How to Start a New Brand of Dog Food

Runny stools are a common effect of rapid food introductions.
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Dogs, like humans, occasionally need adjustments to their diets, whether because of age, health concerns or a number of other possible factors. When you're switching your pooch to a new brand of dog food, the goal is to avoid doing so quickly and giving his poor system a shock.

"OK" From the Veterinarian

Before you start with a new brand of dog food for your beloved pet, discuss the matter with your veterinarian. Don't feed your dog anything new without first getting checking with her. She might have some helpful suggestions for commercial foods that are suitable for your pet's age, health background, size and breed. She can also make sure you select a brand that offers food that's healthy and well-balanced, taking care of all of your dog's dietary requirements. When it comes to determining your pet's daily menu, a veterinarian is a key resource.

Tummy Woes

When you introduce a new brand of nosh to your pooch, take things slowly. By taking your time, you often spare your pet the distress of things like throwing up, diarrhea, constipation and tummy pain. Dogs frequently experience these unpleasant effects when they begin consuming new and unfamiliar foods. This is because abrupt food switches can interfere with the bacteria that reside in their intestines, affecting the digestion process. Speedy changes can interfere with the varieties of bacteria within the intestines, for example.

Slowly But Surely

Start your dog on a new brand of dog food over the course of as many as 10 days. Begin by blending a tiny amount of the new food into his present food. Every day, slightly increase the amount of the new brand you add. By the end of the 10 days, your dog should be eating the new brand's food exclusively. If everything goes well and you don't notice any unpleasant effects of the change, the full transition time can be a bit speedier than 10 days, too. When you're switching your pet's food, it's crucial to carefully observe him for any indications of potential allergies.

Adjustment Period

Not only can slowly changing your pet's food often save him from belly woes, it can also give him some time to get used to the taste and feel of the new food. Remember, many dogs are rather picky eaters. They might turn their noses up at strange new foods that show up in their food bowls out of the blue. If they get sufficient time to adapt to the new foods, however, the change should go a lot more smoothly. If you have any specific questions about your dog's dietary needs or reactions to different foods, speak to your veterinarian about them immediately.