Are you facing a situation where you have to switch your dog’s food or cat’s food for a good reason and have no idea how to do that? No worries, we are here to help just keep reading along!

Why the switch?

Let us first understand the reason behind this change from current food to new food. 

Some of the common reasons for changing your pet’s diet include:

• Your fur baby has refused to eat their current food
• They are entering a new life stage
• They need to lose or gain weight
• Your veterinarian has recommended a specific diet for your pet
• They have food allergies or sensitivities that may be alleviated due to their current diet.

How to transition your pet’s current food to new food?

The most important thing to remember about transitioning your pet’s food is that it should be slow and gradual for a minimum of 7 days. Making an abrupt change in your pet’s diet can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or your pet’s refusal to eat. 

Remember, every pet is unique, and they have their own needs, so some cats and dogs might need a more prolonged transition period to adapt to the new food. If your pet has a sensitive tummy, or you are changing their diet for the first time, carry out the transition as carefully and slowly as possible by switching 10% of their current food with a new one and continuing to switch 10% more every other day till you reach a whole bowl of fresh food.

Step-by-step guide for the transition

Step 1: Mix 25% new food with 75% current food

Start the transition slowly by adding just 25% of the new food to the current one. For example, if you feed your pet 1 cup of food, serve 3/4th cup of the present food with 1/4th cup of new food. Serve food in this ratio for the next three days, and keep an eye out for signs of any health distress.

Step 2: Mix 50% new food with 50% current food

If your pet has a positive reaction to the above step, try the half-and-half approach next by mixing 50% of the new food with 50% of the existing one for a couple of days and keep on checking on your pet and their body’s reaction to this change.

Step 3: Mix 75% new food with 25% current food

If your pet is fine with the transition till now, give them a mix of 1/4th cup of the current food with a 3/4th cup of this new food. 

Step 4: Bowl of new food

This is the most giant step that you have to take. Give your dog a whole bowl of their new food! Hoping that all went well, congratulations to you two!!

Points to remember!

• In the above steps, if your pet or their health doesn't seem too happy with the transition, stop it for a while. Once their body is back to normal, give it another try with a lesser quantity, and if your pet or their body is still rejecting this new food, check with your vet immediately. 
• The best way to know the effects of the new diet on your pet is to check your pet's stool regularly(poop is proof!). A healthy poop is firm with no flatulence(excess farting).
• At times, the transition process takes a lot of time as it is a trial-and-error method. It is crucial to have patience and not be disheartened. 
• It is essential to remember that if your pet doesn’t seem to like the new food at any point, don’t let them go hungry and try to feed them the food they generally eat as going hungry will harm your pet’s health.

Which food is the best for my pet?

There are hundreds of brands and varieties to choose from in the pet market. Choosing the best food for your pet depends on your pet’s health and nutritional needs. 

Some of the best nutrient-rich dog foods in the market are Smartheart Dog Food, Royal Canin, and Canine Creek. Some of the best cat foods are Purepet cat food, Whiskas cat dry food, and Meo Persian cat food. 

PS: It is highly advisable to check with your vet before making a change to your pet’s diet.