5 Vital Signs: It’s Time To Change Your Dog’s Food!
Has your dog been eating the same food year after year? Many dog owners feed their pups the same food over and over again out of convenience.
But, that dog food of choice may not be meeting your canine’s nutritional needs. Over time, feeding them a dog food that doesn’t supply the right amount of vitamins and minerals can negatively affect their health.
Below are 5 vital signs it’s time to change your dog’s food and how to do it correctly.
Why Should I Change My Dog’s Food?
Many dog food brands contain toxins and fillers that can make your dog sick – and you may not notice until it’s too late.
Not all dog foods are created equal. It helps to change things up a bit to make sure your dog is getting all of the nutrients their body needs to be healthy.
Unfortunately, some dog foods contain toxic ingredients that are not safe for your dog to consume daily for a prolonged time. By switching up their regular dog food once in a while, it can help minimize the damage it may be doing to your dog.
Signs That It’s Time To Change Your Dog’s Food
Can Changing A Dog’s Food Make Them Sick?
Yes, changing to a new dog food can cause an upset stomach if it is done too quickly. Sudden changes to your dog’s food can cause changes to the dog’s bacteria in their stomach, which can cause diarrhea or vomiting.
It is best to always change your dog’s food gradually to avoid issues.
See our easy to follow chart below to help you change your dog’s food correctly.
How To Switch To A New Dog Food?
Follow these steps to help your dog transition without an upset stomach.
- Change Slowly: Gradually changing your dog to a new food can take up to 2 weeks. Whether it is wet or dry dog food, to avoid stomach issues, always take it slow.
- Mix The Food: Combine your dog’s regular food with the new food by mixing it together. When you stir it all together, it won’t be as easy for your dog to just pick and choose the new food from the old food.
See Our Dog Food Change Chart for mixing the proper amount of dog food each day.
Dog Food Change Chart
I recommend transitioning your dog to their new food over a period of 11 days. I know, I know, many other sites say it can be done in 6 or 7 days.
Well, yes it can, but why rush it? If your dog has been eating the same dog food for a long time, it’s best to take it slow when introducing a new dog food diet. This will help adjust their stomach gradually with a lot less GI issues.
Note: During this transition, if your dog develops stomach issues or is acting lethargic while introducing the new food – Stop!
The new dog food may contain ingredients that your dog is intolerant or allergic to.
Slowly transition back to the original food and start again with something else after they feel better.
Transitioning From Dry Dog Food To Wet Dog Food
Most dogs that have been exclusively on dry dog food will be very interested in wet dog food. Canned dog food is usually more tasty and smells more tempting to a dog.
Your pup may gobble up this new wet dog food in an instant, so be careful to still use the steps above to slowly transition to the dog’s new food to avoid an upset tummy.
If your pup tends to eat their dog food way to fast, check out these awesome Slow Feeder Bowls, they are super helpful.
What Dog Food Should I Switch To?
It is best to do some research on the various dog foods available in stores and online. I love to use Dog Food Advisor before I try a new dog food. They have some great research and reviews for tons of dog food brands on their website.
Every dog requires a different diet to meet its needs. I also recommend working with your dog’s veterinarian to find the best diet that will work for you and your dog.
What is your dog’s favorite food? Let us know below.
My Dixie is 11 yrs old. He has very itchy skin. I have had him on Apoquel for one month. Is it ok to have him on this every day? To prevent the allergies. I tried him on dehydrated dog food and he broke out with bumps all over. So he is better now. He even started losing hair. Have any of you had this happen to your dogs. And what dog food do you recommend. He is over weight too. He weighs around 25 lbs . I would appreciate your advice. Thank you
Hello Joyce, Sorry to hear your Dachshund, Dixie, is having a hard time with his food. I use Science Diet for my dogs, per the recommendation of my vet. My dogs love it. I see an improvement in their skin and less issues with their glands as well.
I am not familiar with Apoquel, but it says that is is for itching and inflammation (online).
I would have your vet give dixie an Allergy Test. A friend of mine had this done on his dog, and he said that this really helped identify the issues and his dog is much better now.
If you would like to look for specific food for allergy issues, I like to search on Dog Food Advisor for suggestions.
Best Dog Foods for Allergies:
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/hypoallergenic-dog-foods/
I hope this helps. Good luck with Dixie.
Graf, our 8 year old doxie, is a real chow hound. He’s made a game out of dinner time (morning and evening) and knows he needs to finish his dinner before getting a doggie treat. I’ve found that the plastic scoop in powdered drinks gives the right amount each time. Occasionally, there’s another treat but he needs to clean his dish first! His weight is never a problem as we watch him closely. The biggest weight gain he has was when we gave him cooked liver wrapped around his medicine when he got a slight spine strain … he gained 2lbs! A diet of diet dog food got him back to normal and, because he’s not looking like a bratwurst from overeating, he recovered well!
Hello Fred, I’m glad to hear that your doxie, Graf, is a good eater. Thank you for the suggestion on the powdered drink plastic scoops to measure the right amount of dog food. It is great to hear your dachshund maintains such a healthy weight. Thanks so much for sharing with us.