Changing your dog's food (What do I need to look out for?)
- Enrico Bachmann
- Updated: 2024-02-27
Thinking about changing your dog's food? This article will tell you everything you need to know about changing your dog's food. We also give you tips on how to prepare your dog for the new food to make the transition as easy as possible.
The decision to change your dog's food may be made for a variety of reasons, including health, aging, or simply to provide better nutrition. However, changing foods should always be done carefully and gradually to avoid digestive problems.
We humans are changing our diets:
- as we enter a new phase of life
- or for health reasons.
Our furry friends are no different.
Example: A young dog has grown up. It is moving from puppy food to adult food. This will give him the nutrients he needs to stay healthy and fit in his new life stage.
What's the best way to make the transition?
When Is a Food Change Necessary?
Your dog needs different amounts of nutrients depending on his age. An adult dog will need less protein than a puppy. Their needs also change as they age.
This also applies to certain diseases:
- For example, for gastrointestinal problems
- Diabetes, Leishmaniasis
- Allergies
In these cases, a change in diet is absolutely necessary. Some nutritionists recommend switching to a different brand or variety of convenience food once or twice a year.
Improvement After Diet Change
Changing your dog's diet may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including food intolerances, health problems, or simply a desire to improve the quality of your pet's diet. But when will you see an improvement in your dog's diet after changing his food?
Digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation may occur in the first few days after the change. This is normal as your dog's digestive system adjusts to the new food. However, these symptoms should be harmless and resolve within a few days.
When Will There Be an Improvement?
- For digestive problems: Digestive problems should improve within 3 to 5 days, provided the change in diet is slow and gradual.
- For skin and coat problems: If the change in diet is due to skin and coat problems, it may take several weeks to months to see significant improvement. The skin needs to regenerate and the coat needs to grow back.
- For allergies and intolerances: If the change is due to an allergy or intolerance, the time to improvement depends on how quickly the allergy-causing substances are eliminated from your dog's body. Typically, improvement should occur within 4 to 6 weeks.
Depending on the reason for the change and your dog's individual reaction, it may take a different amount of time for your dog to feel better. It is important to be patient and monitor your dog's condition closely.
These Two Types Are Recommended:
Two types are recommended for optimal conversion:
- direct feed conversion and
- the step-by-step feed conversion.
The name already tells you what these two methods are all about.
With the direct feed change, the feed is changed completely from one day to the next. With the second method, the feed is changed step by step. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will now discuss:
1. Direct Feed Conversion
In a direct feed changeover, the changeover takes place overnight. It consists of completely and immediately replacing the feed with a new one. This is obviously the easiest method.
➡ However, a direct change in diet may cause undesirable symptoms.
A clear advantage is the ease of use. A disadvantage is the more frequent occurrence of symptoms. We will discuss the possible symptoms of a diet change later.
2. Feed Conversion Step-By-Step
The name says it all. This type of food transition is gradual. The old food is gradually removed and replaced with the new food. This method is very popular with dog owners.
Duration of incremental feed conversion: After approximately 6-9 days, your pet should have transitioned to the new food. This period may vary depending on your dog's sensitivity and your veterinarian's instructions.
A gradual transition helps the dog's digestive system adjust to the new food. This type of transition is appropriate for all dogs.
Optimal Feed Conversion
Direct feed conversion is easier to manage. However, we believe that gradual feed conversion is the ideal and more optimal solution.
We provide instructions here:
Step 1
Mix the old and new food. The ratio should be ¼ new food and ¾ old food. You can maintain this ratio for 2-3 days as needed. This will help your dog adjust to the change.
Step 2
The next step is to mix the food in equal parts. This means that you mix half of the old food with half of the new food. This mixture can also be fed for 2-3 days.
Step 3
Prepare a bowl with ¼ of the old food and ¾ of the new food. Use this mixture again for about 2-3 days.
Step 4
After 2 - 3 days you can switch to the new food completely.
