The contents of your dog's food bowl might cause tummy troubles. Switching your dog's current foods could be a good idea! Changing your dog's food can be a good idea, but staying with the same food is also good. We talked to experts who explained the common reasons for switching a dog's regular food and how to do it.
Age
A puppy's diet changes over time. While it's essential to feed puppies a balanced diet, you should consider some specific things when feeding your dog throughout his life.
The age of your dog matters—and it affects what he eats. As your pet gets older, his nutritional needs change. Your pup's body starts losing muscle mass, and his metabolism slows down. He might begin to eat less, too. His teeth become weaker, and his digestion becomes slower. All those factors make him more likely to develop certain health and medical issues. As puppy food contains more calories, and you want to avoid unnecessary weight gain, you should transition to adult food.
Your senior dog might benefit from a senior diet if they are healthy and gaining a bit of extra weight or overweight. This will meet your dog's calorie needs without excessive weight gain and stress.
Your senior dog may seem healthy but may be losing weight unintentionally. Consult your veterinarian to determine the cause of weight loss before changing your dog's diet. Many commercial and prescription diets or limited ingredient diets are available to help manage diseases and common issues in senior dogs, such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, etc.
Upset Stomach
Diarrhea or stomach upset can be caused when dogs eat too much food. A lack of appetite or reduced appetite accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting may mean your dog has an infection or disorder that needs to be addressed. Your veterinarian may recommend switching to dog food specially formulated for sensitive stomachs if your dog has digestive issues.
Diet may be the cause of diarrhea or vomiting in your dog. Indigestion should be addressed one step at a time and narrowed down to the cause. It becomes harder to pinpoint exactly what causes your dog's upset stomach the more foods you give him. Dogs with upset stomachs can also be aggravated by rapidly changing their diet.
Allergies
Dogs are prone to food allergies just like humans. Food allergies, food intolerances, and other gastrointestinal diseases can all be classified as adverse food reactions in dogs.
But unlike people, it's hard to tell what foods cause allergic reactions in dogs. Allergy symptoms include itching, scratching, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, skin rash, hives, and breathing problems. And once a dog develops an allergy, there's no cure. If you suspect your pet has developed an allergy to his current foods, seek veterinary care and advice immediately.
Medical Conditions
Special diets are needed for certain health problems. For example, dogs with health issues like kidney failure need special food because their kidneys don't work well enough to process protein. Other diseases require different types of diets. Some dogs are allergic to certain ingredients in dog food. And some dogs have skin disorders that make it hard for them to eat properly.
There are many reasons why you might want to feed your pet a diet tailored to their needs. Your veterinarian can help you decide what diet is best for your dog. If they don't know much about nutrition, you'll probably need to do most of the research yourself.
Weight Problems
There are several medical problems associated with obesity in dogs.
It is common for owners to not be able to tell that their dog is overweight. As wet food contains a high water content, dogs feel full faster, so wet food can be an effective weight loss tactic.
The extra hydration provided by wet food makes it a good choice.
Dietary moisture plays an important role in a dog's health. If your dog eats wet food and drinks water, he will be more hydrated than if he eats dry food and drinks water. Just adding half a can a day can help a lot.
Food Recall
You should stop feeding your dog recalled food as soon as possible.
Most recalls affect only a specific flavour or type within a brand.
You may want to consider switching to a different flavour within the same brand to minimize your dog's exposure to the recall. Big brands have robust quality control, so we prefer them.
It is essential to provide your dog with a variety of foods so that you will be prepared if a recall occurs. Your dog will be more comfortable if you have other options as a backup if the food you've been serving is suddenly unavailable.
Boredom
Having the same meal every day could get monotonous. Dogs can also be affected by this!
Just like people, dogs get bored with food. Some breeds are pickier than others. Labradors are notorious for eating anything and everything, but I find that Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus tend to be more sensitive eaters. Keep feeding your dog its current food if it is happy and healthy. Most upset stomachs are caused by food changes. Food can become a problem if it is changed too often.
It is essential to make the switch gradually if you plan to do so. When you have stomach issues or are transitioning from one food to another, digestive enzymes, prebiotics, or probiotics may be helpful. You should introduce new food slowly to your dog's gut to give it time to adjust.
It is possible to experience gastrointestinal issues if you suddenly switch pet foods, such as upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. For medical advice, don't hesitate to get in touch with your local veterinarian.
Super Feedy - Changing the way dogs eat for good.
As responsible pet parents, we know that you want to do everything to help. Living with a sick dog after a meal is no fun. Our two doggos, Marley and Belle, both like to eat fast! So we know exactly what it's like to live with a dog in pain and discomfort after eating.
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Your dog will have a happier, healthier mealtime experience giving you peace of mind.
