Transitioning to a New Dog Food Formula Without the Stress
There are times when as dog owners, we have to change our dogs diet for a
myriad of reasons. These can range from food intolerences & sensitivites to principles that we value such as country of origin, quality of ingredients & impact that production has on the globe. It could even just be because your doggo has become sick of their old formula and it is true that dogs enjoy some variety in their diet! Check out the variety of recipes that Delivery Hound offers. If you subscribe, it's easy to alternate between any of the varieties on offer. You can also change the frequency as required too.
Here are our 7 steps to making the transition simple.
1.Consult your vet or pet store:
Before making any major changes to your dog’s diet, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian and discuss the options that would be best for your hound. Your vet will likely be able to offer advice and help you find a food that is balanced and contains all of the essential nutrients needed for optimal health.
2. Introduce the new food slowly:
When transitioning to a new food, start by introducing it slowly over the course of seven -10 days. Start by replacing just a small portion of their current food with the new one and gradually increase this amount over time. Mixing in 25% of the new food to begin with, and slowly increasing the levels until you have 100% grain free on the last day.This will allow your dog to get used to both the texture and taste of their new food, as well as help reduce gastrointestinal upset due to sudden dietary change.
3. Choose wisely:
Take into consideration your pup’s specific dietary needs before choosing a new food, such as age, breed size, allergies, or intolerances. Selecting something that is formulated specifically for those needs can help ensure that your dog is getting all of the nutrients they need for optimal health during each stage in life.
4. Stay consistent:
To keep things consistent make sure you are providing meals at regular intervals throughout the day as this allows them to adjust more easily over time. You may also want to mix feed with some raw food in addition to their dry kibble for an extra nutritional boost! Man's Best Premium Dog Food delivered to your door is a great choice for mixed feeding with raw food.
5. Monitor & adjust the dog food if needed:
To keep track of how your pup is adjusting to the new food you should observe them closely during this transition period and note any changes in what comes out the other end can suggest there is an issue with the type or amount of food they are being fed.
6. Avoid table scraps:
Though tempting at times, it's important that you avoid giving table scraps while transitioning them onto a new diet as this can cause GI distress which can further delay progress in switching foods successfully. It will eleminate the chance that it could be something other than the new dog food.
7. Practice routine mealtimes:
Meal times are moments where you bond with your dog so enjoy them! Dogs are creatures of habits and by keeping their mealtimes as regular as possible, this will help with transitioning to their new diet. It's always good practice to try out different recipes with different ingredients so find something both you and your pet will enjoy--happy eating!
Remember, the key to switching your dog’s food is to transition slowly. Start by mixing the new formula with the old food and slowly reduce the amount of old food over 7-10 days until only the new formula remains. This transition time period will allow your pup to get accustomed to their new diet without overwhelming them. Good luck and if you would like the convenience of having grain-free dog food delivered to your door, give Delivery Hound a try!
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