HELP YOUR PET AVOID FOOD SENSITIVITIES.
TURNS OUT YOU REALLY CAN HAVE TOO
MUCH OF A GOOD THING.
When your pet loves what they’re eating, it’s easy to get into a rut. But did you know that overexposure to the same protein source or other ingredients can increase the likelihood of food sensitivities and intolerances developing? This problem usually shows up as persistent symptoms that just won’t go away — dry skin, tummy troubles, ear infections and low energy. The first step is to let your vet rule out any other medical issues, but after that it’s time to experiment with your pet’s food.
ROTATE YOUR
PET'S DIET
REGULARLY
START WITH NEW TOPPERS,
HYDRATORS AND SUPPLEMENTS.
For pets that aren’t used to diet changes, it’s important to go slowly. Stick to their usual base and try new add-ons that support digestive health.
Some options you can try are:
CHANGE THEIR FOOD BOWL INGREDIENTS.
To build a healthy food bowl, we recommend a combination of base, toppers, hydrators and supplements that works for your pet’s unique needs.
Make sure to include a variety of:
- Protein sources
- Carbohydrate sources
- Forms of food
- Brands of food
IF ALL GOES WELL, TRY A NEW BASE FOOD.
There are three options:
- Alternate at every meal — feed one base option for breakfast and another for dinner.
- Alternate every other bag — buy a different base option every time you purchase food.
- Or, combine two bases in every meal — this works best with dry food.
IF NEEDED,
MAKE A BIG
SWITCH
Whether it’s due to health, lifestyle changes, or boredom, just about every dog or cat will need a major diet change eventually. The more you rotate toppers and hydrators into their diets in advance, the easier it will be for them to adjust.
FOR A TEMPORARY FIX, USE BLAND FOOD.
If you’re switching your pet’s diet due to an upset stomach, it’s important to handle that problem first. A bland diet like Dave’s Restricted Diet smooths things out quickly but just remember not to feed it for too long — it lacks key vitamins and nutrients. As soon as you have your vet’s approval, gradually transition your pet to a new diet.
DON’T FORGET THE PROBIOTICS
During these stressful changes, the healthy bacteria in probiotics calm everything down and make digestion easier. In fact, supplementing with probiotics is ideal for optimal gut health so it’s best to continue even after the food transition is over.
- Follow the recommendations on the package for serving size.
- Use the probiotics with each meal for at least 2 weeks.
THE 25% METHOD WORKS BEST.
Nobody wants tummy troubles. If your pet isn’t used to diet changes, avoid stomach issues by going slowly. Over time, mix in more and more of the new food to your pet’s old diet. You’ll want to do this in 25% increments over a period of one to two weeks.
EASE IN WITH SMALLER
PORTION SIZES.
Don’t have enough time for a two-week transition? Smaller portion sizes give your pet’s stomach a break as it works to adjust.
- On the first day of their new diet, try skipping either breakfast or dinner.
- Or, feed two half portions rather than two full meals.
- You could even feed half of the recommended serving of new food and mix in plain canned pumpkin, squash or sweet potato, which will fill your pet up but actually ease any digestive troubles.
ASK A PET FOODIE
We’re obsessed with nutrition and have an estimated 1 million hours* of food training to prove it. Stop by any of our stores for help finding the right diet for your pet. Or, take our Food Finder quiz online.
*Estimated hours based on employee self-reported time. Training includes product reviews, video tutorials, ingredient studies, manufacturer demonstrations, pet industry expos, test kitchens, conferences, research and more.