So often, we hear about how it is not good to go cold turkey when switching your dog’s food…
And the truth is that suddenly switching foods can cause significant problems, such as upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, and more…
However, there are situations when switching dog food cold turkey is the only option…
So in this article, we’ll be discussing how you can successfully change your dog food even if you have to do it cold turkey, and we’ll be covering the following information…
- Why Change Dog Food Cold Turkey?
- Possible Symptoms Of Changing Dog Food Too Quickly
- Switching Dog Food Without Mixing Old And New Food [Step-By-Step Guide]
- New Dog Food Recommendations
In the end, you know the reasons why it’s sometimes necessary to change your dog’s food cold turkey…
…and you’ll have a step-by-step guide to help you get through the process as easy as possible.
Let’s start by discussing the reason why you might have to change your dog’s food cold turkey…
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Why Change Dog Food Cold Turkey?
If you’re able to, it’s best to transition your dog’s food gradually. You’ll usually do this by mixing in the new food with the old and then gradually phasing out the old food…
But that being said, there are some times when dog parents need to change out their pup’s food without mixing…
For example, one reason for a cold turkey switch may be that the current diet your dog is on is no longer working. This might be because your dog is having a reaction to his or her current food…
Or because your dog is developing a new health condition that requires a quick change away from his current diet…
Another reason why a dog’s food may have to be changed cold turkey is that the food is no longer easily available or even available to you at all, in which case you must go with something else…
In either situation, there is no room for a gradual switch which, again, is a better option… But the good news is that there are some things you can do to make a cold turkey switch a little easier.
Possible Symptoms Of Changing Dog Food Too Quickly…
Unlike us humans, dogs are accustomed to eating the same diet for several years, and when you introduce sudden changes to their diet, it can cause a number of issues…
Some of the symptoms that can occur when you change out your dog’s food cold turkey are…
- diarrhea
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
If your dog experiences any of these symptoms as you transition his or her food, but sure to contact a vet for guidance…
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Switching Dog Food Without Mixing Old And New Food [Step-By-Step Guide]…
If you’ve ruled out transitioning your dog’s food gradually, this section will provide you with a step-by-step guide that might help your dog have a more successful transition…
Step 1: Have Your Dog Fast…
The first thing you should do if you need to switch your dog’s food cold turkey is to have your dog fast for one meal…
Having your dog fast will allow time for any old food to leave his or her stomach, and once your dog’s stomach is empty, you can then start transitioning to the new food…
Keep in mind that you should only fast your dog for one meal before transitioning to the new food.
Step 2: Feed Less On The First Day…
Next, you’ll want to feed your dog less than his normal amount on the first day of new food…
Experts recommend that you feed your dog around a half portion of what he will normally eat, and after that, you can monitor your dog to see how his stomach reacts.
Step 3: Use Digestive Aids To Help Your Dog Transition To The New Food…
Again, switching dog food cold turkey can be hard on a dog’s stomach, but digestive aids can make this process a little more painless…
Two highly recommended digestive aids are plain pumpkin or probiotics…
Using Pumpkin To Switch Dog Food…
Plain pumpkin is an excellent source of soluble fiber that works well at firming the stool, which will help keep diarrhea at bay…
In addition to that, pumpkin is high in vitamins A, C, and E, and it also contains minerals your dog needs such as potassium and iron…
So aside from being good for staving off diarrhea, pumpkin is also a healthy food that’s good for your dog’s overall digestive health…
It’s also easy to give to your dog because you can simply mix some canned pumpkin right into his or her new food.
Using Probiotics To Switch Dog Food…
Another option is to pick up some probiotics that are specially made for dogs…
Probiotics are great for helping your dog transition to the new food because they contain good bacteria that will aid your dog with digestion…
Now before giving your dog probiotics, it’s a good idea to talk with a veterinarian about it beforehand, just to be on the safe side…
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But once you get the all-clear from the vet, here are some of the best probiotics that you can give your dog…
Nusentia Probiotic Miracle Supplement
Nusentia is a budget-friendly probiotic supplement, and it can be found on both Amazon and Chewy…
It contains six strains of probiotics, and every scoop of this formula will give your dog around a billion CFU (colony-forming units)…
It’s also shelf-stable, so you don’t have to worry about it spoiling, and you don’t have to store it in the refrigerator either…
Dogs under 50 pounds typically get one scoop a day, and dogs over 50 pounds typically get two scoops a day.
Purina Fortiflora Canine Nutritional Supplement
The Purina Fortiflora Canine Nutritional Supplement is also pretty affordable, and it’s nice because it’s portioned into individual packages…
All you need to do is sprinkle one package of the probiotics on your dog’s food, and your dog will get the daily amount of probiotics needed to maintain good digestive health…
These probiotics are really appealing because they’re simple and easy to use, and dogs usually find them to be delicious.
PetVitalityPRO Probiotics for Dogs
This is another affordable probiotic supplement, and it comes in the form of a chewable treat…
So if you want to give your dog a treat and promote good digestive health all at the same time, then PetVitalityPRO Probiotics for Dogs might be a great option for you…
All you do is give your dog one of these chews every day, and you can be sure that your fur baby is getting all the necessary good bacteria to have a healthy digestive system.
New Dog Food Recommendations…
If you’re looking to switch dog food, and haven’t decided on a new food yet. I can’t recommend Ollie highly enough…
I like Ollie because it’s extremely high-quality dog food, dogs find it delicious, and it’s really convenient to have it sent straight to your house…
In addition to that, the meals are tailored to the specific needs of your dog, and all the food is designed to be very nutritious…
If you’d like to learn more about why Ollie is one of the best dog foods you can get, click the link below…
>> Click Here To Learn Why Ollie Is Right For You!
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Switching Dog Food Cold Turkey – Final Thoughts…
Like I mentioned earlier, it’s always best to gradually introduce new food to your dog, but sometimes that’s just not an option…
If you are in a position where you need to switch your dog’s food cold turkey, be sure to follow the steps in this guide…
Hopefully, it will make the transition as smooth as possible for your pup…
But if your dog starts acting weird or gets sick after changing food, make sure you contact a vet immediately for guidance.