Dog Adoption, Dog Foods, Dog Questions, Dogs

All You Need to Know About Dog Food Transition

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When it comes to dog food, it is essential to be aware that it is not recommended to stick to a specific type. However, the dog food transition is not just about merely feeding the pet a new concoction one day. It needs to be done correctly to avoid unnecessary problems. It is a process you should understand fully and be prepared for.

 

Why Change The Dog’s Food

There are many reasons why you should change a pet’s food repeatedly. For one, dogs are mammals, which are naturally into the consumption of various food items. The purpose of this is to acquire the multiple minerals and vitamins required. This is not possible if you restrict their diet to a specific kind of meat or food only.

Another reason why dogs should switch food is the fact that no dog food has it all. Dog food goes through a trial period of six months. Some do not even go for trial. Changing diets on a regular basis helps to avoid extra or lack of specific nutrients.

It is also natural for dogs to reach a level of saturation when consuming the same stuff every meal every day. Variety makes life more enjoyable, avoiding boredom and frustration in the process. If a dog enjoys his dinner, he does not have to be offered a treat after just to finish his meal.

Probably the most significant justification for changing dog food is to prevent allergy development. Allergies, by nature, are not acquired on a one-time basis. It results from the build-up after prolonged and constant exposure to a food item. This is why nutritionists always advise feeding dogs with a wide variety of foods even as puppies.

A dog’s personal characteristic is also another reason to change its diet. Puppies generally have a different set of dietary requirements than their older counterparts. Shifting to a different food at a certain age is natural.

 

How Often Should Dog Food Be Rotated?

Based on the reasons behind dog food switching, it is recommended to do so every three months at the very least. Doing so more frequently is better for the same reasons. If possible, dog-owners can also change the food every time a bag of supply is consumed. This is with due consideration of the dog’s ability to adjust to the shift.

 

Making A Dog Food Plan

Before actually changing the dog food, it helps owners to do it properly if a plan is made and followed. This is to avoid possible glitches in the transition, which can easily result in a pet’s upset stomach. More so, organizing a plan helps keep track of the process and progress. This gives one the confidence in the success of the transition and its goals.

The whole transition process takes typically at least 10 days, so one should be prepared for the possibilities within this period. One thing to ensure is having enough of the current food to last in the transition. This is important because it cannot be suggested at all to shift to the new food entirely right away. The key to proper transition is to do it gradually.

 

The 10-Day Dog Food Transition Plan

To start off, the new food should is added to the old food in the dog’s meal in a tiny amount. This means that it is still eating its regular meal with the current food. The exact portion of old food taken from the meal should be the same portion of the new food added. You should increase the amount of new food added to the old food within the period of 7 to 10 days. On the 6th day, the meal should be made mostly of the new food already. This gradual increase is necessary to avoid an impact on the dog’s digestive system.

 

Guidelines To Dog Food Transition

If the dog is used to single feeding time daily, the transition is a good time to split his meals into two. Digesting the food is more comfortable for the pet with the smaller size of the meal. However, it is not at all recommended to shift from two meals to one meal a day. The difference is most likely to be too much for the pet to handle.

When the dog is consuming half of the different foods, it is natural to have some bowel problems. This is natural and should not be a cause of worry. However, it is best to stay at the same level for a few days before progressing forward. This is because some dogs take a little more time than others in adjusting to the change.

The dog’s overall health is an important consideration to note when planning and executing the transition to a new food. You should take the time to assess the pet’s body and health condition to determine the proper dose. A dog’s built is an excellent way to assess this and be a basis for its daily food intake. In addition to food intake, its activity level should also be modified according to its present condition.

 

Things To Avoid

It is also essential to note the restrictions to fend off any negative implications. You should not feed the same amount of protein to your elderly dogs as growing ones. It can have a negative impact on the dog’s kidneys and liver. They need certain supplements instead to help with the natural stiffness of the mature joints. You should ideally not incorporate the treats in the transition process as the diet should be free from unnecessary elements. It should only be the old and new food to ensure proper monitoring of the change and its effects.

A new diet will show its impacts on a recognizable level after three months at least. You should not make any further changes or even simple conclusions in lesser time. Should there be any symptoms during or after the transition, remember to inform a veterinarian right away. After all, early intervention for any problems almost always gets it solved more easily.

 

Conclusion

Switching from one food to another might seem like a painful process at a glance. Pet owners definitely do not want their canine buddies to have any stomach problems, digestive issues or simple discomfort. However, the transition is a necessity for many good reasons that dog-owners cannot and should not disregard. Making sure that the process is done the right way will avoid such concerns and achieve the best results.

 

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