Feed change made easy.

There are many reasons why a dog (or cat) should change their diet. You can switch from wet to dry food or vice versa. Or the change in feed becomes necessary due to flatulence or diseases in the gastrointestinal tract caused by the dog's previous diet. Overweight or underweight as well as intolerances sometimes force a change of feed. But age can also make a change in food useful several times in your dog's life:

• From suckling puppy food to puppy food
• From puppy food to adult food
• From adult food to senior food

Selection of the new feed

You have to pay special attention to the ingredients. It should ideally not contain any by-products or sugar. For this, it must be rich in important nutrients, for example from fruit and vegetables as well as fresh meat. An optimal composition should look like this or something similar:

• A high proportion of fresh meat such as poultry, beef, game or fish and egg as a source of protein
• Healthy carbohydrates without gluten like millet, potatoes or rice
• Fruits such as apples, cranberries or blueberries
• Vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, peas, celery or chicory
• Herbs such as dandelion, horsetail, yuka, or comfrey leaves
• Healthy oils like safflower oil, salmon oil, hemp oil

Duration of food change in dogs

It depends on whether the feed change has to be done quickly because the symptoms of a digestive disease are already so bad. If you don't have to switch immediately, it should take at least 7 days. You then replace a quarter of the old feed at a time and increase the amount of new feed as follows:

If the time for the change of feed is not pressing, then we recommend a change within two weeks. This applies, for example, if you change the feeding from wet food to dry food or vice versa. When changing the food because of age, it is better to give your dog 14 days so that he or she can get used to the new food.

The dog does not tolerate the new food

Of course, a consultation with the vet is always a good first step to avoid problems. Please note, however, that the veterinarian will usually recommend a certain type of dog food. But the veterinarian can certainly help with the right type of food. However, should it happen that your dog gets diarrhea from the new food, you can first slow down the transition. Sometimes it makes sense to take a step back when changing feed. However, if your dog has vomiting or diarrhea for several days, you absolutely have to go to the vet.

Our conclusion on the feed change

A dog is not just a dog. Switching from dry food to wet food or as a result of age is the easiest. Frequently, allergies or a sick intestinal flora initially force you to switch faster. But it is better if the dog's diet is gradually changed. Your four-legged friend needs time. Your darling will thank you!