How To Switch Your Dog’s Food
Switching your dog’s food gradually is not difficult. It’s just a matter of adding the new kibble to the old kibble a little at a time.
Since I don’t know how much you’re feeding your dog, because everything depends on breed and size, I’ll give a sample ratio:
- For every 1 cup of food you normally feed your dog, reduce that to 3/4
- Add 1/4 of the new food into the old food
- Continue this ratio for 2 to 3 days
- Over the next week or so, increase the ratio to 1/2 & 1/2 of each type of dog food
- After a week and 1/2 to 2 weeks, you should be able to switch completely over to the new food.
It’s a good idea to try to time your dog food switch with just the right amount of old food left in the bag. If you can measure it out using the ratio’s and time frame above, you hopefully won’t waste any food, or switch your dog over too quickly.
How Do I Know If Im Feeding My Puppy Enough
Your puppy should be eating enough to grow and gain weight at a steady, healthy rate. Puppies that grow too quickly or become overweight are more prone to develop orthopedic problems, so it is important not to over-feed your puppy. Ideally, your puppy should maintain a healthy lean body weight. Your veterinarian evaluates this using a numerical scale called the Body Condition Score.
The Body Condition Score is determined by evaluating the fat deposits over the dogs ribs, hips, and spine and assigning a number on a scale from 1 to 5 or from 1 to 9, with 1 being extremely underweight and 5 or 9 being obese. An ideal Body Condition Score is a 3/5 or a 5/9, depending on the scale your veterinarian uses.
To determine whether you are feeding your puppy enough, ask your veterinarian to evaluate your puppys Body Condition Score, or learn how to evaluate the Body Condition Score at home. If the number is too low, you may need to increase the amount of food you are feeding your puppy. If the number is too high, your puppy is overweight and you will need to decrease the amount of food you are feeding to reach an ideal score.
When Does A Dog Need To Switch To Senior Dog Food
Dog life-stage classifications can help you know when your dog is considered a senior. Depending on their breed and size, most dogs are considered to be mature adults between 6 and 8 years old. In most cases, a dog older than 8 years will move into the senior category.
While these age classifications can be helpful in guiding food choices, its important to remember that animals are individuals. Just because they reach a certain age does not mean they are necessarily old on a physiologic scale.
The aging process differs for each dog, and just like with people, it may look, feel, and affect them all differently. If your senior dog is healthy and maintaining a good weight, a new dog food may not be needed.
Your veterinarian is your best ally in determining when your dog is ready to transition to a senior diet.
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Can You Change Dog Food Flavors
Is it possible to change your dogs diet when it is set in its ways? Can you change dog food flavors suddenly for nutritional purposes? We discuss these questions below.
Dogs love their dog food and like to try a new flavor every now and then. In my experience, feeding our dog his favorite food and worrying about his nutrition are two different things.
So if you are wondering whether you can change dog food flavors for better nutrition, I say yes, go ahead and do it immediately. There might be some temporary side-effects, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Are you in a dilemma regarding your dogs food choices and habits? Does he like his food, or is he eating it because it is the only option? Is he healthy and energetic? Here is a brief about what to do and not to do with your dogs food.
How Do I Know If My Puppy Is Eating The Right Amount
Veterinarians evaluate dogs using a body conditioning score, which ranges from one for emaciated, to five for obese. It’s normal for very young puppies to have some baby fat, but after the first 8 to 10 weeks, “puppies should be a two”, Buffington says.
You can learn to assess your dog at home. At a score of two, which is relatively thin, a puppys ribs may be visible. The tops of the back bones will generally be easily seen. You shouldnt be able to feel any fat on its ribs. You should see a waist when looking down at your puppy and an abdominal tuck when looking from the side.
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Is It Bad To Switch Your Puppys Food
Stick to that food over two weeks if possible: changing the diet wont be helpful to your dog at all. Since dogs digest different food than humans do, changing their diets can lead to different nutritional problems. Whenever you decide what you should recommend to your dog, make sure you consult with your veterinarian.
Do Dogs Get Bored When They Eat The Same Dog Food Again And Again
It is more commonly said that they do not get bored by eating the same food all the time, but all of us feel that he is getting bored. We, the masters of our pets, correlate our feelings with the dog about what could happen if we eat the same thing every day.
