Steps for Changing Your Dog's Diet

Not all dog food is great for your dog. In fact, if you have been doing some research into your dog's food, you may have found that it is less than healthy. While you may want to change your dog's diet, it is important that you do this the right way. Simply changing your dog's food immediately can be problematic. Here are some important steps that can help you to effectively change your dog's diet without causing him any problems.

If your dog is going through a lot of change already, it is probably not the right time to start making dietary changes. Dogs can only take so much strain. Too much stress can affect them physically. After your dog gets through current changes and is comfortable in his environment, then this is the right time to begin working on a change in diet for Fido.

You never want to start giving him all new food right away. As you work to change his diet, start out by replacing about a quarter of his old food with some new food in their double bowl elevated dog feeders. If you mix it up well, the dog will barely notice it. He will eat the old and the new together without any problem in most cases. Some dogs may take a bit more time adjusting to a new diet. Remember, the dog has spent a long time with his old diet so it can take awhile to change the diet. After you notice that your dog is eating all of the new diet that is mixed up with his old food, then you can go on to the next step.

Now you are ready to start putting about 50% new food in with the older food. Don't mix it up as well either. By this point, your dog should be pretty happy eating this new mixture. When you notice he is eating all of this food without a problem, then you can go on to the next step.

It is at this point that you should be putting in about 75% new food and only 25% of the old food. By this point in time, your dog should have no problem accepting this new diet. He may need a couple of weeks though to fully get used to it. You want to make sure that your dog is eating all the food without any hesitation at all.

When your dog is eating the 75% new mixture, you are almost there. Now you are ready to just begin giving him the new food. In most cases, this will be easy for you. After going through the other steps, he should be used to this new food. If your dog will not eat the new food by itself, you may want to go back to the previous step for awhile to continue getting him used to it.

Remember that it will take time for your dog to get used to his new diet. Don't give up when he doesn't seem to like the new diet at first. Over time, you will be able to choose the diet. You need to be understanding and caring with your dog and you need to realize it will take up some time. As long as you do this the right way, following these steps, this should not be overly stressful for your dog and he shouldn't have any adverse physical problems in reaction to a new diet and will be able to get up those dog steps!