Why You Should Transition Your Dog To A New Diet
As a responsible pooch owner, ensuring the health and well-being of your furry companion is a top priority. Just like humans, dogs require a balanced and nutritious diet to help them thrive and lead a long, happy life. While commercial dog foods have long been a staple for many pet owners, there’s a growing trend toward transitioning dogs to diets that offer a greater range of nutrients and potential health benefits.
From overall health support and enhanced digestion to better coat condition and increased energy levels, the potential advantages of adopting a new feeding regimen for your four-legged friend can be extensive.
It’s important to note that every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another, so stay open-minded with your choices.
Finally, it’s crucial to understand that abruptly changing a pup’s food may cause digestive issues, so you must follow a gradual transition period when making a switch. A gentle transition timeline allows your dog to adjust to new foods, and it may help reduce the risk of adverse food reactions.1
What To Consider When Switching Up A Dogs Diet
1. New Dog Food: Ingredients
Dog food can contain a variety of ingredients, some of which may be harmful to your dog’s health. Common fillers and additives, like corn syrup, MSG (monosodium glutamate), and meat meal have little to no nutritional content and can contribute to health and weight problems.2,3
When choosing a new diet for your dog, look for high-quality ingredients, like real meats, organs, and seafood. When reading a pet food label, the ingredient list must be printed in order of most to least ingredients present. So, if beef is the first ingredient and sweet potato is the sixth ingredient, you can be sure that there’s more beef than sweet potato in the food.4
If the ingredient list begins with meat, then the product must, by law, contain at least 95 percent of that meat.5
2. New Dog Food: Essential Nutrients
Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining your dog’s energy levels and overall health. Your dog’s diet, like your own, should be well-balanced and include all the essential nutrients – protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These essential nutrients are involved in all of the basic functions of the body.
For example, protein is important for building and repairing muscles, while carbohydrates provide energy for daily activities. Fats are also a source of energy and help with the absorption of vitamins. Vitamins and minerals play a vital role in maintaining a healthy immune system, strong bones, and overall wellness.6,7,8
Always speak to your vet for more information on specific nutrients that your particular dog may need.
3. New Dog Food: Digestion
Different types of dog food can impact the digestive process in different ways. Both dry and wet dog foods can have their pros and cons:
- The higher moisture content of wet food can be easier to chew and digest.
- Wet dog food is often more flavorful and fragrant when compared to dry food.
- Dry food is easy to store long-term and won’t spoil if left out.
- Dry food encourages dogs to chew their food, which can help support dental health.
- Dry food can be useful to use with food puzzles for cognitive stimulation.9
Air-dried food is a newer type of dog food on the market that’s a neat combination of both – it can easily be scooped and stored for long periods, and water can also be added for easier digestion.10
The process of air-drying also produces an extremely nutrient-dense food similar to raw food. It slowly and gently evaporates moisture from its raw ingredients but preserves all the vital nutrients. This process also helps eliminate harmful pathogens.11
4. New Dog Food: Allergies And Intolerances
Identifying a food allergy or intolerance in your dog can be tricky, but there are a few signs to look out for when introducing a new food.
Keep an eye on your dog for itchy skin, paws, or ears, and digestive disturbances, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Other more subtle changes may include hyperactivity, weight loss, a lack of energy, and even aggression. If you suspect your pup may have a food intolerance or allergy, consult with your veterinarian.12
5. New Dog Food: Healthy Weight Management
Just like humans, a well-balanced and nutritious doggy diet can help pups maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that a canine diet rich in high-quality protein and fiber is essential for weight management, while dog food that’s packed with “fillers” may contribute to obesity. 13,14
Dogs are natural scavengers who are used to eating a wide variety of foods.15 So, finding a dog food that provides a good variety of meats and gut-healthy vegetables may help support a healthy appetite.
Tips For Transitioning Your Dog To A New Diet
Step 1: Make the transition gradual.
When transitioning a dog to a new diet, it is important to do so gradually to avoid gastrointestinal distress. It’s perfectly normal for it to take a little time for your dog to adjust to a new food. One of the best strategies for this is the process of gradually decreasing the amount of the old diet and increasing the amount of the new diet by mixing them in different proportions over a week or more.16
A good strategy could look like this:
- Days 1 and 2: Start with 10% of the new food and 90% of the old food.
