Changing Dog Food Side Effects

Long Dog Food Transition Timeline

The percentages in the timelines above refer to the quantity of food fed. For example, if before the transition you were feeding 2 cups of the current food, then day 1 of the transition you would feed 75% of the current food which is 1½ cup. This leaves ½ cups of the new food to fill the bowl.

Regardless of which diet transition schedule is used, it is generally recommended to give your dog a pet-specific probiotic during the transition to help your dogs stomach break down and digest the new ingredients in a healthy way. Consult your veterinarian to find the best probiotic that is recommended for your dog.

Stage : Increase New Food Quantity

At stage 2, you will notice your dogs digestion beginning to improve , but you may be noticing other symptoms begin to appear. This is a part of the healing process , and we encourage you to be patient. Your dogs body is shedding all of those built-up toxinsso while it may be a bit uncomfortable for them, know that it wont last forever, and it will get better shortly!

Symptoms of a healing crisis include:

If you notice these symptoms persist or if your dog hasnt eaten in 24 hours or has a fever lasting more than 24 hours, . You know your dog best!

Vitamins And Nutrients For Dogs

Humans dont get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need from a one-stop-shop kind of a diet and neither do our dogs! Whether your dog is eating a diet that consists of kibble or you are dishing up a homemade dog food recipe like this one, your pup needs vitamins and minerals just like you do! We really like and use the brand Dog Greens every single day! It is a plant based vitamin and mineral powder that we sprinkle over the dogs food with each meal. They love the flavor and we love knowing that all of their nutritional needs have been met each day!

Read Also: What Human Foods Do Dogs Like

How Do I Know If I Am Feeding My Dog The Right Food

It seems like it would be difficult to know which food is right for your dog, but the way to know is to look for signs that he is getting the nutrients he needs. If he is getting the proteins, carbs, and fats he needs, he will be getting the vitamins and minerals he needs.

The signs to look for are healthy skin, a full, shiny coat, and firm, brown stools. Also, he should have plenty of energy for his breed and age. Always make sure to provide your dog with enough water.

Some Common Possible Side Effects Of Switching Dog Foods

Switching the foods for dog is not that easy. That is what the people often experience. However, commonly the impacts may be varied. Thus, it means the impacts may be different from one dog to another. That is because of some factors including the condition of the dogs physic and even its habit. However, there are some Side-Effects of Switching Dog Food which you may need to be aware of before you start your step to switch the dogs food. Some possible side effects are:

• The appetite decrease
• Some problems of the digestions which may be varied, as like providing excessive gas, diarrhea, upset stomach, and so on.

Those are some common problems which often happen to the dog when they experience the dog food switching. Why it happens? It may be varied, but mostly that is because of the difference of the ingredients in the dog foods. One of the common conditions is when the dog is previous enjoying the meat based foods and then it is switched into the carbohydrate based one. Sure, the intestine will show some problems since good bacteria there has been set into the food which is meat based.

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What Fruits Are Good For Diabetes And Which Should You Avoid

Fruit often gets a bad rap due to its carb content, but this food group can actually be great in a diabetes diet when chosen wisely and eaten in moderation. In particular, fruit can be a great replacement for unhealthy processed sweets, such as pastries, cakes, and cookies, while providing disease-fighting antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and satiating fiber to boot.

But just as with grains, its important to roll out your carb-counting skills when noshing on natures candy. The ADA notes that a small piece of whole fruit or ½ cup of canned or frozen fruit typically contains 15 g of carbs, while fruit juice a less ideal source of fruit for diabetes can have that much in 1/3 to ½ cup.

Also, dried fruit may not be the best way to get your fix. Because so much water is removed, a serving of this variety is much smaller and usually less filling than whole fruit the ADA warns that just 2 tablespoons of raisins contains the same 15 g that a small piece of whole fruit contains!

Same goes for canned fruit: This variety often contains sugary syrup at a high concentration, which should be avoided at all costs. Instead, look for terms like packed in its own juices, unsweetened, or no added sugar, the ADA says. Trendy juices are similarly less than ideal, as theyre stripped of the beneficial fiber that youd find in whole fruit with the skin on.

You have many fruit choices at your disposal, according to the ADA. Best options for fruit include:

Always Read The Ingredients

Labels can be deceptive and sometimes confusing to decode. Before selecting the right food for your dog, be sure to thoroughly read and analyze the ingredient list. Many foods will masquerade as being a great choice for your dog but might be filled with nutritionally deficient filler ingredients. When reading the ingredient list, be sure that the food does not contain any ingredients your dog is allergic to, other poultry byproducts, or any artificial preservatives and fillers.

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How To Choose A Senior Dog Food

If you and your veterinarian decide that switching to a senior dog food is correct for your dog, choose a senior dog food with the guidelines below and follow the diet transition guidelines above according to their intestinal sensitivity.

