If you’ve ever wondered what’s the best way to transition food for your dog, this is a great sign! This indicates that you care about your pet’s health and well-being. There is a well-known saying that goes, “We are what we eat.” According to studies, we know that this saying reflects reality; food plays a fundamental role in our health, and that also applies to our pets.
This becomes even more important for them if we think humans are responsible for choosing the food our pets will consume. Without a doubt, we want them to be well-fed, but above all, we want this food to influence their health, well-being, and longevity positively.
Therefore, even if the change is positive in nutritional terms, it must be done correctly to bring positive results in the short, medium, and long term. Continue with us to find out when and how to change your dog’s food. You can be sure that you will learn super valuable tips to put into practice with your pet from our dog blogs!
Can I Change My Dog’s Food?
At certain times throughout the lives of dogs, it may be necessary to change our pets’ diet, for example, in cases of changing age groups, illnesses, specific needs, or even the introduction of wet food.
Currently, food is increasingly specific to pets’ needs; for example, it is adapted to age, breeds, sensitivities, physiological state, lifestyle, and health conditions. This means you can increase the probability of changing food throughout your pet’s life.
What Are the Consequences of Changing My Dog’s Food?
When considering changing your dog’s food, choose a new food with better nutritional characteristics and the most specific to your dog’s characteristics.
However, a super important point we cannot rule out is how to make this exchange, which can only be done with due care. Otherwise, we could really face some disadvantages on this path.
When Do I Know I Can Improve My Dog’s Food Quality?
As we mentioned, pets’ nutritional needs change throughout life, whether due to growth, advancing age, developing sensitivities, or illnesses.
In these cases, dietary changes are necessary. In addition, other points can be observed and indicate that the change to a better quality diet will be beneficial:
When You Know You Can Improve the Quality of Your Dog’s Food
Some tutors, when still inexperienced, may not pay due attention to the importance of the quality of nutrition that the pet receives. Feeding pets good nutrition should contribute to their health, well-being, and longevity.
After research and conversations with the veterinarian, you may realize that you can improve the quality or specificity of your dog’s food. In that case, power switching is a great option.
When Noticing Some Peculiar Details in Your Dog
Some signs that may indicate the need to change food:
- Dull hair: The skin and hair are constantly renewed, so there are specific nutritional requirements for their maintenance. If it seems that your pet’s coat is not as beautiful as before and has lost its vigor, this could be a sign that that food is not meeting its nutritional needs. Specific foods are available on the market to improve the condition of the skin and coat of dogs.
- Pet without energy and mood: If your dog seems to lack the energy to play and do day-to-day activities, it may be a sign that he is not eating properly or that the food is inadequate for his needs. In these cases, it is important to follow up with a veterinarian to indicate the best food and to find out if there is nothing wang with his health.
- Overweight or obesity: Weight gain and body condition above ideal do not indicate health. On the contrary, being overweight and obese can negatively affect your dog’s health and longevity. If your pet is overweight or has an insatiable appetite, talk to the veterinarian to adopt the type of food, the amount to be offered, and tips for food management.
- Low quality of feces: The food quality influences how much the pet will absorb in relation to what it eats. This is directly related to the stool’s quality, volume, and odor. If your pet presents low-quality feces, with large volume, odor, and non-ideal consistency, it may indicate that you need to improve the food you offer him.
How to make your dog’s food transition smoothly?
When changing food, care must be taken not to cause adverse reactions to the pet’s organism. Sudden changes can cause digestive discomfort, including vomiting and diarrhea, and can cause stress and aversion to new food.
Introducing a new food should be done slowly to facilitate adaptation safely and carefully, and gradually over at least 7 days. Introduce small percentages of the new diet, gradually increasing the proportion until the pet fully transitions to the new food as follows:
- Days 1 and 2 – 75% old food + 25% new food;
- Days 3 and 4 – 50% old food + 50% new food;
- Days 5 and 6 – 25% old food + 75% new food;
- Day 7 – 100% new food.
Maintaining the eating routine at the same times and environments as meals are recommended. If the food exchange is done due to your pet’s health condition, the transition can be even slower and more gradual. Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions.
Another important tip is to adopt the portion of the new food according to the amount indicated on the package. Better nutritional foods tend to be more concentrated, meaning your pet will need to consume a smaller portion of food to meet its nutritional needs.
Conclusion
In addition to knowing how to change your dog’s food, always pay close attention to the pet. If he shows any strange signs, it’s best to look for a veterinarian to see if everything is ok. You can check dog blogs for more ways to keep your dog healthy. While transitioning, you can check out and choose from the best grain-free dog food or dry foods.