- Days 3 and 4: 25% new food and 75% old food
- Days 5 and 6: 50% split
- Days 7 and 8: 75% new food and 25% old food
- Day 9 onward: 100% new food
It’s important to watch for any signs of abnormal poop or behavior, and to adapt as needed. But by taking it slow and paying close attention to your dog’s signals, a smooth transition can be achieved.17
And remember, your pup may not need to eat as much of their new food to be satiated. So, follow their lead (and follow the feeding directions on the food’s label).
Step 2: Always serve clean, fresh water to your dog with each meal.
Clean, fresh water is essential for every dog’s health. To ensure your dog’s water is always clean and fresh, change its water bowl daily, and wash it with soap and hot water.18
Serving water at mealtimes is a great way to help ensure that your pup is drinking enough water throughout the day.
Avoid using plastic bowls, as they can harbor bacteria. Use stainless steel, glass, or ceramic bowls instead.19
New Dog Diet FAQ
How Do I Know If My Dog Is Having Digestive Issues Due To A New Diet?
If your dog is experiencing digestive issues due to a new diet, they might experience mild diarrhea or a change in poop texture, gassiness, and a decreased appetite. These issues can be managed at home by slowly introducing the new food over a gradual period.20
However, if your dog develops severe diarrhea, vomiting, or issues that persist for more than a few days, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian.
What Should Pet Parents Look For In Their Dog’s Poop During A Diet Transition?
During a diet transition for your dog, you’ll want to pay close attention to your dog’s poop, as it can provide valuable insights into their digestive health.
Here are some key things to look for:
- Consistency: Monitor the consistency of your dog’s poop. Loose or watery stools may indicate digestive upset. A great way to evaluate a dog’s stool is to use a Fecal Scoring Chart. Your vet may have one displayed in their office for easy reference.
- Color: The color should generally be brown, but slight variations can be normal. However, major changes in color, such as black, tarry stools or pale, grayish stools, should warrant an immediate discussion with your vet.
- Odor: Foul-smelling or unusually strong-smelling poop could be an indication of digestive issues.
- Frequency: Sudden increases or decreases in frequency could indicate a problem. However, a diet transition can temporarily affect bowel movement frequency. Again, if you’re concerned, talk with your vet.21,22
What Should I Do If My Dog Has Trouble Adjusting To The New Diet?
If your dog experiences mild digestive upset, you can try mixing 1-4 tablespoons of plain pumpkin into their food.23
Remember to monitor your dog’s individual response throughout the transition, and proceed more slowly if they display concerning signs. Also, consult with your vet before you decide to switch foods.
Final Thoughts
Transitioning your dog to a new diet is a process that requires patience, careful observation, and gradual changes. But it’s a transition that’s often very worthwhile to make.
Introduce the new food gradually, mixing it with the old food over a span of several days or weeks. Monitor your dog’s response to the new diet, and adjust the transition pace accordingly. This will help ensure that your furry friend is comfortable throughout the process.
With proper planning, attention, and the support of your vet, you can successfully transition your dog to a new diet and set them on a path to optimal nutrition and vitality.
Sources
1.https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/right-way-switch-dog-foods/
2.https://unionlakeveterinaryhospital.com/blog/ingredients-to-avoid-in-dog-food-treats-and-bones
3-5.https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_multi_pet_food_labels
6.https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/the_power_of_protein
7.https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutrition-general-feeding-guidelines-for-dogs
8.https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_whats_in_a_balanced_dog_food#vitamins%20in%20dog%20food
9.https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/dry-dog-food-vs-wet-dog-food-which-better
10-11.https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/whats-difference-between-raw-dehydrated-freeze-dried-and-air-dried-dog-food-anyway/116317
12.https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/food-allergies-in-dogs
13.https://phys.org/news/2022-01-overweight-dogs-high-protein-high-fiber-diet.html
14.https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_multi_pet_food_labels
15.https://www.abqjournal.com/789269/dogs-are-natural-scavengers-food-seekers.html
16-17. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/right-way-switch-dog-foods/
18.https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/diet
19.https://animalsmatter.com/blogs/news/bacteria-alert-why-you-need-to-keep-your-dirty-dog-bowls-clean
20-21.https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/right-way-switch-dog-foods/
22. https://www.dvm360.com/view/making-the-skin-and-gut-connection
23. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-pumpkin-help-with-dog-diarrhea/
