5 Tips on Switching Dog Food & Symptoms of Changing Your Dog’s Food Too Quickly
Whether your dog is dealing with digestive issues or you’re interested in switching your pup to an all natural diet, there are a number of reasons you may choose to change your dog’s food. However, rushing the transition process could negatively impact your dog’s digestive system. That’s why it’s important to do your research before making a switch. Being knowledgeable about how to best transition your dog to a new food can make a huge difference in the experience for both you and your dog.
Below we’ve outlined some steps to help keep your dog happy and healthy through the transition as well as symptoms you might see if you change dog food too quickly.
Tips on Switching Dog Foods
1. Check the ingredient list
Checking the ingredients in your dog’s kibble helps ensure you choose a high-quality recipe, helps identify potential allergens or sensitivities, and helps avoid harmful additives or synthetic ingredients. By reviewing the ingredient list, you can make informed choices that promote your dog’s well-being and provide them with a balanced and healthy diet.
Since dogs are primarily carnivorous, they require a diet rich in meat protein for optimal health. Opting for pet food with a high quality protein source as the first ingredient can help ensure that your dog consumes a high-protein diet.
When reviewing the ingredient list on dog food, keep in mind that ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, with the largest amounts listed first. This means that the ingredients that have the highest inclusion in the recipe will be at the top of the list. Both fresh whole protein and high quality meat meals are great first ingredients to look for.
2. Look for fruits and vegetables
While dogs are carnivores and need protein in their diet, much like us humans they also need essential nutrients, some of which are available from plants. While there are synthetic options to deliver these nutrients, Nature’s Logic recipes have been purposefully designed to deliver vitamins and minerals from whole foods rather than synthetic sources. This is because whole foods contain a balanced mix of nutrients that work together to support optimal health for pets.
When looking for a food for your dog you’ll want to look for a complete and balanced recipe that delivers the amount of protein they need along with high quality nutrients from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and other sources like grains and fats.
3. Skip the chemical preservatives
Preservatives are a necessary part of the manufacturing process to help keep your dog’s food fresh, but some preservative options are better than others, as some antioxidants are natural while others are chemically synthesized. For example, Nature’s Logic utilizes Mixed Tocopherols, a natural antioxidant molecule extracted from vegetable oil, to help preserve our kibble.
4. Start small
One mistake dog owners often make when changing their pet’s food is making the switch all at once. Switching too quickly can cause digestive issues that aren’t related to the food, but rather a symptom of deviating from the previous food routine at a faster rate than your pup can handle.
This is a common mistake pet parents make and can give a false signal that a new food might not be working for your dog – when in reality the quick switch could be what triggered a digestive concern.
That’s why dog parents should gradually increase the portion of new food they give their dogs and follow a feeding transition plan.
5. Transition slowly
Plan to switch your dog’s food over the course of seven to 10 days. Start with offering 25 percent of the new food and gradually increase the new food over 10 days until they are fully transitioned. During this period, monitor how your dog behaves, taking note of things like energy levels, bowel movements, and any changes in appetite. Other worthwhile characteristics to note are any changes in your dog’s physical appearance, such as their coat. If you notice anything concerning switch back to your dog’s original food and contact your vet.
What Happens When You Change Your Dog’s Food Too Quickly?
So what happens if you skip the steps above and start your pup on a new diet without giving them time to transition? Spoiler, it might not be pretty. Some of the most common side effects of making the switch too fast may include gastrointestinal issues, like vomiting, diarrhea, and a change in appetite.
These can certainly be worrying for you and uncomfortable for your dog. However, they should pass in a short period of time provided you take action to slow the change of food, or if you decide to revert back to your pup’s previous diet. If you have questions or concerns, we always suggest contacting your vet.
Introducing a new food to your dog can bring positive lifestyle perks, but it should be a carefully planned journey to protect your dog’s health as you see if the new food is a good match.
If you’re looking to make a change in your dog’s nutrition and want to learn more about which Nature’s Logic recipe is best for your dog, send us a message. We would love to chat and offer a personalized recipe recommendation!
