You might have considered changing your dog's pet food for several reasons, such as costs, veterinary recommendation or curiosity about another pet food brand.
Whatever the reason for the switch, there are some considerations you should make before you fill the bowl with the new pet food.
Your dog's stomach is sensitive, and your dog could react adversely to a sudden change in food. This could result in diarrhoea, vomiting, and a loss of appetite. Your dog might not even want the new food later due to its reactions to it.
Transition from old to new food
Always transition pet food over a minimum of 1 week.
If you mix the old and the new food, your dog gets time to adjust to the changes. It is a good practice to transition over 5-7 days. During this transition, you will gradually introduce the new food by mixing it with the old food.
A good transition will look like this:
Days | New diet | Old diet |
Day 1 | 25% | 75% |
Day 3 | 50% | 50% |
Day 5 | 75% | 25% |
Day 7 | 100% |
|
Dogs with especially sensitive stomachs, food allergies or other gastrointestinal diseases
Some of these dogs require an even more extended transition period.
Careful observation of the dog is essential, and if you notice any signs of diarrhoea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, you should proceed more slowly.
If you transition to a new food and your dog still experiences issues, consider switching back to the original food or consult with a veterinarian.
An adverse food reaction is a term used to describe several different food-related illnesses in dogs, such as food allergies, food intolerance, and other gastrointestinal diseases. Food allergies and food intolerances can be challenging to diagnose. If your dog starts itching after being introduced to new food, develops skin inflammation, hair loss, and rashes, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian, as this can be a sign of an adverse food reaction.