Changing dog food
If you’re planning on changing your pup’s food, here’s how to do it safely:
After that, you can go on with 100% of the new food.
Pups with sensitive stomachs, food allergies, and other GI disorders and diseases may need a longer transitional period. But for your average woofer, this ten-day transition plan should be perfect.
If you notice any issues like consistent diarrhoea, vomiting, or changes in appetite it’s a good idea to slow it down. If there are still issues, it’s always best to check with the vet. And some foods just don’t sit right with your dog’s stomach, so you may need to discontinue, try a different flavour, or put them back on their old food until you’ve discussed it with your vet.
Problem poos
Every dog is different. The only way to have a successful transition onto a new food is to monitor them and do what’s best for them. But let’s look at some of the problems transitioning too fast can cause.
Diarrhoea is the main symptom in pooches who are struggling with a new food. And when you make the change too quickly, their bodies struggle to adapt which causes this issue.
When their intestines come in contact with a new food too suddenly, it can begin secreting water into the intestines, giving you that puddle of poo you end up awkwardly wiping off individual strands of grass. You might notice your pup needs to go more frequently or urgently, and you may even find blood in their poop.
On the flip side, changing food too quickly can cause constipation.
This may be down to the higher fibre content of their new dish. But dehydration can cause constipation too. And different types of dog food contain different moisture levels.
Typically, dog food moisture content is:
So if your pooch is used to sloppy wet food, an immediate shift to kibble might make them constipated if they don’t drink enough water to make up for losing moisture from their meals.
Another cause of constipation is over-processed foods. They’re difficult to digest and are ruff (see what I did there?) on your pooch’s digestive system. A high-quality, nutrient-dense diet should keep your pup constipation free.
Something in the air tonight
They’re never going to smell great. We accept that. But farts that make you throw your head in the opposite direction as you fumble to pull your T-shirt over your nose as a makeshift gas mask are the sign of a problem.
Changing dog food too quickly upsets their stomachs and causes those silent but deadlies. But it can also cause excessive gas too.
Vomiting is another common side effect of changing diet too quickly. Their little stomachs can’t handle such a change. They need time to adjust. This can then affect how much they eat. Your pooch may go on a hunger strike or eat less than they should. This is because the rapid change is making them feel (or actually be) sick. Fair play – if our food made us feel sick, we’d probably go on a hunger strike too.
How to Switch Dog Food Gradually (To Avoid Stomach Upset)
Switching your dog’s food abruptly can cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, and a decreased appetite. Any time you decide to change your dog’s food, you should transition to the new diet gradually in order to give your dog’s system time to adjust to the change.