How to Help My Dog Detox From Changing Food Brands
Changing your dog's diet must be done strategically so the act of "detoxing" from the existing food is handled with care. Although dogs may seem as though they can eat anything, they can't. Quickly or incorrectly switching a dog to a new food is one of the most common causes of vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal upsets. A gradual change, sometimes called the Pension Method, is your best route to a smooth switch for your dog.
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Instructions
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Feed your dog the new food as treats, while still using the old brand for regular feedings. Make the new food a reward for your dog while doing tricks or during other times when it may expect a treat. Do this for one week, or for as little as two days if your dog takes to the new food quickly.
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Give your dog a mixture of the new and old food on Days 1 through 3: 75 percent old food and 25 percent new food. Use measuring cups to make your portions as exact as possible.
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Give your dog 50 percent old food and 50 percent new food for each feeding on Days 4 through 6.
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Give your dog 25 percent old food and 75 percent new food for each feeding on Days 7 through 9.
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Give your dog 100 percent new food starting on Day 10.
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Tips & Warnings
Start the switch to the new food when you are toward the end of a batch of your old supply, so little or none of the old food is wasted.
If you have old dog food left over, check with your local shelter to see if it takes donations of food packages already opened. Or, if the old food was not a source of gastrointestinal upset, use leftovers as treats.
If your dog has a medical conditions, check with your veterinarian before switching to a new food.
Read labels carefully if your dog has food allergies.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit empty bowl image by e-pyton from Fotolia.com
