How to Seamlessly Switch Dog Foods
Many dogs have a problem with new foods and treats.
Common symptoms of gastrointestinal upsetÂ
from changing foods include:
* Change in consumption of grass or plants
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Disinterest in new food
Switching to a new brand, and for some of our more sensitive pups, a new flavor within the same brand, can cause the above symptoms. The more “severe” the change, from a one-star food to a five-star food (severe change) vs. a four-star food to a five-star food (mild change), can help determine the distress level you might see in your pet. The response to food changes also depends on your pup. Some dogs have no problem with any food changes.
Best ways to assist your pet in avoiding as manyÂ
symptoms as possible:
It is recommended to ‘spread’ the food switch over 5-7 days. This can be done by mixing the old kibble with the new. Over time, we want to feed less and less of the retiring food and more of the new food. The following is a table showing ratios for old:new kibble.
        Food Transitioning Ratio Table Â
Day         |
Ratio of Old:New Food         |
|---|
1 |
6:1 |
2 |
5:2 |
3 |
4:3 |
4 |
3:4 |
5 |
2:5 |
6 |
1:6 |
7 |
1= feed only new food |
Note:Â Make sure to check the feeding amount from the old food as well as the new. When switching to higher quality foods, the feeding amount is less. On a food with grains, Mozzie will need 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food. On a grain-free food, he needs to eat about 3/4 of a cup.
Treating Specific Symptoms:
Some of our dogs have it harder than others. Especially when switching to high quality foods and meals, such as raw or dehydrated foods, we need to treat specific symptoms to make transitions easier.
*Treating Grass/Plant Munchers & Vomiters:
If your dog is eating grass and throwing up, it tends to be caused by an upset stomach. To help with upset stomach, look into enzyme dietary supplements which include probiotics and prebiotics. My personal experience with Toby is that he will vomit part of his meal once or twice with a new brand of food if I don’t include a product such as “Prozyme.” You may also add plain, fat-free yogurt to the kibble to help increase the probiotics and prebiotics, too.
~If your dog vomits and you’re not sure why, please seek veterinary assistance. Â Excessive vomiting ( esp. combined with diarrhea) is a dangerous sign and needs to be treated immediately.~
*Treating Diarrhea:
Add pumpkin (avoid pie filling) to kibble at mealtimes to increase fiber and firm up stool. If your dog is allergic to pumpkin, sweet potato is another option.
*Treating Disinterest:
When a dog won’t eat the new food, it’s generally because it causes him stomach aches. To avoid stomach aches, add some plain yogurt to the food dish when serving.
For information about kibble ingredients and qualities, check brands on
FoodAdvisor.com.
More on vomiting in dogs:
Information to help puppies with diarrhea:
 |
Zedd Resting |
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