How do I switch dog food?

 

This is by far the most frequently asked question. And a good question as well. It might seem straight forward affair. But think again.

Switching your dog’s food abruptly can cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and a decreased appetite.

Do consider a dog’s life stage. Dogs have 4 life stages. Puppy, adolescent, adulthood and senior.

Puppy

Puppies are usually on kibble diet when we first collected them from the pet shop. Most vets will encourage that puppies stay on kibble diet till they are adolescent (between 6 – 18 months) for a good reason. Kibbles for puppies contain all the required nutrients, therefore, is not advisable to switch them out too soon unless it is necessary as advise by your vet.

Adolescent

Dogs at this stage are curious. They are learning and picking up new things. A new taste or a new texture. Most importantly their trust in you.

This is the time when eating habits and table manners are formed. When new food is introduced, they are curious but also cautious at the same time. Do it gradually and the right way.

Their eating habits will improve as time goes by when trust is form and they are used to the new environment.

Adulthood

The wise dog. Been there, done that.

You may switch their food type but introduce it gradually the right way. Look out for allergy and stomach issues.

Speak to us if your dog has an allergy issue.

Senior

An important factor when switching for dogs in the senior stage. They may have pre-existing medical conditions or known allergies. To switch, we still encourage to speak to your vet first.

If you have a dog, due its medical condition, requires some special diet, liquid diet or allergy to some ingredients or food group. We want to know about it and will cater to your need. Speak to us about it today.

 

The right way of switching.

As recommended by the American Kennel Club. Any time you decide to change your dog’s food, you should transition to the new diet gradually to give your dog’s system time to adjust to the change.

These transitions should happen over 5-7 days. During this transition, you will gradually incorporate more and more of the new food by mixing it with your dog’s current diet.

For most dogs, a good diet transition will look like this:

• Day 1: 25% new diet and 75% old diet.
• Day 3: 50% new diet and 50% old diet.
• Day 5: 75% new diet and 25% old diet.
• Day 7: 100% new diet.

Some dogs with sensitive stomachs, food allergies, or other gastrointestinal diseases may need an even longer transition period. The key to a good diet transition is monitoring your dog’s individual response. If your dog displays concerning signs such as changes in appetite, vomiting, or diarrhoea, you should proceed more slowly. And if you have transitioned gradually and your dog is still experiencing stomach upset, it is best to consult with your vet. In some cases, it may be necessary to choose a different diet.

If you are thinking of switching, remember it is not a straightforward process. It takes time. 

Source: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/right-way-switch-dog-foods/