Is It Bad to Keep Switching a Dog's Food?

Switching a dog's food flavor or brand is a controversial issue, and the opinions are split between encouraging dog owners to change food frequently and sticking to the same dog food brand. Consider both the pros and the cons of switching when deciding what's best for your dog. In certain cases, such as a dog's age and health, the switch is often necessary.

  1. Benefits of Switching Dog Food

    • According to the Dog Food Analysis website, switching dog food brands is advisable. Dogs should have a variety of ingredients in their meals, and a single dog food may not contain all of them, causing vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Switching food periodically also helps the dog owner stay informed of improvements made to certain foods and new findings on pet nutrition.

    Drawbacks to Changing Food

    • When switching brands of food, dogs may have digestive issues, such as vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, because their systems are not adapted to the ingredients of the new brand. Sensitive dogs may develop allergic reactions to certain ingredients in the new dog food. Switching to new food brands can cause stress on your pet because dogs are sensitive to change. Don't switch your dog's food if it is stressed or if it is a new member of your household.

    When Change Is Necessary

    • In certain cases, a switch to a new diet is required. When a puppy reaches maturity, which typically happens when it is between 6 and 18 months, depending on the breed, it will need to switch to adult food. You may need to switch to a different brand if your dog is allergic to the old brand or if the brand is no longer available in stores. Dogs with health problems, including kidney or liver disease and diabetes, may also need a special diet. When deciding on the new brand to use, ensure that it meets the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards.

    Transitioning to a New Food

    • If you want to feed your dog a different type of food, make the transition to the new food gradually to prevent digestive issues and other potential problems. Change to the new diet over three to nine days or a longer period if your dog has a history of having a sensitive stomach. Start by giving 75 percent of the old food and 25 of the new food to your pet. Keep this proportion for one to three days. Change the proportion to 50/50 for a similar time period. Switch the proportion to 25-percent old food and 75-percent new food for up to three days. The dog should then be able to eat only the new food. If your dog begins vomiting or has diarrhea, remove the new food and keep it on its old diet for 12 hours to allow the stomach to calm down.