But feeding the dog with the same food every day has certain demerits like nutritional imbalances. Every food label suggests that it is complete but commercial dog food processed cannot fulfill a dogs nutrition needs through the same food.
So you can change the dogs food and make sure that your dog gets enough nutrients required to be healthy. You can also rotate your dogs food so that it gets complete nutrition.
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How To Transition Dog Food Without Upsetting Your Pet
We have found that the smoothest transition from one dry food to another is to simply mix the foods together in order to change your dogs diet gradually. This food transition process should usually take about seven days until you are feeding your pet 100% of the new food. You can increase the transition time if your dog is particularly sensitive to menu changes.
Any abrupt change to a different diet can cause some pets to experience gastrointestinal upset . While this upset usually disappears in a matter of days, it can often be avoided by following these simple transition guidelines. Unlike humans, dogs often eat the same diet for months or years and their digestive systems are not as used to change as ours are!
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When Do You Change Puppy Food To Dog Food
However, if your puppy is six to twelve months old, his or her needs start to change. Usually, that takes place as your pup is nearing full grown and can make the transition to adult meals. It is also at this age that grooming or neutering are usually performed. This can improve a dogs energy at a higher level, so if you decide to start feeding adult dog food now instead of puppy food.
How Should I Transition My Dog To Adult Food
Transitioning to a new diet should always be done gradually to prevent causing a digestive upset. A good diet transition should take at least 7 days but may need to be longer if your dog has digestive sensitivities or is prone to diarrhea. When you begin a diet transition, on day 1, start by mixing around 25% of the new diet with 75% of the puppy diet.
As long as there are no signs of digestive upset, you can increase the proportion of the new diet to 50% after a few days. Finally, you can continue slowly increasing the ratio of the new diet to 75%, then 100%, when your dog should be eating the new diet with no adverse symptoms.
If at any point your dog develops symptoms of an upset stomach such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, flatulence, or bloating, this is a sign that the guts are not yet adapted to the new diet.
Slowing down the transition or adding a probiotic supplement can usually resolve this issue. However, If the symptoms persist for more than 24-48 hours, switch to a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice, white fish, or scrambled egg, and contact your veterinarian for further guidance.
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Puppy Growth Guide: Mental Changes
Mental changes signal the beginning of adulthood as well, and these new developments are just as vital to a dogs happiness and wellbeing. Here are some of the mental changes your pup will go through as he goes through his journey to adulthood:
- The destructive behaviors that come with puppyhood and adolescence should wear off. Now, your dog knows that he cant go barking mad on your new couch cushions because he is mature enough to realize what the consequences will be.
- Your pup will bounce off of the walls less. As dogs age, they become a little less energetic. This is especially true if yours has been neutered. These dogs tend to settle down faster than others.
- Your dog is now able to learn commands more quickly and do more complicated stunts and tricks than a puppy would.
How To Choose A Dog Food
Choosing an appropriate diet for your dog is a complicated process. The sheer number of dog food options available is overwhelming. Unfortunately, there is no one diet that is best for every dog. Just like humans, dogs are individuals and their dietary needs vary depending on factors such as age, health, and personal preferences.
To make the process even more complicated, there are also a lot of myths about dog food on the internet. Many people fall victim to advertising campaigns or scare tactics warning them away from commercial dog foods. Fortunately, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association has published a guide entitled The Savvy Dog Owners Guide: Nutrition on the Internet to help pet owners decipher fact from fiction when doing their own research about dog food.
Learning how to read a pet food label can also help demystify the process of choosing a dog food. The information on a pet food label is guided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials . AAFCO is responsible for establishing definitions for many of the terms you will find on a bag of dog food. Understanding these labeling requirements can make it easier to identify which products are best for your dog. Look for the words complete and balanced diet on the label.
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How To Know When To Switch To Adult Dog Food
How long should a puppy eat puppy food? Maybe youve wondered this yourself, and rightly so. It can be a confusing topic, but its important to know when your puppy is ready to make the transition to adult dog food.
The important thing to realize is that because puppies are still growing, they need more calories and nutrition than adults. In fact, feeding an adult diet to a puppy could lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Likewise, feeding a puppy diet to an adult could cause excessive weight gain and its related issues. This is important to avoid, since obesity is the most common nutrition-related issue for canines. Knowing when to switch to adult dog food will help your puppy grow into a happy, healthy dog.
