Unlike humans, a dog can get sick just by a sudden change of the kind of food that he eats. Their digestive system is not designed to handle abrupt transitions. Doing so can cause an upset stomach, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. To make sure that your beloved canine friend is protected while changing food brands or types, it is important that you know the correct steps on doing it. Aside from many things that you have to consider, you will still have to hear the expert’s advice as it remains to be a necessity especially for those who only want the best for their babies.
Search for the New Dog Food
The first thing that you have to decide on is whether you’ll feed your dog with canned or a dry food. For older dogs, it is not necessary to change the kind of food that they have been eating. While for puppies that are no longer getting the right amount of nutrients from the old type of food, it is advisable to learn more about their breed before settling down to a certain kind of food or brand. For pet parents who always leave food on the bowl at all times, dry is the best option.
Most pet parent’s reason for changing the brand and kind of food for their babies is nutrition. Since a dog’s body does not rely on the quantity of the food they eat but on the nutrients that the food has, you will have to learn on how to weigh and measure nutrition. Check on the numbers of carbohydrate, protein and other contents. To ensure that the food is safe, look for AAFCO seal. Once you have found the food that would give the proper nutrients and is compatible on your canine’s breed, check first whether you can easily buy it anywhere to save you and your pup from another transition process. Its fine to think about your budget but the truth is, you won’t be saving money if your dog becomes sick due to lack of nutrients from your chosen inexpensive food.
Introducing the New Food
This is the step where you have to take some extra care and caution. Now that you have chosen the right brand for your beloved pet, the next challenge is how you are going to introduce it to their systems. On the first day of transition, mix a small amount of the new brand with their old food. Gradually increase the amount everyday and observe your dog’s appetite, stool and other behavior. Check for signs of digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. For you to make sure of the right measurements, you can check then printed instructions on the food package.
In cases that your dog does develop problems while under transition, give them the right does of Pepto-Bismol or Imodium. You can temporarily mix the food with rice and boneless chicken breast until the new food completely phased it out. Monitor your dog for days and check for signs of improvement. If there is no progress with the condition, contact your veterinarian to have your canine friend checked. On the first time that you saw blood in vomit and stool of your dog, even though the transition is only happening for a day, call your vet immediately.
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