Guidelines for choosing a senior dog food:

• Look for an AAFCO label stating that the food is complete and balanced
• Consider staying with the brand of food that has worked well in the past
• Consider a formula that includes joint support for arthritis
• Look for ingredients you feel comfortable feeding
• Find a senior dog food that fits within your budget

How Can I Help My Dog Get Through His Tough Tummy Times

Try mixing half of your dogs Nom Nom meal with an equal portion of rice or potato.

Put your dog on a temporary fast to help his digestive system reset. Pull food for 12 to 24 hours, then try giving your dog half a meal. Remember to limit treats during this transition and to plan around any medications.

Remain consistent about feeding your dog at designated meal times.

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Best Probiotic With Fiber

Poop happens. When dogs are transitioning over to a new food or dietary switch, the consistency and frequency of their poop may change. Fiber added to your dogs diet can help maintain gut balance but also regulate the bowels and keep their colon healthy, too. Great Poop is a fiber supplement that contains the right amount of probiotics and digestive enzymes. The result is every dog parents dream: a healthy gut and firm stool.

Highlights

• Dogs transitioning to a new food may benefit from fiber supplementation
• Great Poops balance of proper probiotics promotes intestinal microbial balance
• Aids in digestion and the bacterial environment of a dogs gut
• Yummy chicken flavor in a chewable form
• Prebiotics for colonic health

• Safe for use in dogs over 12 weeks of age
• One flavor selection
• Number of chews dispensed depends on the weight of the dog

Changing Dog Food Too Quickly Symptoms And How To Fix Them

Dogs are omnivores so youd think they rarely have digestive problems. Not always true, however. Here are some changing dog food too quickly symptoms and how to fix them. Well go over what you can expect, how to avoid most issues, and what to do if some problems arise. A vets recommendation should always take priority over anything we say, of course, but these are some good general tips that will likely help you avoid any issues in the first place.

• How to change dog food quickly?

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The Proof Is In The Poop

The best way to monitor your dogs digestive health is to pay attention to the quality of the stool. While minor variations in stool color and consistency are normal, any major changes can indicate a problem that needs to be addressed. A great way to evaluate your dogs stool is to use a Fecal Scoring Chart. An ideal fecal score is 34. Lower numbers may indicate dehydration or constipation, while higher numbers are indicative of gastrointestinal upset, which can be due to a variety of factors. If your dogs stool is consistently outside of the normal range, it is recommended that you consult your veterinarian regarding your dogs digestive health.

What Sources Of Fat Are Good And Bad For Diabetes

Fat is not the enemy! In truth, getting enough of the right kind of fat can ultimately help you lower insulin resistance and attain better control over your blood sugar, according to a meta-analysis published July 2016 in PLoS Medicine. The key is knowing how to tell good fat from bad fat.

The monounsaturated fats found in avocados, almonds, and pecans or the polyunsaturated fats found in walnuts and sunflower oil, which can help lower LDL cholesterol, are great picks when eating for type 2 diabetes, according to the ADA.

Meanwhile, saturated fats and trans fats can harm your heart and overall health, according to the AHA. To spot trans fats, look for the term hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenated oils on labels of processed foods, such as packaged snacks, baked goods, and crackers. I always tell my clients to double-check the ingredient list to make sure they dont see any partially hydrogenated oil in their food products, Massey says.

Best options, per the ADA:

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Stage : Fully Transitioned To New Food

Congratulations! You have successfully transitioned your dog to their new food, and in fact, you may be noticing some AMAZING things happening with your dog! Some great benefits you may notice after switching your dogs food include:

• Licking/itching has decreased
• Tear stains under the eyes are fading
• Less/No more scooting
• More regular poop, more solid poop, less poop there are LOTS of poop benefits when you start feeding whole foods
• Dandruff and dry skin improving
• More excitement at mealtime

These improvements are especially noticeable when transitioning from a diet of processed food to a more natural one. We have tons of customers who have had incredible success and unbelievable results as they switch their pets food.

It truly has improved my Pennys life

Penny Lane Penny Pants Penny PiePenny came to live with us about one year ago. She is the sweetest lady and LOVES attention from humans. When Penny came to us, she weighed 92lbs. I knew we had to work on her weight. We started feeding Penny Side By Side recipes in May 2018. In five months, she has lost 12lbs!

Simply by changing her diet from a kibble to a balanced whole food diet. I also noticed that her anxiety has decreased, she doesnt have recurring hot spots anymore, she sheds less, and just seems happier overall! I could not be more in love with Side By Side Pet. It truly has improved my Pennys life.

Safe Food Transitioning For Dog

When switching a pets diet, do it gradually over a period of around 710 days, gradually adding more new food each day to the old food: For the first three days, start with 75 percent old food and 25 percent new food.

After that, mix old and new materials equally for around three days. Then, make a blend of the new food and gradually increase its proportion until the pet is getting 100 percent new food. If the pet develops loose stools, nausea, or vomiting, then go back to the previous composition of food.

