Introduction
Method of switching out brands of food for dogs which shouldn’t even be called a switch in fact can also be deemed necessary for many reasons like certain health conditions, allergies, or even for reasons more like the need to get healthier food. Nonetheless, one of the worst things a dog owner can do is change a dog’s diet in a short length of time and in this way, a dog is more likely to have many problems which most of the times give trouble to the owner’s pet. About any food transitions in the diet of dogs, it is worthwhile to understand how those symptoms develop and how to do it right to prevent your pet from stress and prevent any health problems in the future.
Why Changing Dog Food Too Quickly is a Problem
The digestive systems of dogs are said to be quite harsh as every slight alteration in food intake will bring about some difficulties. You should wait a while until the dog is ready to take in new food after you introduce a different diet to the dog. In contrast, it is common for people to eat different categories of food at a time with little coordination. Such is not the case among dogs where a gradual cleaning of the diet is followed. Failure to do so leads to feeding headaches. Other than changing to a different food contender gradually, other methods may work for short periods.
Every animal has a meal that they are accustomed to. Sudden changes in their diet can upset the proportions of these saprophytic bacteria which are helpful for digestion. Such imbalances would eventually result in problems associated with eating such as diarrhea, vomiting, or simply unrest to discomfort.
Changing Dog Food Too Quickly Symptoms
Fast changes in your dog’s diet may elicit many changes in the dog, sometimes adverse changes. These changes are not only annoying to your pet but if not resolved in time, they may bring about other, worse, or more serious issues.
1. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is one of the issues that you are likely to encounter, upon changing dog food especially when there are abrupt changes. Sudden deviation in eating habits often overwhelms the digestive system making it difficult to form steady stools which are normally perfectly formed. This is annoying because the other reason may be that the ‘new’ food is not being properly digested.
This is the worst and most troublesome case. Diarrhea may be immediately treated and controlled, however, it is time-consuming, easy to treat and it requires the cooperation of the dog owner. It becomes very disturbing when the dog is young or old since it can lead to death.
2. Vomiting
Sometimes turning your dog’s diet too fast is not good too. One common symptom that turns up when changing diets may include vomiting which is very typical in dogs. Some changes to a dog’s food or some new ingredients may make the dog’s tummy upset which may lead to vomiting. This is because some dogs feel nausea or vomit immediately after having new food whereas in others it may take several hours after the dog has eaten before any sign appears.
Just like diarrhea, vomiting chronic enough is pretty dangerous since there is a danger of developing dehydration and other complications that follow it. If a dog, especially a puppy starts vomiting after a change of food, he or she should be kept under close observation and a veterinarian contacted at the first instance of the vomiting persisting.
3. Loss of Appetite
When a dog’s food is altered drastically and at a faster pace than is normal, it can turn out that a dog does not want to eat at all. An increase in the load on the digestive system will not be complacent for a dog and, consequently, it will avoid eating. Such loss of appetite is worrisome, especially if it spans over one or two days in duration.
Extreme contrariness to food usually conceals some other aspects of the condition as well: there may be one or other food allergy preventing acceptance of the new feeds.
4. Gas and Bloating
Gas and bloating are also some of the complaints that are common problems that dog owners face when they want to alter their diets to a new one in a very short time. These symptoms appear as the result of the new food not being digested properly. This is where the undigested food ferments in the intestines and produces gas, thus causing discomfort and even bloating.
When this is severe, the bloating can progress to more dangerous states which is gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), and become an emergency as it requires immediate veterinary surgery.
5. Constipation
Even though diarrhea is much more common, some dogs can get hit with constipation when the food is changed abruptly. This can be the case due to the absence of fiber in new food or if the dog’s body is coping with new ingredients.
Unattended constipation can make narcissistic individuals suffer greatly and even worsen if left untreated. If dogs are constipated, it’s seen from the dog straining to produce a motion or having poos that are little and hard. It is advisable to see a veterinarian in such cases.
