Changing your dog’s food on a regular basis in order to give it a different protein is known as a “rotational diet.” For instance, you might alternate between chicken, beef, turkey, and then back to chicken.
When it comes to how frequently or even whether to switch your dog’s food, pet parents disagree, as you can see from a quick online search.
The truth is that changing what you feed your puppy has both benefits and drawbacks, and what works well for one dog might not work for another. However, generally speaking, exposing your dog to novel situations and foods is a good idea!
Adds Diversity to Your Pet’s Gut Bacteria
Gut bacteria is a vital part of health that many pet parents arent aware of. More and more research shows that good digestive health and strong immune systems are more likely if dogs have a “happy,” diverse gut microbiome.
By switching up your pet’s diet to include lots of foods rich in fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics, you may be able to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in their body.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms a New Food Isn’t Right for Your Dog?
Some indications that a food isn’t agreeing with your pet or may be harming their health include:
Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned that your pet has an allergy or sensitivity to the new food you have given them. They’ll probably advise an elimination diet; read our comprehensive guide to find out what to anticipate.
It’s possible that your dog’s digestive issues are unrelated to a sensitivity or severe allergy. You may have simply introduced the new food too quickly. If your pet’s stool has changed, they are having gas problems, or they don’t seem interested in the food, this might be the case. See if it helps to slow down your rotational feeding plan and introduce more of their previous food into their diet.
Is It Okay to Rotate Your Dog or Cat’s Food?
Yes. Many pet owners worry that switching their animals’ diets might cause stomach upset, and in some cases, this is true. But there should be little cause for concern when introducing a rotational feeding schedule properly, with a slow transition that gradually quickens over time.
Rotating your dog’s food, as we mentioned in the section before, may benefit their health. To ensure that the dog food transition period goes smoothly, you should adhere to best practices (which we cover in the following sections), and you should keep an eye out for any indications of food sensitivities.
FAQ
How often should you switch dog food?
To maintain variety and prevent allergic reactions, every owner should switch out the food every three months or so. Rotate between sources of protein like beef, lamb, and chicken for the best results. Due to dogs’ sensitive stomachs, rotating food may initially result in some digestive problems.
Should dogs eat the same food everyday?
Unlike us, our canine pals don’t need variety. They’re fine eating the same thing all the time. Once you’ve found a food that your dog enjoys, stick with it. Changing your dog’s food brand or type can give them an illness.
Can you change dog food daily?
Never abruptly change your pet’s diet unless your veterinarian advises you to. This is because abrupt dietary changes may result in stomach upset or even diarrhoea, which may make some pets less likely to eat the food that is offered to them. Give your dog their regular meal as normal.
Do dogs get bored of the same food everyday?
No. Dogs actually have fewer taste receptors compared to humans. That implies that they are less compelled to eat something new every day. Consequently, your dog won’t get sick of eating the same thing every day.