Switching to different dog food, how do you do it?

There may be times when you would like to switch to different food for your little four-legged friend. Perhaps your pet no longer responds well to the food he or she is currently receiving. There are several ways to switch to other food. How exactly to do this? It depends on the food you are currently feeding and the food you want to start feeding. We will help you! 

Steps to switch to a different dog food

Switching from crunchy dog food to another crunchy dog food
When you want to switch from one crunchy dog food to another crunchy dog food, it is best to do it gradually. That way you'll have less chance of complaints. Dogs can be switched to another kibble within 7 days. Does your dog have a sensitive stomach? Then you can take a little longer. Then take three days per step instead of two. We share a fine step-by-step plan for switching to new food:

Switching from a pressed kibble to a crunchy kibble (or vice versa)
When you want to switch your pet from a pressed kibble to a crunchy kibble (or vice versa), it's best to do it all at once. Pressed kibble is digested in a different way than pressed kibble. Mixing the kibble together can result in gastrointestinal problems.

You can also choose to switch to fresh meat. In this case, you give your pet fresh meat for about 7 days. After a week, you can switch to the other kibble at once. When you first give fresh meat for a week, the intestinal flora can recover, making the switch to another kibble easier.

From fresh meat to krokante kibble (or vice versa)
Also in this case you may switch in one go. Because both types of food are digested differently, it is not necessary to mix the food first for a few days.

Diarrhea after switching to new dog food

In the intestines of a dog and cat, good and bad bacteria are present in proper proportions; these bacteria together are called the intestinal flora. The gut flora of a dog or cat is adapted to the food the animal is currently receiving. When you want to switch your dog or cat to a different food, the intestinal flora will change and the digestive tract must "get used" to the new food. As a result, your pet may temporarily have thinner stools or even diarrhea. After about 6 to 8 weeks the body is completely 'used to' the new food and complaints such as thin stools or diarrhea will have disappeared. At this time, the intestinal flora is fully adapted to the new diet and can be optimally digested by the body.

It is also important to know what a dog can and cannot eat. We have previously written an article about this. It indicates what your four-legged friend is allowed to eat in terms of fruits and vegetables. View the article here.

Many dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you like to switch to Riverwood and let your dog enjoy our delicious food? Then answer a few questions here, find out which variety suits your dog best and order an inexpensive sample pack right away!