Dog Diet: How to Switch Your Dog’s Food

A dog’s nutritional needs change throughout his life. Puppies, adults and senior dogs have different nutritional requirements. Pet owners also switch their dogs’ food for other reasons. Some dog owners need a less expensive pet food option while others may have concern for the health of their pets.

Why Are You Switching?

Before you change your dog’s diet, think about why you’re switching your dog’s food. If you want your dog to live longer, make sure you carefully examine the ingredients of the new food. The differences in ingredients can also give you an idea about how your dog will react.

My husband and I decided to switch our dogs’ food due to excessively foul-smelling bowel movements. The dry food we fed them was chicken-based and we deduced that chicken was causing the odor, especially in our purebred Boxer, Odin.

We carefully considered the switch before it happened because purebred dogs often have very sensitive digestive systems.

If you’re considering switching your dog’s food from a puppy to adult blend, consult your veterinarian about the appropriate time to do so. Different breeds grow at different rates; you can’t always follow the instructions on the dog food when it comes to appropriate age.

Allergies

Does your pet have any known allergies? As with people, some dogs have food allergies and sensitivities. Your veterinarian can determine these with an allergy test. If your dog has food allergies, check the ingredients on the new food.

Our dogs don’t have any known food allergies, but since Odin has a sensitive stomach, we decided to stick with the same brand of dog food. We switched the variety to a mix that does not contain chicken and after about ten days, his ‘mess’ wasn’t so messy (or nearly as smelly).

Dry Food, Wet Food, People Food

Generally, dry food is the best option for most dogs. Dry food is easier to measure, increases a puppy’s jaw strength and is better for most dogs’ dental health. However, senior dogs and dogs with medical issues may require wet food.

Dogs consuming wet food and people food need to get plenty of exercise; you’ll need to brush their teeth more often, too.

It is generally inadvisable to feed your dog table scraps or ‘people food,’ especially while you are eating it. Feeding your dog separately (and after you) also reinforces your role as the alpha.

Effects of Switching Dog Food

The most common problem when switching dog food is stomach and digestion trouble. Dogs can get gas, diarrhea and may experience vomiting and lethargy due to dietary changes. (If changes become extreme, consult your veterinarian immediately.)

When we changed our dogs’ food, our pit bull experienced diarrhea for two days, though it took our Boxer about a week to adjust. Most dogs take 7-10 days to adjust fully.

Dogs experiencing diarrhea may become easily dehydrated. I noticed our dogs were a bit thirstier and I was sure to give them more water and take them outside more frequently. This helped us avoid accidents in the house.

Gradual Transition-Mixing Food Together

The easiest way to avoid dietary problems while changing your dog’s diet is to switch the food gradually. This requires some advanced planning on your part; you’ll still need some of your dog’s previous food to begin.

The standard five week plan ensures a gradual change in diet. To accomplish this, you must mix the old dog food with the new until eventually the serving consists completely of the new food.

When we switched our dogs’ food, we did a gradual switch, but over days, not weeks. This resulted in some difficulties for our dogs. If we need to switch their food again, we will take a more gradual approach.


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