There are several reasons why you would want to help your dog transition from one type of food to the other. Perhaps the dog food is expensive. The dog may also have an allergic reaction to the current diet so you want to switch to the best dog food for sensitive stomach concerns. You would want to try something new but are unsure about the best way on how to transition dog food. Regardless, some pets may be easier to transition as compared to others.
It would be advisable to monitor the dog as closely as possible during the transition phase to ensure they are getting the right nutritional needs. If you see that the dog is starting to vomit or has other gastrointestinal issues, it would be advisable to slow down the transition rate for a few days. Should the problems continue, you need to visit the veterinarian.
Article Summary
Reasons to Transition the Dog’s Food
New life stages
Dog nutrition also changes when they mature into an adult. For one, they require fewer calories in the food because the metabolism slows down. If you are unsure when to switch to adult dog food, the general idea is that the transition happens when dogs reach one year. It is also dependent on their breed and size. Small breed types would reach maturity quicker as compared to the large breed puppies. You may have to feed large breed puppy food for longer—be sure to provide their nutritional needs and feed the best puppy food. Fortunately, this does not usually apply to older dogs. Most dogs do not need special adult dog food so they can live a healthy life. If your adult dogs have been eating a certain kind of senior dog food for several years, there is no need to switch it later.
Weight management
Some of the main causes of weight gain in pets include lack of exercise and overfeeding [1]. Though, there are other unavoidable reasons why your dog has a weight problem like Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism. Older pets like those that are neutered or spayed are more prone to weight gain. In these cases, a weight management formula is one of the ways to help the dog maintain a sustainable weight—give them them best dog food for weight loss. On the other hand, your dog might be underweight, in which case they need a formula to gradually gain weight. The best thing would be to consult the vet before deciding to switch dog food in either case of over or underweight.
Pet food allergies
Pets get allergies to typical food, as is the case with humans. Some pets are allergic to beef, wheat or chicken. Some of the symptoms of these allergies are when they are fed, your dog experiences vomiting and diarrhea despite having the right portions and no toxins. If you suspect they are allergic to a food, please visit the veterinarian. They will provide information on switching dog food to a new diet.
Veterinarian recommendations
Say you have been visiting the vet frequently about a stomach upset. They may recommend a diet change based on the dog’s unique symptoms. The vet may recommend using specific formulas to address the sensitivities and pet food allergies.
How to Transition Dog Food
The best means to switch dog food would be to mix the previous food with the new one. The process should take between five and ten days so that your pup can adjust to the change without suffering from gastrointestinal issues. It will have to be done in percentages as follows.
- Day 1- Feed the dog according to portions. It should be 75% of the previous one and 25% of the new dog foods for every meal. This is to begin the adjustment period. Watch for the reactions.
- Day 2- Adjust the portions to 60% of the old with 40% of the new dog foods with every serving. Continue to observe the dog’s behavior at this time.
- Day 3- Change the feeding portions to 50% of the previous food and 50 % of the new food for every serving.
- Day 4- Feed 40% of the previous food and 60% of the new food for every serving. At this point, the new food is more than the older food. Monitor the behavior of the dog
- Day 5- Feed 25% of the older food to the dog and 75% of the new food. The new dog food is the majority at that point.
- Day 6- Feed 100% of the new food to the dog. This is where it will be very close to the complete transition.
Choosing a New Dog Food
There are different ways of going about this, such as reading the dog food labels to ensure that the dog is getting the right ingredients and levels of nutrition according to the unique health requirements. You can also check on the best dog food delivery service alternatives such as kibble as well as freshly made foods. Today’s best fresh dog food brands are usually made to be human-grade level and can be customized according to the dog’s age, weight and health condition.
FAQs
How do you transition from one dog food to another?
During the transition period for a new food, the process can take up to 10 days. That would mean combining the new food with the old every day.
How long should it take to transition dog food?
It should take five to seven days to transition from the old to the new food. That will improve the dog’s digestive health by giving the system a chance to change.
