Switching dog foods sounds simple: you put the new food in the bowl and life goes on, right? However, altering dog diets requires a bit more preparation. Luckily, pet-owners can use this helpful guide to learn what to consider before switching dog foods. If you take these steps, you can help your dog’s health flourish.
Smart Portions
Sudden shifts in dietary habits can have a negative effect on your dog’s stomach because their body must acclimate. As a result, the best rule of thumb for pet-owners is to slowly mix the new food into the original food before you fully move to the new recipe. For the first meal, reserve a quarter of the bowl for the new ingredients and fill in the rest of the bowl with the older food. Then, each day, you can increase the amount of new food by 10 to 15 percent until you reach the point where the whole bowl features the new batch.
Veterinarian Recommendations
It’s not uncommon for veterinarians to recommend diet changes due to health concerns. Suffice it to say, considering your veterinarian’s dietary recommendations is worth your time. However, if you decide to change your dog’s diet independently, consult with your vet before you officially decide on new meals. Either way, if you work with your vet to upgrade a pet’s diet, the vet will help you find the best ingredients for your specific pet—what might work for one dog might not work for another. Instead of making assumptions, rely on the experts for help.
Organic Options
Figuring out what to consider before switching dog foods requires glancing at another critical detail: the ingredients in the new food. When you discuss potential new meal plans with your vet, be sure to ask about organic options. As with human food, pet food ranges from beneficial to empty in terms of how it affects overall health. What your dog consumes daily even affects their dental health over time.
The real benefit of organic meals is the vitamins and minerals it provides your pet. For instance, carrots and broccoli are wonderful sources of fiber for dogs. Likewise, organic beef has protein, potassium, and other ingredients that safely fuel a dog’s body.
Simply put, paying more attention to the ingredients in your dog’s bowl can improve their daily life. Furthermore, always monitor your dog’s habits after they transition to a new food. That way, if your dog isn’t responding well to one or several of the new ingredients, you’ll know quickly, and you can begin figuring out a solution with your veterinarian.
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