Changing your dog's diet: This is what you should keep in mind
Do you want the best for your loyal companion and attach great importance to his well-being? By changing your dog's diet, it is often possible to alleviate certain symptoms. Optimal nutrition always plays an important role. Various factors such as your dog's living conditions, performance or age can make a change in food necessary. However, this should be carefully thought out and approached carefully.
The good news is: With proper planning, a smooth change of food for your dog is possible. Below you will find out how to choose the right food and how to successfully change your dog's food.
Changing food for dogs: These are the reasons why
If you want or need to change your dog food, there may be different reasons. The focus is often on health conditions or age-related changes. It could also be allergies or intolerances that require a change in food for your dog.
This can lead to different symptoms. These include skin irritations, digestive problems or lack of energy. If you notice such a reaction in your dog, you should consider changing his food.
Another important reason for dogs to change their diet is age. Young dogs have different nutritional needs than older dogs. Puppies need a protein-rich food for their growth, while older dogs should eat an easily digestible food with an adjusted calorie content.
Changes in behavior may also make it necessary to change your dog's diet. If your dog suddenly goes from being an active outdoor dog to being a more calm family dog, it may be that your dog needs a different food that is adapted to the energy level.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you carry out a health check for dogs from GenoLine in order to identify the individual needs of your four-legged friend within a few days.
Changing your dog's diet: choosing the right food
Choosing the right food is crucial for your dog's optimal nutrition. There are a few aspects that you should consider:
· Individual needs: Factors such as age, breed, activity level and general condition play a role in selecting the right food.
· Quality of the ingredients: High-quality proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals are essential for your dog's well-being. You should avoid products that contain artificial additives, colors, or preservatives.
· Digestibility of the feed: Easily digestible feed supports intestinal function. This means your dog can absorb the nutrients optimally. It can be helpful to consult the opinions of other dog owners or the recommendations of veterinarians.
To be on the safe side, you can carry out a food check on your dog . This tests for over 300 feed ingredients based on a sample, making it easier for you to choose a suitable feed.
Changing your dog's food: This is the best way to do it
In order to make the food change as pleasant as possible for your dog, good planning is essential. In addition to high-quality food that is tailored to your dog's individual needs, the timing of the change is also important. Make sure that your four-legged friend is in his usual surroundings. Stress or illness can complicate or prevent the process.
· Start with a mix of 75% old food and 25% new food. You should carry out this process for three days. Watch how your dog reacts to the change in food.
· After three days, increase the proportion of new food to 50%. Repeat this step, adding more new food at regular intervals while reducing the old food. Your dog's food change should take place over a period of 7 to 10 days.
While changing your dog's diet, it is important to closely monitor his appetite, behavior and digestion. If a negative change emerges here, this is a sign that the new food needs to be adjusted again.
You should avoid these mistakes when changing your dog's food
A common mistake when changing dog food is switching from different types of food too quickly. Your dog's digestive tract needs time to get used to the new food. Also avoid combining different types of food. Some dog owners tend to mix several types when changing their dog's food.
Changing your dog's diet: pay attention to the reactions
Observing your dog is an essential part of a successful food change. It is important to correctly interpret your loyal companion's reactions to ensure that your dog tolerates the new food well. Common reactions to the food include:
· Changes in your dog’s behavior
· Digestive problems
· Changes in appetite
· Skin and fur changes
· Weight changes By closely observing these aspects, you can check whether your dog's change in food is successful or not.
Important: change food for puppies
An additional aspect that should not be ignored when changing food is switching from puppy to adult food. There are a few things to consider here too.
As a rule, the change in food for a dog begins when it reaches the end of its growth phase. This differs depending on the dog breed. You can determine this precisely by DNA dog breed determination . While smaller dogs are often fully grown at around 9 to 12 months, larger dog breeds require 12 to 18 months.
It is important not to start changing food too early, as puppies' food is tailored specifically to their needs. This contains many essential nutrients for the optimal development of your four-legged friend.
You should also proceed gradually when changing your puppy's food. Start by gradually mixing the puppy food with the adult food. Increase the proportion of new food over a period of about a week.
An active life by changing the food for dogs
Changing your dog's diet is a process that requires attention and patience and should be done carefully. This means your four-legged friend can enjoy his life to the fullest.
By taking the right approach, you can ensure that your dog stays active and happy not only today, but also for years to come. Remember that the love and care you put into changing your dog's diet will lay the foundation for many years together.