Tips for a Successful Feed Change
- Proceed slowly: For sensitive dogs or if there are signs of digestive problems, it may be wise to extend the transition period.
- Constant observation: Watch for any changes in your dog's stools, behavior, or general condition.
- Access to water: Make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times, especially when changing food.
- Consult your veterinarian: In case of doubt or health problems, always consult a veterinarian.
Symptoms
Gradual weaning causes the fewest symptoms in dogs. Regardless of the method, however, side effects and discomfort can occur with any change in diet. To help you know what to expect, here are some common symptoms.
Possible symptoms of a change in diet may include
- Loss of appetite
- Changed stool consistency
- Constipation
- Loose stools or diarrhea
Does your dog have these symptoms? If so, start with a smaller portion of the new food and follow the step-by-step method. You can extend the transition up to 6 weeks.
Symptoms still don't go away? Try a different food. Your dog may not be able to tolerate an ingredient in the new food.
Diarrhea With Food Changes: What Is Normal?
Changing a dog's diet can sometimes cause digestive problems, including diarrhea. This is often a reaction to the change in diet as the digestive system adjusts to the new food.
It is not uncommon for dogs to have soft stools or even mild diarrhea in the first few days after a change in diet. However, this should be temporary. Typically, your dog's stools should stabilize within 3 to 5 days of starting a new diet.
The change should be made slowly over a period of 7 to 10 days. Start with a small amount of the new food mixed with the old food and gradually increase the amount of the new food. Monitor your dog's stool consistency and general well-being during the transition.
Make sure your dog drinks enough water to prevent dehydration. Diarrhea removes water from the body. This is why we recommend setting out several water bowls. This will give your dog an immediate opportunity to drink.
If diarrhea persists, a temporary light diet such as boiled chicken and rice may help calm the gastrointestinal tract.
If the diarrhea lasts longer than 48 hours, if there is blood in the stool, or if there are other worrisome symptoms such as lethargy or vomiting, call a veterinarian immediately.
Switching With Different Food Types
There are different types of dog food: dry food, wet food, raw food, or homemade food. Each type of food requires a special approach to transition to ensure your dog's health and well-being.
From Dry to Wet Food (Or Vice Versa)
Dry food takes longer to digest than wet food. However, you should always change the food gradually over several days. Otherwise, the risk of diarrhea and constipation is too great. Follow the steps above for an optimal food change.
An example of a feed change
Day 1 to 2: 25% new feed, 75% old feed
Day 3 to 4: 50% new feed, 50% old feed
Day 5 to 7: 75% new feed, 25% old feed
From day 8: 100% new food
Are the first three days going well? Great, then you can start with 75% to 25% starting on day 4 and switch to 100% new food starting on day 5.
Does your dog eat only the dry food and not the wet, or vice versa? You can prevent this by soaking the dry food in lukewarm water and mixing it well with the wet food.
There is another alternative to switching from dry to wet food. Eliminate the dry food altogether and add cooked rice or potatoes to the wet food for the first few days, especially if the wet food has a high meat content. You can also use flakes instead of cooked potatoes or rice.
Here is an example:
Day 1 to 2: 25 % wet food, 75 % cooked potatoes or rice
Day 3 to 4: 50 % wet food, 50 % cooked potatoes or rice
Day 5 to 7: 75 % wet food, 25% cooked potatoes or rice
From day 8: 100% wet food
Make sure your dog drinks plenty of water when switching from wet to dry food, as dry food contains less moisture.
Switch to Cash Food
Changing your dog's diet to BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) is a decision that many dog owners make in order to provide a more natural and species-appropriate diet for their four-legged friend. Barf is based on fresh, raw meat, bones, organs, fruits and vegetables to provide a balanced diet.
Before you begin the transition, you should do your research on the vomiting diet. Expert advice from a veterinarian or nutritionist who specializes in vomiting is recommended.
