Changing Diet Guidelines
Because we feed our pets regular, consistent foods, the gut is used to certain ingredients and formulations. Thus, changing foods can be disastrous, particularly for sensitive animals.
It is imperative that any changes be discussed with your veterinarian if you pet is on a specific medical diet. Medical diets are designed to support your pet's health and changes it them, even if done slowly, can be dangerous. In particular, diabetics and urinary crystal forming animals are at risk of serious, life-threatening complications if a diet is changed.
For regular pets, change the diet over slowly. Most tolerate a quarter by quarter transition. For example;
Day 1: 25% new food mixed with 75% old food.
Day 2: 50% new food mixed with 50% old food.
Day 3: 75% new food mixed with 25% old food.
Day 4: 100% new food.
Some sensitive animals will benefit from having each 'day' last 2-3 days to further slow the transition. If diarrhea or vomiting occurs at any point, return to the previous mix where stools were normal.
It is imperative that any changes be discussed with your veterinarian if you pet is on a specific medical diet. Medical diets are designed to support your pet's health and changes it them, even if done slowly, can be dangerous. In particular, diabetics and urinary crystal forming animals are at risk of serious, life-threatening complications if a diet is changed.
For regular pets, change the diet over slowly. Most tolerate a quarter by quarter transition. For example;
Day 1: 25% new food mixed with 75% old food.
Day 2: 50% new food mixed with 50% old food.
Day 3: 75% new food mixed with 25% old food.
Day 4: 100% new food.
Some sensitive animals will benefit from having each 'day' last 2-3 days to further slow the transition. If diarrhea or vomiting occurs at any point, return to the previous mix where stools were normal.