What is the Best Way to Transition Your Pet from One Food to Another?

Most pets grow accustomed to the foods that you feed them every day. If you attempt to change their diet out of the blue, they might not want to eat the new food.

It could even upset their stomachs and cause them to experience pain and diarrhea. The transition from one food to another needs to be a gradual process.

It might take some extra time and energy, but it is worth the effort. If you notice that your pet’s current diet is causing them to become overweight or sick, then switching the food is necessary to protect their health.

Below are the top six steps for transitioning your pet from one food to another.

1) Start with a 25% Reduction in Old Food

A 25% reduction in the amount of their old food is an excellent place to start. Replace that 25% with the new food you want them to eat.

It is okay to mix the two foods because your pet probably will not notice the difference. It is a great way to transition them to the new food without them realizing it too much. 

2) Monitor Their Progress for Four Days

Monitor your pet carefully over the next four days. See if they experience any nausea, diarrhea, excessive gas, stomach pains, stomach growling, and so on.

Any unusual physical behaviour should be cause for concern. An adverse reaction to new food could mean two things.

Perhaps they are having an allergic reaction to the new food. Either that or their stomachs are not equipped to process the new food that you are giving them.

In this situation, go back to 100% old food for about three days. Then start over again with a new type of food than what you used before. Repeat the process.

3) Increase the New Food to 50%

If no severe health issues were experienced over the first four days, it should be safe to reduce your pet’s old food by another 25%.

That brings the total old food reduction to 50%, with the other 50% being the new food. You do not have to keep mixing the food at this point.

Try experimenting by putting the new food and old food in two separate bowls. See if your pet will eat out of each bowl. If they only eat the old food, then continue mixing the two foods.

4) Monitor Their Progress Again for Another Four Days

Continue to watch your pet’s progress as they eat more of this new food. Look for signs of stomach pain, diarrhea, excessive gas, or a combination of them all.

If 50% of new food caused them to experience symptoms, but 25% of new food did not, then go back and put them on 25% new food again.

Most pets should be okay if they passed the 25% new food test. The only problem you might experience with your pet at 50% new food is a psychological one.

But their physical health should not be affected at this point. The 25% new food test should indicate whether they have specific food allergies or not.

5) Continue the Transition Until You Reach 100% New Food

Keep the transition going until you reach 100% new food. It is important to measure out the same food quantities for each meal that you serve your pet.

Do not feed them too much or too little food. That way, you can help your pet maintain a healthy weight all the time.

6) Consult with a Veterinarian

Consult with a veterinarian about the food transition process that you want for your pet. They can give you additional advice, including their recommendations on which new foods are the best for your particular pet’s breed.

Final Words

Pets come in different species, genders and breeds. Diet changes affect each one a little bit differently.

Visit this website for more information about the safest and healthiest way to change what you feed your pet.