There are many reasons why you may decide to change your dog's diet, including transitioning from puppy to adult food, eliminating a discovered food allergy, or simply introducing a better quality brand of dog food. Whatever the reason, it's always good to keep a few points in mind to make the transition to new food for your dog the right way.
While dogs sometimes willingly eat some hilarious or horrible things, it's important to properly prepare their bellies for a smooth transition to their new food. A quick food change can lead to tummy upsets or other issues, so be patient and let your dog get used to the new food over a period of one week.
Here are some tips:
Know the ingredients. The pet food industry has a bad reputation for poor quality ingredients and by-products. When looking for a new brand, make sure the ingredients chosen are high quality, allergen friendly and that the company carries out third party quality and nutritional testing. Most companies will answer your questions if you send them an email.
Have a plan for the switch. Switching your dog's food over the course of a week is usually the easiest transition for a dog. On day one of the transition, start mixing one-third of your dog's old food with two-thirds of their new food and gradually switch to 100 percent of the new food over a period of five to 10 days. This transition time gives the dog's stomach more time to adjust to the ingredients of the new formula. During the transition, a short period of soft stools may be normal, but consult your vet if your dog experiences persistent symptoms or changes in behavior at the end of or after the transition.
Consider an all-natural or plant-based diet. Studies show that most food-related allergies in dogs stem from animal products such as beef and chicken. Since dogs are physiologically omnivores, they are able to digest and utilize starch excellently. A completely plant-based diet has proven to be an excellent, responsible solution for sensitive, allergy-prone dogs.