6. Lethargy
Thus in a dog suffering from an upset stomach, they may become less active than normal. They may exhibit less enthusiasm for going on walks or playing games that are more exciting for them. As for lethargy, it may be an indicator that the dog isn’t able to digest their food and therefore do all the activities that need energy.
For instance, if after changing their food your dog lies down and sleeps most of the time than it has always been the case, this may be an indication that the change was rather too fast.
7. Abdominal Pain
Development of such abdominal pain may also be seen in the case where there has been sudden variability in diet in a dog. It often presents itself in the form of whimpering, anxiety, or abdominal tenderness on the touch. In some situations, a dog may also crouch in a puppy-like posture on its elbows, resting its back legs high up to relieve aching.
Abdominal pain can also represent an underlying problem, such as pancreatitis, which needs the intervention of a veterinarian when sought for a prolonged period.
Read Previous – Anthropomorphism in Dogs
How to Transition Dog Food Properly
To avoid the symptoms mentioned above, it is important to properly change your pooch’s food. A gradual change enables the dog’s digestive system to become accustomed to the new food and helps reduce stomach trouble.
1. Start Slowly
Once again let’s describe the most obvious steps. The first steps should involve adding a little of the new food into the current diet of the dog. A common practice is to begin with a combination of 25% new food and 75% old food. This mixture is given for the next couple of days, however, the owner must observe the dog for any abnormal condition.
2. Monitor the Introduction of Every New Food Item
After a couple of days, if your dog is doing well with the new food, there is a large step up from the previous ration to a half-and-half new and old food ratio. Watch this step for a few more days, about three in all, and for any signs of any upset.
3. Do Not Break the Cycle
If your dog continues to do well, increase the new food still to 75% and the old food cut to 25%. In a few more days if all is Ok, prepare them for a final switch into exclusively new food.
4. Watch for Any Hitches Besides the Food Changes
There was careful observation of my dog as he gradually shifted from the previous diet to the new one. If there are any symptoms, it is advisable to ease the transitional phase. Sometimes it is necessary to return to the initial proportion of old/new food and increase it to a less aggressive one.
5. Get More Information from Your Vet
Changes in the feeding habits of any animal should only be done with supervision, particularly for animals that have a record of such problems. In particular, your veterinarian can explain how best to change what your dog eats and what products are easier on his digestive system.
Conclusion
Switching your dog’s food in a hurry may cause many unpleasant effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, and many others which may be potentially dangerous. If the symptoms are recognized, then one can take precautions and even work on the gradual change of their dog’s food to avoid undue stress. Proper management of dog food switches requires careful attention to the dog and guidance from a veterinarian in the event of any undesirable phenomena. All the efforts plus the time you take up will afford you great benefit, which is the health and happiness of the dog.
FAQs
1. How many days does a dog take to go through changes in food?
Dogs should take between 7 to 10 days to begin accepting the new food when a change is made. It is wise to do this gradually over this period to avoid upsetting the bowels.
2. What signs indicate that my dog is having issues with the newly introduced diet?
Provide as much background information before approaching this section explaining the purpose of the section, such as: when a dog develops diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, and other symptoms after changing diet, this is one of the ways that one can know that the given diet pele is having a problem with the diet or the diet has been switched too abruptly.
3. Is it possible to change my dog’s diet radically instantly without gratuities?
In most cases, this is not recommended. A ‘cold turkey’ switching of your dog’s food may present other digestive complications. Fortunately, there are some circumstances when a day or two is enough to effect a change such as when dealing with food allergies or some other medical conditions and the vet insists on it.
4. What will you do if diarrhea strikes your dog after he or she has just been on a diet change?
For instance, in case it is your dog’s first diet change (new diet) and he or she develops diarrhea, you may decide to revert to the old diet and serve the new diet again after some time and even phase it in slowly. Make sure that your dog gets enough water and if the diarrhea continues you should see a vet.
5. Is it possible to start feeding the new food immediately with the previous food to lessen any near effects?
Yes, it is advisable to start by mixing the new food with the old food in the course of the transition. You should be able to begin by adding a little new food to the old food. Over some days, one should be able to gradually increase the amount of the new food.
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