Changes to your pet’s diet should never be made at the drop of a hat. Any changes should be made very gradually to avoid digestive upset in your furry companion.
When switching dry foods, it is best to start with a ratio of ¾ of what they are already eating and add in only ¼ of the new food. After a week you can change to half and half, then continue the transition with ¼ old, ¾ new. By week 4 it should be safe to feed nothing but the new food. If you are sticking with the same brand of food and only changing the formula, you may be able to transition over a period of 1-2 weeks instead of a month depending on the sensitivity of each individual pet.
It is important to monitor your pet during this time, to be sure that they are handling the new food well. It is normal to have some mild side effects, like loose or extra smelly stool. If these occur, you can simply continue with the transition, but prolong it over a longer period to allow your pet more time to adjust. If more serious side effects occur, like completely liquid stool or continual vomiting, the new food may not agree with your pet and you may want to try a different option.
Even if you aren’t changing which food you are feeding your pet, and are only changing the amount they are fed, the process should still be a gradual one. Start by taking just a very small amount off each meal and be sure to give plenty of time to see results. It is important to monitor your pet’s weight to ensure that they are losing it slowly, as other medical issues can arise when it is shed too abruptly.
Whether you are switching your pet’s food to a prescription diet for medical reasons, changing to a higher quality food for improved health, or simply lowering your dog’s daily intake, it will take time to see results. If you don’t start seeing the desired effects in 6-12 weeks, you may need to take further measures to ensure your pet’s optimal health.
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