When it comes to changing a dog’s food, experts recommend it gradually. Changing the food habit suddenly from the existing food habit will upset the tummy of your dog and will add other troubles too.
In order to have a successful transition from the dog’s current food from the existing food, take a leap of seven days. Continue reading the post to know some useful insights that will help you change your dog’s food habit from the existing one to a brand new diet.
Why Do You Need to Change the Existing Food Habit of Your Food?
There’s no harm in changing the food habit of your dog, and at some point in life, it turns out to be necessary. Here are some potential reasons why you need to change the existing food habit of your dog.
Weight
This is suggested when your dog is not in his/her ideal weight condition. Veterinarians recommend weight management formulas. You need to continue feeding more or less of the existing food habit.
Age
After completing the first birthday (later for the larger breeds), you need to transform the dog food. After age seven, dogs are considered seniors, and they can benefit a lot from switching their food habits.
Health
Certain dog foods are made in order to manage some health disorders nutritionally. The veterinarian might also suggest therapeutic formulas to support the pet’s unique nutritional needs along with GI circumstances.
Activity Levels
It is important to have a specialized formula for the dogs with demanding jobs or participating in events so that they can support these activities. For such dogs, experts recommend a diet rich in protein and calories.
It is advised not to curb your dog’s activity levels as this ensures the best health standards for the job and better joint health and overall health standards. You can install an electric dog fence extreme dog fence in order to ensure that your dog is safe and does not fall in the trap of strangers.
Pro Tips to Follow for Switching Dog’s Food
- In case of puppies, they become adults at exactly 12 months of age, and this is the right time to shift their food habits. This will ensure that they get the right nutrients in the body.
- In the case of small or medium-sized dogs, they should transition to mature adult food at the age of 7 or older to ensure that they get the best nutrients their body needs and consolidate the older life stage.
- If a concerned veterinarian suggests you for a therapeutic dog to combat certain health disorders, discuss the transition of the food in detail to get positive results. Possibly, there might be some special considerations as well as suggestions to make your dog stronger.
- Nursing or pregnant dogs require foods rich in dense energy along with maximum calcium content. Thus, the transition of the food in such a crucial stage becomes even more important.
Switching the Dog Food
No matter whether your dog is or not, you must be anxious when it comes to switching the new food, especially when a professional veterinarian has suggested the same. A gradual transition is key to switching to a new food. Experts suggest a span of 7-10 days is most appropriate in order to allow your dog to settle with the new diet. Let’ see how you can move.
Days 1 -2
Give ¾ of the existing food and add ¼ portions from the new diet plan.
Days 3 – 4
It’s the time when you need to serve half of the existing food and rest from the new diet chart.
Days 5 – 7
Between these days, you need to start feeding ¾ amount of the new food and ¼ of the previous food.
Days 8 – 10
Now, you only need to serve the new food.
If you find that your dog does not like the new food or if the change resulted in an upset digestive system, you can extend the transition for a few more days. It is best suggested to seek consultation from the concerned veterinarian. You need to keep in mind that you can change the transition process for your dog’s food when needed. Do not go for the extra mile and do everything that suits the existing wellbeing of the dog. After all, the transition is focused on the well-being of the dog and not harming the pre-defined system inside.