That being said, theres no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, youll want to change from puppy food to dog food based on your dogs breed, size, and age. Read on to learn how and when to switch to adult dog food.
Tips For Transitioning Your Puppy
When you are ready to switch your puppy over to an adult recipe, you need to be careful about how you make the transition. Dogs are notorious for reacting poorly to sudden changes in diet.
If one day you give your dog a bowl of puppy food made by Brand X and the next day you give him a bowl of adult dog food made by Brand Y, you shouldnt be surprised if your dog spends a lot of time in the backyard for the next few days you may even have some messes to clean up inside the house.
The best way to avoid this unpleasantness is to transition your dog slowly from one product to the next. Here is a simple formula to follow when you are ready to make the switch:
- Day 1 Mix 75% of your puppys current food with 25% of the new food.
- Day 2 Mix 50% of your puppys current food with 50% of the new food.
- Day 3 Mix 25% of your puppys current food with 75% of the new food.
- Day 4 Give your dog 100% from the new food.
If at any point during the transitional period your puppy develops digestive issues, your best bet is to go back one step and keep feeding your puppy that ratio until the digestive issues go away. Then, move to the next step and stay there for a few days before you move on.
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How To Switch Dog Food
You may be anxious to make the switch to a new food, particularly if the new food will help address any issues your dog is having. A gradual transition is the best way to switch to a new food, though.
We recommend making the switch over a 7- to 10-day period. This gives your dog a chance to adjust to the new food.
Heres our 7- to 10-day plan for switching dog food:
- Days 1 to 2: Feed 3/4 of the normal amount of current food and add 1/4 of the new food.
- Days 3 to 4: Serve half the current food and half the new food.
- Days 5 to 7: Feed 3/4 of the new food and 1/4 the previous food.
- Days 8 to 10: Serve only the new food.
If your dog doesnt seem to like the new food or if he experiences digestive upset, extend the transition over a few more days. You can also ask your veterinarian for advice.
Remember, you can use this transition process any time you need to change your dogs food.
Visit our Pet Expertise page for more nutrition and feeding tips from our experts.
How Do I Make The Switch
When switching to adult dog food you should allow 7-10 days for the transition. Gradually add more adult dog food and less of their puppy food to your pups dish each day until the change is complete. This gradual transition will help avoid dietary upsets.
Remember individual needs can vary. Feed your dog to maintain an ideal body condition.
Slight appetite changes and occasional digestive upsets are normal in young dogs. If upsets become severe or last longer than a day or two, contact your vet.
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How To Choose The Best Adult Dog Food
You should choose an adult dog food formula from a dog food company that has undergone AAFCO feeding trials. This means that the specific formulation of the diet has been fed to dogs to make sure there are no deficiencies. As surprising as it may seem, many dog food companies make their food based on a recipe and never feed it to actual dogs before sending it into the stores. You want to choose a pet food company that invests in scientific research and consults with veterinary nutritionists to provide a dog food that is specially balanced for the pets lifestage.
You will also want to pay close attention to the AAFCO statement on the adult dog food formula. If the food is labeled as an All Life Stage food, the formula may have more fat and phosphorus than your adult dog needs. Discuss with your veterinarian what is best for your dogs specific needs.
Dog Food Transition Faq
Your puppy is reaching full maturity and your vet has given you the okay to start feeding him grown-up food. But you might still have some questions about how much to feed your dog or what types of food hell like best. Were here to help!
How Do I Switch My Puppy to Adult Dog Food?
As you may have already noticed, puppies have sensitive stomachs. Their gastrointestinal tracts grow and change as they age, and when theyre young they dont yet have strong adult immune systems to help their bodies deal with intruders. Until theyre dewormed, puppies can also carry parasites passed on to them from their mothers. Not to mention, puppies explore the world with their noses and mouths, so they sometimes get upset tummies from eating something they shouldnt have. All this is why you should take the transition to adult dog food slowly, even when your dog is near maturity.
Try making the transition over a ten-day period. For about two days, feed your dog 3/4 of his regular puppy food mixed with 1/4 of his new adult food. Continue increasing by quarters over the next few days until your dog is eating a full portion of his new adult food. If you notice your dog having diarrhea or softer stools, stay on your current portion for a day or two longer to let him adjust.
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