How To Change Your Pet Food Brand?

Your pet is an important member of your family. Any pet owner wants their pet to be healthy and happy. You select your pet food according to the availability, the type of pet you are having, convenience of shopping and according to the need of particular pet. Sometimes there occur needs to change the brand of food you are providing to the pet due to lack of availability of one brand, changes in the need of the animal etc. When you change the brand of food you have to take into consideration various issues like nutritional content, digestive issues of the animal etc. you can make the transition to the new brand smooth by following certain steps.

If your dog is young you can change the food very easily. You can either use canned or dry food. For older dogs the transition may not be easy so stick with the type it has been following. Dry foods have more calories and are best suited or larger dogs which are more than 30 pounds. It is better the feed the dog with dry food twice a day to provide the necessary calories and nutrition.

It is necessary that the new brand to which your pet is shifting should meet the standard set by AAFCO. The nutritional need for different breeds of dogs and of different ages may vary. There is food for dogs available for special needs of puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs etc. make sure that the brand selected by you is available in your area in the nearby pet shops or are available in the form of pet food delivery. It is not practical to drive long distances to get the dog food. Select the new brand according to the ingredients contained in it. Do not go for in expensive brands which may damage the health of your dog.

Introduction of the new brand should be done with care as the dog may develop digestive problems and refusal to eat. Try adding the new food with the old brand in small quantities. Next day increase the quantity of the new brand in the mix. So, within a few days your pet will be accustomed to the new brand. Watch your pet carefully during the transition period. If your dog does not develop any digestive problems it means that dog is adjusting to the new food. If your dog develops vomiting or diarrhea makes the addition of the new brand in very small quantities. You can consult with your vet for any medicines if the dog is lethargic. It is necessary to choose the new brand carefully to avoid any complications to the pet and to avoid the need to change the food soon again. You can also try giving cooked homemade food along with small quantities of the new brand to the dog till it gets adjusted to the new brand. The home made food will reduce the chances of digestive problems that occur during the transition of brands.