Switching your dog's food abruptly can cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, and a decreased appetite. Any time you decide to change your dog's food, you should transition to the new diet gradually in order to give your dog's system time to adjust to the change.
Every owner should be changing food about every 3 months or so to maintain variety and to avoid allergic reactions. For the best results, rotate between protein sources such as beef, lamb, and chicken. Rotating food may cause some gastrointestinal issues at first because dogs have sensitive stomachs.
Do I need to give my dog different food every day? No. Dogs actually have fewer taste receptors compared to humans. That means they have less of an urge to eat something different every day.
How often should I rotate foods? Minimally, at least every three months. But you can change more frequently than that. If your dog does not suffer from digestive upsets when his food is changed, then you might even consider changing foods every time the bag runs out.
Ideally, it's best to mix flavors from the same brand.
However, you can get away with combining two different varieties if your dog tolerates the mix well. If your dog has diarrhea after eating then you've likely either changed flavors too quickly, or there is an ingredient that doesn't agree with your dog.
Only mix foods for the same species and life stage (i.e. don't mix dog and cat food, or puppy and adult food together). Make sure both foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, with similar nutrient profiles.
The best way to transition your dog's food is to mix your current dog food with the new dog food for at least 5 days. This allows for your dog's digestive tract to adjust without suffering from stomach issues.
Your dog develops mild diarrhea – If you can, go back to your dog's old diet for a few days until their stool returns to normal, and then try to make the transition to the new food more slowly. Mixing some plain pumpkin into the food or giving your dog a probiotic can also help.
It is important that your dog switch dog food gradually from his current dog food to avoid digestive upset or tummy trouble. To transition, mix your dog's current food with his new food. Over 7 days, gradually decrease the amount of the current dog food while increasing the amount of new dog food.
Most pet's suffering from diarrhoea due to a change in food will recover within 1-3 days.
Do you ever wonder whether your furry friend gets bored of eating the same food? Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans. So, while they will more than appreciate a mouthwatering meal when it's served up to them, they won't necessarily grow tired of eating the same food every day. For a limited time at least anyway.
Yes. Like humans, dogs need the mental stimulation that new sights and experiences bring. Repeating the same walking routine tends to get boring after a while, and as a dog walker, you probably feel the same way.
In general, dogs who are fed a fresh food diet will produce smaller poops because the food is being more effectively absorbed into their body. On the flip side, if your dog's food is filled with cheap fillers and excessive amounts of fiber, he may not be properly absorbing the nutrients from his meals.
If you suddenly change your dog's diet, you will probably also see them pooping more. A dog's stomach becomes accustomed to certain foods, and when you completely change what they are getting in their bowl, it can take a while for the bowels to adjust.
Extreme cravings, headaches, fatigue, low energy, brain fog, gas, and bloating. Have you ever experienced a situation where you start eating healthier and instead of feeling better, you feel worse?
Small breeds can make the switch at 7 to 9 months; bigger breeds at 12, 13, even 14 months. Err on the side of caution: Better to be on puppy food a little too long than not long enough.
Here's 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.
Sudden Food Changes.
Switching your dog's diet quickly can cause changes to the gastrointestinal flora (bacteria and other microorganisms) which commonly cause diarrhea and occasionally also vomiting in dogs.
There are so many types of food to choose from, including kibble, raw food, and wet food. Dogs, as in humans, will react to sugar and additives, and this could make them hyper and in turn, difficult to train as this could also affect their concentration.
2) Slows down aggressive eaters
If your dog has a tendency to gulp, gobble, or eat their food very fast, gulpers, adding water to your dog's dry food can cause them slow down. If your dog eats their food too fast, it can cause bloat, choking, gagging, and vomiting.
Start by mixing in small amounts of the new food (about 25 percent.) Over a period of 1-2 weeks, increase the proportion of new food every few days to 50 percent, then 75 percent, and ultimately 100 percent.
In some cases, switching your dog to a new food (even one that is more fiber-rich) can also cause temporary constipation as the entire gastrointestinal system adjusts to the change.
Far and away the most common cause of diarrhoea in dogs is wheat gluten (most dry food, dog treats, bread, pasta, biscuits, etc). But there are a number of other causes too. If your dog is suffering recurring diarrhoea then it's likely you're making some simple mistakes diet-wise. The first he's likely to be dry fed.