. In other words, don’t mess with what’s working for your dog. If they can get the leftovers from a fried fish dinner, down the hatch. For the first week, feed a mixture of canned food with your pet's dry food to allow the body to adjust. Taste of the Wild and Orijen, two good dog food brands, recommend rotating your dog’s food if you feed their brands. Pregnant or nursing dogs need energy-dense foods with increased calcium content so be sure to transition them during this special time to a puppy food. What a breath of fresh air. On day five, feed your dog 100 percent of his new food. Changing your dog's food when it is one year old is a general rule. Thank you! Once you find the kibble you want to switch to, begin the transition with increasing ratios of new food mixed with the old food. If necessary, choose an easily digestible formula to start off with. The recipe for successful food transitioning is to do it gradually. Even though I keep all garbage secure, there is always the dog-lover friend or relative who wants to sneak Rover food off their plates or that piece of hot dog. His body won’t react to it as an allergen at that time. To our dogs, we are the center of their world, where all good things, including food, come from. If your puppy is a large or giant breed: You should switch to an adult dog food when your puppy is anywhere from 18 months to 24 months old. I switched my dog from pedigree to Purina, because Purina seemed like it was better quality and my dog was eating it like crazy. My dogs are healthy and live into their teens. "A feeding routine helps your dog cope when there are changes in the household." Switching Dog Food Brands. Where you store your cat and dog food can make a big difference in the quality and freshness once it is opened. Pregnant or nursing dogs require energy-dense foods with increased calcium material so make sure to shift them during this unique time to a young puppy food. It may take 7-10 days for you to notice the changes in switching the food. At that time his body will have made antibodies to fight the allergen and release histamines and other chemicals which cause the allergic reaction. But commercial dog foods are supposed to guarantee that every meal you feed your dog provides complete and balanced nutrition if they are AAFCO-approved for adult dogs or all life stages. Tailored nutrition with our special Small & Mini antioxidant blend for lifelong immune support, Supports healthy joints, immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat, Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition. So you need to pick … Canned food is higher in protein. Although you will find several sources on the Internet that tell you otherwise, the answer is no. Abrupt changes to your dog's diet could result in gastrointestinal disturbances that lead to vomiting and/or diarrhea—and the last thing you want to do is condition him to associate his new home with discomfort. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In addition to signs of stomach upset, you should also keep an eye on your dog's stool. Most people will change dog foods for various reasons from time to time. She writes frequently about pets and pet health in her home office, where she is assisted by a lapful of furbabies. Most dogs are happy eating the same food regularly. Certainly, variety is good for your dog when you are cooking for him or providing a raw food diet where you are trying to balance out his nutrition over the course of several days. Even if he is not allergic to some of the common allergens, he might be allergic to some of the less common food allergens. When you substitute some of one type of diet as you transition to mixed feeding, it isn't as simple as swapping half a cup of dry for half a cup of wet. A switch in brands may or may not cause problems depending on the quality of ingredients and the make up of levels in protein, fat, fiber etc. Promotes healthy brain, eye, muscle & immune system development. By the end of that week you should only be feeding your dog adult food. © 2020 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. It’s ok if you have never switched out your dog’s food. YES! You should not have to feed your dog a variety of dog foods in order for him to achieve good health under these circumstances, especially if you are feeding a good quality food. Take some time to do a little research and figure out how to gradually switch your dog’s food so that it will affect your pet minimally. Even in this situation, you can help your puppy adjust to a … Give your dog plenty of water, especially now, as he'll need to stay hydrated during the transition. Learning how to switch dog food is essential to know, just in the case that we need to make a change their diet.
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