Switching a pets diet can be beneficial in a number of ways. Many people say that their dogs became less hyper and calmer when switching to a new food, exhibiting less fur. Shedding also tends to decrease when a dog switches over.

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What Vegetables Are Good For People With Diabetes And Which Arent

Vegetables are an important food group to include in any healthy diet, and a diabetes diet is no exception. Veggies are full of fiber and nutrients, and nonstarchy varieties are low in carbohydrates a win for people with diabetes who want to gain control over their blood sugar level, Massey says.

As for packaging, frozen veggies without sauce are just as nutritious as fresh, and even low-sodium canned veggies can be a good choice if youre in a pinch. Just be sure to watch your sodium intake to avoid high blood pressure, and consider draining and rinsing salted canned veggies before eating, per the ADA. If possible, opt for low-sodium or sodium-free canned veggies if going that route.

Follow this general rule: Aim to fill one-half your plate with nonstarchy veggies, as recommended by the NIDDK. And if youre craving mashed white potatoes, try mashed cauliflower, Massey suggests.

Best veggie options, according to the ADA:

• Greens, like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard
• Cruciferous veggies, like broccoli and cauliflower

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Is It Ok To Mix Different Dog Food From The Same Brand

You should never mix dog foods from two different brands, but using two foods of the same brand is not all thats important. Another thing you need to be aware of is that you shouldnt mix puppy and adult foods or adult and senior foods. You should also not mix two levels of dog food, even if they are from the same brand.

For instance, you should mix two foods from the Platinum tier instead of one food from the Platinum tier and one food from the Gold tier. The reason is that each tier has different combinations and ratios of vitamins and minerals so that if you mix them, you throw the careful balance off. You could cause overexposure to some vitamins and minerals and deficiency to others.

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Switching Dog Food: Final Tips

If you choose to switch your dogs food due to a lifestyle change, a recommendation from your veterinarian, or a budgetary need, there are some things you should keep in mind.

Follow these additional tips when changing your dogs food:

Plan ahead. When a diet transition is needed or desired, planning ahead is important. Starting a diet transition a day or two before going out of town and leaving your dog with a sitter, or before bringing your dog on vacation is asking for trouble.

Have enough current food. Make sure you start the transition while you still have enough of the current food to last through the whole transition timeline.

Adjust the timeline if needed. If your dog has intestinal upset during a diet transition, start over and try a slower transition. The same transition speed will likely result in the same intestinal upset.

Observe your dog during and after the switch. After any diet transition, keep a close eye on your dog over the next several weeks. If they appear to be losing or gaining weight, alter the amount you are feeding by 5-10 percent and then watch them again.

Consult your veterinarian with questions. If you need help with your dogs daily calorie intake, and how much you should feed, give your veterinarian a callthey know best.

Diarrhea And Food Changes

If you change your dog’s food suddenly and out of nowhere, he might experience diarrhea as a result of it, according to Colleen Paige, author of “The Good Behavior Book of Dogs.” Sudden dietary switches can disrupt your dog’s levels of “flora” — intestinal bacteria. This disruption, in turn, can interfere with digestion and bring upon tummy upset in canines. When a dog exhibits symptoms such as gas, stomachache and loose, runny bowels after a switch in food, it often signifies that the transition occurred too rapidly.

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Side Effects Of Switching Dog Food

If you didnt take the time to follow a diet transition schedule, or if you otherwise tried to switch too quickly, you might get to see what intestinal upset looks like.

Consider a time when you have eaten a brand new cuisine or a food you were otherwise not used to eating. The stomach pain and/or bathroom consequences you experienced are similar to what a dog goes through after eating something their body is not used to. Intestinal upset can manifest as throwing up, little or no appetite, or diarrhea.

Problems When Switching Dog Food

No matter how gradually you switch your dog’s food over, sometimes they still get stomach upset. The most common problem when switching food is loose stool, and sometimes diarrhea.

Hardening your dog’s stool back up is pretty easy — there are two things you can do and one or the other may work better for your dog.

• Cook up some plain rice, , and even brown up some plain hamburger and mix the two together. Give this mixture with a little kibble mixed in with it for a day or two until your dogs stool starts to harden back up, then gradually over a couple of meals feed more kibble than rice and hamburger mixture.

• Another option for stool hardening is adding some canned pumpkin to your dogs food. It’s the same principal as the rice & hamburger mixture. Just add a generous amount to each meal and as your dog’s stool starts to harden, back the pumpkin off over a few meals.

Some thoughts to ponder. . . .

Hopefully your food transition goes smoothly, and hopefully you’re switching dog food because you want your best friend to be eating high quality food. High price does not necessarily mean high quality by the way.

One the most important things to remember is that not all foods work for all dogs — even quality foods. If your dog’s food is not agreeing with his stomach, then you should consider a switch.

A couple of ingredients that dog’s can be sensitive to are grains and protein content. For dogs with highly sensitive stomachs, lamb is usually the best protein source.

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