When and How You Should Change Your Dog’s Food
There are many great reasons to adjust your dog’s food. Whether you’re upgrading to a higher quality brand, changing flavours, or addressing a dietary concern, make sure you take a phased approach.
Quality
Pet ownership is a constant learning experience, which can often lead us to necessary changes. If you’ve noticed the ingredients in your current food aren’t up the Kibble standard, transitioning is a great idea. As with all food transitions, there could be some unwanted common side effects such as GI upset, but the long-term effects of feeding a higher quality pet food will far outshine the short-term discomfort.
Flavour
Can you imagine eating the same thing every single day for the rest of your life? Then don’t make your dog! Just like humans, dogs have their own preferences and enjoy lots of different tastes. If your dog hasn’t tried something new in a long time, they may be trying to tell you they’re sick of chicken. Food avoidance could be linked to behaviour quirks but switching up your pet’s food can re-entice them back to their bowl. Here are some signs:
- Is your dog less excited by their breakfast or dinner?
- Does your dog graze?
- Does your dog ignore their food and only beg?
Dietary
Your dog’s age is another reason to change food, as their dietary needs evolve with life stages! For example, growing pups need more protein than an adult, while too much protein for senior dogs can lead to kidney or liver problems. Puppy, adult, and senior formulas each address these common needs, so your pet is always nourished accordingly.
No matter the reason, if your dog is in need of a new dish, it’s best to gradually add the new food in and phase the old food out. Swapping food can cause GI upset, so be sure to watch your dog closely as they transition. As always, we’re here to help.