Plan your dog's diet carefully to make sure he gets all the nutrients he needs. This includes a balanced ratio of meat, bones, organs, and plant-based ingredients. The exact composition may vary depending on your dog's age, weight, activity level, and health.
An abrupt switch to vomiting can cause digestive problems. So start slowly. Start with easily digestible meat such as chicken or turkey. This should make up about 10-20% of the daily ration, supplementing the rest with your usual food.
Slowly increase the amount of vomit food and decrease the previous food. Gradually add different types of meat, bones, and organs to increase variety. The entire transition may take 2-4 weeks, depending on the dog. Monitor your dog's reaction and adjust the process as needed.
Monitor your dog closely during the transition. Signs of digestive upset, such as diarrhea or vomiting, may require an adjustment to the diet. A slower transition or introducing certain foods at a later time may be helpful.
Even after successfully transitioning your dog to a raw diet, it is important to monitor and adjust your dog's diet on a regular basis. Your dog's weight, health and activity level may change and the diet should be adjusted accordingly.
From Puppy Food to Adult Nutrition
A change in diet is not only possible for adult dogs, but also for puppies. Especially during growth, it is important to provide a balanced diet that provides all the nutrients needed for healthy development.
There are many reasons for changing a dog's diet, from the need to transition to an age-appropriate diet to health recommendations from the veterinarian. Whatever the reason, the change should be made carefully so as not to upset the puppy's sensitive stomach.
Transitioning from puppy to adult food is an important step in your dog's development. Puppy food is designed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing dog and contains more protein, calories and essential nutrients. Once your dog is fully grown, however, he will need a diet that is appropriate for his new stage of life.
The change should be made when your dog is physically mature. This varies by breed. Follow the recommendations on the puppy food package or ask your veterinarian if you are unsure. The puppy food should be gradually mixed with the adult food. A good starting ratio is 25% adult food to 75% puppy food.
When Should the Diet Not Be Changed?
The decision to change your dog's diet should be carefully considered. There are situations in which a change in diet is not recommended or should be avoided to avoid compromising your dog's health and well-being.
During an Acute Illness
If your dog is acutely ill or recovering from an illness, this may not be the best time to change his or her diet. Your dog's body is already recovering and a change in diet could cause additional stress. Wait until your dog is fully recovered and discuss the change with your veterinarian.
During Stress or Major Changes
Times of major change or stress for your dog - such as moving, the arrival of a new family member, or intense training periods - are not ideal for a diet change. Wait for a more stable period before changing your dog's diet.
Before or After Surgery
Your dog's diet should remain stable before and after surgery. A change in diet can affect digestion and interfere with the healing process. Discuss the best time to change your dog's diet with your veterinarian.
In Case of Intolerance or Allergy Without Consulting the Veterinarian
If your dog has a food intolerance or allergy, do not change his diet without first consulting your veterinarian. An ill-considered change can cause allergic reactions or aggravate existing problems.
If Your Dog Is Fussy
For particularly fussy dogs, a change in diet can be difficult and should be carefully planned. In such cases, work with a veterinarian or nutritionist to develop a strategy to help your dog accept the new food.
In some situations, it is better to avoid or postpone a food change to avoid unnecessary stress or health problems for your dog. When in doubt, or if there are specific health concerns, it is always wise to seek the advice of a veterinarian.
Conclusion
As a general rule, you should always consider not buying the cheapest food. But expensive is not always the best. That is our opinion:
Cheaper foods are usually high in sugar, grains, and other ingredients such as dyes and flavors. These have no place in food. You are definitely on the safe side with high-quality organic food.
We have shown you a guide to the optimal food change. Now you can easily change your dog's diet and feeding habits.
I am a certified nutritionist for dogs and founder of Hundeo. My mission is to guide you in the jungle of information with simple and clear recommendations.
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I thank you for your guide. will stick to the food change :step by step. My dog , a miniature poodle seems to love the anifit food. But he only got a little mixed in his organic food until now.